Sleeping on the floor of the cage is not ideal for any kind of pet, and it’s not the sort of bedding that you’d want for a ferret either.
There are a lot of different materials that could be used in such a case, but the question that we’re set to answer here is whether ferrets can use pine bedding. The short answer is NO, but we’ll get more into the topic below.
The bedding material is only one aspect to consider, but it’s an important one. The size of the cage, the materials used for litter boxes, these all matter, and should be carefully considered.
Can Ferrets Use Pine Bedding?
Pine bedding is not a good option for ferrets, but it is still a very common option on the market, and many will use it unknowingly. The reason why I’d go for a different material, is because it comes with harmful oil compounds from the wood, and it can cause respiratory issues, allergies, inflammation, skin irritations, even liver problems.
There is an alternative though, and that’s the use of kiln-dried pine for ferret bedding, since the compounds that are an issue will be removed through this process. In this particular case, yes, you can rely on pine bedding for ferrets.
If you’re not sure, I’d stay away from pine wood shavings as bedding, just to be sure.
What Bedding Do Ferrets Like?
While it’s not the type of bedding that you’d expect a ferret to use out in the wild, fleece is actually one of the better options at your disposal right now.
There are multiple reasons why it could be good, and here I’d mention both the price of this material, and the comfort offered to ferrets. Also, it’s resistant, and it can take a bit of a beating if the ferret digs its claws into it.
An alternative would be the use of newspaper or paper as bedding, but some of them may use ink that is not safe for the ferret. If you can’t afford anything else, you can experiment with paper or newspapers.
Other Bedding Materials That Shouldn’t Be Used
Besides pine wood shavings, there are a number of other materials that should be avoided. Cedarwood is another one that you should skip, for similar reasons, related to the content in oils present in the shavings.
I’d also stay away from knitted materials or from silk. Any kind of material that they can’t dig their claws in, and then remove them effortlessly, should be avoided. I would also recommend you stay away from hemp bedding, as they can be allergic to it.
In conclusion, I wouldn’t go for pine bedding, and the simple reason is that it can be harmful for your pet. Ferrets could use bedding or hammocks which are made out of fleece though, while newspapers and paper can be a very cheap acceptable option.
