The news in a nutshell

AFRMA - Both cedar and pine contain phenols-that's the stuff that makes them smell good. Phenols are caustic, poisonous, acidic compounds. These compounds cause constant irritation to the nasal passages, throat, and lungs of small animals giving bacteria an easy opening, thus commonly causing pneumonia. Phenols also affect organs such as the liver and kidneys, because these organs are responsible for filtering toxins out of the body. When presented with a large amount of toxins over time, they are unable to filter it all out and begin to fail. An animal with a damaged liver will have a depressed immune system, which can lead to other medical conditions.

Bedding Alternatives!

Fortunately there are a number of good products on the market which take the place of traditional bedding.

Hardwood Shavings:

• Sani-Chips® - PJ Murphy Forest Products - (201) 316-0800 [Aspen chips]
• Aspen Shavings - Northeastern Products Corp. (518) 623-3803
• Shredded Aspen - Aspen Bed I, American Excelsior Co. (817) 640-1555
• Shredded Aspen - Harlan Teklad (800) 483-5523

• CareFRESH™ - Absorption Corp. - (800) 242-2287
• ALPHA-dri - Shepherd Specialty Papers - (800) 253-3286
• Cellu-Dri - Shepherd Specialty Papers - (800) 253-3286

• Gentle Touch™ - Gentle Touch Products - (402) 332-0253 [Aspen bark]
• Critter Country - Mt. Meadows Pet Products, Inc. - (800) 752-8864 [Winter wheat grass & other fibers]
• Yesterday's News - Canbrands International Ltd. - (800) 267-5287 [Recycled newspaper]