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Expert: - 12/27/2007


Question
If you can answer this, can sheep or goats have cedar as their bedding?  

Answer
Dear Ashley,

Cedar shavings are not very safe bedding for any type of animal, although it's much worse for small animals such as hamsters, reptiles, rabbits, etc.

If the barn where the goats, etc. are kept is well ventilated, then the cedar might be okay.  But since there is much safer bedding available, I'd opt for that.

We've found that pelleted pine sawdust, wet down to make a soft fluff, is fantastic.  It's as affordable as cedar shavings, and much safer.  It also makes MUCH better compost.  You can buy this as horse bedding at most good feed stores, or as wood stove pellets from Home Depot.  

The makers of Feline Pine now package and market the same thing as "Equine Pine."  Not as cheap as wood stove pellets, but very good as litter.  We get it for about $7 for a 40lb. bag.

Hope that helps!

Dana

Biology

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Volunteer

Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Expertise

I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!

Experience

At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980). I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.

Past/Present Clients
I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.

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