Saw Dust

Question
Hello Dr. Krempels, I have yet another rabbit question...I have been using saw dust that I got from behind the saw at Home Depot as litter.  My boyfriend told me that the saw dust is probably from cutting 2x4s, which are probably pine wood!  Is that toxic?!  I have been using it for about a week now, I really hope I havent been poisoning my bunny!  If it is toxic is there anything I should do?

Answer
Dear Jamie,

I would definitely *stop* using that sawdust!  Not only might there be metal filings and other problematic things in there, but some of the wood is bound to have been pressure-treated pine.  That means it was treated with toxic heavy metals, and in sawdust form, this could be even more dangerous than just the plain wood.

Sawdust is very good for absorbing odors, but to be safe, buy it in pelleted form.  Wood stove pellets are good, as are the wood pellets sold as horse bedding.

We use Feline Pine, which is pelleted pine sawdust known to be safe.  But I would not use the Home Depot sawdust.  It's just too risky.

I hope that helps!

Dana