Hardwood stove pellets - worth the great price?

[*Kat*]

Many people have jumped on the bandwagon of using hardwood stove pellets as bedding or litter box litter for small animals. Hardwood stove pellets are typically made of oak wood. Oak contains tannins and this component can cause causes anemia in small animals after . I have personally witnessed this after using hardwood stove pellets in litter boxes for 6 months. Changing to a safer alternative alleviated the problems in my animals. I am not asking anyone to take my word for it. I have done research on it, and encourage others to do their own research also. I will include some information I have found to get you started.
 http://www.freedomfuelusa.net/can-fuel-pellets-be-used-as-litter-bedding-for-small-pets.html

 Email on the subject from a wood stove pellet plant: Thanks for your questions concerning Indeck Energy Premium Wood Fuel Pellets.  Our pellets are manufactured using a blend of northern hardwood species, but also may contain a very small amount of softwood fiber.  There are no chemical or other additives used in the manufacturing process.   However, Northern  Red Oak  fiber makes up the larger portion of our fuel pellets, and as you may be aware, that species is generally recognized as being quite high in tannin content.  We have never specifically tested for tannins in the pellets, so it is unknown if the tannins survive the heat and pressure of the pelleting process.

    As an alternative, Indeck also produces a premium horse bedding pellet (known as “Aspen Gold”), that is made exclusively from 100% Aspen wood fiber.  Aspen, being one of the lightest colored hardwoods, is generally considered to have comparatively very low tannin content.  In addition, using 100% Aspen avoids potential problems that some animals may have with the phenols and aromatics in pine and/or cedar products.  We can help you find a source to purchase Aspen Gold bedding if you are interested.

     I hope this information has been helpful – please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

Jeff Schultz
Plant Manager
Indeck Ladysmith, LLC
1951 Meadowbrook Road
Ladysmith, WI 54848
715/532-3042   FAX: 715/532-3043
Cell: 715/558-3608
Email:  jschultz@indeckenergy.com

 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jat.2550140409/abstract http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/poison/plants/ppoaks.htm

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7157671_effects-tannic-acid-body.html

 "...ABLE TO KILL COW BY DAILY ADMIN OF 50 G FOR 16 DAYS, ALTHOUGH 25 G DAILY FOR 28 DAYS FAILED TO PRODUCE TOXIC SYMPTOMS." Think of the size of a rat.
"ADDED TO DIET OF CHICKS, TANNIC ACID @ LEVEL OF 0.5% CAUSES DEPRESSION OF GROWTH RATE, @ LEVEL OF 5.0%, 70% MORTALITY."
"ADMINISTERED ORALLY, IT CAUSES HEMORRHAGIC GASTRITIS IN RABBITS... IN HORSE, DOSES OF 50 TO 300 G GIVEN BY STOMACH TUBE CAUSE COLIC & JAUNDICE, WITH HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA, NECROSIS OF GASTRIC MUCOSA, DEGENERATION OF HEART MUSCLE, NEPHRITIS, & CHANGES IN LIVER."
"...ADMIN BY IP OR SC INJECTION TO RATS... SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WAS CONCN OF TANNIC ACID IN NUCLEI, INHIBITION OF NUCLEAR RNA SYNTHESIS, INHIBITION OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS, & PRODUCTION OF NECROSIS."
http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=16129778#x332
 Yes, the studies in there many are from being directly fed tannic acid, but that our animals would be contained in close contact with it, cleaning it off their fur, feet, eating the occasional pellet they put in their food etc, due to being such small animals it would not be difficult for them to get these amounts. 50 grams can kill a cow? So if a cow weighs average of 1500lb? That is really not much! For comparison the average lab mouse weighs 20 grams. The concern with hardwood stove pellets we are talking about repeat contact, daily to a wood which is known to have some of the highest tannin levels. Is it worth the risk to our animals? It can seem fine, but how about when the animal is already ill? Does it need another factor working against it?

[Blue Steel Rats]

About ten years ago I checked out the wood pellets available in my area with the thought of using them as a less-expensive form of litter. One of the bags had a small tear in it, and the pellets were falling out. I took out about four "pellets" and squished them in my hand to check out their consistency.  They were soft enough... BUT, I was mortified to see (and smell) what appeared to be an oily/petroleum-like product on my hands after handling the pellets. The list of ingredients didn't mention anything of the sort, but there was definitely an oily residue on my hands. Had to go scrub my hands, TWICE, to get the residue and smell off my hands.

Needless to say, went with "Yesterday's News" instead of the wood pellets.

[ceopet]

About ten years ago I checked out the wood pellets available in my area with the thought of using them as a less-expensive form of litter. One of the bags had a small tear in it, and the pellets were falling out. I took out about four "pellets" and squished them in my hand to check out their consistency.  They were soft enough... BUT, I was mortified to see (and smell) what appeared to be an oily/petroleum-like product on my hands after handling the pellets. The list of ingredients didn't mention anything of the sort, but there was definitely an oily residue on my hands. Had to go scrub my hands, TWICE, to get the residue and smell off my hands.

Needless to say, went with "Yesterday's News" instead of the wood pellets.

Are you still using YN? It's not really ratty safe anymore. There is some soft wood in it. And other junk too.


Good to know about the pellets Kat. I've thought about using them, but never got around to it, and now after reading this I don't think it'd be worth trying. I'll stick to fresh news or the petco one that is exactly the same *Not the one with the zeolight they have another one now*

[RooRat]

I've been using stove pellets and haven't noticed any issues, but this has me scared so now I'm looking to switch. Can't make it to a petsmart for a few days, so does anyone know if there's a good option at target or Walmart? Do they carry anything like carefresh? I know I'll have to freeze whatever I get, but better hardwood pellets for two more days than for another week...

[Marybelle]

Walmart carries a CareFresh-like bedding.  And they do aspen, as well, AFAIK.

[*Kat*]

It is used in the tanning of leathers, and can change color some too (obviously)

In half an hour, here is the results of soaking oak twigs and pine twigs in water.


3.5 hours from start time here is the same 2 samples.


NOTE - I am not recommending pine, but this shows the vast amount of tannins in oak.   I have contacted other makers of oak hardwood stove pellets and none of them do any testing or have any knowledge of if the tannin level decreases to safer levels.   

"Tannins, or tannic acids, are common chemicals in plants. Tannins are pale yellow to light brown compounds termed polyphenols that are soluble in water. Tannins have been used for centuries as dyes andinks and for "tanning" leather. The polyphenols react strongly with almost any protein, including the proteins in the teeth. In their natural state, tannins keep plants healthy, and tannins have health benefits for humans too, but tannins also stain teeth --an undesirable effect."   http://www.ehow.com/facts_5538968_tannin-acid-stain-teeth.html

[*Kat*]

However, tannic acid should not be used continuously or in high quantities ad it slows down the absorption of iron and possibly other trace minerals. A study by Afsana K et al entitled Reducing effect of ingesting tannic acid on the absorption of iron, but not of zinc, copper and manganese by rats. published by Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (March 2004) concluded that the usual intake of polyphenols is relatively safe, but that a high intake by supplementation or by dietary habit of tannin affects only the iron level. Tannic acid can also reduce the effectiveness of digestive enzymes.
http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/tannic-acid.php

[*Kat*]

Animals fed diets with a level of tannins under 5% experience

    depressed growth rates,
    low protein utilization,
    damage to the mucosal lining of the digestive tract,
    alteration in the excretion of certain cations, and
    increased excretion of proteins and essential amino acids.

In poultry, small quantities of tannins in the diet cause adverse effects

    levels from 0.5 to 2.0% can cause depression in growth and egg production,
    levels from 3 to 7% can cause death.

In swine, similar harmful effects of tannins have been found.

The addition of additional proteins or amino acids may alleviate the antinutritional effects of tannins.

    Levels of tannins above 5% of the diet are often lethal.
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/tannin.html

[RattiesSix]

I just skimmed, but everything says when given orally. Are there any studies showing tannin effects on animals that are only exposed to it in a bedding for minimal amounts of time?

I no longer have access to woodstove pellets (Though, I used them for nearly 3 years in the base of my pan with absolutely no ill effects), so we use aspen shavings. But I'm curious to see if being exposed to it as a litter and not something indigestible has the same effects.

[*Kat*]

We can assume small animals still ingest some of it, be it by grooming, storing their food in it and then eating that etc.   The problem is there are no studies we can find that actually show it is safe.   Only a small amount is needed to be fatal, which would mean even a lesser amount could cause many health issues.   They are not sold for use with animals by any company, so the companies making them have no reason to test if they are safe for use with animals.   Tannic acid is not actually an acid, but a phenol, which is the same type of component in pine or cedar that cause small animal owners to avoid those types of beddings.   So to say no to pine and cedar due to phenols, it is posing the question of we thought hardwoods are all safe, but perhaps that is not true.   A substance which is used to dry and preserve animal hides does not sound like something that would be a good idea to have small animals to come into contact.

[*Kat*]

Chronic Effects............................................................................ Wood dust, depending on species,
may cause dermatitis on
prolonged, repetitive contact; may
cause respiratory sensitization
and/or irritation. IARC classifies
wood dust as a carcinogen to
humans (Group 1). This
classification is based primarily
on IARC’s evaluation of
increased risk in the occurrence
of adenocarcinomas of the nasal
cavities and paranasal sinuses
associated with exposure
to wood dust. IARC did not find
sufficient evidence to associate
cancers of the oropharynx, hypopharynx,
lung, lymphatic and hematopoietic
systems, stomach, colon or
rectum with exposure to wood
dust.

PRECAUTIONS AND SAFE HANDLING
• Avoid Eye Contact.
• Avoid Repeated or Prolonged Contact with Skin. Careful bathing and clean clothes are indicated after
exposure.
• Avoid Prolonged or Repeated Breathing of Wood Dust in Air.
• Avoid Contact with Oxidizing Agents and Drying Oils.
• Avoid Open Flame.
• Do Not Ingest.

http://www.awf.com/downloads/AWF%20MSDS%20HardwoodFuelPellets.pdf

Though like other sources it mostly says info is not known, it does present some more concerns.   

[RattiesSix]

Does it specify a type of dust or does it mean literally any dust? Because many people safely use aspen, although it's not completely dust free. Though, carefresh upset our allergies (Mine and the pets) much more than aspen ever has. I guess carefresh is technically paper pulp, but paper does come from wood.

[*Kat*]

Does it specify a type of dust or does it mean literally any dust? Because many people safely use aspen, although it's not completely dust free. Though, carefresh upset our allergies (Mine and the pets) much more than aspen ever has. I guess carefresh is technically paper pulp, but paper does come from wood.

It says "Wood dust, depending on species..."   I will look into getting the MSDS for some other types and see how those look too.

[*Kat*]

Talked to a professor of toxicology at KSU and was informed that the earliest risk with the tannins in oak would an Anti-nutritional affect, later affects would be liver and kidney damage, which would possibly lead to lack of ability to concentrate their urine, jaundice, and general depressed state. It is also a risk of allergies, asthma like symptoms, and upper respiratory issues.