Chew toy incident with pine cones. Advice needed please!

[Xmolxlie]

Hi everyone,
I gave my guinea pigs a chew toy I bought at pets at home with pine cones and wooden acorns on it that hang on the side of their cage. After putting it in I figured I better Google as I read the label and couldn’t see which animals it said it was suitable for. My guinea pigs chewed it a couple of times but nothing much while I was doing this, just pulled a few of the individual segments off. However upon googling I saw pine cones are bad for piggies because of the oils in them, despite being dried and made into a small animal toy I’m still sceptical over whether it’s okay. But regardless I don’t want to take the risk and have removed it. My main question is is a few nibbles of a pine cone for 10-15 mins before I removed it, and no noticeable side effects so far worthy of a vets trip? (I think my vet already thinks I’m a hypochondriac with my pigs, but she is a piggie specialist) I already have a vet visit booked in on Saturday for a check up for one of my girls who has a UTI, so I figured I’d mention it then, but I just wanted to check and make sure it’s not vet worthy in the couple days before Saturday. Obviously I’ll monitor them, but I just wanted to check if anyone had any experience with this.

 

[My Piggies]

I would just monitor them and if you are concerned, take them to the vet

 

[Piggies&buns]

Unfortunately there are lot of unsafe commercial toys in pet shops. It’s sometimes best to avoid such things and instead simply use cardboard boxes with holes cut or just big piles of hay in with forage or food hidden in for enrichment
We have an ongoing thread detailing issues found with some of these toys.

Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

I hope your piggies are ok. Definitely speak to a vet if you are concerned about them

 

[Xmolxlie]

I would just monitor them and if you are concerned, take them to the vet

Thank you, that was my plan but being the anxious piggy Mum I am, I always like a second opinion

 

[Xmolxlie]

Unfortunately there are lot of unsafe commercial toys in pet shops. It’s sometimes best to avoid such things and instead simply use cardboard boxes with holes cut or just big piles of hay in with forage or food hidden in for enrichment
We have an ongoing thread detailing issues found with some of these toys.

Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

I hope your piggies are ok. Definitely speak to a vet if you are concerned about them

Thank you, I appreciate the article I’ll have a read! I usually get them from specific online stores that I know make suitable toys etc, or from places like Etsy, but I went and grabbed a bunch of cheap hanging chew toys the other day, most of which I knew were fine, because my rabbit destroys them in a matter of minutes, but figured I’d give the pigs a couple too!