Since a lot of the information about wood accessories, toys, and shavings is circumstantial and hasn't been fully evaluated in the context of health problems in exotic pets, it is hard to make firm recommendations. We will try to steer you in the right direction and provide our sources.-
Why pine, and why should it be kiln-dried?
Kiln dried pine is a soft wood commonly used for small pets and exotics. You’ll find it used for cage construction, bedding, accessories, and toys.
Personally, I believe pinewood was chosen for Chinchillas because it was readily available for other small mammals on farms, and known to be a reliable source for odor-reducing bedding.
Aspen is another well-regarded bedding choice. Cedar is often advised to be avoided.
What is a Kiln and how does it work ?
Kilns are a type of furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying, most commonly known for firing pottery. Kilns are also used to dry large batches of lumbar. The wood is placed in a chamber and dried using semi or fully automatic systems to control air circulation, temperature, humidity, and other conditions that must be carefully met in order to dry wood without damage. Wood must be dried to a target moisture point to prevent warping, cracking, and splitting. The most commonly used kilns are conventional and dehumidification.
Is it safe?
Kiln drying pinewood is thought to release the harmful phenols that would otherwise cause respiratory distress to your pet. It is debated in some small animal groups ( mostly for the wee ones like hamsters ) , but personal testimony from ranchers, rescues, and pet owners combined has shown no real issues with kiln-dried pine bedding. Kiln dried bedding is also used for lab animals, and would not be used if it would skew any testing results. The process of drying at high temperatures will kill algae, fungus, larve, bugs, bacteria and mold.
What about Sap ( Sugar )?
The sap is still in the wood, even after kiln drying. Sap is mostly sugar ( think maple syrup ) and leaks from trees when cut. Apple wood to Pine wood, it all contains sap. Moisture is removed from the wood when kiln dried and in this process the sap ( sugar ) is crystalized in place. This is done so sap does not ooze out of the wood and ruin completed projects for carpenters. Wood only needs to be kiln dried at 170 degrees fahrenheit to crystalize the sugars. This can be done in a home oven.
These sugars are not something you need to worry about diet-wise for your pet. Chinchillas usually just chew the wood, and the small percentage they may ingest is not something to concern you. However, if you observe your pet consuming large quantities of bedding or wood, remove the items and consult with your vet.
What temperature does a Kiln use to dry wood? Can I do it at home?
Temperatures inside a kiln can reach over 1,000 degrees fahrenheit in order to set pottery, but when it comes to kiln-drying wood the temperatures will range from 120 - 300 degrees fahrenheit. This temperature range is what is commonly used to dry softwoods, such as PINE, which dry very easily.
You can absolutely use your home oven to kiln dry wood. It’s the same process as processing wood sticks. Most home ovens can reach temperatures of 500 degrees fahrenheit and kiln drying wood is done at 100-300 degrees. The restriction you have is size, as a home oven will not fit large pieces of lumber.
Ok, Where can I buy kiln dried pine?
Bedding - KD pine is commonly sold in pet stores and feed stores. Check your package and look for information about how the bedding is made. Most if not all pine shavings you come across will have been kiln dried, but finding it specified on the packaging helps ease concerns. Tractor Supply Company has 2 brands of pine shavings, name brand and store brand. Both are good choices.
Wood for toys/ledges/accessories - You can find this at most lumber yards or home improvement stores. Name-brand will vary, so ask an associate for help. Home Depot for example calls their Kiln Dried Pine untreated “ Pine White Wood “. You can look for a lumber stamp with “ KD “ on it, which signifies it has been kiln dried.
Reading a lumber stamp - https://www.thisoldhouse.com/woodworking/21015464/how-to-read-a-lumber-stamp
Drying wood - Source: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g5507
Wood, Sap, Sugar - Source: https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplr/fplr0768.pdf
Drying wood from home - Source: https://woodworkerlodge.com/how-to-stop-sap-from-coming-out-of-wood/
Why pine, and why should it be kiln-dried?
Kiln dried pine is a soft wood commonly used for small pets and exotics. You’ll find it used for cage construction, bedding, accessories, and toys.
Personally, I believe pinewood was chosen for Chinchillas because it was readily available for other small mammals on farms, and known to be a reliable source for odor-reducing bedding.
Aspen is another well-regarded bedding choice. Cedar is often advised to be avoided.
What is a Kiln and how does it work ?
Kilns are a type of furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying, most commonly known for firing pottery. Kilns are also used to dry large batches of lumbar. The wood is placed in a chamber and dried using semi or fully automatic systems to control air circulation, temperature, humidity, and other conditions that must be carefully met in order to dry wood without damage. Wood must be dried to a target moisture point to prevent warping, cracking, and splitting. The most commonly used kilns are conventional and dehumidification.
Is it safe?
Kiln drying pinewood is thought to release the harmful phenols that would otherwise cause respiratory distress to your pet. It is debated in some small animal groups ( mostly for the wee ones like hamsters ) , but personal testimony from ranchers, rescues, and pet owners combined has shown no real issues with kiln-dried pine bedding. Kiln dried bedding is also used for lab animals, and would not be used if it would skew any testing results. The process of drying at high temperatures will kill algae, fungus, larve, bugs, bacteria and mold.
What about Sap ( Sugar )?
The sap is still in the wood, even after kiln drying. Sap is mostly sugar ( think maple syrup ) and leaks from trees when cut. Apple wood to Pine wood, it all contains sap. Moisture is removed from the wood when kiln dried and in this process the sap ( sugar ) is crystalized in place. This is done so sap does not ooze out of the wood and ruin completed projects for carpenters. Wood only needs to be kiln dried at 170 degrees fahrenheit to crystalize the sugars. This can be done in a home oven.
These sugars are not something you need to worry about diet-wise for your pet. Chinchillas usually just chew the wood, and the small percentage they may ingest is not something to concern you. However, if you observe your pet consuming large quantities of bedding or wood, remove the items and consult with your vet.
What temperature does a Kiln use to dry wood? Can I do it at home?
Temperatures inside a kiln can reach over 1,000 degrees fahrenheit in order to set pottery, but when it comes to kiln-drying wood the temperatures will range from 120 - 300 degrees fahrenheit. This temperature range is what is commonly used to dry softwoods, such as PINE, which dry very easily.
You can absolutely use your home oven to kiln dry wood. It’s the same process as processing wood sticks. Most home ovens can reach temperatures of 500 degrees fahrenheit and kiln drying wood is done at 100-300 degrees. The restriction you have is size, as a home oven will not fit large pieces of lumber.
Ok, Where can I buy kiln dried pine?
Bedding - KD pine is commonly sold in pet stores and feed stores. Check your package and look for information about how the bedding is made. Most if not all pine shavings you come across will have been kiln dried, but finding it specified on the packaging helps ease concerns. Tractor Supply Company has 2 brands of pine shavings, name brand and store brand. Both are good choices.
Wood for toys/ledges/accessories - You can find this at most lumber yards or home improvement stores. Name-brand will vary, so ask an associate for help. Home Depot for example calls their Kiln Dried Pine untreated “ Pine White Wood “. You can look for a lumber stamp with “ KD “ on it, which signifies it has been kiln dried.
Reading a lumber stamp - https://www.thisoldhouse.com/woodworking/21015464/how-to-read-a-lumber-stamp
Drying wood - Source: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g5507
Wood, Sap, Sugar - Source: https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplr/fplr0768.pdf
Drying wood from home - Source: https://woodworkerlodge.com/how-to-stop-sap-from-coming-out-of-wood/