Dangerous Wood Type?

[CBPanther]

Hey All, I was in the middle of creating a chameleon enclosure thats 36" H By 20L and 20 W. However it crossed my mind that some types of wood could be potentially hazardous to chameleons. Is this true and if so, what types? Also, I plan to paint the cage black with an acrylic paint (I believe thats non toxic) Let me know what you think. Thanks everyone!

 

[draetish]

I know treated and cedar are not good. Maybe someone elxe knows of some more. I use water base paint and use a sealer that's water base.

 

[CBPanther]

Ok, I think just the top and bottom of the door are pine, and the entire rest is just plywood. Where do I get water based paint? It isnt water color is it?

 

[draetish]

Ok, I think just the top and bottom of the door are pine, and the entire rest is just plywood. Where do I get water based paint? It isnt water color is it?

No it's not water base. You can find it at Lowe's or Home Depot, they can point you in the right direction. Plain untreated pine is fine.

 

[draetish]

No it's not water base Sorry, meant to say it's not water color

 

[sandrachameleon]

Non-toxic zero VOC latex acrylic (which is water based) works well for painting wood cages.

Avoid cedar, anything treated, and strandboard/MDF

 

[CBPanther]

So is regular old hobby acrylic paint not good to use or is it ok? I think the bottle says non toxic. Also, does it need to have a sealer over it and if so what kind (from hopedepot or lowes)
Thanks!

 

[beavesss]

pine is poisonous and i don't know if you are scavenging or not. Also where I live in AZ there are Palo Verde trees which are toxic to animals if consumed.

 

[draetish]

So is regular old hobby acrylic paint not good to use or is it ok? I think the bottle says non toxic. Also, does it need to have a sealer over it and if so what kind (from hopedepot or lowes)
Thanks!

As long as it says "non toxic", it's okay. If it has a smell, use a wood sealer like Minwax Polycrylic to cover the smell and keep your wood from rotting.

 

[sandrachameleon]

So is regular old hobby acrylic paint not good to use or is it ok? I think the bottle says non toxic. Also, does it need to have a sealer over it and if so what kind (from hopedepot or lowes)
Thanks!

I wouldnt use it. Zero VOC paint is best. nofumes.