New Hutch advice on preservative please

vulture

Hi i have just brought a new hutch to keep guinea pigs, I need to treat it with something but am not sure if I should varnish it or use a preservative on it. Any suggestions please of something which is pet friendly - also how long should I leave it after painting before I get some piggies to go in, I was hoping to get some this weekend if I manage to paint it tomorrow so is 24 hours long enough.
The guinea pigs are for my children but I think I am more excited than them and cant wait!
Thankyou

Nimeth

I painted my rabbit's hutch with a wood preservative. I looked at the tins in Homebase and made absolutely sure that the tin said it was safe for pets. I'd leave it at least 12 hours to dry if you can do so, but 24 hours would be better.

HTH.

vulture

Thanks I will go and have a look tomorrow - I have been looking online as my town has 3 diy stores, each on a different side of the town and I wanted to narrow down which direction to start walking, however none of the retailers go into detail online of if the product is safe for pets. I will head out tomorrow - I think I will start in the centre - Wilkinsons then head out of town if they do not have anything suitable. Will download the BQ voucher off this site just incase.
Hopefully not to tired (after circumnavigating my town) to paint it tomorrow and I will get the guinea pigs Saturday so 24hrs drying. Thankyou