Hay allergy

PeppermintCandy

PeppermintCandy

New Born Pup
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Hello!
we got two guinea pigs yesterday and I think I am allergic to the hay that I am using for bedding and food. We’re using a dust free meadow hay and since putting it in the hutch I have felt severely allergic.
I am very upset as worried how I will deal with this long term. I was wondering if I could use paper for bedding and hay rack with hay in to try and contain the allergy area and stop the hay being rubbed all over the girls. Does anyone have any suggestions or details of a more hypoallergenic hay/option.
thank you so much ♥️
 
You could try a different hay type. And yes you can use paper bedding. But as they’re living outdoors you will have to stuff their hutch with hay as it gets colder. That’s something you can’t avoid, so putting hay in racks just doesn’t work. They use it for eating and warmth. Have you also tried taking a daily antihistamine?
 
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I think it’s hay that has been triggering my allergies recently, our pigs live inside so there is no getting away from it! We have an air purifier and I take antihistamines that are on prescription that defiantly help!
 
There’s definitely something in the hay. I sneezed after topping up the Timothy earlier. . I’ve also got 2 other types of hay to try so will be a bit of trial and error.

I used to get hay fever during the grass time, thankfully is mild. Hopefully antihistamines will work if the hay keeps bring out your allergies. With those I tried different antihistamine drugs until I found one that was more effective on me so a bit of trial and error.
 
Thank you all. I have taken antihistamines and a nose spray to block allergies but still suffering. I was looking at the hay biscuits, wondering if they would be suitable as a hay alternative as thought the compacted-ness (?) may help. I’ll persist for a few days and get my other half to swap the hay bedding for paper and use a hay rack. Hopefully that will help a bit! Thank you all. So happy I found this forum.
 
PeppermintCandy said:
Thank you all. I have taken antihistamines and a nose spray to block allergies but still suffering. I was looking at the hay biscuits, wondering if they would be suitable as a hay alternative as thought the compacted-ness (?) may help. I’ll persist for a few days and get my other half to swap the hay bedding for paper and use a hay rack. Hopefully that will help a bit! Thank you all. So happy I found this forum.
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I'm sorry to hear you are struggling.

Hay cookies are not a suitable replacement. Guinea pigs need to eat long strands of hay to keep their teeth worn down. Guinea pigs teeth constantly grow and without the constant abrasive action of hay and grass, they can end up with expensive dental problems (and there is only one vet in the uk who has enough experience to properly deal with dental issues)
 
You can’t really use hay racks simply because they will use the hay for warmth as it gets colder. And the hay rack would need to be topped up several times during the day. It may be you’ll have to get your OH to swap and clean them out going forward.
 
:agr: Outdoor piggies need a hutch filled with hay keep them warm and provide insulation. Paper bedding (or anything similar, aubiose, shavings etc) is not going to provide them with any warmth.
 
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