Hay/straw

[Hannah1982]

ok so I'm using straw as bedding and in the litter tray area..... I have two houses in the bedroom covered in straw for warmth but ive noticed they are eating both the straw and the hay.... Ive put the hay in a plastic tub on the floor always in the same place will they get used to it x

 

[Beans&Toast]

Piggies shouldn't have straw as it's too coarse for them to digest if they eat it and it can do damage if it pokes them in the eye

 

[Hannah1982]

I kind bought it by accident thinking it was hay! I thought id use it up in the bedding area. They do have hay to eat downstairs but I just see them nibbling it sometimes, Ive red a lot of people on here using straw with nonprobs, its so confusin X

 

[Beans&Toast]

I kind bought it by accident thinking it was hay! I thought id use it up in the bedding area. They do have hay to eat downstairs but I just see them nibbling it sometimes, Ive red a lot of people on here using straw with nonprobs, its so confusin X

I know there's a bit of a divide on the subject it can be confusing. Some people do use it and haven't encountered any problems. I think the reasons they shouldn't have it is that it's harder than hay so it can damage their eyes and paw pads more if they get poked, it also doesnt have the same nutritional value as hay and they don't seem to digest it properly because it's coarser. X

 

[Hannah1982]

Ok cool, well i got straw as well and am using the hay in bed and the litter tray.... Its confusing isnt it ill use it up and just stick with hay from then on to save confusion! Also finding they are weeing and pooing on the straw so I'm trying to get them litter trained as such and have them do it in a proper place but its hard! Just dont want them eating hay thats been weed on! Ha x

 

[VickiA]

Straw is not rcommended as substrate or as bedding for piggies. It has no nutritional content for them if they eat it and can cause serious injuries to their eyes. Having seen the damage a hay poke can inflict to their eyes you can imagine the severity of a straw poke injury. I would remove all straw immediately - I'm sure it didn't cost that much and it's cheaper to bin it than to risk the injuries you might face. You can replace straw with many other substrates. People use hemp, carefresh, aubiose and others. He is a link to the bedding overview thread. Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country and county, so we can adapt any advice accordingly. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[Hannah1982]

Oke doke ill have a look and get that sorted thanks a lot x

 

[Hannah1982]

I'm working today worried now so ill shoot out tomoro and get some shredded paper foe bedding a more hay..... Thanks again....