How sensitive are guinea pig respiratory systems?

[new_pigsitter]

Hello!

Just a quick question-- I want to use Kaytee aspen in my own future guinea pigs' cage (I bought a lot for a future ham but now that's not the plan), and I was wondering if the dustyness of that is too much. Just as a range my hamsters haven't had any issues with it but my mice really have.

If I can't use it it's no biggy; it's just a pain to dust extract it

Thank you for any help!

~Robin

 

[Siikibam]

I think dusty bedding can be problematic in general, and isn’t recommended. I think it’s beat to use one that’s been dust extracted. Having said that, a quick search seems to show that aspen bedding is ok, but don’t quote me!. Someone more knowledgable will be along in the morning to answer your question.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello!

Just a quick question-- I want to use Kaytee aspen in my own future guinea pigs' cage (I bought a lot for a future ham but now that's not the plan), and I was wondering if the dustyness of that is too much. Just as a range my hamsters haven't had any issues with it but my mice really have.

If I can't use it it's no biggy; it's just a pain to dust extract it

Thank you for any help!

~Robin

Hi!

You can try whether your piggies are OK with the aspen, but you have to be aware that some piggies are much more sensitive than others to both bedding and hay dust. I would recommend to cover the aspen bedding with a layer of hay to prevent it from being curned up badly.
Make sure that you have a plan B ready in case the bedding is not working out.
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

Could you please add the country in which your bed is standing? you are obviously based in the US or Canada and not in the UK as the majority of our forum members is. This will allow us to cite US medical and supply brand names and links instead of using our default UK ones, which is saving both sides time and minimising confusing/not relevant advice. Vet and rescue access and fees also differ quite a lot between the continents and can shape our recommendations. This is to help you as best and quickly in any emergency, of which we sadly see many when piggies fall ill. Thank you!

 

[new_pigsitter]

Hi!

You can try whether your piggies are OK with the aspen, but you have to be aware that some piggies are much more sensitive than others to both bedding and hay dust. I would recommend to cover the aspen bedding with a layer of hay to prevent it from being curned up badly.
Make sure that you have a plan B ready in case the bedding is not working out.
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

Could you please add the country in which your bed is standing? you are obviously based in the US or Canada and not in the UK as the majority of our forum members is. This will allow us to cite US medical and supply brand names and links instead of using our default UK ones, which is saving both sides time and minimising confusing/not relevant advice. Vet and rescue access and fees also differ quite a lot between the continents and can shape our recommendations. This is to help you as best and quickly in any emergency, of which we sadly see many when piggies fall ill. Thank you!

Thank you for the answer!

Sorry about the whole location thing; I know some forums take it very seriously and some don't. I'll get to changing that right now!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the answer!

Sorry about the whole location thing; I know some forums take it very seriously and some don't. I'll get to changing that right now!

We take it a bit more seriously, but simply because it allows us to give you the best possible support straight away; especially when a piggy of yours is very ill and especially as we get lots enquiries from all over the world from very different backgrounds, climates, and with very different vet access and medication brands - or to help you work out the best way forward if your piggies have fallen out or one of them has died; your options very much depend on where you live.
It basically allows us to cut down to what is relevant and available where you are instantly instead of gradually working out what you really need and what really applies for your personal situation. Our default advice is UK based (as are our active hours).

PS: We have some great information available for new owners via this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[PennyCopper]

This is a great post for me as well. Penny on antibiotics for 5 days now due to Upper Respiratory Infection and she is still sneezing. She has several days of medicine left to take but I was questioning myself if she isn't allergic to something in her cage (in addition to the infection/maybe the allergy caused the infection).
She has cedar, Care Fresh 'dust free' paper bedding, and a soft granule blend also states is 'dust free'. Any thoughts? I notice many people on instagram use fleece lining and no other bedding. I like that but I feel the pee soaking into fabric would smell as I am quick to clean the cedar as soon as I see the pee to avoid smell.

 

[Wiebke]

This is a great post for me as well. Penny on antibiotics for 5 days now due to Upper Respiratory Infection and she is still sneezing. She has several days of medicine left to take but I was questioning myself if she isn't allergic to something in her cage (in addition to the infection/maybe the allergy caused the infection).
She has cedar, Care Fresh 'dust free' paper bedding, and a soft granule blend also states is 'dust free'. Any thoughts? I notice many people on instagram use fleece lining and no other bedding. I like that but I feel the pee soaking into fabric would smell as I am quick to clean the cedar as soon as I see the pee to avoid smell.

Cedar is are a member of the resinous pine family. It is not something I would consider using with guinea pigs.

Personally, I have been using fleece for 10 years now in combination with hay trays. As long as you poo patrol daily and change the bedding twice weekly, there is not a smell problem as the fluid wicks through the fleece and is caught and bound in the absorbent layer below.
A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding

 

[new_pigsitter]

We take it a bit more seriously, but simply because it allows us to give you the best possible support straight away; especially when a piggy of yours is very ill and especially as we get lots enquiries from all over the world from very different backgrounds, climates, and with very different vet access and medication brands - or to help you work out the best way forward if your piggies have fallen out or one of them has died; your options very much depend on where you live.
It basically allows us to cut down to what is relevant and available where you are instantly instead of gradually working out what you really need and what really applies for your personal situation. Our default advice is UK based (as are our active hours).

PS: We have some great information available for new owners via this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thank you for the link! I believe I've gone through all of them already, but I'll look back through them again

Sorry if the location thing made me come off as immature....I swear, it was an honest mistake, I didn't mean to lead anyone off with it. I've been on here for a few days now and no one brought it up so I just kinda assumed it was fine...?
Anyhow, I'm not sure how I'll be doing with piggies anyhow as I'm not on my own payroll (still under my parents) and I'm not sure how well surgery would go over, especially since cysts are such a massive thing in older females (what I'm looking at right now). I may just stick to hamsters, especially since I really did get off on the wrong foot here. I had no intention on intruding in this part of the forum, I guess I'll just kinda go....? Hamsters are a lot less complicated lol

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the link! I believe I've gone through all of them already, but I'll look back through them again

Sorry if the location thing made me come off as immature....I swear, it was an honest mistake, I didn't mean to lead anyone off with it. I've been on here for a few days now and no one brought it up so I just kinda assumed it was fine...?
Anyhow, I'm not sure how I'll be doing with piggies anyhow as I'm not on my own payroll (still under my parents) and I'm not sure how well surgery would go over, especially since cysts are such a massive thing in older females (what I'm looking at right now). I may just stick to hamsters, especially since I really did get off on the wrong foot here. I had no intention on intruding in this part of the forum, I guess I'll just kinda go....? Hamsters are a lot less complicated lol

I just noticed from the brand you were mentioning that you are not UK based. I specialise in monitoring the medical and behavioural sections where knowing the location can be crucial and can help any of our monitoring members enormously.
It's not important in the Chat section, but as soon as you get into brands and branded products (no cedar based bedding in the UK, either), then the country can play more of an issue.

 

[PennyCopper]

Cedar is are a member of the resinous pine family. It is not something I would consider using with guinea pigs.

Personally, I have been using fleece for 10 years now in combination with hay trays. As long as you poo patrol daily and change the bedding twice weekly, there is not a smell problem as the fluid wicks through the fleece and is caught and bound in the absorbent layer below.
A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding

Thank you. If I understand what you are saying a fleece has an absorbent layer to it. Ok, twice weekly is easy with fleece. I am used to the daily poo/pee patrol so that will stay part of the routine. Is there a special fleece I should buy or any fabric store fleece will do? I really appreciate the help.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. If I understand what you are saying a fleece has an absorbent layer to it. Ok, twice weekly is easy with fleece. I am used to the daily poo/pee patrol so that will stay part of the routine. Is there a special fleece I should buy or any fabric store fleece will do? I really appreciate the help.

Look for micro- or polar fleece with anti-pill and follow the preparing and washing tips in the guide so you do not end up with pee puddles on a sealed surface. The guide also discusses possible underlays etc.
You can find more tips in the guide, including where to source ready-made liners etc.
It is well worth reading through before you commit!

You can also find information on resources in here: All About C & C Grid Cages Around The World

 

[PennyCopper]

Look for micro- or polar fleece with anti-pill and follow the preparing and washing tips in the guide so you do not end up with pee puddles on a sealed surface. The guide also discusses possible underlays etc.
You can find more tips in the guide, including where to source ready-made liners etc.
It is well worth reading through before you commit!

You can also find information on resources in here: All About C & C Grid Cages Around The World

Great, I will do that. Penny is worth it.