-
Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement
Is Sawdust Bad For Guinea Pigs ?
- Thread starter ASTRID
- Start date
- Status
P
piggyfan
I think opinions are going to be very divided on this. Personally, I would never use it. I believe it is dusty even if it is dust extracted and this can cause respiratory conditions. I have also known the roughness to contribute to bumblefoot in guinea pigs. This is just my opinion and you are going to get opposite views. I really love vet bed. I feel it is such a lovely bedding for guinea pigs as it is made especially to be a bedding and really wicks away urine yet it is soft and cosy too.
Elwickcavies
Teenage Guinea Pig
Wood shavings and sawdust are not recommended for several reasons, including dust, which can cause breathing problems, rough texture (shavings), which can ulcerate the feet, oils (with a strong smell) that can affect the skin and respiratory system. There are still plenty of people that use wood shavings, but I think there are plenty of great alternatives. I really like fleece in combination with a dustbuster to suck up all those poops easily. Spot cleaning once a day and washing the fleece once a week works a treat. A lot of my piggy friends like Fitch, which is a recycled paper product and is very soft and absorbant, or Megazorb, a similar thing. Before I got into fleece, I used barley straw, which is lovely and soft and wicks away the wee quite effectively. Some people swear by a thick layer of newspaper, with hay on top. You could look into one of these if you are worried. x
Claire W
Forum Donator 2025/26
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
- Messages
- 37,456
- Reaction score
- 30,268
- Points
- 2,915
It is a hard one and you are going to get divided opinions.
Do you mean sawdust or wood shavings? The reason I ask is because sawdust and shavings are two different things. Sawdust is fine and dusty wood which isn't suitable and wood shavings which are larger flakes of wood which in my opinion are ok if they are properly dust extracted and soft.
I have used dust extracted wood shavings for the last 7 years of owning guinea pigs and have never had a problem. The rescues where I adopted my piggies from have all known that I use shavings and have always been happy with the set up. One of the main reasons why I started to use shavings was because I used to have outdoor piggies. I started with a hutch and then changed to a free range set up in a shed so I would cover the bottom with layers of newspaper followed by shavings and then hay and it worked well for me and the piggies.
I now have indoor piggies and although I have tried other types of bedding, wood shavings have always suited me. I must point out though that my piggies have lots of fleecy cosies and crash pads so they're not constantly standing on shavings.
Of course, if my piggies ever had any problems by having shavings, I would change to something else immediately.
Do you mean sawdust or wood shavings? The reason I ask is because sawdust and shavings are two different things. Sawdust is fine and dusty wood which isn't suitable and wood shavings which are larger flakes of wood which in my opinion are ok if they are properly dust extracted and soft.
I have used dust extracted wood shavings for the last 7 years of owning guinea pigs and have never had a problem. The rescues where I adopted my piggies from have all known that I use shavings and have always been happy with the set up. One of the main reasons why I started to use shavings was because I used to have outdoor piggies. I started with a hutch and then changed to a free range set up in a shed so I would cover the bottom with layers of newspaper followed by shavings and then hay and it worked well for me and the piggies.
I now have indoor piggies and although I have tried other types of bedding, wood shavings have always suited me. I must point out though that my piggies have lots of fleecy cosies and crash pads so they're not constantly standing on shavings.
Of course, if my piggies ever had any problems by having shavings, I would change to something else immediately.
PPO
Junior Guinea Pig
I have personally never found my guinea pigs, hamsters or gerbils to have a problem with woodshavings. I tried fleece for a few weeks recently and I didn't really like it. My guinea pigs also spent a lot of time in their loft (which had woodshavings) or hiding on top of their houses. I'm open to other options and if need be I would stop using it if it irritated my guinea pigs. At the moment I'm happy with shavings though.
There is a world of difference between sawdust.....and wood shavings. Can you please clarify which you are referring to?
Sawdust can be very irritating for guinea pigs (and hoomans) and is not something I personally would ever contemplate using.
With wood shavings however, you will find opinion to be divided.
Factors to consider on whether shavings are suitable for your pigs include
a) whether the shavings are dust extracted,
b) what trees they come from. (Red Cedar for instance contains certain terpenoid essential oils that have been shown to irritate the respiratory tract in guineas and bunnies - cedar shavings are not normally available in the UK but I would be wary of pine for similar reasons)
c) whether they contain any additives to make them smell nice (eg lavender essential oil)
d) whether your piggies are long-haired - shavings can get stuck in long-hair and cause matts
e) whether your piggies have a particular medical condition (eg embarassing boy-bits, urinary infection/cystitis or chronic respiratory issues) where in all these cases it may be preferable not to use shavings but use alternative bedding.
I have used wood shavings routinely for all my indoor pigs for many years with no issues - with the following exceptions
a) poorly pigs where poo output or urine composition need to be regularly inspected - much easier to monitor on fleece/incontinence pads
b) Piggies who have recently had surgery - again they are on fleece/incontinence pads to reduce risk of wound infection
c) the two mite girls whilst they were self-mutilating - they were on puppy pads and paper bedding owing to the extreme sensitivity of their skin
d) Rude Rudy with the embarassing cauliflower willy - puppy pads and fleece means no more "shavings getting stuck"
I have tried most of the alternatives (eg auboise, megasorb ), also tried shredded paper, incontinence pads, fleeces, puppy pads, etc (some of which a you can see above I use for specific situations) There are pros and cons to all of them.
However I keep returning to wood shavings topped with finely chopped soft barely straw as this combination seems to work best for me and the pigs as part of our routine.
Sawdust can be very irritating for guinea pigs (and hoomans) and is not something I personally would ever contemplate using.
With wood shavings however, you will find opinion to be divided.
Factors to consider on whether shavings are suitable for your pigs include
a) whether the shavings are dust extracted,
b) what trees they come from. (Red Cedar for instance contains certain terpenoid essential oils that have been shown to irritate the respiratory tract in guineas and bunnies - cedar shavings are not normally available in the UK but I would be wary of pine for similar reasons)
c) whether they contain any additives to make them smell nice (eg lavender essential oil)
d) whether your piggies are long-haired - shavings can get stuck in long-hair and cause matts
e) whether your piggies have a particular medical condition (eg embarassing boy-bits, urinary infection/cystitis or chronic respiratory issues) where in all these cases it may be preferable not to use shavings but use alternative bedding.
I have used wood shavings routinely for all my indoor pigs for many years with no issues - with the following exceptions
a) poorly pigs where poo output or urine composition need to be regularly inspected - much easier to monitor on fleece/incontinence pads
b) Piggies who have recently had surgery - again they are on fleece/incontinence pads to reduce risk of wound infection
c) the two mite girls whilst they were self-mutilating - they were on puppy pads and paper bedding owing to the extreme sensitivity of their skin
d) Rude Rudy with the embarassing cauliflower willy - puppy pads and fleece means no more "shavings getting stuck"
I have tried most of the alternatives (eg auboise, megasorb ), also tried shredded paper, incontinence pads, fleeces, puppy pads, etc (some of which a you can see above I use for specific situations) There are pros and cons to all of them.
However I keep returning to wood shavings topped with finely chopped soft barely straw as this combination seems to work best for me and the pigs as part of our routine.
Claire W
Forum Donator 2025/26
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
- Messages
- 37,456
- Reaction score
- 30,268
- Points
- 2,915
I forgot to write in my post that like Pebble, I too use fleece after a piggy has had surgery to reduce the risk of wound infection and towels to monitor urine output etc and like PPO, I have always used shavings for my gerbils and hamsters with no ill effects.
At the end of the day, it is up to you which bedding you use and people can only advise as there are pros and cons to them all and everyone will have their own preferences.
At the end of the day, it is up to you which bedding you use and people can only advise as there are pros and cons to them all and everyone will have their own preferences.
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
I am not a fan of sawdust or wood shavings for the reasons Gigi has mentioned. I use fleece and Vetbed but if I ever needed to use substrate I would use Fitch which is what my hamsters are on.
I really like this thread
Although it was originally asking for a definitive yes/no answer in a poll- it is clear that there is no "one size fits all"
All suggestions and comments that have been made here are extremely useful in aiding the OP to ultimately decide what works best for them,
I think sometimes the knowledge and experience on this forum can "overwhelm" new owners about "what is considered appropriate husbandry"
And that is the point - there is no "one best" option for piggies and their slaves in regards to husbandry
To back this up - I would like to provide an example for your information
I have recently visited a new slave who was so worried they "weren't doing the right thing for their new piggies given certain forum posts" ......that they felt they might have to give them up.
Having examined and talked about the conditions etc of the pigs concerned...I am happy to report that the new slave is now feeling much more confident about keeping them. They might not be indoors in C&C cages on fleece...but they have a lovely hutch with proper littering in the outside shed....and it is clear their slave is going to be a VERY good piggie owner. We have also sorted out a cavy savvy vet and I am quite sure this person wil not "stint" about taking the pigs to the vet if they have any concerns.
The end result is that thankfully
a) there will not be two more piggies seeking rescue space.
b) a new cavy slave feels supported in their choices of how to care for their new pigs
I would also like to take this opportunity to make a distinction between
a) general posts about husbandry/care etc where it is a "matter of opinion and choice " and
b) specific "specialist" posts on the H & I board that require specialist knowledge
x
Although it was originally asking for a definitive yes/no answer in a poll- it is clear that there is no "one size fits all"
All suggestions and comments that have been made here are extremely useful in aiding the OP to ultimately decide what works best for them,
I think sometimes the knowledge and experience on this forum can "overwhelm" new owners about "what is considered appropriate husbandry"
And that is the point - there is no "one best" option for piggies and their slaves in regards to husbandry
To back this up - I would like to provide an example for your information
I have recently visited a new slave who was so worried they "weren't doing the right thing for their new piggies given certain forum posts" ......that they felt they might have to give them up.
Having examined and talked about the conditions etc of the pigs concerned...I am happy to report that the new slave is now feeling much more confident about keeping them. They might not be indoors in C&C cages on fleece...but they have a lovely hutch with proper littering in the outside shed....and it is clear their slave is going to be a VERY good piggie owner. We have also sorted out a cavy savvy vet and I am quite sure this person wil not "stint" about taking the pigs to the vet if they have any concerns.
The end result is that thankfully
a) there will not be two more piggies seeking rescue space.
b) a new cavy slave feels supported in their choices of how to care for their new pigs
I would also like to take this opportunity to make a distinction between
a) general posts about husbandry/care etc where it is a "matter of opinion and choice " and
b) specific "specialist" posts on the H & I board that require specialist knowledge
x
A&T
Adult Guinea Pig
I use to use sawdust, but Amber got quite sore feet after awhile. However I think that personally its a good cheap alternative to fleece and stuff. Especially if they have other textures they are on apart from just sawdust. I do find however that it can get quite smelly quickly, and actually needs cleaning out more often than other bedding's.
I also think that its highly important that you make sure if you do buy sawdust that its dust free
Would I just be able to ask what exactly do you mean by 'specialist' knowledge?
I also think that its highly important that you make sure if you do buy sawdust that its dust free
Would I just be able to ask what exactly do you mean by 'specialist' knowledge?
Piggly
Adult Guinea Pig
For my mucky boys I use finacard - no dust, absorbent, used same as sawdust
Bless - of course you can ask....and you should not feel worried about asking such questions
This is "probably the best guinea pig forum in the world ".....with the exception of Guinea Lynx USA
This Forum firmly has it's feet in the UK
I will put a post on later tonight to answer your specific question.....so please bear with me
x
A&T
Adult Guinea Pig
Oh I wasn't worried
. I am aware of what a great forum this is. I believe it has helped a lot of people of the years it has been running. People have trust in people on here to give them help/advice however small or serious it may be, and trust is hard to gain when its about animals you love so dearly and want the best for them. Thank you, I will look forward to seeing your post. Please would you tag me in it, so I don't miss it. Thanks x
As others have said, do you mean sawdust or wood shavings? There is a big difference. There are also some wood shavings that are better than others. Aspen and hard wood shavings are better than cedar, pine, and soft wood shavings because they have fewer aromatic oils, which can be an irritant to some animals' skin and lungs even if the shavings aren't dusty. I actually kept small animals (mice, rats, hedgehogs) on wood shavings for years, including some of the 'bad' ones and they had no ill effects. However, over the years, I built up a serious allergy to most of these woods, to the point where I had to wear a mask and goggles when cleaning the cage out because I would wheeze and my eyes would swell shut. So if I developed such a dramatic sensitivity from repeated exposure and I didn't actually live in the shavings, it seems logical that some animals could also run into issues with allergies after repeated exposure to wood oils and dust.
I switched to paper beddings once those because easily commercially available in Canada and my allergies are much improved. I also find that the shavings hold up to a lot more use than equivalent amounts of wood shavings, so I get less odor and don't have to clean as often. I've used Carefresh for years, and then had someone recommend one called Living World Fresh and Comfy and I LOVE that one! It doesn't stay damp the way Carefresh did and I don't go through anywhere near as much as I did with Carefresh, so I'm converted now! The only thing I don't like is that because it's made of recycled magazines, etc. I will occasionally see colors in individual pellets from the original print... if they are red or orange colors I end up examining them under a magnifying glass trying to figure out if it's blood or if it's print because one of my pigs has chronic bladder problems. But it's not enough of a nuisance to make me switch brands again!
I switched to paper beddings once those because easily commercially available in Canada and my allergies are much improved. I also find that the shavings hold up to a lot more use than equivalent amounts of wood shavings, so I get less odor and don't have to clean as often. I've used Carefresh for years, and then had someone recommend one called Living World Fresh and Comfy and I LOVE that one! It doesn't stay damp the way Carefresh did and I don't go through anywhere near as much as I did with Carefresh, so I'm converted now! The only thing I don't like is that because it's made of recycled magazines, etc. I will occasionally see colors in individual pellets from the original print... if they are red or orange colors I end up examining them under a magnifying glass trying to figure out if it's blood or if it's print because one of my pigs has chronic bladder problems. But it's not enough of a nuisance to make me switch brands again!
Harry&lloyd
Adult Guinea Pig
My girls really were quite happy on woodshavings but it was me & my flatmate that had the problem with them. Not only were they a nightmare to get off carpet/fleece but I found I got really sore itchy hands and arms after touching the wood shavings. Clean out day was a nightmare for us. We now happily use megazorb and cosindry. I hope you get the answers your lookin for x
I thought Pebbles post was self explanatory. Our H&I specialists have been chosen by the forum staff because of their extensive knowledge in the care of piggies, we have had incidents of well meaning members passing off "googled and rehashed" info as their own. This information may be right, it may be incorrect (as has happened in the past) This is why our H&I specialists have a banner under their posts so you can take comfort knowing that any information imparted is correct for your piggies.I use to use sawdust, but Amber got quite sore feet after awhile. However I think that personally its a good cheap alternative to fleece and stuff. Especially if they have other textures they are on apart from just sawdust. I do find however that it can get quite smelly quickly, and actually needs cleaning out more often than other bedding's.
I also think that its highly important that you make sure if you do buy sawdust that its dust free
Would I just be able to ask what exactly do you mean by 'specialist' knowledge?
A&T
Adult Guinea Pig
I thought Pebbles post was self explanatory. Our H&I specialists have been chosen by the forum staff because of their extensive knowledge in the care of piggies, we have had incidents of well meaning members passing off "googled and rehashed" info as their own. This information may be right, it may be incorrect (as has happened in the past) This is why our H&I specialists have a banner under their posts so you can take comfort knowing that any information imparted is correct for your piggies.
Soo.. What your saying is.. No one apart from the people you (mods) think are 'specialists' can comment?! Whether they have knowledge of the illness or whatever has happened? What if someone who isn't deemed a 'specialist' or have a banner comments but has good knowledge and hands on experience with the problem?
I don't think that giving a Google link or getting information from google is a bad thing? Especially if that person was receiving specialist help at the same time? Let's face it.. They probably googled it themself anyway. And when your learning about different things yourself you use google as revision the same as you use books, everyone has to learn from somewhere, whether it be the internet or taken straight from a book right?!
Goth Mummy
Adult Guinea Pig
Oh @A&T I am pretty sure that any forum members are allowed to comment on the H&I board, certainly I have shared my experiences with my pigs and no one has told me off yet 
I find that with beddings, there are pros and cons to each. Shavings (never sawdust) can be the right bedding in some circumstances, but not in others (eg. where bin space is an isssue! or there are medical reasons, or you are sick of hoovering them up off the carpet). I switch between disposable beddings and fleece/vet bed depending on what the circumstances are that week. If I'm having a busy week at work I will put them on Snowflake dust extracted shavings. If I am more relaxed and at home then I have time to manage fleece.
I find that with beddings, there are pros and cons to each. Shavings (never sawdust) can be the right bedding in some circumstances, but not in others (eg. where bin space is an isssue! or there are medical reasons, or you are sick of hoovering them up off the carpet). I switch between disposable beddings and fleece/vet bed depending on what the circumstances are that week. If I'm having a busy week at work I will put them on Snowflake dust extracted shavings. If I am more relaxed and at home then I have time to manage fleece.
Goth Mummy
Adult Guinea Pig
A&T
Adult Guinea Pig
Oh @A&T I am pretty sure that any forum members are allowed to comment on the H&I board, certainly I have shared my experiences with my pigs and no one has told me off yet
Haha yes I know that anyone can comment, however recently I personally feel unless you are a specialist or have a banner then your experience or opinions are invalid in the H&I section. Thats how I feel it is coming across.
Goth Mummy
Adult Guinea Pig
A&T
Adult Guinea Pig
Me too, even if someone isn't offering me help I still feel a great deal of comfort from it even if its just like you said good wishes.
I think that the people who post the thread and very appreciative but I don't feel everyone is happy about us commenting in H&I unless you have the relevant banner etc.
A&T
Adult Guinea Pig
But technically everyone on this forum has taken there knowledge from someone if its not from hand on experience. Its all stolen information. Its like if for example a GP isn't eating we will tell them to hand feed and water etc, most people would have got that from reading others give that information. What does it matter where the information come from, if your the first person to comment whether its 'stolen' information/knowledge or not at least its good information which could potentially help or save a poorly pig.
Some of our H&I contributors have veterinary qualifications, hence why they are our specialists. If the knowledge passed is from first hand experience or something that has happened to someone that you know, I have no problem in sharing. Its when someone passes incorrect information believing its right, because they googled it, that is what I don't like, especially when it puts poorly piggies at risk.
I believe @A &T has concerns with a certain post I made on a specific "specialist tagged" H & I thread, where certain other posters, albeit trying to be helpful, were actually posting (without their knwoeldege) irrelevant and inaccurate information in respect of the pig's particular condition.... that could actually be deemed detrimental to the piggie and their owner
Whilst I wasn't specific or named names - I did "remind" Forumites that we have H & I approved persons on the forum for a reason and that posting on this particular "specialist" thread without personal relevant experience may not be helpful....(and it was very clear to "those that know" that certain inexperienced people were doing just that). I'm sorry @ A&T has taken offence at what I posted on that particular thread,,and chosen to extrapolate their concern across the rest of the forum.
I hope this post will help address their concerns.
Firstly - In all my time on the forum we have only ever had one other thread on this particularly rare condition - so it WAS specialist and tagged appropriately
Secondly - Most of the threads on H & I board are completely open to all and untagged. . There may be some occasions where the H & I advisers may step in because there are genuine concerns that suggestions/advice posted in good faith by Forumites may unfortunately be inaccurate, misleading or detrimental to the piggie/owner.concerned (thanks mainly to google) . These instances are rare - but they do occur and we H & I bods have a duty of care to safeguard the forum, the piggies and their participant slaves....and we take that duty very seriously indeed. On rare occasions the thread posted is deemed "specialist" and tagged as such (as in the case concerned). Whilst anyone is free to post on this type of thread - it should be clear from it;s tag that you should not post unless you have relevant experience to the condition concerned.
Thirdly I would also like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that this Forum needs at all times, to adhere to UK law - and that includes the Animal Welfare Act and, more specifically, (in respect of the H & I issues) the Veterinary Surgeons 1996 Act . It is illegal to home-treat a piggie for all but the most basic of conditions or in an emergency. It's why both our disclaimer and many of our H & I adviser posts refers you to a vet.
Fourthly - The people on this forum who have earned the title of H & I adviser did not "apply "for it. They were awarded it (without their prior knowledge) by a Forum panel based upon their first hand experience, qualifications and contributions over many years. They don;t rely upon google.
They have been extraordinarily committed to their own pigs, found a good cavy savvy vet (or vets), developed that relationship over many years, forked out over and above the required funds for diagnostic tests/vets bills/post-mortems etc and have inherantly a better understanding and knowledge of piggie illnesses than most people on this forum, On top of that - they have relevant qualifications One is a vet nurse specialising in exotics at one of the best vet establishments in the UK...Another has two first degrees and a research degree in microbiology and immunology with much of their experience relating to rodents and guinea pigs. Like the other advisers - all of them have dealt FIRST HAND with multiple diseases and illnesses of guinea pigs in their home and they all keep many piggies themselves and specialise in rehoming pigs with long term medical conditions.
I hope this has addressed A & T's very valid concerns - (there is other info which i do not think appropriate to put into the public domain)
I am very happy to take this discussion off line now via PM with A&T as I think this is now where is belongs.
Kind regards
Pebble
Whilst I wasn't specific or named names - I did "remind" Forumites that we have H & I approved persons on the forum for a reason and that posting on this particular "specialist" thread without personal relevant experience may not be helpful....(and it was very clear to "those that know" that certain inexperienced people were doing just that). I'm sorry @ A&T has taken offence at what I posted on that particular thread,,and chosen to extrapolate their concern across the rest of the forum.
I hope this post will help address their concerns.
Firstly - In all my time on the forum we have only ever had one other thread on this particularly rare condition - so it WAS specialist and tagged appropriately
Secondly - Most of the threads on H & I board are completely open to all and untagged. . There may be some occasions where the H & I advisers may step in because there are genuine concerns that suggestions/advice posted in good faith by Forumites may unfortunately be inaccurate, misleading or detrimental to the piggie/owner.concerned (thanks mainly to google) . These instances are rare - but they do occur and we H & I bods have a duty of care to safeguard the forum, the piggies and their participant slaves....and we take that duty very seriously indeed. On rare occasions the thread posted is deemed "specialist" and tagged as such (as in the case concerned). Whilst anyone is free to post on this type of thread - it should be clear from it;s tag that you should not post unless you have relevant experience to the condition concerned.
Thirdly I would also like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that this Forum needs at all times, to adhere to UK law - and that includes the Animal Welfare Act and, more specifically, (in respect of the H & I issues) the Veterinary Surgeons 1996 Act . It is illegal to home-treat a piggie for all but the most basic of conditions or in an emergency. It's why both our disclaimer and many of our H & I adviser posts refers you to a vet.
Fourthly - The people on this forum who have earned the title of H & I adviser did not "apply "for it. They were awarded it (without their prior knowledge) by a Forum panel based upon their first hand experience, qualifications and contributions over many years. They don;t rely upon google.
They have been extraordinarily committed to their own pigs, found a good cavy savvy vet (or vets), developed that relationship over many years, forked out over and above the required funds for diagnostic tests/vets bills/post-mortems etc and have inherantly a better understanding and knowledge of piggie illnesses than most people on this forum, On top of that - they have relevant qualifications One is a vet nurse specialising in exotics at one of the best vet establishments in the UK...Another has two first degrees and a research degree in microbiology and immunology with much of their experience relating to rodents and guinea pigs. Like the other advisers - all of them have dealt FIRST HAND with multiple diseases and illnesses of guinea pigs in their home and they all keep many piggies themselves and specialise in rehoming pigs with long term medical conditions.
I hope this has addressed A & T's very valid concerns - (there is other info which i do not think appropriate to put into the public domain)
I am very happy to take this discussion off line now via PM with A&T as I think this is now where is belongs.
Kind regards
Pebble
- Status