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Is Sawdust Bad For Guinea Pigs ?

Is sawdust bad for guinea pigs ?

  • No

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • Yes

    Votes: 13 92.9%
  • Total voters
    14
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@TheAurora vet bed is a washable bedding that allows wee to soak through to something absorbant (Usuallly towels but there are other options) underneath.
 
Goth Mummy said:
@TheAurora vet bed is a washable bedding that allows wee to soak through to something absorbant (Usuallly towels but there are other options) underneath.
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Oh right cool! I've never seen anything like this before. Do you have to buy it from a vet?
 
JackJack1 said:
I have never used this with my guinea pigs. Can I ask is there any problem with chewing, as concerned about if they chewed it and got a problem from that. I know that guinea pigs are prolific chewers!
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One of my little ones does like to chew it from time to time but it has never done her any harm.
 
I love vet bed for my pigs. It was developed for whelping puppies I think and sometimes mine do chew it a little, but there's been no problem. The good thing about it is it keeps the animal warm and dry and is very washable, but it can be expensive. I usually put it in hidies.
 
I hate woodshavings and sawdust. When I got my piggys last Easter I had no idea that they were so bad. It's so dusty and doesn't give piggy wee a chance to evaporate so it's not very hygienic either. I use aubiose instead.
 
I use woodshavings here at TEAS for the hutch piggies and for those indoors, in cages, I use puppy pads. I have never had a problem with shavings and I always have a thick pile of hay on top anyway, so the piggies aren't walking on the shavings. I always observe good hygiene and it's down to how often the cages are cleaned and how well they're disinfected that is important. I also use vet bed for poorly piggies. I have tried all sorts of bedding and I find woodshavings as good as any, in the way that I use them.
 
I use wood shavings with a thick layer of hay on top and they have always been OK with this. At times I have used kitchen towel with hay on top as bedding at the advice of my vet, as I needed to monitor their wee and poo, but then I have gone back to shavings and hay on top, when recovered from cystitis. I find the wee goes through the hay and the shavings soaks up the wee and deoderises it. However, I am always careful that the shavings are soft, dust extracted and covered with hay, so that they are not walking on the shavings.
 
I always used to use wood shavings and never had any problems but since discovering my girl Amber is extremely sensitive to them, I've swapped to Carefresh which I absolutely love. The only down side is the cost.

Until I move back from uni I'll keep them on this. But the girls do love their fleece bedding.

I think as long as you clean if regularly wood shavings aren't too bad. The only other downside being that they get everywhere! :doh:
 
BossHogg said:
I've never used sawdust, I used to use shavings, I now use snowflake soft chip, which is fantastic. Dust extracted and very soft underfoot, even for hoomans. ;)
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This is what I use snowflake they come in massive bales ! x
 
I really detest sawdust!
It is like us being bedded on dust. I would never use it. Can cause all sorts of respiratory problems.
 
Which is why I use Snowflake - no mistaking that! :yahoo:
 
Gah this is one of the topics that gives me a headache with confusion...

When i first got my newer piggies i used wood-shavings with newspaper as i had with my old guinea pigs but as this was also bought up in topic i was so confused and worried i ended up bedding them on Fitch which is recycled paper and have done ever since.

I tried fleece but i can't maintain it.

This week i forgot to order their fitch so I've just cleaned them out and I've had to put the on newspaper and hay but Fitch will be coming tomo or day after.

My mum has always had guinea pigs and rabbits and used wood-shavings also, she always tells me I'm being silly and spending unnecessary amounts on alternate bedding as her piggies never had any health issuses while on wood-shavings.

I personally wouldn't use sawdust as i think that really is too dusty and it's makes me cough and sneeze when i had a hamster!

So as i'm a worrier i tend to keep them off wood-shavings and on fitch or hay, not because i don't like wood-shavings but because of the controversial opinions on whether their a health issue.

I personally don't think their bad for them if their dust extracted but i do think they make a-lot of mess and smell a bit quicker and my pigs live in my bedroom so fitch doesn't cause so much mess for me and doesn't smell half as much.

I think as long as whatever bedding being your using is right for your guinea pigs health and happiness wise, then it's up to the individual owner right?

:)
 
I use the Snowflake soft chip, which is different. ;)
 
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