Sawdust Getting Stuck...

Chloe.123

Chloe.123

Junior Guinea Pig
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I'm having issues with one of my boars getting sawdust stuck in his bits... it's usually stray bits of hay but yesterday there was LOADS of sawdust stuck. I'm not enjoying pulling it out and I can tell he isn't either!

Does anyone else have this issue and what can I do? :help:
 
Do you mean sawdust, or woodshavings? I believe sawdust isn't recommended for guinea pigs at all.

If you meant woodshavings, I don't really know if there is any way to prevent them picking up bits in their bits ... but maybe yesterday he was having a hormonal bum-dragging day so his bits were closer to the shavings. Is he as covered today? :hmm:
 
Yes, sorry wood shavings.

I did clean their hutch the day before so it's possible he was just going a bit OTT with the hormonal stuff! . There was only one piece today.

I'm just a bit worried if I don't get it all out he could get an infection? He doesn't stay very still when I'm cleaning there but I think that's understandable! Ahaha
 
there is little you can do I am afraid, apart from switching to fleece maybe?
 
Chloe.123 said:
Yes, sorry wood shavings.

I did clean their hutch the day before so it's possible he was just going a bit OTT with the hormonal stuff! . There was only one piece today.

I'm just a bit worried if I don't get it all out he could get an infection? He doesn't stay very still when I'm cleaning there but I think that's understandable! Ahaha
Click to expand...

:)

Yeah, it can't be pleasant for anyone or anypig concerned :))
 
sport_billy said:
there is little you can do I am afraid, apart from switching to fleece maybe?
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about changing to fleece. I did make a post in the housing section and someone suggested that as it would be outside in a hutch it might get damp in cold/wet weather
 
Chloe.123 said:
I've been thinking about changing to fleece. I did make a post in the housing section and someone suggested that as it would be outside in a hutch it might get damp in cold/wet weather
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Ah....outside fleece is not an option I am afraid for those very reasons.
 
Just seen your other thread about fleece in hutches instead of shavings...

I used to use woodshavings, but eventually got fed up of the weight and mess when I cleaned the cage. (My pigs are indoors in a Ferplast cage). I don't recall having problems with shavings getting in my boars bits all the time, but I would think that provided the hutch is cleaned and shavings replaced regularly, there would be little risk of infection getting in. But I'm not an expert so I could be wrong!
 
Even though they're outside the mess drives me crazy!

That makes me feel better I clean them often and I spot check everyday so it should be ok.
 
This is the reason I changed to vetbed. My boars are indoors though. You could try putting a thick layer of hay on top of the shavings and see if that's any better? One of mine does occasionally get a bit of hay stuck when he's been in the hay tray though.
 
My Angus has had all sorts lodged up his particulars but I changed to the big wide shaving flakes and have had no probs since.
 
I put a thin layer of shavings down and then loads of hay on top - not had any problems with things getting in their bits since then and have 4 boys
 
I am not sure whether the fleece works amazingly even outside during winter months, but I am thinking of a fact: in my building there live 2 rescue cats who belong to a lady living on the ground floor in a flat with a garden. These cats are free of living indoor and outdoor and this lady has arranged some baskets for them outside in the garden. I see she has put fleece into each basket and in Rome we have very wet nights, also 90-100% in winter time (the cars are totally wet in the morning and also in spring/summer if I keep outside some cloth it becomes wet). I don't know if the fleece into these basket is wet but the cats love sleeping on it, I see. Maybe the fleece works for piggies' hutches too, although the hay would keep them warmer. I would try to use newspapers+fleece and a lot of hay in a corner.
 
i use fleece liners in the summer and spring for my outside piggies,aubiose or flax bedding in autumn and winter,vet bed i sometimes use with puppypads underneath vetbed,in the winter,but stuff loads of hay in the bedroom area,use snugglesafe heatpads.
 
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