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We Got Our 2 Lovely Guinea Pigs Yesterday, Newspaper Advice Please!

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DebCoysh

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Hi, we got our 2 lovely girls yesterday and spent 8 hours laying patio slabs for them and building their balmoral hutch. My children (11 & 7) were so surprised when at the pet shop they could choose 2. I lined the hutch with newspaper and put fitch paper bedding down and plenty of Timothy hay and an edible tunnel in their sleeping area. The pet shop said today they shouldn't have newspaper. What are your views please? I haven't got any photos of them as we are not overcrowding them to get them used to their hutch, but looking forward to holding them tomorrow and showing them their attached run in a few days and learning how to use the ramp!
 
The only use for newspaper is to make cleaning out easier as you can just roll it up with the fitch inside and throw it away. Otherwise you would need to sweep out the hutch.

It's not absorbant at all so it won't soak up the pee, so you will need to clean out the most soiled areas every day or two.
 
My piggies always have newspaper in their hay trays, sometimes they nibble at it and they're all still alive lol.

I believe the ink is only dangerous when fresh so make sure to use older newspaper :)
 
Jaycey said:
The only use for newspaper is to make cleaning out easier as you can just roll it up with the fitch inside and throw it away. Otherwise you would need to sweep out the hutch.

It's not absorbant at all so it won't soak up the pee, so you will need to clean out the most soiled areas every day or two.
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Thank you, the pet shop said it was harmful for them, I know glossy paper shouldn't be used. I'll pop some Lino at the bottom to help too, many thanks
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
My piggies always have newspaper in their hay trays, sometimes they nibble at it and they're all still alive lol.

I believe the ink is only dangerous when fresh so make sure to use older newspaper :)
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Ha! Thank you! I'll make sure I use older papers, there's so much to learn about these furry friends!
 
Tim said:
As far as I'm aware, all 'professional' newspapers in the uk use petsafe ink. There was a thread about this with the last couple of weeks. Although I wouldn't class The Sun as 'professional' :))
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That made me laugh! Fab, so only older, "professional" papers it is
 
I use newspaper in the hutch and also have just ordered some Back 2 Nature Small Animal Bedding (£13.64 from ebay) as my neighbour's daughter uses it and she said it was very absorbant. She puts in over the newspaper and under the hay. Have heard good reports on it from this forum too. It should arrive in a couple of days and I can see for myself.
 
I use newspaper in their hay area over a poundland tarp. It needs changing every two days at least.
 
I use newspaper and hay in my pigs' down-stairs accommodation and I change the paper completely twice a day as it only has hay on top of it. All my pigs have eaten newspaper and it hasn't seemed to do them any harm
 
Betsy said:
I use newspaper in the hutch and also have just ordered some Back 2 Nature Small Animal Bedding (£13.64 from ebay) as my neighbour's daughter uses it and she said it was very absorbant. She puts in over the newspaper and under the hay. Have heard good reports on it from this forum too. It should arrive in a couple of days and I can see for myself.
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Thank you! I'll look out to how how to find it, I've got 25kg of fitch paper bedding to get through
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I use newspaper and hay in my pigs' down-stairs accommodation and I change the paper completely twice a day as it only has hay on top of it. All my pigs have eaten newspaper and it hasn't seemed to do them any harm
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That's reassuring, thank you
 
Tim said:
Photos please! Once they are settled of course ;)
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Me and the children had our first cuddles today! 'Shadow' (the black little girl) was very nervous, but my son was very gentle and talked to her lots whilst she hid under the fleece, whilst 'Snuggles' ate some carrot from my daughter's hand on her lap. First cuddles a big success!

IMG_3176.webp
 
I loved Back2nature, one of the best beddings I've ever used. Sadly not economical for me anymore though, I'd need 60 litres of the stuff every week.

And I'm still laughing at the professional newspaper comments. :)) I only use newspaper if someone gives me a paper these days, I don't buy one just for the pigs.
 
And I'm still laughing at the professional newspaper comments. :)) I only use newspaper if someone gives me a paper these days, I don't buy one just for the pigs.
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what about collecting flyers at supermarket? :woot:
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but as they are not serious newspapers, maybe it is better to cover them with a fleece...:D
 
Lorcan said:
I loved Back2nature, one of the best beddings I've ever used. Sadly not economical for me anymore though, I'd need 60 litres of the stuff every week.

And I'm still laughing at the professional newspaper comments. :)) I only use newspaper if someone gives me a paper these days, I don't buy one just for the pigs.
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Ha! They've got an educational read from my parents!
 
Aww all those piggies outside. When you draw your curtains so you're snugly & the piggys are all alone & they think I'm hungry, I'm cold, my friend keeps beating me up & my Hooman has deserted me. Aww
Are you one of the hooman's that are going to shut them in their all through the winter.
 
Tim said:
As far as I'm aware, all 'professional' newspapers in the uk use petsafe ink. There was a thread about this with the last couple of weeks. Although I wouldn't class The Sun as 'professional' :))
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Lol my mum has the Sun... Lining the hay tray is all it's good for
 
Lorcan said:
I loved Back2nature, one of the best beddings I've ever used. Sadly not economical for me anymore though, I'd need 60 litres of the stuff every week.

And I'm still laughing at the professional newspaper comments. :)) I only use newspaper if someone gives me a paper these days, I don't buy one just for the pigs.
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I beg old newspapers of my relatives, friends, neighbours in fact anybody I can think of I'm not proud!
 
Pressed the Post Reply button too early again!

What do you use instead of Back2nature now then Lorcan?
 
Betsy said:
Pressed the Post Reply button too early again!

What do you use instead of Back2nature now then Lorcan?
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Carefresh Natural. Has to be the Natural though, tried a few of the others and they were just meh.
 
I'll try that then too after I've used up the Back2nature (it hasn't even arrived yet!).
 
DebCoysh said:
Me and the children had our first cuddles today! 'Shadow' (the black little girl) was very nervous, but my son was very gentle and talked to her lots whilst she hid under the fleece, whilst 'Snuggles' ate some carrot from my daughter's hand on her lap. First cuddles a big success!

View attachment 63496
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They're very adorable!
 
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