Is this bedding ok ?

A

Annie's piggies

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
63
Reaction score
30
Points
145
Is this bedding safe
I can't take a picture because it's not allowing me to
The packed of bedding just says
Nature own, softwood shavings, quality wood flakes soft and absorbent, pure and natural free from fungicides and preservatives.
Do any of you know ?
 
Softwood shavings are not safe for small animals as they have chronically toxic phenols that can harm their respiratory system and liver. I would strongly suggest switching to a paper bedding or fleece. :)
 
@Robin_ it appears to be kiln dried pine which I think is okay to use. Where does it say that softwood shavings aren’t safe? Snowflake shavings are also made from softwood shavings and several people (myself included) have used it as bedding.
 
Is the brand Nature's Own? Because I've used this brand off and on, and ALWAYS dust extracted shavings for my outdoor pigs in their hutch, along with meadow hay in their bedroom and a mix of eating hay types, green hay from Nature's Own and their Timothy hay too. I've never had any issues. So much more natural for them.
 
Siikibam said:
@Robin_ it appears to be kiln dried pine which I think is okay to use. Where does it say that softwood shavings aren’t safe? Snowflake shavings are also made from softwood shavings and several people (myself included) have used it as bedding.
Click to expand...
Kiln-dried pine is also unsafe. The main point in kiln-drying is to remove water; the ovens don’t get nearly hot enough to remove the phenols. This is discussed in this topic (it has some other sources to look at within the discussion): Product Review Guide - Page 8 - Supplies & Accessories
I understand it’s a hotly debated topic but I prefer to just suggest avoiding it entirely if possible.

The issue with softwood is it has chronic effects that aren’t exactly easy to diagnose. Sure, your cavy could die of “old age” and organ failure, but how would you know the liver was the weak link all along without a biopsy (which most owners don’t undergo)? These phenols absolutely do damage and there are plenty of studies in the link above proving this, but you can’t really see liver failure at a glance, especially in prey animals that tend to hide their symptoms anyhow.
 
Piggylove82 said:
@Robin_ Are things different in the US?
Click to expand...
I’m sure pine still carries phenols across the sea same as it does here; it’s pine’s biological adaption, after all. Unless you find the ovens in your country actually get hot enough to get rid of all the phenols (which is impossible anyhow), I doubt there’s much of a difference.
 
I've kept outdoor pigs on shavings (and hay beds) for 25 years! Are you saying I killed all of mine prematurely?
 
Piggylove82 said:
I've kept outdoor pigs on shavings (and hay beds) for 25 years! Are you saying I killed all of mine prematurely?
Click to expand...
I don’t mean that at all. I’m not saying you’re a bad owner. Please don’t take it personally. All I’m saying is there’s some strong evidence phenols can cause some harmful side effects with extended use.
 
@Robin_ you said..


The issue with softwood is it has chronic effects that aren’t exactly easy to diagnose. Sure, your cavy could die of “old age” and organ failure, but how would you know the liver was the weak link all along without a biopsy (which most owners don’t undergo)?

So yeah I think you did say I'm a bad owner!
 
Piggylove82 said:
@Robin_ you said..


The issue with softwood is it has chronic effects that aren’t exactly easy to diagnose. Sure, your cavy could die of “old age” and organ failure, but how would you know the liver was the weak link all along without a biopsy (which most owners don’t undergo)?

So yeah I think you did say I'm a bad owner!
Click to expand...

The “you” wasn’t referring to you directly; I meant to use it in a general sense. I apologize that you took it that way. I’m sure you’re a great owner; we just have differing opinions is all. :)
 
Robin_ said:
The “you” wasn’t referring to you directly; I meant to use it in a general sense. I apologize that you took it that way. I’m sure you’re a great owner; we just have differing opinions is all. :)
Click to expand...
Maybe not me personally, but as an owner who's always used shavings you were applying your opinion to me. Even if not directly.
 
I've heard different things about pine. I know we can't use cedar, so I've just stayed away from both. I just put down two old towels and fleece over it. It's so easy, it's soft and absorbent and super cheap. I change it out every five days or so. Cost effective and mother nature is happy. :)
 
Cavymama78 said:
I find a lot of these debates can actually end up being really educational for me. I like hearing all the different opinions and reading all the different things people do. My girls have had problems with calcium, so I see it as a research project. lol
Click to expand...
I get like that aswell. But il say no more here, cause I know for a fact itl be me that gets called out of the pack that I went off topic 👍
 
There is some serious debating going on 😂😂❤️
I might do half of the bedding and half fleece, what do you think?
My Guinea pigs have been using this bedding for a while now and seem fine with it, but I might consider using fleece as well for like half the cage so it's a mix and not just all the bedding. x
 
Siikibam said:
@Wiebke @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle are these shavings ok? I thought kiln dried pine was okay but maybe I’m wrong. I can’t find anything to say otherwise on here.
Click to expand...

I have heard differing advice. I too have heard that kiln dried dust extracted is fine to use but I’ve also heard that it’s not. The guide on here lists woodshavings as fine, definitely don’t use cedar, but it does state that some piggies can have respiratory or skin issues from use of shavings. I personally have tried every type of bedding going I think including shavings but I have found a mixture of newspaper with hay on top in some areas and fleece in others the best thing for me.
 
Annie's piggies said:
There is some serious debating going on 😂😂❤
I might do half of the bedding and half fleece, what do you think?
My Guinea pigs have been using this bedding for a while now and seem fine with it, but I might consider using fleece as well for like half the cage so it's a mix and not just all the bedding. x
Click to expand...
I have fleece for 4/5th of it. In the end area I have two tubs filled with timothy hay. That's also where they're water, food, and hay mangers are. This helps keep the whole cage cleaner. And I can just dump the tubs as needed.
 
Cavymama78 said:
I have fleece for 4/5th of it. In the end area I have two tubs filled with timothy hay. That's also where they're water, food, and hay mangers are. This helps keep the whole cage cleaner. And I can just dump the tubs as needed.
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • 15888777697843171458033760060431.webp
    15888777697843171458033760060431.webp
    46.9 KB · Views: 22
Looks good. I’d say maybe get some grids and make a base to make the cage even more secure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top