Piggies Eating Bedding!

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Hayley

Hayley

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there,

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place, this just seemed like the most logical option! I've had my piggies for a couple of weeks now & I've added some shredded paper bedding from Pets at Home to their cage for them to snuggle in. However, I've just noticed that they seem to have developed a taste for it and I'm worried it might not be especially healthy for their digestion! They're eating plenty of veg & no issues with their poo as far as I can tell, so I'm not concerned about their appetite, but I will get different bedding if there's a risk of harm. The packet it comes in says it's safe, but if anyone has experienced similar issues, I'd be grateful for any advice! Many thanks, Hayley :D
 
Paper and cardboard are fine for piggies to eat. Some piggies love to chew paper or cardboard, it seems to be particularly popular with poorly piggies who have not been eating properly. I think it is alot to do with the fibre content.
Hay is a fab bedding for them to snuggle into if you are worried and they can eat it :) One of my pigs, loves hiding and snuggling into his hay. Infact he prefers it to his cosies.
 
klee said:
Paper and cardboard are fine for piggies to eat. Some piggies love to chew paper or cardboard, it seems to be particularly popular with poorly piggies who have not been eating properly. I think it is alot to do with the fibre content.
Hay is a fab bedding for them to snuggle into if you are worried and they can eat it :) One of my pigs, loves hiding and snuggling into his hay. Infact he prefers it to his cosies.
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Hi Klee! Thanks for your reply, my piggies do have plenty of hay available, but I think I will replace the shredded paper with more hay in their hides from now on. I don't think they've shown any signs of illness, as they're eating lots of veg & are very active. I'll keep an eye on them though to be sure. Thanks again for your help, much love to you & your piggies! Hayley
 
Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much - I observed my Frodo eating his paper based bedding the other day - it was just a little bit and I felt it is something he probably does on occasion just not normally while I'm there. I've never noticed any adverse affects to his health as a result and he still eats his food as normal (the pig is obsessed with hay!) So I'd say as long as everything else is still running as normal it's probably ok :)
 
Yes, it's definitely popular with poorly piggie. Minky, who's suffered from a head tilt for 3 months loves to eat kitchen roll. I thought it might be that when I had her out of her cage she was eating this as substitute for hay but even when she's got hay she'll eat it.
 
Whenever i change my lots cages i have one piggie, Buttercup who will give their paper based bedding a chew, she normally nibbles on one bit and then that's that.

She's never been sick or had any health issues from it and i don't know why she does it because none of my other piggies do!

So i don't tend to worry too much, if she was eating vast amounts then i probably would... :)
 
Piggies adore rough fibre like in cardboard, paper or newspaper (or wallpaper!). Hay filled toilet roll inners are still toy favourite #1! After an operation or tummy upset, they seem to crave it - it obviously helps them to stabilise the guts.
 
Hi everyone! Thanks for all of your messages, I'm grateful for your advice! I think I'm just over worrying, I'm sure they're fine & I'll keep a watchful eye on them for any signs of tummy aches! Much love to you & your lovely piggies, Hayley xx
 
Yes my pigs eat paper or cardboard and when I first got pigs and used shavings they nibbled that too.
 
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