Review: Woodshavings

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I started using woodshavings when I first aquired my girls as this is what their previous owner had used. I found it to be extremely messy and it even found its way upstairs and into the bedrooms. I used to sneeze frequently when putting it in their hutch and wondered that if I was sneezing how did they manage when their little noses were almost on top of the stuff. The dust from the stuff got all over my bare arms and when I rubbed it off it my arms felt itchy. I switched to vetbed and my girls and I have not looked back.

No stars from me
 
i know certain types of woodshavings when the animals wee on them release phenols wich can cause respiratory disease in rats, I'm not sure about other animals but i dont use it for any of my animals.
 
I just cover the floor with hay!
I did try woodshavings, but it made my pigs sneeze. I put it in the litter box now, but nowhere else.
 
i used to use them, the petshop did and told me that was the best thing for them >:( but after 1 of my piggies sneezing i stopped using them too
 
I found woodshavings very messy (popcorning leave's sprays of the stuff all over our lounge!). Heard lots of bad things about fungal infections and respiratory problems so i've switched to vetbed.
 
anyone got a good idea for a floor coverage for a 2 layer hutch, boars are peeing big time, and i would like to lay a protective sheet of something on wood layer that they will not chew or agravate their tummy's. Dont think that a layer of plastic sheet or tarpauline is safe.
 
lino?

I use lino for the base of my cage, and mine never chew it.
 
well i guess you need to buy a product that clearly states it is dust extracted if so i give woodshaveings:

***** 5 stars
For being easy to cleans and conveniant.
 
i think woodshavings are awful make them snezze alot ** stars

i perfer to use newspaper then put paper shreddings on top they love it nibblet and fudge run though it and sunggle in to it :smitten:
 
emma2009 said:
i think woodshavings are awful make them snezze alot ** stars

i perfer to use newspaper then put paper shreddings on top they love it nibblet and fudge run though it and sunggle in to it :smitten:
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That is because it is not dust extracted check the package for the label "Dust extracted" it is much safer for your pigs
 
Even dust extracted shavings are dusty and make my pigs sneeze. I think all shavings are horrible. I heard they are not great for a piggies feet either.
 
Damonshumanslave said:
Even dust extracted shavings are dusty and make my pigs sneeze. I think all shavings are horrible. I heard they are not great for a piggies feet either.
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Ditto. I've seen feet red raw from cheap shavings. Even "dust extracted" ones. My vet warns people off shavings because of the problems they cause. Perhaps all those using them should be encouraged to stuff their pillow with them and sleep overnight with them ;D.
 
I used to use shavings and we have a joinery business here as well so could get them free!! BUT I found them too messy and so switched to half vetbed and half hay for my shorthaireds and for my Peruvian - all vetbed. No mess no fuss and toasty warm guineas.

Helen.
x
 
;D ;D ;D

I Would never use shaving.. All these problems everyone has mentioned is why i started using newspaper for the chinnies
 
I have 5 cages, 3: 4 x 2 and 1: 15 x 2, and I can't use vetbed or anything like it in all my cages as it would mean LOTS of washing and i'm not allowed to use the washing machine or tumble dryer.
I am trying fleece in one of my cages and I think I can only just manage washing it.
I think i'll just use fleece in the sleeping areas instead of the whole cage
 
i use half shavings/hay for my old man tex and half vetbed where his house is, he seems ok with it. As for my others piggies, they all got shavings and it doesnt seem to bother them.

but worth thinking about, especially for the housing area fot the others, they all see to wee and poo near the doors of the hutch.
 
its alright but since piggies sleep in their own wee i find that it stains elvis's belly ***

and here in aussie it isnt dusty
 
elvis is my cavy said:
its alright but since piggies sleep in their own wee i find that it stains elvis's belly ***

and here in aussie it isnt dusty
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It might not be dusty but think that the pine oil in most woodshavings is the same as the stuff they use in toilet cleaner. NOT something I'd like to sleep on!
 
iloveanimals said:
I rate woodshavings 5 * :D
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I'm just curious, not trying to start an argument but just want your opinions etc. Do you still think they're 5* even though many are dangerous, dusty, can cause health problems etc? How can they be 5* when they could harm your guinea pigs? Just curious. O0
 
The reason i rate them 5* is ive used them all my life i have had small animals and have NEVER had anything wrong with them to due with the bedding i use and i wouldnt go out and buy a more expensive bedding that roughly does the same thing 98) I'm not the person to go out and buy stuff if someone says its bad to use or you cant use that blah de blah O0 I go by my own things and take advice as i need it and so far havent needed it for bedding but have tried a few others i like too ;)
 
Ive not had any problems with it all yet so I would probably give it a 4* because it is quite messy but my piggies arent indoors anyway so its not that big a problem
 
jakewc2 said:
There is an interesting article that has been written about wood shavings, that actually has some interesting information about it.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/1155/Pine.html

When you consider that millions of people use it for a lot of different species of Rodents with no problems, and I have to say I have used Pine shavings for my animals for years with no problems, and that's Hamsters (four different species), Rats, Mice, Gerbils, GP's, Guenthers Voles, yet there are a lot of sites that quote this information that its bad for their animals. I know of Hamster breeders that have used pine for 30 years and more, with no effects on their animals. The article above makes for interesting reading. Right now I'm using Aubiose, as its easier and cheaper for me to get.
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Whoa that is one long article, and PACKED with information... Started to have a read but it is too much at this time of morning ;)
Shall have a full read soon, it seems VERY interesting and seems to back up my original opinion... thanks for posting it! O0
 
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