Temporarily changing to sawdust?

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Hoggle*&*Ludo

Hoggle*&*Ludo

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Hi,

Due to me having to move out this weekend, I am leaving my oys with my mum and dad for a month or so and I personally think my mum won't like the joy the fleece brings rolleyes so I was thinking of changing to sawdust for that time. Do you think it will affect their happiness/health?
 
I would change to megazorb or aubiose, or other similar products but personally would not touch sawdust or shavings with a barge pole. The oils in pine are used in disinfectants and are very potent in small doses, which can cause respiratory and skin problems.
 
I would change to megazorb or aubiose, or other similar products but personally would not touch sawdust or shavings with a barge pole. The oils in pine are used in disinfectants and are very potent in small doses, which can cause respiratory and skin problems.
 
I'm not saying sawdust DOESN'T cause problems, but for me personally - I have 12 cages, and 40 pigs, and all of them are kept on sawdust. I've never had problems with it :)
 
They were on sawdust when I first got them but it was only for a week. I am just thinking of ease for my mum, it seems to smell nicer for longer than fleece, they are going in my nephews nursery so I don't want them stinking it out! :o
 
I have had my piggies on sawdust for years; I don't think that there is a huge risk.
 
My girls are on wood shavings but I put a layer of hay over the top so that they are not in direct contact with the shavings. I have never had any problems. Just make sure you use dust extracted ones :)
 
I agree with lovelygirl and my personal preference is also not to use woodshavings/sawdust. I used shavings for years before I learned that some people believe that they could cause problems and I've since stopped using them altogether, just in case.

Anyway I wouldn't worry too much about such a temporary measure. If you're only using them for a few weeks then it's unlikely to cause an issue in such a short space of time. If you do decide you'd rather not though, perhaps megazorb/auboise would be a good alternative....even if only to stop you worrying! :)
 
lots of people use the wood shavings, I did when I first got my gps, but the mess was a right old pain and i had one or two which were sneezing, so i changed to vet bed, but lots of people use shavings and have never had a problem xx
 
When people are talking about sawdust, are they actually meaning shavings?

I would think actual sawdust is too dusty for any small animal, but shavings are fine. There has always been a lot of debate about shavings in the rat fancy, but I know many people who use them without a problem.

I personally find Aubiose is much better for keeping smells down though.
 
I have never used anything but fleece, but the rescue I got mine from uses shavings and when I brought them back to be bonded with Freja they didn't seem to care to be back on shavings :) I think your pigs will be fine... Lots of people in Sweden use shavings!
 
I used to use shavings for my two boy`s and it made them cough and sneeze. I had to take them to the vets where they were given an injection. The vet advised me against using sawdust, and was informed about megazorb, so that is what i used now. And they have had no problems since.
 
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