The age-old bedding debacle

[squeeksmom]

For me, Living in South Africa bedding have always been a headache.
I have tried fleece, but it does not work for me.
The only horse bedding I seem to find here is pine shavings, sunflower husk and shredded paper.
So, who have used sunflower husk? And is it even possible to use it for piggies?
Unfortunately, I cannot find Megazorb or Carefresh in SA, but have found Yesterdays news (verry expensive here)
I currently use newspaper, covered with a layer of cat litter with hay on top, it works ok but I am a bit worried that cat litter is not too good for them.
Wood shavings have worked well in the past, but it made Squeek cough, so I've stopped using it.
What would you use in my situation?

 

[missy]

I'd agree with you, that cat litter isn't good for them.

Just out of curiosity, what was it about fleece that put you off using it? I find it works really well for me but I understand that everyone's different.

I've not used a husk-based bedding but maybe others have.

If you stop using the cat litter but add extra newspaper, with the hay on top, would that not work well without the litter? I've heard of people just using newspaper and hay, especially with outdoor pigs. (Are yours outdoors or indoors?)

If you need extra absorbency, I wonder if washable incontinence pads/mattress topper or even towels might work well under the newspaper? (Not sure if the piggies would try and nibble at them though, or if the paper would just stick to them and turn into mush.)

If I were you I'd try and find a way to make fleece work for you, or maybe Vetbed instead, unless of course there's a reason why it's never going to be possible. I'd never go back to woodshavings though, for piggy health reasons.

Sorry I can't be more help. I guess we're very lucky here in the UK, with the materials we have available. Hope you figure something out soon

 

[squeeksmom]

I hate the smell of fleece once they have urinated on it, I also do not like the hay and newspaper for the same reason, it smells the same day already, once ive cleaned them. The piggies live in the house, and the OH does not like the smell. So I am extra careful for them to not smell.
I know that I am verry picky...
Having said that - summer is around the corner here, and I am in the process of twisting the OH's arm into geting a nice BIG hutc for the 3 of them....mwhahahah