| DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEDDING FOR YOUR PIGGY |
| There are certain things that you would need to keep in mind when choosing your bedding. Foremost, they use it for the bathroom. It should be absorbent and allow the feces to be covered. Towels do not make good bedding because it provides no escape from the urine and poop which they are forced to walk on, thus creating a wet, unsanitary and unhealthy environment that may cause problems like Bumblefoot. Another thing to remember is that it needs to provide them with insulation and warmth when they decide to snuggle down into it ASPEN A hardwood that does not have the toxic problems the softwoods do which makes it a recommended choice. Definitely better than cedar and pine. Wal-Mart stores do carry it in the small bags, or check your local pet store. CAREFRESH This wood pulp is not made of pine or cedar. It is sanitized to kill bacteria, mold and fungus, but does not provide them a way to snuggle into it. After a day or two, it starts to consolidate into a hard surface. Perhaps putting loose hay on top for them to burrow into would help. This product is extremely expensive. Wal-mart does carry it, but under the name of Critter Care. CEDAR DO NOT USE! It contains a toxic hydrocarbon called phenol, which gives its fragrance. Phenol is a natural repellent for fleas and moths. Dr. Richard Evans, a veterinary pathologist with associations to the California Department of Public Health, acknowledged that cedar and other soft woods, (such as pine) contain a number of volatile compounds like hydrocarbons, cedrene, cadrol and naphthalene (the active ingredient in mothballs). These compounds irritate skin, and kill the lung cells. Once this happens, the animal's natural immune system starts to break down allowing for breathing problems such as asthma or even lung infections such as pneumonia. Not only does it affect the lungs, but also increases liver enzyme productivity. Live enzymes are used to detoxify the body, but if toxins are overly abundant, this causes the live to overload and shutdown resulting in death. THE ONLY REASON MANUFACTURERS SELL CEDAR AS A PET BEDDING IS BECAUSE UNWARY PEOPLE BUY IT, THEREFOR MAKING IT A GOOD SELLING ITEM FOR THEM. PLEASE DO NOT LET THE MANUFACTURER DICTATE WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOUR PIG AND WHAT ISN'T. CELL SORB PLUS It absorbs 400% more than any of the wood shavings, neutralizes the ammonia in the urine and even dries the feces. (Studies conducted at the University of Cincinnati and the Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati). CORNCOB This type of bedding is prone to growing mold when wet and is stuck in the perennial sac of the males causing a medical condition. If ingested and the guinea pig drinks water, it swells up and does not break down, creating a potentially serious blockage. KITTY LITTER Any type of kitty litter should not be an option for your pig. Some of the wood-based litters are full of dust and strong fragrances, while the clay-based contain chemicals to mask odors and guinea pigs do eat their litter. Unlike cats, guinea pigs LIVE in their litter, so please be considerate when you choose their bedding. PINE Pine bedding is very popular among caviaries across the country, but it contains the same hydrocarbon (phenol) that cedar has, only not as strong. It is recommended to use the kiln pine instead of the regular. Kiln pine is pine shavings that were dried in high heat rather than letting it air dry, therefore reducing the amount of hydrocarbons it contains. Some guinea pigs do have allergic reactions when their urine and the pine oils mix. Symptoms of allergic reactions include eye watering, runny nose, constant eye blinking or even the closing of one or both eyes. If you start to notice ANY of these symptoms, immediately change your bedding. If the signs or symptoms are missed, you could end up with a very sick pig because soon after, staff infection (a fungal infection on the skin) sets in. Once this happens, the staff infection is very contagious and can be transmitted to the rest of your herd and then you will have major problems. WOOD PELLETS This is used in many caviaries that raise long-haired pigs because it keeps the shavings out of their fur, however, the downside is they have to walk and sleep on it. To me, it would be the same as making your home out in the gravelled driveway where you would walk barefoot and sleep. |