Friday, May 21, 2010

Is Premier Pet Pine Shavings safe for guinea pigs?

I have Premier Pet brand Pine Shavings for my guinea pig's bedding... and the package doesn't say kiln-dried, but my guinea pig has been sneezing and making cough-like sounds the past few days. I've only had him since Tuesday.


I'm thinking maybe the bedding is to blame, since I've recently found out pine bedding is bad for rodents if it's not kiln-dried...and the package doesn't say kiln-dried...





Should I get him new bedding or will he be ok with this bedding?


And what type of new bedding should I get him?

Is Premier Pet Pine Shavings safe for guinea pigs?
If the package doesn't say "Kiln Dried", it isn't. This is most likely your piggie's problem.





Call around to a local livestock feed store %26amp; ask them if they have Kiln Dried pine shavings. This is what I use with all my pigs %26amp; I have yet to have a problem. The feed store is much cheaper than your larger chain pet stores. A big 40 lb. compressed bale is $5.





Other good beddings to consider are aspen shavings, Carefresh, or if you're environmentally conscious, try fleece. You can read more here:


http://www.guinealynx.info/bedding.html





Good luck!
Reply:Anything made of wood is going to have an odor which smells good to us but will give your smaller animals trouble. Cedar is especially bad but I have used pine bedding with out problems for my hamsters. The best thing to use is the recycled paper, it's grey and comes in little clumps. However if your guinea pig is sneezing and you've had him less than a week I would check with the place you bought him. Maybe him mates are ill too? And is he warm enough? His cage is not near a window or drafty air duct?
Reply:dont use pine ,only cypress and aspen
Reply:The pine bedding is generally bad for animals like guinea pigs. I would really recommend getting the recycled paper kind, its better for the envirerment, and your guinea pig


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