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May 24, 2013, 10:39pm

Wheekers :: Guinea Pigs & Friends :: Cavy Care :: Non Dusty Bedding ?

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Topic: Non Dusty Bedding ? (Read 85 times)

lattiee2
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Non Dusty Bedding ?
« Thread Started on Aug 12, 2012, 10:54pm »

I'm wondering what is a dust free,chemical free bedding out there ? As the bedding I was using for our guinea pig was making me allergies due to the dust.

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3piggles
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Re: Non Dusty Bedding ?
« Reply #1 on Aug 13, 2012, 10:06am »

What were you using, and what is available where you live?

A bedding primer, lol!
1) Carefresh and other cellulose beddings are absorbent, virtually dust free, soft under piggy feet and easy to manage. They can get expensive, as once used they must be replaced, and they are a bit pricey to buy. They can be made at home, if you have the time and a good source of newspapers. Basically dust and allergen free!
2) Wood shavings are the least expensive bedding, though Aspen is the only one recommended for pigs. Pigs live very close to their bedding, and the aromatic oils are too strong in pine or cedar. Avoid any wood shaving bedding that doesn't say "kiln dried" on the bag, as there are too many oils left in the shavings. Main drawbacks are storage and mess. Shavings cling to everything, and fall off everywhere. Low dust/allergen, but not free!
3) Cloth bedding is done in layers, with a fleece top layer that wicks liquid down to absorbent layers. It is not expensive to start, especially is using existing old towels. More expensive custom versions are available or easy to make at home. Storage is less of an issue, but cloth bedding requires a daily surface cleaning. Avoid fabric soften and detergent with any scent. Dust and allergen free!
4) Non-absorbent materials such as flat newspapers, hay, straw, etc., simply let everything fall to the bottom of the cage and provides no barrier to odors or living in the filth. They are also not dust free or hypoallergenic in any way.

Last aspect is that it may not be the bedding that's bothering your allergies. Pig urine tends to be the major source of allergies, not the bedding or the hay. The chemical composition of the urine varies by what the pigs eat, even to the different cuts and brands of hay and pellets the pigs eat.

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Morty, Mia and Momo. I miss you Zippy, Dallas, Dakota, Momma, Harlequin, Molly and Grishy. You're always in my heart.

lattiee2
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Re: Non Dusty Bedding ?
« Reply #2 on Aug 13, 2012, 6:26pm »

We were using Carefresh and just by being around that bedding it was making me sneeze,have my nose run so I removed that out of the cage and put some soft bedding there no more runny nose

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3piggles
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Re: Non Dusty Bedding ?
« Reply #3 on Aug 13, 2012, 7:25pm »

Then I would avoid all the loose beddings, as they all have tiny particles that can get in the air and cause allergies, even if they aren't dust particles. I would advise fleece bedding over towels or another absorbent medium. I mean real fleece, not the nubbly stuff inside cuddle cups. It should be washed in unscented detergent, no fabric softener in the wash or dryer.

I hope this helps!

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Morty, Mia and Momo. I miss you Zippy, Dallas, Dakota, Momma, Harlequin, Molly and Grishy. You're always in my heart.

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