The research paper also shows that even more simple illnesses, such as bacterial infection, can often lead to serious diseases and even cases of possible sudden death. Yes, these possibilities are frightening. But with the right information and preventative measures, such instances can be avoided!

When I used pine shavings, I found that the coop always had a little bit of a poopy smell, except when I first replaced the old shavings with new.Then it would smell fine for a few days.A little bit of a smell seems inevitable with shavings, unfortunately, but your coop should never smell really bad. Another option is to use a pest control product that is specifically designed for use in gardens. These products can help to repel pests and protect your plants from damage. To prevent nitrogen depletion, it is important to add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to your soil when using pine shavings. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid using pine shavings in areas where nitrogen-loving plants, such as tomatoes or corn, will be grown. The bedding easily gets wet and dirty, which then provides a perfect environment for mold and bacterial growth. With non-absorbent material, you are essentially exposing your guinea pigs to harm by increasing their risk of bacterial infection. These beds also do not provide an adequate amount of cushion for guinea pigs' sensitive feet . This can result in your guinea pigs being diagnosed with a condition known as Bumblefoot.Remember, pine shavings are just one of many ways to improve your garden soil. They can be especially useful for vegetable gardens, as they can help to prevent soil-borne diseases and pests. However, it's important to note that pine shavings can also raise the soil's acidity, so it's recommended to test your soil's pH levels before adding pine shavings. I started doing more research, and I learned about how different fabric materials all had their own various creation processes. During my time researching, I stumbled upon the properties of bamboo. Bamboo fiber is known to have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which makes it an excellent choice to help fight off bacteria that may be found in guinea pigs’ bedding. According to a study conducted by the University of California, pine shavings were found to be effective in controlling weeds in a garden. The study found that gardens that used pine shavings had a significantly lower weed count compared to those that did not.

Straw is also lightweight initially, but it gets really clumped up and heavy with manure and moisture after being in the coop.Because of this, soiled straw can be heavy to move out of the coop.Pine shavings, on the other hand, stay fairly lightweight, even when soiled, so emptying your coop is much easier. Kiln-dried pine shavings, hemp bedding, and aspen shavings perform well for effective odor control. While fleece liners are popular, they may require more frequent changing than other options as they began to smell much sooner. What Is the Most Absorbent Bedding?I suppose you could spread fresh pine shavings in your run, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing this.You’d only want to consider it if the conditions were very dry and there was no wind.Fresh shavings are so lightweight, even a small breeze will likely blow some (or all) away. However, it can be a fantastic fertilizer with the right type of bedding and a little patience. Most types of bedding are fine to use if they will eventually make their way to the garden. After a year, or once the litter is about a foot deep, it’s time to clean! All but a small layer, which is alive with good microbes, is left behind to start the process repeatedly. When considering your guinea pig’s health, maintaining a clean living space is crucial to their happiness and welfare. In the attempt to prevent respiratory diseases, keeping their habitat sanitary is probably one of the most important things a guinea pig parent can do. Skipping these sanitation steps will leave parents with costly veterinary bills and even worse, a shorter lifespan for their pet.

The frequency of bedding changes depends on the kind of bedding, the enclosure size, and the number of guinea pigs in that space.Paper bedding: Soft and fluffy paper bedding provides comfort and is a safe choice for guinea pigs. Shredded cardboard, processed to be safe and comfortable, can also be used. Compared to most other bedding types, pine shavings are dry and absorbent, which is incredibly important for coop bedding. If you’re used to fleece bedding, any other options will be messier and, as with pine, hemp or paper bedding, using aspen will mean that you’ll end up with a few bits on your floor from time to time. To try and confirm my findings, I arranged more meetings and discussions with experts. Learning wasn’t the only thing I was trying to accomplish. I needed to apply it to ensure a better environment for Tofu, which is how GuineaDad Liner came to be. After countless repetitions of creating prototypes and observing Tofu's symptoms, I finally ended up with what is now the GuineaDad Liner (actually version 1).

Overall, while pine shavings can be a cost-effective and readily available mulching material, it's important to consider the potential tradeoffs and take steps to mitigate any negative effects on your soil pH.

Pine shavings can also help to suppress weeds and keep pests away, thanks to their natural oils and resins. Slugs: Slugs are also attracted to the moisture in pine shavings and may use them as a hiding place during the day. This can lead to damage to your plants as slugs are known to eat leaves and stems. We found that when using aspen bedding,the cage needed a full clean after 5-6 days. The full cage cleaninvolves completely removing all the bedding, washing down the cage and re-filling it with fresh clean substrate. Is aspen comfortable for guinea pigs? The dust extraction process in all Bed-Down products is highly beneficial to your horses respiratory health. Double sealed for freshness