Recycling shredded paper (merged)

System

Bongedone wrote: »

Makes good bedding for rabbits etc.

you have to be careful as some inks are poisonous to animals

mustafa_say_ving

Craftynclothy wrote: »

You can use it to make papier mache, which can then be used for all sorts of things. Quite fun to do too :T

Brilliant, I don't know why I didn't think of it myself:o

I'm glad someone started a thread about this and cleared up the recycling issue, as I'd always wondered why shredded paper wasn't accepted.(Thanks Marvin)

SuperMum2008

Our office has bags and bags of shredded paper that is being recycled every now and then if someone can take it to the right place. But I wondered if I could use it to line my guinea pigs cage, or little house?! She already eats the newspaper I line her cage with under her sawdust, and occasionally tucks into the inside of a toilet roll, so wondered if this would be any different? Im sure I read somewhere that she shouldnt eat any of these things because of the ink, but despite explaining this to her, she still nibbles away....anyone know the answer?

madison-nyc

I use shredded paper in my rabbits bed , she nibbles it too but doesn't eat loads so i'm sure it's fine!

kandyfloss

Hi SuperMum and a 'Happy New Year' to you.

I have had two Guneia Pigs for nearly two years that I took on from a family who's son developed a skin complaint whenever he held them.

I hadn't a clue how to care for them so did lots of surfing on the net and also experimented to see what suited them regarding the useage of newspapers and shredded paper.I found that my pigs will eat newspaper regardless of weather it is shredded or just flat like when you buy them and they are still going strong after all this time.

I tend to put layers of newspapers as lining in the bottom of the cage before spreading wood shavings on top of the newspapers.I then spread straw on top of the shavings so they have something comfortable for their feet.I know I perhaps go a bit over the top on the level of comfort that I give them but I am their third owner and I want them to have a decent sort of life while they are with me for the rest of their days.

I find that my pigs tend to Wee for England so with all the paper,straw,and shavings I use it helps to soak up all the urine so they are not having to sit and sleep in wet stuff. I tend to clean mine out once a week thoroughly and in between I add more shavings and straw to their cage until the time comes to clean them out.I then bag up the whole lot after cleaning them out and take the bag over to my allotment where it is composted down ready to spread on the land.

Use paper shreddings by all means but try not to use shreddings from those glossy magazines because the ink levels used in them could be a bit strong for them.

Hope this info is of some help to you.

FrankButlar

I find that just using pine shavings works well for soaking up urine, that with some straw as nesting material works great. I make sure to use straw not hey, b/c the little pigs will eat it and too much alfalfa is not so good for them. If you want to use paper I would rather use office paper than newspaper. I think newspaper has way more ink.

SuperMum2008

Thanks for all your fab replies - my piggy is going to be well cushioned with paper then - how exciting! AND it will save a bit on wood shavings and straw stuff too...thankyou again!

kandyfloss

I bet your little piggies will enjoy noshing on the shredded paper.:T

I also make sure they have plenty of good quality hay which mine eat a lot of especially in the winter mnths when they can't be put out onto grass in their run because of the usual winter weather and the fact that grass doesn't grow in the winter months.In the summer they make good lawn mowers though I have to keep moving the run around the lawn because they do such a good job of keeping the grass short.

I also give them apple twigs through the summer months from the apple trees that we have over at our allotment which they enjoy nibbling on....

Jo_Mc_2

FrankButlar wrote: »

I find that just using pine shavings works well for soaking up urine, that with some straw as nesting material works great. I make sure to use straw not hey, b/c the little pigs will eat it and too much alfalfa is not so good for them. If you want to use paper I would rather use office paper than newspaper. I think newspaper has way more ink.

Guinea pigs actually need hay to help with their digestion, they should have a constant supply of it. I've always been advised not to use straw as it can have sharp ends which can damage their eyes.

SuperMum2008

Jo_Mc wrote: »

Guinea pigs actually need hay to help with their digestion, they should have a constant supply of it. I've always been advised not to use straw as it can have sharp ends which can damage their eyes.

Hmm...I thought that too, but I guess if piggy is happy and healthy then it is ok. AM going to try and get shredded paper home next week! Will have to get a lift otherwise I'll need to pay for 2 seats on the bus to get it home!!