Questions About Fleece!

[Miss. Hanzi Pig]

[FONT=Tahoma]So, I'm getting my guinea pigs in a month or so and I was just going to use newspaper with wood shavings on top with hay but then I've seen alot of people using fleece for a bedding. I really like that idea but I have a few questions.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]1) Would I need to use a certain type of fleece?[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]2) How often would I need to change the fleece?[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]3) Would I need to use some other sort of bedding aswell as fleece?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]If you could answer those questions it would be great thanks [/FONT]

[Leene]

I'm interested in using fleece bedding, as well, so I would also like to know the answers to these. Also, I'd like to know what form the fleece is in (loose...? bolts....? blankets....? ), which species' fleece is probably the best one for cavies, and where to get the best quality stuff.

Thanks in advance to anybody who responds!

[fairysari]

I usually buy my fleece by the yard (metre) at a fabric store, but other people buy fleece blankets and cut them to size. We're talking about polyester fabric here, not 'natural' fleece. This thread has lots of pictures and descriptions of the types of fleece you can use: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...s-debates.html

The fleece wicks moisture down, so you need to put something absorbent underneath it. I use a layer of disposable puppy pads, topped with layers of newspaper, and then fleece is the very top layer. Other people use towels and baby pads under their fleece.

I also have a very large litter box "kitchen" area compared to the size of my cage. 2x3 total is filled with Yesterday's News litter, and 2x5 is just fleece.

It is a good idea to wash your fleece before you first use it. You don't know where it's been, and sometimes it has been treated to be waterproof, and needs a good washing to work properly.

I like to keep my pigloos in the Yesterday's News area, and then there are tunnels and cozies in the fleece area. The hay is also in the YN area. I find fleece works best when there is a large bedding area as well.

You need to vacuum or sweep up poops at least daily from the fleece. You will probably need to wash it once a week, but it all depends an the size and the number of pigs. Again, i find the litter area helps make cleaning it easier.

[Miss. Hanzi Pig]

Thanks Alot! At first I might use normal bedding like a layer of newspaper with wood shavings on top and hay and maybe medibed. After I've used that for a few months until me and my pigs bond I will move onto fleece as I like the idea of it! Thanks Alot!