Bedding: Baking soda under their fleece/towels to reduce smell

[fridzalone]

My mom used to put baking soda or coffee powder inside the food cabinet to reduce the smell. So i wonder is the same thing will happen if i sprinkle a bit of baking soda/coffee powder under their fleece/towels (let say between two towels) to reduce the smells? Is it safe for them?

[princesspoppy]

I'm a learner when it comes to pigges but i wouldn't do it. It would be the very time that one of them gets under the fleece. Maybe if you just put it outside the cage.

[akstrohm]

Baking soda doesn't really do much of anything to absorb odors of any sort (including in the fridge). It's a common myth. If the cage smells, clean it more often or make it bigger.

[Nutmeg05]

I've tried baking soda in the past, it did nothing for the odor. Like the last post said, try to make the cage bigger, that usually helps.

[crazyaboutpigs]

I wouldn't use baking soda. How often do you clean your cage. You may need more absorbent material. I have two cages of fleece and I have skinny pigs that are messier than the furry type. There is no smell from my cages. I do sweep them once in the morning and once in the evening, but I don't have to change the bedding because of urine as the fabric is super absorbent.

[fridzalone]

Originally Posted by crazyaboutpigs

I wouldn't use baking soda. How often do you clean your cage. You may need more absorbent material. I have two cages of fleece and I have skinny pigs that are messier than the furry type. There is no smell from my cages. I do sweep them once in the morning and once in the evening, but I don't have to change the bedding because of urine as the fabric is super absorbent.

I'm using wood shavings, and i clean them twice a day. It's pretty tiring. I guess you all right, i need to make C&C cage, i'm using standard size pet cage right now. Need to cut some expenses to buy some fleeces, towels, coroplast and something that can be used as a grid

[crazyaboutpigs]

Fleece will actually save you money. Look for sales on fleece. I don't know if you have a Joanns fabric near you, but they frequently have good sales on fleece. If you are really tight on money, you can find fleece and terry cloth towels at your local thrift store. It is a one time expense, except for washing of course.

[trump_cinnamon]

You can also find a lot of cheap fleece on Ebay.

[Wednesday_12]

I was surprised at how easy fleece was! The amount of money I spent on fleece ($20) is equal to the amount of money I spend on Hay and shavings in 1-2 weeks ($5 for hay, $15 for shavings). And it has reduced the smell a lot, plus I have put a nectar scented thing on the windowsill, so the room is slightly sweet smelling now

[mandm245]

Caution about coffee: I am not a guinea pig expert but coffee tends to be quite toxic to species other than humans. Baking soda isn't good in large quantities either. Can guinea pigs vomit? (Rats, horses and other species cannot hence why I ask; it's not as dumb a question as it seems!)

[Peggysu]

Originally Posted by mandm245

Can guinea pigs vomit?

No.

[mamazul]

Hi Fridzalone,

I have had luck reducing the smell from the guinea pig cages. I am using fleece. In addition I have made small squares from fleece, towels and an old wax tablecloth that I put under their huts and at places where they poop and pee the most. I change every two days or so, and they go in the washer.

I also have a litter-box under the hay-rack, like many members of the forum has suggested. Two of my piggies use the litter-tray a lot, the other two quite bit. In addition, the hay is not all over the place now. I also clean up poops every day. All bedding and poops go in the compost. This works great for us.

[fieryone]

Originally Posted by fridzalone

I guess you all right, i need to make C&C cage, i'm using standard size pet cage right now.

Honestly, this is the problem. My pigs have never been in a pet store cage as I was lucky enough to find this site before I got pigs. But my last pig "came with" his petstore cage and such and I couldn't imagine how often I'd have to clean that thing to keep the smell down with as much of a mess as my girls made of their 2x5!

There are plenty of materials that you can use to make a larger cage. Some of which can be found around the house if even just for temporary use. Have you checked out the alternative cages photo gallery? There are tons of ideas in there.

[JD In Van]

I have had fleece for a week and the only smells from my pig pen are the smell of hay. I have extra paper and carefresh and hay in high pee zones that gets changed out twice a day. I scoop up the poops twice a day. Other wise it seems to be all good.