Bedding Bedding idea - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**IluvePiggies** · #1 08-29-09, 09:36 pm

We went to Garden Ridge today and they were selling fleece throws for $2.99. We got a pink stripped one for the new cage we're building sometime this week(Thursday or Tuesday). The size of the Fleece throws were 50'' x 60''(127cm x152cm ). And then we bought these cheap, Shammies(cheaper product then Shamewows). So here's the idea:

First, placing a thin layer of foam over the Coroplast
Now, place the shammies over the foam, using Velcro to attach it to the foam
Now, place the fleece throw over the shammies(either using Velcro or sowing it.

So we got bedding for the new cage cheaper then throw Walmart.

**Ly&Pigs** · #2 08-29-09, 10:48 pm

Why do you need the foam? The coroplast is waterproof. The shammies would absorb the pee. I just don't see any need for the foam.

**IluvePiggies** · #3 08-30-09, 09:29 am

My dad only suggested it so it would be softer for my piggies. Its more like quilt filling, not foam.

**JD In Van** · #4 08-30-09, 09:38 am

Oh the Shammies might be an even better idea then towels.

Another cheap place to get fleece throws is places the Value Villiage and the Salvation Army and other 2nd hand stores.

I picked up a few for 2.99 each and since they're 6' X 5' they fit under the cage with tons of room to spare.

**trump_cinnamon** · #5 08-30-09, 10:02 am

There was a thread on having ShamWows under the fleece, that is here: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...wow-towel.html That might help, because essentially, a Shammie and a ShamWow are the same.

**ferndalezoo** · #6 08-30-09, 11:04 am

Be careful with fleece throws to be sure they're the right kind. We had some when we first switched to fleece that were the "Furry" kind, rather than the polar fleece like at the fabric store, and that kind does NOT work.

**MissFormosa** · #7 08-31-09, 11:55 am

I use the shammies. In my experience, I find that they pull moisture, rather than absorb it. Here's what I do: I put 2 layers of hospital pads, 2 layers of big thick towels folded in half, then place the dry shammie on top of the towels, and then of course the fleece. When you go to change the bedding, you'll notice that the shammie stays dry while the towels underneath are wet. So it's actually a good thing, I think. I don't know why the shammies don't soak up and hold the pee, but for me they don't. Maybe I'm not using them right. The bad thing is that the shammies seem to hold onto odors. But that could just be the boar stink, I'm not sure.

**Peggysu** · #8 08-31-09, 12:04 pm

I would say that a shammy won't absorb because when using one properly they have to be damp in order to clean anything up.

**MissFormosa** · #9 08-31-09, 12:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peggysu

I would say that a shammy won't absorb because when using one properly they have to be damp in order to clean anything up.

Isn't that the craziest thing? I think it is.

I mean they show it on tv and some over enthusiastic guy is moping up split wine, soda, pet accidents and wringing it out, so you'd think it would just be a dry thing you could soak things up with.

And with the pigs, even in their wetest spots, the shammie just pulls it through and holds onto the tiniest little bit. Strange.

**Ly&Pigs** · #10 08-31-09, 12:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvePiggies

My dad only suggested it so it would be softer for my piggies. Its more like quilt filling, not foam.

You mean like quilt batting. Foam and quilt batting are two entirely different things. Quilt batting is not going to do well unless you sew it in between a layer of fleece and another material on the bottom.

Instead of the batting, go to thrift stores and find some non-waterproof mattress pads. I have had good results with mattress pads and a layer of fleece on top.

**IluvePiggies** · #11 08-31-09, 12:33 pm

Well, me and my Dad are going to do it, if it doesn't work(just one per part), we'll buy some more to asorb better.

**Ly&Pigs** · #12 08-31-09, 12:40 pm

IluvePiggies, why is it that you ask advice then ignore it and do what you want anyway, even if it's not in the pigs best interests? I notice you do it both here and on guinealynx.

**IluvePiggies** · #13 08-31-09, 04:02 pm

I'm not trying to Ly. I'm trying to say that me and my Dad are probably going to do it our way but I asked if anyone else had advice we could try. I know my Mom wouldn't go for mattresses(she isn't too big on the whole huge cage thing) so that wouldn't work and that's why we were going to do it our way.

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
Peggysu (08-31-09), rabbitsncavyluv (08-31-09)