Vetbed: Is Vetbed good?

[alicia09]

Hi
I have 8 guinea-pigs in 4 hutches, so they use up quite a lot of sawdust and when I clean them out it takes up quite a lot of room in the bin, so I was going to swap the sawdust to vetbed. I just wanted to know what you all thought of vetbed? I was going to put puppypads or newspaper underneath it, and shake it in the morning and again at night. I've got a bit confused because someone suggested fleece to me, but aren't they very simular in absorbency and things like that? I heard some people wash the vetbed once a week and I'd do the same, do you think this would be OK? It would be in a hutch rather than an indoor cage which I know is a bit different but I think it would work. Sorry for so many questions. Thank you

[JD In Van]

Well first of all cavy's shouldn't be outside.

I fleece is cheap, easy and scent free and the only maintaninence it requires is cleaning up poops every morning (I recommend vaccuming that's simplist) and to be washed every 4-5 days. I'm not sure what Vetbed (it looks like just fleece to me when I look at thier site) is but fleece + towels is a nice low tech solution to buying expensive products.

And again, your piggies need to be inside.

[Peggysu]

Guinea pigs should really be housed indoors as it's hard to keep a constant temperature outside. They are very fragile animals and do best inside a home where they get human interaction on a daily basis and have the warmth and comfort of a home. Outside they are in a high stress enviornment. It's hard to monitor for illness when they are outside as well.

I don't understand why people find it appropriate to keep a pet outside where it's not part of the family.

Some people use vet bed, but the reason for fleece is because it wicks moisture through to an absorbent layer keeping them dry.

[alicia09]

I don't think it's fair that you say when guinea-pigs are kept outside they are not part of the family. To me, that is implying that I neglect my guinea-pigs and I definetly don't. They do get human interaction and interaction with each other. I believe my guinea-pigs enjoy living outside, they get plenty of warmth in the winter, and I keep them cool in the summer and they enjoy life. I don't think it's fair for you to critisize the way I keep my animals, because I haven't said anything bad about the way any of you keep your animals. I believe guinea-pigs are indoors and outdoors pets, and my guinea-pigs prefer the outdoors. This is now the 2nd forum I have come on and have got critisized and I don't think its very nice, especially as it is not to do with what I have asked. My guinea-pigs have been ill twice, and on both times I have found out about it quickly and treated it quickly. My guinea-pigs are well-cared for and it is my business how I keep my pets. Thank you for the help with the fleece, after asking a few breeders and pet owners I know I have decided to go with vetbed anyway. Thanks again

[Paula]

Alicia, if the outside is such an awesome place to live, why don't you do it? I suspect you allow yourself to come inside into the comfort of an indoor environment, so why relegate your animals to outdoor living for your convenience?

Guinea pigs that live outside face predators and vast changes in temperature that those living indoors just don't. It's easier to monitor the health of an indoor animal than one kept outdoors and while you might not be neglecting them, you also aren't giving them the best environment you could, either.

Telling yourself that they "like it better" penned up in a box outside day in and day out where they hear strange sounds, face all kinds of weather changes, and possibly predators, is nothing more than justification for yourself to continue doing something that's more for your own happiness and convenience than their well-being and best interests.

Originally Posted by alicia09

This is now the 2nd forum I have come on and have got critisized and I don't think its very nice, especially as it is not to do with what I have asked.

Hmm. Wonder why it is that people are so adamant about giving your animals proper living space in a proper environment? Perhaps because it's best for them.

Originally Posted by alicia09

My guinea-pigs are well-cared for and it is my business how I keep my pets.

Sure it is, but don't expect anyone here to pat you on the back for providing substandard care.

Originally Posted by alicia09

Thank you for the help with the fleece, after asking a few breeders and pet owners I know I have decided to go with vetbed anyway.

Yes, breeders are most certainly going to tell you what you want to hear, and they won't give you any trouble over housing the poor things outdoors. It is, after all, more convenient if they aren't dirtying up your house and taking up your precious living space ... and, hey, if one dies due to lack of quality care, they can always breed another to replace the poor creature, can't they? Outstanding.

[vicky2]

Besides, sawdust is a horrible bedding anyway. It can contribute to URI's. Also in an outdoor hutch, when it gradually gets wet, it can mold and promote the growth of other bacteria. Also, it's funny how your Guinea Pig's told you they prefer living outside in the cold, hot, wet, and dry weather.
I also wonder why your pigs got ill. Maybe it was the cold wind or something, from living outside.
Keep your pigs indoors is a money-saver too as they won't get ill often with proper care=less vet bills. The pigs are also happier indoors where they're apart of the family.

[alicia09]

You say my guinea-pigs are shut up in a box all day? Have you seen my guinea-pigs? Have you seen the way they live? No. My guinea-pigs have freedom to go between hutches and runs as they please, and come in during bad weather. I don't think you should just assume that because my guinea-pigs don't live inside I don't love them as much. I do not think they would dirty up the house, I would enjoy it if my guinea-pigs could live inside but my Mum doesn't think guinea-pigs should be inside. I think it is each persons preference and as long as the guinea-pigs have the correct care and attention it is OK for them to live outside. I asked the breeders about the vetbed and fleece, not about the way my guinea-pigs leave. For the second time, I don't think you should be assuming the way my guinea-pigs live. My guinea-pigs do not get substandard care, I take good care of my guinea-pigs, if I didn't then they wouldn't be the healthy happy guinea-pigs they are. I don't really care what you think, if I know my guinea-pigs are happy and healthy I don't have to listen to some rude people who think that because their opinions are different they have to attack me for it. Lots of guinea-pigs live in hutches quite happily, if they didn't, then hutches wouldn't be sold.

[alicia09]

Originally Posted by vicky2

Besides, sawdust is a horrible bedding anyway. It can contribute to URI's. Also in an outdoor hutch, when it gradually gets wet, it can mold and promote the growth of other bacteria. Also, it's funny how your Guinea Pig's told you they prefer living outside in the cold, hot, wet, and dry weather.
I also wonder why your pigs got ill. Maybe it was the cold wind or something, from living outside.
Keep your pigs indoors is a money-saver too as they won't get ill often with proper care=less vet bills. The pigs are also happier indoors where they're apart of the family.

My guinea-pigs got ill when I got one of my guinea-pigs, he caught mites from one of the guinea-pigs he used to live with before I got him, and I treated it and he's fine. It was nothing to do with him living in a hutch. So I'd like to politely say can you all keep your noses out of my business. I came on here to ask about vetbed only, not have people critisizing me.

[alicia09]

Originally Posted by Paula

Alicia, if the outside is such an awesome place to live, why don't you do it? I suspect you allow yourself to come inside into the comfort of an indoor environment, so why relegate your animals to outdoor living for your convenience?

Guinea pigs that live outside face predators and vast changes in temperature that those living indoors just don't. It's easier to monitor the health of an indoor animal than one kept outdoors and while you might not be neglecting them, you also aren't giving them the best environment you could, either.

Telling yourself that they "like it better" penned up in a box outside day in and day out where they hear strange sounds, face all kinds of weather changes, and possibly predators, is nothing more than justification for yourself to continue doing something that's more for your own happiness and convenience than their well-being and best interests.

Hmm. Wonder why it is that people are so adamant about giving your animals proper living space in a proper environment? Perhaps because it's best for them.

Sure it is, but don't expect anyone here to pat you on the back for providing substandard care.

Yes, breeders are most certainly going to tell you what you want to hear, and they won't give you any trouble over housing the poor things outdoors. It is, after all, more convenient if they aren't dirtying up your house and taking up your precious living space ... and, hey, if one dies due to lack of quality care, they can always breed another to replace the poor creature, can't they? Outstanding.

Also, the people on the other forum didn't mind that my guinea-pigs lived in hutches, it was to do with their food mix, so please don't just assume things.

[vicky2]

Sorry if you were offended, but Guinea Pigs are indoor animals. If they're so healthy, why were they sick twice? I'd love to see pictures of your hutches. Not to criticize, I'm just curious.
Please don't get offended by anyone on this site, we all just care for the well-being of your pigs.

[vicky2]

Food mix? Could you please post the brand you are feeding them?

[alicia09]

Originally Posted by vicky2

Sorry if you were offended, but Guinea Pigs are indoor animals. If they're so healthy, why were they sick twice? I'd love to see pictures of your hutches. Not to criticize, I'm just curious.
Please don't get offended by anyone on this site, we all just care for the well-being of your pigs.

I don't know if I will post a picture, I think that no matter what I post somebody will find a fault with it. I think guinea-pigs being ill twice in 10 years isn't bad, every guinea-pig will occasionally get ill, like humans, there is always a chance a guinea-pig will get ill

[Paula]

Originally Posted by alicia09

Lots of guinea-pigs live in hutches quite happily, if they didn't, then hutches wouldn't be sold.

It's not the guinea pigs that buy the hutches, it's the people, which means those sales/purchases are for the convenience of the person, not the guinea pig.

No one said you don't love your guinea pigs, but it's quite well known that animals that live indoors live happier, healthier lives than those that don't. It's pretty simple, statistically.

All that said, I understand that it's not necessarily your decision to keep the animals outdoors, but it would be an awesome idea to work on persuading your parents to allow them to live indoors. First you'll have to open your eyes and mind to the benfits of such a change, though. If you love your pigs as much as you claim to, it shouldn't be a tall order.

[alicia09]

I know my guinea-pigs are happy and healthy and I don't have to prove it to you. I just think it's a shame you can't be open-minded and see the benefits guinea-pigs can have living outside. I am sure there are lots of benefits of them living inside, but I don't need strangers telling me what's wrong and what's not with my guinea-pigs. I just don't think it's very fair that I come here asking a question to try and make my guinea-pigs a little bit happier and I get critisized. I think this site is maybe not as open-minded as I'd like and I think I shall find another forum. It's annoyed me a bit that I've spent quite a long time looking through this site thinking it was a really good site and I haven't got any information on the subject I came here for in the first place.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by alicia09

I just think it's a shame you can't be open-minded and see the benefits guinea-pigs can have living outside.

What are those benefits? And, please, only list them as they relate to the guinea pigs, not to you.

For the record I think it's a fantastic thing that you're dispensing with the sawdust and moving to something that isn't as potentially dangerous and unhealthy for the guinea pigs.

[alicia09]

You have got a strange way of showing it.

I think my guinea-pigs enjoy living outside because they have sunlight (my guinea-pigs lay in the sun when it's warm) and they have almost constant access to grass (though they go in their hutches at night time) They have different things to see each day (they can see birds, cats, flowers) Yes it does rain, and when it does, the guinea-pigs have seperate sleeping compartments in their hutch, which is safe and warm away from the rain. I'd like to add that it's not anymore convenient going down the garden as it is to going into the kitchen or something to feed them. So those of you that think the guinea-pigs live in the garden for my benefit are mistaken. I would like my guinea-pigs to spend some time inside in the winter months, and it would be a lot easier and more convenient to feed and clean them out, but I personally believe a guinea-pig should be able to experience life in a garden, and I do not think it is ideal my guinea-pigs living outside all year round, but if I had it my way, the guinea-pigs would live outside part of the year and inside for part of it. I personally don't think a guinea-pig should live inside all year round or outside all year round it should be a mix of both.

[JD In Van]

It's one thing to take your piggies outside so they can enjoy the grass and sun for a couple hours, I have a nice little garden on my patio and I've let the boys go run around out there on nice afternoons where they can nibble on my herbs freely and snuffle around amongst my flower pots while I sit with them.

But then when it gets cool and they get sleepy they go inside... just like I do.

No one's saying they should never go out doors. But that they shouldn't LIVE out doors. You yourself admit that this is not the ideal situation for them.

[alicia09]

For the last time, my guinea-pigs are happy and healthy. It is none of your business how I take care of my guinea-pigs, and I do not have to prove anything to you. Just because you don't agree with the way my guinea-pigs live doesn't give you the right to start telling me how unhealthy, unhappy and unloved my guinea-pigs must be. I have made my point and I'd rather you all stopped commenting on the way my guinea-pigs live now. I've had enough of people telling me how to care for my guinea-pigs. I know how to care for them and they are recieving the best care they could from me.

[katiewilson]

Goodness, from what I've read, no one has attacked you for how your guinea pigs are housed. It's not like one or two people are imposing their opinions on you. There are MANY members with more years of guinea pig experience than you or I have existed on this planet that can tell you that the risks and downsides to housing pigs outdoors far outweigh the benefits. You seem to be getting upset because you aren't hearing what you want to hear, but for people to point out that there are better and safer ways to house a guinea pig is NOT rude, offensive, or in any way an attack. I think if you were to read through this again when you're not upset and as though they're discussing someone ELSE'S pets, you'll see that there's been little more here than facts and suggestions...no judgment or criticism.

Please do consider trying to convince the 'rents on letting you bring the guinea pigs inside. There are LOADS of articles relating to this topic, so some research on indoors/outdoors housing isn't a bad idea, either. Good luck. I think it's great that you're here to learn even more on how to provide the best care for your pigs.

[KellNik]

I have to agree with the others in saying that your pigs would probably like it better inside, but if you want them outside, I'm no going to lecture you.

I will say, however, that having your guinea pigs inside is often times more fun for the owner, too. I love being able to hear my pigs talk to each other, and I feel better knowing that I'll be able to hear if one of them is in trouble. Just consider it.

I've heard (I haven't tried it, yet) that fleece is better than Vetbed. It pushes the water down so the guinea pigs only feel dry fleece. Fleece is also known for its versatility and not costing a lot in a the long run.

Also, fleece comes in many patterns and colors. It looks fun and appealing and you can make it match your room or your cage colors, which is always nice.