Is it Safe? Burrowing under fleece - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Duffinvt** · #1 10-07-09, 10:11 am

My girls did not burrow until we put the coroplast in. I clipped a short piece of fleece at one end (the end behind their hideys where they tend to poop/pee. I put a short piece of fleece with a single towel under it and clipped it to the grid. I can replace/clean just that part every couple of days and do the "big" fleece once per week) Anyway, the fleece did not lay flat and they found the fleece to be a neat tent and they burrow under it. I can let them have their fun and just put a flat piece of fleece down on the towel. But is there any harm in burrowing? They do seem to know how to get out from under it.

**princesspoppy** · #2 10-07-09, 10:26 am

I am having the same problem since i put the coroplast in also. I use binder clips and 2 fleece. They always seem to find a way under . Only solution i can think of now is sewing all the fleece together. Pitty cause i like to chop and change the fleeces.

**MapleOwl18** · #3 10-07-09, 10:39 am

There is a bit of harm in burrowing. Basically your piggy is sitting in their own urine hiding under their fleece and breathing it in. A piggy is a prey animal so it won't come out because its paws or throat hurts.

My Linus piggy, got many more upper respiratory infections when I was letting him borrow, but he is prone to them. But he hasn't had one since I cut the fleece down last winter. I'd say its just not a good idea to let them do it.

To keep them from burrowing, I did the following and haven't had any problems since.

1. Cut the fleece to the internal size of the coroplast, using the internal measurements on this page.
Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home
This eliminates the cozy "tunnel" or side house that little burrower piggies love.

2. Put bricks at the corners of the cage to keep it down. You can usually buy them at Home Depot for like 30 cents a piece in the garden section.

Honestly just cutting the fleece to the internal sides of the cage is really what stops the burrowing. This way I also usually get 2 sets of fleece for every old set I had when I cut them in half. I use the bricks so curious piggies don't pull them up and so the vacumn cleaner doesn't pull the fleece and towels away from the coroplast. I tried bricks alone but certain little piggies *cough* Linus *cough* would pull it up or find ways to get back there anyway. Best thing I did was cut it down.

**princesspoppy** · #4 10-07-09, 10:52 am

Thanks maple. Im going right now to sort this out.

**Duffinvt** · #5 10-07-09, 11:12 am

Yes, thanks. Will fix mine too !

**MapleOwl18** · #6 10-07-09, 12:57 pm

You're welcome guys.

I just posted it on Hot tips here.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...er-fleece.html

"Thank you, MapleOwl18, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
Kipsie (10-07-09), princesspoppy (10-07-09)