Bedding in the UK?

[Emmy-Dan]

I am currently making a two level 2x6 C&C cage. Having read some disturrbing information regarding Pet Shops I have choosen to stay clear from them and shop around. I am planning to use fleece on the bottom level but where else can you buy the puppy pads? Also I have read a lot about 'Carefresh' bedding. Is this the same as 'safe bedding' in the pet shops? If so, it will get quite expensive. Is there an alternative? I live in the South-East and finding it difficult to find similar products as they have in the US.

[cookie_gal]

Puppy pad are going to be expensive, I really think you would be better off with newspaper. Carefresh again is expensive for what you get. Bedding options in the UK is pretty poor. What I end up doing is buying a large bale of shavings from a horse place and leaving them open for a while so most of the pine smell goes. Which the size of my cage this is the only real option.

You can buy megazorb - off the net and in large packs which is quite good i'm told, similar to carefresh.

[daftscotslass]

Carefresh here is extortionate but megazorb is a great alternative (see Megazorb - probably the best bedding on earth ! for suppliers). I use a combination of that and fleece.

I wouldn't touch shavings here with a barge pole, I've seen pigs with their feet burnt from pine oils. Airing does nothing.

[ArtisticRainey]

I use fleece because it's effective, comfy, reusable, and cheap. I use towels underneath (great excuse to buy yourself new towels, 'But I need these ones for the guinea pigs!'). I also have a 1x1 litterbox filled with Carefresh where their hay rack is. I get 10L Carefresh for £3.50 every two weeks, and that's for 3 litter boxes, one in each cage.

[Emmy-Dan]

Thank you to everyone who has replied and given me good advice. I have a list of places to go to for Megazorb. I have also found some cheap towels and fleeces in Wilkinsons. What I think I might do is try everything and see what the girlies prefer. Has anyone tried 'Graze on'? We had a late night last night enjoying our floor time. Instead of newspaper I used an old soft towel. The girls seemed to love it and it was so much easier to tidy up afterwards.

ArtisticRainey = Where do you buy your Carefresh from?

[muffin]

I think graze-on is similar to readigrass, which I have used. It is high in protein because it is ryegrass so should only be given a little each day. I don't know but would assume the same for graze-on.
There are puppy pads on this website, but I don't know how much they cost elsewhere. This site is also good for bulk timothy hay purchases:
SPH Supplies

Personally I've tried fleece with towels under and newspapers below that, and found newspapers relatively ineffective, the towels hold most of the moisture. I don't know if puppy pads are worth buying to be honest. I find a good layer of towels under the fleece does the job. It means more washing but is cheaper and less wasteful.

Hope this helps.

[ArtisticRainey]

Originally Posted by Emmy-Dan

ArtisticRainey = Where do you buy your Carefresh from?

I get it from a local pet shop called Funky Pets. They aren't a chain, and I think it is just the one shop. There are details in a thread I started here in the UK forum, but I doubt you're in NI.