Litter Training Hi, newbie, litter boxes?

No, you can actually use fleece in the rest of the cage. Some pigs do ALL of their buisness in the pan, but most will poo everywhere regardless. It's just one of those things I guess. My pigs use the litter box really well, even to poo, but their loft where they sleep has to be spot cleaned 2-3 times a day for poos. So it's just one of those things that depend on what you are comfortable with doing. Me, I don't mind cleaning up poo as long as they pee in the box. Maybe you could try fleece with a litter pan and see how you like it. That's what I did, and I would never go back to a full shavings cage.

I have found too that since I began using fleece, they have figured out I would like them to use their pan for all of their buisness. HTye have gotten continuously better since the switch! Good Luck to ya in whatever you choose!

Ok, thank you! Where do I get fleece at? Just like an old fleece blanket? Right now I have newspaper on the bottom, and in certain parts CareFresh. Do I just get a small kitty pan? And how do you make a second level? I have a TON of grids left! And how do you make a hay rack? Sorry for all the questions, this site is very helpful!

I had an old pet store cage that I took the top off of, but a large cat litter pan would work just as good. You can also get corner litter pans that are made for Rabbits and ferrets. If you will go into the photo gallery, you can find all the pics you need for examples of hay racks and second levels. If you will click on the little camera in my post it will take you to my photos and you can see how I did my hayrack and second levels. My cage has a plastic shower curtain, then a braided rug, and then my fleece on top. I bought my fleece at Wal-Mart, as that is the only place I have to get it. I don't mind questions at all, and I will try to help you the best I can. THere are others on here that may be able to help you out more than me. But I definitely recommend searching through the photo gallery!!

Thank you so much! I am so glad I joined this forum, it has helped a ton! So I can get a shower curtain to cover the coroplast, then get a fleece blanket? How do you give those "Thanks for the helpful points" thingys? I will be sure to look at your pics!

Oh, if you are using coroplast, you don't need a shower curtain. With coro, you just need an absorbent layer under your fleece. Some people use a layer of towels or two layers of towels, and then fleece. Myself, I have a layer of braided rug, or boho rug, and then my fleece. (I have to use the shower curtain underneath because I don't have coro, the cage is just on the floor.)
Some people also use mattress pads for the absorbent layer. It all depends on what is best for you. As for the thank you thingy, I don't know how you do that yet! LOL.

Oh, ok. Can I just use towels and not fleece? Or do they need the fleece? I'm so confused! What do they NEED in there cage?

Well, I see it this way, (and this is just my opinion) you need a water proof layer, (which is your coroplast) an absorbent layer, (towels,mattress pad,rug) and a top layer that pulls the moisture away to the bottom. (fleece) This is a very effective set up if you have litter boxes and your pigs pee in them for the most part.

Okay, cool! I made a second level, although they can't figure out how to get to it or leave it haha. I also got some towels and blankets at the Dollar Store. Thank you so much!

You are very welcome, and I hope I helped out somewhat!! Just let me know if there are any more questions and I will try my best to help!

Here's the link to forum section on how to have fleece as your bedding. You have to wash a few times, with a detergent without a softener before using. This gets rid of the water barrier.
https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/bedding/21568-fleece-project-study.html

Thanks for that link. I didn't know where to find it exactly. I washed mine twice before using and it seems to work well. I tried using it before washing it, and that's a big NO-NO, LOL!

MapleOwl18 said:

Here's the link to forum section on how to have fleece as your bedding. You have to wash a few times, with a detergent without a softener before using. This gets rid of the water barrier.
https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/bedding/21568-fleece-project-study.html

Click to expand...

Thanks so much for that link Maple! I was interested in fleece bedding and didn't know where to look for any info.

You're welcome.

My piggies love their fleece

So helpful! Thanks profusely!

If you type "fleece" in the google search box on the main forum page you will find enough info to keep you reading for a long time! You'll have to experiment to see what layers work best for you under your fleece. My 2 girls drink and pee in great volume, so I have several layers of towel and mattress pads under my fleece. Instead of a litter box, I made extra pads for their favorite pee spots that I replace every day or two. When you search fleece, you will also find many good methods for cleaning the cage. Good luck!

I loved using fleece but my washing machine eneded up full of piggy hair!Do any of you have this problem? I had to change to wood shavings and carefresh, I'd love to have a washing machne just for the piggies :crazy:

I just use the washing machines at my apartment buildings. Most of the hair in mine seems to come off in the dryer, and get in the lint trap. I just clean that out and I'm good. Does your drier have the equivalent of a lint trap. I think some older one did.

If you want too try running something non-piggy like say an old towel, to try to get the stuff out.

The hair stays in the washing machine, before I even put the flece on the dryer, and it stayed inside, so I had to clean it properly afterwards, but I was worried the hair might be getting into the insides and break it. I tried brushing the fleese before washing it but it wasn't enough, the hair still came off in the washing machine. They also used to munch on the fleece, they made a massive hole once!