Bedding

[dagwellismypigy]

I know this has probably been brought up many times, but why is fleece better? Is it cheaper? Is it harder to find" Ive been using aspen and I'm not having any problems with it just if there is an easier way Id love to try it. I use towels for the hay loft and they seem to get dirty pretty quickly also they get raveled up on the ends.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Fleece is a good alternative for people with pigs on small budgets or for people who have tons of piggies and can't afford the tons of carefresh, aspen, etc type bedding.

You can purchase fleece from Wal-Mart, Target and basically any type of stores that sell fabrics. I use fleece blankets from Wal-Mart mainly now instead of the fleece you can buy from the bolt.

Fleece isn't too hard to clean either. The poos are picked up easily or shaken off easily and hay comes off fairly well. Sometimes I have to handpick a few pieces of hay off. It washes up very well and is very economical in the long run. You just need several lengths of fleece to be able to change it out. Some people change it every day like you would with towels and some change it less often like me.

A 50"x60" fleece blanket from Wal-Mart will make a liner for a 2x4 and a 2x2 loft on top.

 

[mefingas]

I also have been thinking about using fleece. I like carefresh but to me I would rather just change fleece and wash it every two days rather then having my husband have to scoop the carefresh up and stuff. Maybe after christmas I will try fleece.

 

[Piglet]

I use towel, which is similar to fleece. Loose bedding is so messy and I had enough of vacuuming my room daily. Towels are cheaper and the cage is sooo much easier to clean. I sweep up with a dust band and brush, shake the towel in the garden and then wash.

 

[Sierra]

Fleece also keeps the guinea pig's dry as it whicks the water away. Also, it is better for male guinea pigs.

I have aspen shavings, but I also use fleece. I just bought a wolf fleece blanket set from Walmart and am going to make another cage liner.

I don't like how they kick the bedding all around and the fact that it uses so much bedding for one cage. Fleece is much easier for me, and I can make the liners so it is fun.

If you want me to make you a cage liner, I will gladly do so.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

how much would it be? money is kinda really tight if its too expensive could you tell me how to make one?

 

[RustBottum]

Sierra-How is fleece bedding better for males?

 

[Piglet]

Impaction Rust. With loose bedding, the bedding can get stuck in their sacs, but with fleece and towels theres nothing that can get stuck

 

[dagwellismypigy]

YAY i found some 80x50 stadium fleesce blankets in colors that match my cage for 10 buck each! Do i just lay it down and use that? Or is there something more to it?

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Put either towels, puppy training pads or a thick layer of newspaper under the fleece to absorb the moisture. The fleece wicks moisture down to something under it. If there is nothing under the fleece it will stay wet. I use puppy pads under my fleece but if I run out I use thick layers of newspaper. If you don't have access to large bunches of old newspapers (make sure the newspaper is at least 2 days or more old in case the piggies pull up the fleece and chew the paper) you can go to a paper recycling place and ask them for some, just tell them what it is for. My dad gets me newspapers that way.

To hold the fleece down if your guys like to burrow just place heavy objects on the corners like food dishes, bricks, etc.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Oh forgot to add, make sure you check whatever you have under the fleece daily and if its wet, change it, except for the puppy pads. I change the pads about 2 times a week. Also you can use a crib pad for under the fleece.

 

[o0Ms Jenny0o]

I use fleece and really like it. I like that I can change it as much as I want and not think about the money, but I think my favorite thing about it is the colors. I have a red, purple and blue plaid blankets.

Also, I hear so much about using the puppy pads, why is it better than the newspaper? And when you "change" them, do you throw them away or wash them. If you replace them, doesn't that add up?

 

[dagwellismypigy]

um i think dagwell has impaction, i know i need to get it cleaned or w/e but after that will he keep getting it? should i have the vet do it(we have to go again anyway)? are there any side effects? could this be the reason he;s been kinda irratable?

 

[Piglet]

You need to get the impaction sorted out fast. Yes, you can do it yourself but f you do not feel confident then go to the vet and let him show you. This is how I cleaned their sacs - I got a q tip and soaked it in oil. I put the pig on my lap and gave him some veggies. I made sure his bum was on my knee and I lifted my knee up slightly. Open up the sac. Its quite deep so make sure you have it fully open. GENTLY soak the the gunk in the sac with the q tip, then slowly pull the gunk out. It took me 20 minutes to clean Ascot's sac because he was impacted and there was so much stuff. Some people say that it can smell, so be prepared!

 

[dagwellismypigy]

do you have to do it alot or was it a one time thing? how do i know for sure hes impacted?

 

[RustBottum]

how do they get impaction?

Also about the fleece, what do you suggest i use under it. I was thinking of using crib padding because i already have some. But i don't know what is better. I don't really want to use newspaper. Bust wouldn't the puppy padding cost a lot? Any other suggestions?

 

[Piglet]

Bit of hay, bedding and dirt get stuck in their sacs. Over time, if not cleaned, the gunk builds up and they get impacted. You need to clean them on a regular basis to prevent it.

I use newspaper under my towels and it stays very dry. But I use about 3 layers of it.

 

[RustBottum]

i have a male so how often should i clean it?

 

[Piglet]

Every 2-3 weeks

 

[Kizerk]

i have a question, so you place the fleece on top of the newspapers, and when the pigs pee on the fleece, do you take it out immediately and wash it and replace the area with fleece?