Urine Dark Urine Stains

[Romeo'sMom]

Hi..I'm new to this forum and new to Cavies. I've had Romeo for several months now and he is a real doll.

I have 2 questions. I would like to know if discolored urine is normal. It is a light rust color. He is healthy in all aspects, great appitite and playful. He purrs alot and does his romancing purr all the time when I pet him. At that time he also does the butt swing.

The other question is this, Is it normal for cavies to sleep in their urine? No matter where I move his igloo, that is where he wants to pee. He gets his belly soaked in urine. I have already bathed his tummy and legs, but he just goes right back to sleeping in it.

I've tried different types of bedding and it does not matter. What I use now is hospital pads and disposable pads. I change the disposable pads several times a day because they get filled with urine and poop.

Thank you.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Urine can change to an orangy/rust color as it's drying due to being oxidized from the air.

Have you observed him actually peeing? If so, what is the color?

Some cavies will lay where they pee so in a sense it can be a normal things however you want to watch for signs of urine scald.

 

[Romeo'sMom]

His pee is a milky color. Is there anything I can do to discourage him from sleeping in his urine? Thanks.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

That's fairly normal then. It just means that there is excess calcium being expelled through the urine. So there is no sign of UTI or blood in the urine with it being that color.

How big is your cage and what kind is it?

 

[NicholsS10]

I've tried different types of bedding and it does not matter. What I use now is hospital pads and disposable pads. I change the disposable pads several times a day because they get filled with urine and poop

Have you tried fleece bedding? Fleece, when used properly, wicks away the moisture so the top layer of bedding stays dry or relatively dry. See the following for a thread containing information about using fleece as a bedding option: https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/bedding/21568-fleece-project-study.html

 

[Romeo'sMom]

I'll check into the fleece. Is it the same type used to make surgar glider pouches or baby blanket type? If I buy fabric, what should I look for?

His cage is a CC cage and it is 29"x43". He loves it.