Bedding Problem

[cavycrew]

Hello! I need some advice.
Bedding is expensive, really expensive. And so is fleece when you have to wash it frequently. However, I know bedding is a necessity, so I'm trying to find good alternatives or brands that I can use. I use kaytee bedding, big bags of it, but the problem is that I go through it quick because I clean it every day. People say I'm excessive and overkill, and I feel bad because I dont want to be wasteful with my supplies. However, I don't want my pigs to suffer foot problems or respiratory illnesses if I'm not on cleaning them as much as I am. I spot clean everyday, and fully clean every week. Bedding is costly, and I go through it every week and it's getting difficult. Is there any bedding that I can use that is not costly, but is good for guinea pigs as well? Ive tried fleece, and maybe I need better quality fleece, but the pigs were on it for 5 minutes and it was already wet and had a fishy smell due to their scent marking. I don't want them to sit in anything wet. Can anyone help me out, please? If anything, I just need tips on how to be less wasteful with my bedding, or find a good alternative to bedding that is fair priced and fair quality. Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I use a disposable bedding and I buy in bulk from a local farm so it is much cheaper. I use either megazorb or wood shavings (Snowflake soft chip to be exact) as I find I can remove I can remove just the wet areas daily quite easily without unsoiled bedding being caught up.

Are your piggies boys?
When it comes to fleece they will scent mark it but not changing out all of it in one go will help, so have two smaller pieces so you can change one at a time - it means some of the bedding will still smell like them so they feel like it is still their territory. Completely new fleece will need to be scent marked each time.

Did you wash it 3 or so times before using it to get it to wick?
if it wasn’t a liner with the absorbent layer already stitched in, what absorbent under layer did you use?

 

[cavycrew]

I use a disposable bedding and I buy in bulk from a local farm so it is much cheaper. I use either megazorb or wood shavings (Snowflake soft chip to be exact) as I find I can remove I can remove just the wet areas daily quite easily without unsoiled bedding being caught up.

Are your piggies boys?
When it comes to fleece they will scent mark it but not changing out all of it in one go will help, so have two smaller pieces so you can change one at a time - it means some of the bedding will still smell like them so they feel like it is still their territory. Completely new fleece will need to be scent marked each time.

Did you wash it 3 or so times before using it to get it to wick?
if it wasn’t a liner with the absorbent layer already stitched in, what absorbent under layer did you use?

Ah, I've never heard of that before. Do you know the estimated price when you buy in bulk?

Yes, my pigs are boys. I will look into doing this as well, because I don't want to remove the entire fleece cover whenever they pee on it everyday. And no I did not. I use doggy pee pads from the pet store as an absorbant under layer, however the blanket is still wet.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ah, I've never heard of that before. Do you know the estimated price when you buy in bulk?

Yes, my pigs are boys. I will look into doing this as well, because I don't want to remove the entire fleece cover whenever they pee on it everyday. And no I did not. I use doggy pee pads from the pet store as an absorbant under layer, however the blanket is still wet.

I pay £7 for a 20kg bale of snowflake

Puppy pads underneath is absolutely fine.

It needs to be wicked though - it won’t work if you don’t do that.
It also needs to be the right type of fleece, as not all will work at all

A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding