Bedding - soo many choices!

[Jodieem91]

Hi, I am going to collect our lovely new piggies tomorrow. I havnt had GP's since being a teenager so have a few questions..
I'm wanting a cost effective/easy to maintain bedding.

I've searched the forums and read a number of posts about fleece liners, Bath mats and even fleece over towels there is so much choice I'm not sure where to start.
I'm setting our cage up tonight so will be using wood shavings initially but I remember cleaning the cage used to be a bit of a mare with wood shavings & newspaper lining the bottom. I quite like the idea of using a fleece/mat so that I can just spot clean and then whip it out and in the washing machine x amount of times a week.

I've had a look online and the fleece liners are a little pricey - are they worth the initial investment?

Also is there a risk my GPs might not like the fleece?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes proper liners can be expensive!
My piggies live in my shed so are bedded on hay everywhere in winter but I use fleece in the shed itself in summer (always hay in the hutch). In summer, I just use puppy pads (you can get washable ones) and then just put a plain fleece blanket over the top of them. I paid £7 for the fleece blankets and given I only use them for such a short time in a year I couldnt justify the cost of proper liners (plus my piggies cage is so big id need so many to cover the floor!). Perhaps this could be an option for you so you can see if you even like using fleece before paying out for proper liners. I have no problem using the fleece in summer but getting hay off of it does make me a bit cross!
I don’t think I’ve come across any piggies who don’t like fleece, but I have to say mine *seem* happier on their hay bedding as they can constantly forage everywhere in their enclosure rather than having to go to designated eating spots to get their hay

 

[Jodieem91]

That makes sense about the foraging. Just set the cage up - can't wait!
Just been chatting to my partner and he's not too keen on the idea of fleece cause he worries the washing machine will smell - I've read it won't if I use a high water temp and white vinegar as well.
Its going to be me sorting the cage out so I'll have the final say

 

[Siikibam]

You can use a horse wash bag which will catch ‘most’ of the hay and hairs. And you add some vinegar to the conditioner section when you do the wash. Our machine has t smelt in the time I’ve washed piggy laundry in there.

Look forward to seeing your piggies. Sows or boars? How old are they? And how big is their cage?

 

[Betsy]

My washing machine doesn't smell. I invested in proper fleece liners and they are definitely worth it. I got mine from CandE cosies. I have washable puppy pads underneath and I put everything in 2 horse wash bags and wash it at 60° in non bio detergent adding a splash of white vinegar in the Conditioner compartment.

 

[Nooberdog]

Regarding smelly washer - after 4 years of washing my own handmade fleece liners, I have never had a smelly washer! As long as you shake off your liners/towels/mats properly before you wash, there shouldn’t be an issue

Personally I did not like using fleece with towels because towels are typically so dense/thick that they took forever to dry (the towels were sewn into fleece).

 

[Jodieem91]

We are getting 2 sows just over 7 weeks old. Both have polydactyl - the lady I am getting them from assured me this shouldn't cause any issues. Is this correct? Obviously I will keep a close eye for any problems.

We have a 120x60 ferplast for now with the cold weather then we plan on getting an outdoor hutch with attached run when it starts getting a bit warmer.

I'm planning on getting some more toys for them.

I wasn't sure which hay to get for in their bed, I have Timothy hay in their manger, would that be OK for now or should I go get something else today before I pick them up?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Timothy hay is fine for eating, but it can too sharp for bedding. Meadow hay is best for bedding.

I would ensure you have plenty of hideys and all hideys should ideally have two exits so no piggy can get cornered.

Id say don’t spend loads on toys, piggies generally aren’t interested in them. They appreciate a cardboard box with a couple of doors cut in, a tunnel or two and a huge pile of hay. It’s for this reason I don’t use hay racks at all and instead just throw multiple handfuls everywhere in their cage - they spend ages eating and running through hay.

 

[Jodieem91]

Great thank, I'll go pick up some meadow Hay and more hideys on my way to getting them.
We are never short of cardboard boxes here with our amazon addiction!

I'm glad you've said that about the Hay as I wasn't sure on the manger I bought it seems a bit sharp in some areas so that will be coming out.

 

[rp1993]

I am another proper fleece liner fan and do think they are worth the investment! Ours were around £30 each but they are great and are never wet where they boys have pee’d on them! A log bridge is a great hidey, ours boys love it and the large one is only around £8 if I remember correctly!
Can’t wait to see more of the newbies after they have arrived and settled!

 

[Jodieem91]

This is them just as they arrived home. I've changed the carrot for fresh and left them to settle in.

Our white guinea pig is long haired - I've ordered a grooming kit to arrive tomorrow.

The lady I bought them off of said she had just given them all a mite treatment, is this standard practice for young guineas or should I be worried there is a mite infestation?
Their hair and skin looked nice and healthy with no obvious bald patches.
She seemed lovely so I imagine she would have told me if there was.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Gorgeous piggies!

Perhaps the person you have got them from perhaps did not know that you do not preventatively treat with low dosed pet shop mite treatments. The only time you should treat for mites is upon vet diagnosis of a confirmed case and with the correct prescribed treatment as part of a course of treatment . Pet shop treatments are not strong enough to deal with an infestation and without vet diagnosis you don’t know what you are treating for anyway. There is always the possibility that the person did not tell you their medical history and whether they have in fact had mites. As they are new piggies, I would give them some time to settle in and get them checked by a vet in any event.

 

[Jodieem91]

Thanks, I'm just this minute looking into vets.
How long would you recommend waiting before taking them?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks, I'm just this minute looking into vets.
How long would you recommend waiting before taking them?

if you have any concerns, then straight away; but otherwise just for a general check up then I’d give them a couple of weeks to settle in and then take them

 

[amy104]

I go through a huge amount of pet washing, dogs, piggies, rats, rabbits etc. I've never had issues with my machine smelling. I use horseware wash bags to protect my machine. I mostly use vetbed as I can wash it at higher temperatures between foster animals but I have a couple of liners from C&E Cavies with Zorb in that are really good, definately worth the investment.

 

[Siikibam]

Beautiful piggies. I would add another hide and cover the cage with a blanket.

 

[Jodieem91]

Right I've bought some washable incontinence pads to be my absorbant layer, a fleece to go over the top. (I've got enough to have one in use and one in the wash)
Will this be OK as a start to see if fleeces suit us?
I've also ordered another hide. Will hunt down a blanket.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Right I've bought some washable incontinence pads to be my absorbant layer, a fleece to go over the top. (I've got enough to have one in use and one in the wash)
Will this be OK as a start to see if fleeces suit us?
I've also ordered another hide. Will hunt down a blanket.

Yes that is perfect! .
don’t forget to wick your fleece before use