Cleaning Tips For New Pigs?

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Satin

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello!

I just got 2 cute little pigs and I knew I'd be spot cleaning twice a day, which is fine, but I realized that I didn't initially consider when the pigs are very new and how difficult it'd be to get them out of the cage so I could clean. At the end of the day to really get in there, I use my hand vacuum, but it's loud so my preference is to move the piggies into another room in a safe space to wait until I'm done. I want to make sure it's clean for overnight. In the morning and sometimes midday if very messy, I just sweep up and toss out old hay and poop.

My concern is that I don't want them to become too terrified of me or too stressed while moving them around. It's only been a couple of days with them here now and they're already both warming up a bit to my hand, but not enough to feel okay being pet, let alone held. Last night I took them out with a little house they like to sleep in, but ever since they've been a bit paranoid of that house and will hardly go in it anymore, which is disappointing. I don't want them terrified ahh

Should I wait a week or so to get them more used to me before trying to use the hand vacuum again and just sweep it up? The problem is, I have chronic pain in my feet, and chronic fatigue, so I easilyy get exhausted and, by the end of the day, the hand vacuum is my best friend for cleaning up.

I have a C&C cage, bottom story 2x4 and top story 1x4 (however, the top story isn't being used yet, I'm working on a safe ramp :tu:) with puppy pads and fleece.
It's not the biggest problem in the world, but any tips to make cleaning easier for me are helpful!
 
Your set up sounds lovely.
What are you using as your substrate in the cage (fleece, shavings, etc)?
I am assuming it is fleece as you mention using a hand held hoover.

If it is fleece then there is no need to remove the piggies to spot clean - just a quick sweep round with a dust pan and brush will do the trick and save you a lot of time and effort.
Here I do a quick sweep in the morning before I give them their fresh veggies, and then another sometime in the afternoon (this is usually done by one of the kids, so the time varies).
I also use extra fleece pads in the really dirty areas (favorite corners, under the pellet bowl) so these can be taken out and shaken or replaced as necessary.
This definitely helps the main liner last a lot longer between cleanings.
 
Satin said:
Hello!

I just got 2 cute little pigs and I knew I'd be spot cleaning twice a day, which is fine, but I realized that I didn't initially consider when the pigs are very new and how difficult it'd be to get them out of the cage so I could clean. At the end of the day to really get in there, I use my hand vacuum, but it's loud so my preference is to move the piggies into another room in a safe space to wait until I'm done. I want to make sure it's clean for overnight. In the morning and sometimes midday if very messy, I just sweep up and toss out old hay and poop.

My concern is that I don't want them to become too terrified of me or too stressed while moving them around. It's only been a couple of days with them here now and they're already both warming up a bit to my hand, but not enough to feel okay being pet, let alone held. Last night I took them out with a little house they like to sleep in, but ever since they've been a bit paranoid of that house and will hardly go in it anymore, which is disappointing. I don't want them terrified ahh

Should I wait a week or so to get them more used to me before trying to use the hand vacuum again and just sweep it up? The problem is, I have chronic pain in my feet, and chronic fatigue, so I easilyy get exhausted and, by the end of the day, the hand vacuum is my best friend for cleaning up.

I have a C&C cage, bottom story 2x4 and top story 1x4 (however, the top story isn't being used yet, I'm working on a safe ramp :tu:) with puppy pads and fleece.
It's not the biggest problem in the world, but any tips to make cleaning easier for me are helpful!
Click to expand...

Hi!

Here are our tips on moving piggies safely. Put them in a carrier or big card board box etc. during the clean.
I am also adding out bedding guide, as there is now a range of different bedding types available.
Most members cage clean twice weekly. When you have piggies on fleece, you need to poo patrol daily additionally, but fleece has other advantages.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

These guides and many more are part of our new owners' guide collection to help you to a good and safe start. They address the most often encountered problem areas, contain care and behaviour information and also guides that help you understand and learn what is normal and what not.
New Owners' Online Starter " Booklet" For Really Helpful Advice
 
I had the same problem with mine. Nudging them into a fleece tunnel and picking it up by holding both ends is working well for me to get them out and they don't seem to be bothered by it either.
 
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