Is vetbed more cost efficient?

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RayniasPiggies

I was reading the reviews on the vetbed, and am considering buying two off ebay. But before I invest in them, I wanted to know a few things.

How long do they typically last? Do they need to be replaced every year or two? Or do they last quite a while? I'm just wondering if they wear down after being washed multiple times.

What would be a good size for a 2x4 C&C cage?

Also, are they safe to use in front-loading washer machines? I just got a brand new front-loader machine, and would die if the vetbed caused any damage to it.

I'm just trying to find a cheaper alternative to using the carefresh bedding. As much as I love the benefits of it being more absorbent and better for their health, it's going to be quite pricey to line a 2x4 cage with it each cleaning. If the vetbed is a better value in the long-run, I'll try that instead. Another reason I want to switch is because I think I may be allergic to the carefresh. Either that or the hay, I'm not sure. It gets worse when I feed them or get near the cage. I've had guinea pigs in the past and don't remember sneezing around them. But now, my allergies are terrible. The only thing new I've tried with these piggies is the carefresh. I used shavings with my other ones.
 
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I have just switched to having vet bed in 4 of my hutches and i did it to reduce the amount of waste i have to get rid of.

I bought 5 1 metre pieces from ebay (bulk buy) for £42.00 and as they were selling 1 piece in P@H for this price i thought it was a good deal. In my 5 x 2 ft hutches (2) I had enough left over from 2 pieces of vet bed (1 per hutch)to line the smaller hutches so i would have thought that 2 pieces would be fine.

I have only washed them a few times so can't comment on how long they last but mine do wash well. I have a front loading machine and i put my vet bed in a duvet cover and tie the top, this keeps all the hay inside. Then i tumble dry them. I would recommend you wash before you use them as they seem to work better then.

Hope this helps.

Jeanette x
 
I'm still using the same vetbed after about a year & half, each piece has been washed 1 or 2 times a week & its still fine, maybe not so pristeen but pretty good.
Its the green backed one. & the washing machine is fine too, just needs a quick wipe
around after to remove odd bits of hair/hay, I tend to make the next wash t-cloths or towels rather than best clothes, just incase there's hair or something worse lurking in there.
 
i have been using vet beds for about a year now too - they have shrunk slightly, but are still in pretty good nick - they are a bit of pain to wash in the washing machine and I ends up doing about 9 loads for the piggies bedding every week, as i use towels underneath the vet bed.
 
i changed to vetbed just bf christmas and am delighted with it. My hubby's allergies are also much better so I'm glad it was the woodchips and not the pigs!:))
I don't tumble dry it, I hang it and it dries in a couple hours. I do 2 washes a week because I can't fit more than 2 beddings in the machine.
I spent around £40 and this gave me enough for 4 pieces and lots of extra for the carrier and pillow and other things they can play with on their run.
I haven't worked out the maths but I'm sure if it only lasts a year it is cost efficient.
 
I still have some vetbed that my mum used when she was showing cats- years before i was born! They do last ages, but ive found they can shrink a little bit.. so maybe cut it a little too big for the cage :)
 
Thanks for the input, this helps me with my decision. I also have a rubber brush I use to remove cat hair from furniture, so I wonder if it could help remove some of the hay/hair from the vetbed before washing. The duvet cover seems like a good idea too. Are there any other places to purchase vetbeds besides the internet?
 
I got mine in 2 places: local liveries and a pet supplies warehouse. In the 2nd place, i got it cheaper but had to order it. However, I got 1.80m x 1.50m for £25 (it would have been £22 for 1m x 1.50m) in which I got 5 decent pieces for my old cage.
 
Hmm, I'll have to ask around at a few places. I'm even considering asking my vet to see if they know of any places to try.
 
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