Smelly boars = Air purifier?

[sammat]

Hi,

We now have two male boars who are about 6 months old and gorgeous. I had wanted 2 females but I am a sucker for something that needs a home! They get on really well, love cuddles and seem very happy, but.....! They live inside in a big (5x2) C + C cage but have a slight smell. Nothing that I think is particularly bad, it is them rather than the bedding, and mother in law and hubby both comment about it. I really do not want them outside as I don't feel they will get the same level of attention from everybody so am looking at every way possible to keep them non-smelly! They are currently on fitch bedding - I have only just started using it so can't really comment about it yet, and am considering giving fleece a try next to see which I like best. However, I have seen on other forums that some people use air purifiers and wondered if any of you did, and if so did they help and which would you recommend. Ideally I dont want to spend a fortune!

Alternatively do they just need a bath - but I thought this should only really be done if they had medical reason?

Any advice much appreciated - just want everyone to love my piggies as much as me!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I was told by the CCT (Cambridge Cavy Trust) under no circumstances should anything like air fresheners, scented candles or room sprays should ever be used near piggies or in the room they live in. They said the use of these can cause neurological problems or even death Now how true this is I don't know but I never use any chemical cleaners etc in the room they are in.

If there is a slight smell then maybe they need a bath To be honest I have only ever had girls but one has suffered from UTIs for a while so we do get periods where the cage gets more sniffy at times. I would suggest cleaning them out more often, maybe giving them regular bum baths rather than full baths, but you can bath them every couple of months or slightly more often. I bath mine when they get stinky I am guessing though that a lot of this is them marking their new territory so the smell will probably get less soon once they establish their new home is theirs
.

 

[Rodentopia]

I have 22 boys and I can't say they smell unless they need the bedding changing. I use fleece with a thick layer of paper underneath which I check daily and change if needed. I poo pick at the same time. I have noticed however that during the hotter days this year they have had a slight odour so I have changed the paper more which has helped

I wouldn't use any aerosol or cleaner in the piggy room, its often too strong for their respiratory tracts and can cause damage. I keep a window open in my room all the time to allow air flow to prevent fungal developing. Regards bathing its good practice to keep the grease gland and bum area clean in general on males. I check my boys parts once a week on weigh day and clean them as and when necessary. I give them a full bath when they need it but I wash the bum area when it needs it

 

[helen105281]

I always have a window open and have an electronic air purifier going too which does help, it doesn't emit any smell, just cleans the air.

 

[piggyfan]

Have you checked their grease glands are clean?

 

[sammat]

Thanks everyone - we only got them at the weekend so I have not cleaned them yet! I have cleaned out their cage twice already though so I know it is not that that is smelly! In my opinion the gp's aren't smelly either, just what is to be expected of an animal really but hubby and mother in law must have sensitive noses!! I had heard similar Poppy's Mum about air freshners etc so wondered if air purifier would be ok? Have seen it mentioned on other forums but think they are based in US. I will maybe try and give them a bath (**** just a bum bath to start with) and check grease gland when I have got a nice gp shampoo!

 

[Rodentopia]

To be fair if they are 6 months old they shouldn't be dirty or have a too dirty grease gland as only just hitting the hormonal stage, leave them to settle before bathing them. They must have very sensitive noses, I have 22 split into two groups (short haired downstairs and long haired upstairs) and they rarely have an odour

 

[sammat]

If I am honest I think Mother in law is just very anti pet Trying not to give her any reason to say something because once she starts then hubby will join in!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

If Helen says she has an air purifier then it must be ok I think I read your post as air freshener lol I don't know anything about air purifiers, as long as they don't emit scent of any kind that will be fine

I do think they are probably scent marking like mad, being in new territory so just tell M-i-law & hubby that's what's happening & they will settle down & smell less as time goes on; in actual fact they will get used to any sniffs the gps make & if not, on the plus side, if you don't get on well with the m-i-law you won't get as many visits lol

 

[MargaretB]

I think there is always going to be a very slight smell if you have any animal at all. I haven't used an air purifier, so I couldn't say whether they neutralise smells or not.