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Hi
Apologies in advance for the long post, I'm a new piggie owner and have a few questions about what to use to cover the floor of my indoor cage. Sorry if I come across as a complete idiot... Any advice would be appreciated! Or links to other threads that I may have missed.
Our two piggies live in a large plastic cage on a stand, like this one (obviously minus the ferrets!
);
http://www.seapets.co.uk/view-image.html?title=Rabbit,%20Guinea%20Pig%20And%20Mammal%20Cage%20120&filename=501608-large
Currently, I line the base with newspaper and then put a layer of wood shavings down. I know the whole shavings debate can get everyone going, but I would like some advise.
I have read in a book I bought and on the net that sawdust isn't suitable, however I overheard the lady in the pet shop say to another customer that sawdust isn't suitable and that they don't sell it for rabbits (as this is what the customer was enquiring about) and that they should buy this instead (pointing to the same shavings I bought). I spoke to the lady in the shop and she told me that she has 6 piggies herself, so I assume she knows what she is on about(?!).
The type that I bought says on the packaging that it is dust extracted, has no oil and is suitable for small animals. This, I believe, is why the lady advised against sawdust and advises that people buy these shavings instead. Am I wrong in thinking that sawdust and shavings are ultimately the same thing? And that it is all down to personal choice of the owner? I would like to do the best possible for my piggies.
Now, on to my questions about alternatives. I have read the sticky called Tips on Alternative Beddings, amongst others, but have a few more questions.
I have read many posts where people have said things like "I use Vetbed as my pigs bedding etc etc" - Do you mean ONLY in the sleeping area, or across the whole cage? If only in the sleeping area, what do you use for the rest of the cage?
Vetbed - am I right in thinking that (generally) this is the white fleece with the green backing that is on a big roll in pet stores where you tell them how much you want cutting off and they charge you accordingly? If I've got the right stuff in my head, I know that my local pet store sells this and would like to give it a go. My only concern is what if my piggies eat it? Will they even try to eat it? Will it make them sick? Should I put a towel or something underneath for extra lining/absorbance? I was thinking of getting enough for 3 linings so that I can wash in between and have a spare.
Megazorb - Where do you buy it from? I've found it online but have never seen it in the shops? Do people just buy online?
Initially, I wanted to use Carefresh as we used this for our ratties but the bags are small and very expensive (based on the packet size).
Phew!
Gosh, don't I waffle! Now, hopefully someone will still be reading and be kind enough to reply...
I hope so, many thanks!
Apologies in advance for the long post, I'm a new piggie owner and have a few questions about what to use to cover the floor of my indoor cage. Sorry if I come across as a complete idiot... Any advice would be appreciated! Or links to other threads that I may have missed.
Our two piggies live in a large plastic cage on a stand, like this one (obviously minus the ferrets!
);http://www.seapets.co.uk/view-image.html?title=Rabbit,%20Guinea%20Pig%20And%20Mammal%20Cage%20120&filename=501608-large
Currently, I line the base with newspaper and then put a layer of wood shavings down. I know the whole shavings debate can get everyone going, but I would like some advise.
I have read in a book I bought and on the net that sawdust isn't suitable, however I overheard the lady in the pet shop say to another customer that sawdust isn't suitable and that they don't sell it for rabbits (as this is what the customer was enquiring about) and that they should buy this instead (pointing to the same shavings I bought). I spoke to the lady in the shop and she told me that she has 6 piggies herself, so I assume she knows what she is on about(?!).
The type that I bought says on the packaging that it is dust extracted, has no oil and is suitable for small animals. This, I believe, is why the lady advised against sawdust and advises that people buy these shavings instead. Am I wrong in thinking that sawdust and shavings are ultimately the same thing? And that it is all down to personal choice of the owner? I would like to do the best possible for my piggies.
Now, on to my questions about alternatives. I have read the sticky called Tips on Alternative Beddings, amongst others, but have a few more questions.
I have read many posts where people have said things like "I use Vetbed as my pigs bedding etc etc" - Do you mean ONLY in the sleeping area, or across the whole cage? If only in the sleeping area, what do you use for the rest of the cage?
Vetbed - am I right in thinking that (generally) this is the white fleece with the green backing that is on a big roll in pet stores where you tell them how much you want cutting off and they charge you accordingly? If I've got the right stuff in my head, I know that my local pet store sells this and would like to give it a go. My only concern is what if my piggies eat it? Will they even try to eat it? Will it make them sick? Should I put a towel or something underneath for extra lining/absorbance? I was thinking of getting enough for 3 linings so that I can wash in between and have a spare.
Megazorb - Where do you buy it from? I've found it online but have never seen it in the shops? Do people just buy online?
Initially, I wanted to use Carefresh as we used this for our ratties but the bags are small and very expensive (based on the packet size).
Phew!
Gosh, don't I waffle! Now, hopefully someone will still be reading and be kind enough to reply...
I hope so, many thanks!
|)