Anyone use these cage liners?

[Nikkip]

I’ve been experimenting with different lining and currently using towels and fleeces. I was looking for something with a waterproof liner and found these so was wondering if anyone has used them. I’m able to make some liners as I can sew but these would probably cos me the same as getting all the thing to make them and I do like to make my life a little easier lol.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Lots of us use vetbed. I have a few pieces. It isn’t waterproof though. You still need to put something absorbent underneath vetbed ie puppy pads or towels, and then the vetbed on top. Urine will leak through it to the underside and through to your absorbent layer underneath but keeps the fluffy top but dry.
It is also wise to cut this into smaller pieces as it bangs around a lot in a washing machine.

 

[Nikkip]

Lots of us use vetbed. I have a few pieces. It isn’t waterproof though. You still need to put something absorbent underneath vetbed ie puppy pads or towels, and then the vetbed on top. Urine will leak through it to the underside and through to your absorbent layer underneath but keeps the fluffy top but dry.
It is also wise to cut this into smaller pieces as it bangs around a lot in a washing machine.

So is it more rigid would you say than just a fleece blanket? At the mo I’m just using thin fleece throws that my daughters don’t want anymore and they are quite thin. The piggies seem to like them but i’d like something that fits better and doesn’t move around so much so would like it to be a bit rigid if you know what I mean?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes it is definitely more rigid than fleece.
It only rolls up if you make it roll up, unlike fleece which will bunch up.
You will never get a whole piece in a washing machine though! I have cut mine up into about 18 inches/2ft square pieces and then sit the pieces alongside each other in their hutch.

 

[piggieminder]

It's very rigid when new but does soften after a few washes, but not as pliable as fleece blanket. I have the green backed and the rubber backed. I loved the rubber back because it tends to come in nice patterns. My rubber backed is now about 4 years old and I am using each piece for the last time and binning it as the rubber is coming off and putting little bits of dust everywhere which is not good for piggies respitory tracts. My green back seems to be lasting much longer, I have one small piece that must be at least 15 years old, originally bought for my cat who had kidney disease. The draw back of vet bed is that it takes up a lot of washing machine space, I can wash 3 3x2 c&c size bits together against one piece of vet bed that size. This is why I went over to fleeece liners as with 3 large cages I was having too many machine loads of washing. I then went back to vet bed for my 5 year old boars as one has arthritis in a back foot/leg and he started bunny hopping on the fleece. The other 2 cages have fleece liners with strips of vet bed under the hides where they sleep as I find it keeps them dry where as the fleece liners had a tendancy to get soaked.
I think it's really down to personal preference as to what suits you and your piggies, it would be worth trying a small piece of vet bed before you spend a fortune. You can get small bits on ebay, and sometimes a very cheap end of roll if you catch it right.

 

[Nikkip]

Thank you both for all your advice! Ah it’s such a minefield isn’t it! Who knew 2 little guinea pigs could cause so much bedding confusion
I’m actually of to the national pet show tomorrow at the NEC with my daughter so hoping I can see some of the vet begging or other options in person. If not then I’ll be sure to order a sample of ebay. Thanks again

 

[Alisa3114]

I started off using Vetbed but I find it is harder to clean before it goes in the washing machine as hay gets really tangled up in it and because of the deep pile the poops get lost in it as well.

 

[piggieminder]

I find a really stiff brush takes the hay off of vet bed before washing. I hoover poop off/out of it with an old Henry vaccuum cleaner daily/twice daily as needed. The worst I've got for hay getting stuck is some very cheap fleece I bought as blankets and cut up to make liners from B&M. The thicker more expensive fleece I bought on ebay just shakes off outside, it really has been trial and error for me! I wash all the bedding in a pet blanket wash bag now I have a new bigger machine, this has been wonderful and saves having to clean hay and hair out of the washing machine.

 

[Betsy]

I bought these Inconti-Pet® Puppy Kitten Whelping Washable Reusable Absorbent Training Pad | eBay after @PigglePuggle said how good they were. I use them in my hutch. I put loads of hay on the top of them I have cut them to size in the top of the hutch but on the bottom I just use 2 side by side. They are very good and are getting better the more I use and wash them. I use a horse wash bag so that all the hay stays in the bag and doesn't clog up my machine. I think @PigglePuggle uses fleece on the top. I'm sure she will be along to advise.

 

[Siikibam]

Like @Betsy I use the inconti pet pads and use them for their hay area. They hold up well to the wee and poo. I don’t put anything on top but if I clean the hay and poop off daily they last longer.

 

[artcasper]

Hi - I can also sew and I make my own cage liners - I use anti-Pil fleece ( throws/blankets etc) and I buy washable incontinence bed sheets from amazon /ebay - now these are pricey initially BUT last years - 4 yrs and counting for me... so there is another option for you.