Bedding Issues.

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A&T

A&T

Adult Guinea Pig
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So I have two girl pigs who live indoors, not in c&c cages but in a pets at home cage (dont worry its the large one and they get put in an indoor run to).
I currently use sawdust for the bedding with hay obviously and sometimes edible paper, however the sawdust gets really wet quickly and smelly so I'm looking for some advice on other types of bedding.

I know some people use home made pads for problems areas and others use blankets. Which is best?
 
My favourite bedding is vet bed with towels but fleece and towels work well too. It needs to be changed every three days. I dislike shavings as it can cause allergies.
 
Have you tried Megazorb? I use it and am happy with it - my girls seem to be too and it doesn't get smelly (I do a full clean either once or twice a week).
 
piggyfan said:
My favourite bedding is vet bed with towels but fleece and towels work well too. It needs to be changed every three days. I dislike shavings as it can cause allergies.
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I thought about vet beds and fleeces and stuff but I dont know If I'd like putting them in the washing machine where I wash human clothes. Although I could use a combination of fleece/vet beds where I know they dont wee, like in their sleep area.
Does it smell when wee'd on?
 
Janey said:
Have you tried Megazorb? I use it and am happy with it - my girls seem to be too and it doesn't get smelly (I do a full clean either once or twice a week).
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Oh megazorb, do you know where I could get any of that? Is it softer than sawdust? Because sawdust can be really rough sometimes!
 
A&T said:
I thought about vet beds and fleeces and stuff but I dont know If I'd like putting them in the washing machine where I wash human clothes. Although I could use a combination of fleece/vet beds where I know they dont wee, like in their sleep area.
Does it smell when wee'd on?
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If you put them in a duvet cover or washbag they do not come into contact with the actual machine. I never notice a smell.
 
A&T said:
Oh megazorb, do you know where I could get any of that? Is it softer than sawdust? Because sawdust can be really rough sometimes!
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I get mine off the internet, as I can't find it anywhere local to me. Think there are several stockists, but I use Millbry Hill. It's very different from sawdust (not sure if you mean shavings?) - kind of small, compressed bits of wood pulp! Hope that helps.
 
Janey said:
I get mine off the internet, as I can't find it anywhere local to me. Think there are several stockists, but I use Millbry Hill. It's very different from sawdust (not sure if you mean shavings?) - kind of small, compressed bits of wood pulp! Hope that helps.
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Yeahh shavings is what I use currently.
I think i'll give that a go! I'll have alook on amazon :) Thank you!
 
Fitch is the best alternative i have come across so far, i always tell people its like bedding them on snuggly tissues. Is very absorbent and scent free.
 
I use a combination of fleece & towels and fitch & hay. They both work really well for me. I have used megazorb in the past and I have to say it was horrible. It has a nasty smell and is really dusty - it had me coughing when just putting the clean stuff in the hutch so god only knows what it does to piggy lungs!
 
Connie said:
Fitch is the best alternative i have come across so far, i always tell people its like bedding them on snuggly tissues. Is very absorbent and scent free.
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I did a search for Fitch and found nothing? Where do you get it from?
Yeah I mean I just want my pigs to be comfy and also not have a horrible smell after like 3 days, I spot clean everyday but the ammonia is so strong.
 
AbiS said:
I use a combination of fleece & towels and fitch & hay. They both work really well for me. I have used megazorb in the past and I have to say it was horrible. It has a nasty smell and is really dusty - it had me coughing when just putting the clean stuff in the hutch so god only knows what it does to piggy lungs!
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With your fleece do you get hay on them? I'm abit worried about washing them with hay on, I know you can shake it out and pick it off but theres always bits left, I'm worried about blocked my washing machine up.
 
if you use fleece or vet bed you can put it into a old single duvet cover, tie in a knot and all the hay gets trapped inside. I then open it up near the door and shake any remainder out. you can also buy horse wash bags if you don't like the idea of a single duvet cover but I bought one for washing and it only cost £4 in sale and I have made a hay bag out of the pillowcase!
 
A&T said:
With your fleece do you get hay on them? I'm abit worried about washing them with hay on, I know you can shake it out and pick it off but theres always bits left, I'm worried about blocked my washing machine up.
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The fleece does get hay on it. I shake it out really well and just put it straight in the washing machine, I don't even bother putting it in a duvet cover etc. not had a problem doing it that way yet.
 
I use a cat litter scooper to brush the loose hay off my fleece and vet bed, shake then wash inside a duvet cover with an elastic band to secure end. I then shake the duvet cover after washing. Done this for about 3 years and never had a problem with hay or hair in machine. Remember not to use fabric conditioner as this prevents the material being so absorbant
 
I will also try fleeces in the sleeping area, I have a lot of spare single duvet covers so I think I will try it! Give them abit of different texture areas too, thanks guys! :D
I'll try all these things and I'll let you know which one works best for these fussy girls!

Thanks again :D :D
 
madguinealady said:
anyone know when it is available again as out of stock online.If gonna be a while might try finacard
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Oh no! This always fills me with dread - no idea what I'd do if I ran out! I'd contact them though as the last time they said they were out of stock they still took phone orders :)
 
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