Fleece Bedding

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Samrr_

Samrr_

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Hey guys. I was just wondering if you could help me?
I have 2 piggies that live in an indoor cage.
We put shavings in for them with 2 houses and a hay rack. Me and my partner just find that they get SO dirty SO quickly. We spot clean them everyday but they literally just seem to poop anywhere!
This comes to my question...
I would love to set them up a fleece bedding etc. but how on earth do piggies not mess this up with their poop and wee?! Do you just have to train them?

I want to make it better but have so many questions! :(
Thank you :-)
 
Sadly I find that piggies are very hard to little train, though not impossible. With Fleece bedding they will still poop, which you have to sweep up a few times a day. Their urine will soak through the wicking fleece and into an absorbent liner underneath such as puppy pads or towels. This keeps them dry on top. Depending on how many piggies you have and in what space will determine how many times you need to change the fleece and liner. Hope this helps :)
 
Oh right! So you can use puppy pads underneath?! And then just keep spares to clean out their fleece beds etc.
This has really helped, thank you! :-) I am excited to get them fleece beds!
 
Generally it is a layer or anti pill fleece that had been washed a few times to make it wick moisture, then underneath a layer of towels or puppy pads, anything that is absorbent and piggy safe. I have two boars in a 120cm cage and will cage their fleece and towel twice a week unless I feel it is getting too mucky.
 
Hi, I use fleece in my outdoor hutches and I swear by it :) like fluttterby said the wee wicks through the fleece so the top stays dry I use old towels under mine only because puppy pads would work out very expensive with four hutches. I have a horse wash bag which all the piggy bedding goes in so the piggy hair doesn't effect the washing machine. When you buy fleece it must be washed a good few times before using it this will allow it to wick oh and don't add fabric softener. Hope that's some help
 
With wood shavings I changed the cage every other day. With a vet fleece, I brush up poos and old food once a day, and change old towels underneath daily or the washable incontinence pad every other day. I wash the fleece once a week. I have the hay in the cage as they like to burrow into it and lie on it.
 
This is so much help, thank you everyone!

Does it have to be a specific fleece? Like I can't go and buy one from Dunelm can I? And what do you mean by wicking?

Does the guinea pig hair affect my washing machine? (Sorry for that silly question but I've only moved out from my parents recently and admit I am only just learning :()

Okay. So no fabric conditioner. That's fine. What about washing powder? Will that be okay for them?

Do they chew the fleece at all? I'm worried they might choke? :(

I normally put hay in for them to burrow but I find it gets even messier so try to limit it in the cage but they have a HUGE hay rack.

Sorry for so many questions!
 
Wicking just means the wee will go through the fleece if they weed on new unwashed fleece the wee would sit on the top :)
Yes you can buy normal fleece mine are lovely quality and from Asda they cost £7 each and they are a good size I've had them for years.
They shouldn't chew it I've never had any issues at all with my boys using fleece Hun. You are best to buy a horse wash bag e.g. From Amazon it's just under £20 but again it lasts years get the big jumbo size, no hay or hay leaves the bag (shakes the fleece really well before putting it into the bag) I wash my bedding with normal washing liquid.

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Oh okay! So do I wash just it a few times and then test it to make sure the water goes through?
Ahhh good! That makes it easier to get hold of. Oh that's good news. I was worried about it so it's good to hear you've not had any problems.

I'll Google them and buy one! I have never heard of a horse bag before. I never knew this. My washer is full of hay because it falls in the draw and drum. I didn't realise it would be bad! So like washing up fairy liquid or washing powder? Or does that not matter?
 
I actually feel guilty for not trying fleece before Kiwi died in September! My piggies are loving their tunnels and snuggle sacks too. Baby Calico uses a flattened pouch as a trampoline, it's all so bouncy.

Kiwi loved the fleece blanket on the sofa though...

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Samrr_ said:
Oh okay! So do I wash just it a few times and then test it to make sure the water goes through?
Ahhh good! That makes it easier to get hold of. Oh that's good news. I was worried about it so it's good to hear you've not had any problems.

I'll Google them and buy one! I have never heard of a horse bag before. I never knew this. My washer is full of hay because it falls in the draw and drum. I didn't realise it would be bad! So like washing up fairy liquid or washing powder? Or does that not matter?
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Non bio washing liquid/powder I like to use liquid myself. Wash the fleece blankets 3 times and once dry you could do a test patch with an small amount of water if it goes through dry it fully and your ready to use it if it sits on the top of the blanket wash it again :)
 
JenniferG said:
I actually feel guilty for not trying fleece before Kiwi died in September! My piggies are loving their tunnels and snuggle sacks too. Baby Calico uses a flattened pouch as a trampoline, it's all so bouncy.

Kiwi loved the fleece blanket on the sofa though...

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Is this kiwi? I'm sorry for your loss he's gorgeous. I only knew about using it because I was on the forum and I was finding wood savings a nightmare
 
Brilliant. I've been to buy fleeces and training pads and non bio washing powder! We are currently on our first wash! I can't wait!
Oh so cute! I'm sorry for your loss too :( It's never easy. He will be making friends at rainbow bridge.

I'm finding shavings a nightmare as well so that's what had made me want to go with fleece. Plus it looks cosy!

Oh I love how they find it bouncy! So cute! Look how comfortable Kiwi looks in that fleece

I must get snuggle sacks too.

I'm going to the national pet show on Sunday so hopefully I can pick some good things up there!

Thank you all so much for your help. I'm sure I will have more questions soon once I set the fleece stuff up!
 
My girls love their fleece bedding too :wub: these are our first indoor piggies and I'm so sad I didn't have all my previous piggies inside!

I shake the fleece and pop in oneness of those wash bags posted above and then hang out to dry. I use a mix of cage liners and fleece blankets with towels and a pvc table cloth to protect the carpet.

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Oh my gosh that set up is so cute! You've given me a million ideas now!
We've just put the fleece in and are going through the judgement stage. They seem to like it so far.
There's already a poop and wee on the white bit! Haha. Elvis seems to be tugging at the blanket corners. What do I do? Is he trying to bite it? What should I do to try and prevent it? Or is it just because he's inquisitive?

Here they are...

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I don't know what to do about the corners because I have vet fleece and mine don't tug at it. I would suggest fleece tunnels and snuggies though as they take up less space and make it easier for the piggies to move about as they can move them and flatten them, and they're easier to get into than solid toys and hideaways. Adelle has been making some lovely things Surplus Of Snuggies If Anyones Interested!
 
We've just added fleece to their extension, I'll post a photo. Fleece is a godsend! Ugh, I don't know how we lived without it.
I'm hugely jealous of our hoglets- their fleece is so gorgeous and purple and soft, and their snuggly beds and....urgh. Why can't we shrink to piggy size for a bit?!
 
Hey! Thank you. I think I got a fleece a little too big.

I'm going to get them snuggies on Sunday when I head to the pet show! We were thinking the snuggies would be better because they can squash them. Can you get a snugly tube they can run through?
Ohh thank you for that link! I'll take a look :D
 
I'd love to shrink to piggy size and enjoy fleece snuggies alllllll day! Life would be tremendous!

Do you find they tug at the fleece you've put down? Elvis seems to have stopped now so I don't know whether it was just being inquisitive...?
 
I bought from Adelle 2 cozy coves that are open ended and they run through those or snuggle in them...they're flat based. They're smaller than the wooden tunnels I had and they bend so they can get in more easily. I have snuggle sacks too. They have more space now as well as being more cozy. My baby piggy bounces on a flattened sack/pouch.
 
Ours tugged a bit at their new snuggies- Duncan practically chewed the fleece when we blocked the extension! Gentle tugs mean curiosity, I think, we had that. I think they just wonder what it is:))
If we tugged with our teeth at new stuff, social situations would be hilariousXD
 
JenniferG said:
I bought from Adelle 2 cozy coves that are open ended and they run through those or snuggle in them...they're flat based. They're smaller than the wooden tunnels I had and they bend so they can get in more easily. I have snuggle sacks too. They have more space now as well as being more cozy. My baby piggy bounces on a flattened sack/pouch.
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Ours toddled ON their snuggle sack:lol:actually, it was so cute- Duncan jumped on the cuddle cube, expecting a solid surface, and looked surprised when it collapsed:))
 
Samrr_ said:
Brilliant. I've been to buy fleeces and training pads and non bio washing powder! We are currently on our first wash! I can't wait!
Oh so cute! I'm sorry for your loss too :( It's never easy. He will be making friends at rainbow bridge.

I'm finding shavings a nightmare as well so that's what had made me want to go with fleece. Plus it looks cosy!

Oh I love how they find it bouncy! So cute! Look how comfortable Kiwi looks in that fleece

I must get snuggle sacks too.

I'm going to the national pet show on Sunday so hopefully I can pick some good things up there!

Thank you all so much for your help. I'm sure I will have more questions soon once I set the fleece stuff up!
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have a look out for piggiepigs stand at the show.. she has some lovely fleece stuff.... bit pricey but lasts well ... you can always look on You tube too on how to make stuff for them..... But be warned --- you will become a FLEECE ADDICT ! x
 
I've just seen Elvis snuggling! I think he likes it.

Can't wait to get them snuggies now and make their place a palace! All their other stuff is worn so it's definitely an excuse to renew everything!

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artcasper said:
have a look out for piggiepigs stand at the show.. she has some lovely fleece stuff.... bit pricey but lasts well ... you can always look on You tube too on how to make stuff for them..... But be warned --- you will become a FLEECE ADDICT ! x
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Yes! I went last year and I saw Piggiepigpigs and so I looked out for them on my show stand index! Haha I can already sense I'm going to become an addict! I'll definitely be looking at every link and suggestion! :)
 
You guys are all making me so excited to get loads of new snuggly stuff! Cubes and tubes and beds and sacks and everything!

All of your stories of your piggies enjoying their fleece makes me very happy! :-)
 
JenniferG said:
I bought from Adelle 2 cozy coves that are open ended and they run through those or snuggle in them...they're flat based. They're smaller than the wooden tunnels I had and they bend so they can get in more easily. I have snuggle sacks too. They have more space now as well as being more cozy. My baby piggy bounces on a flattened sack/pouch.
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Yeah, that's exactly what I want for them. More space and to be cosier! Hahah oh I bet that's so cute to see! Thank you so much for your suggestions!
 
TheCavySlave said:
Ours tugged a bit at their new snuggies- Duncan practically chewed the fleece when we blocked the extension! Gentle tugs mean curiosity, I think, we had that. I think they just wonder what it is:))
If we tugged with our teeth at new stuff, social situations would be hilariousXD
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That's what I thought, curiosity! He looked at it and then tugged at it and looked at me like, what's this mummy?! I'm there with my face shoved to the bars looking at what he's doing :lol!:

Just a little bit! Haha! I might try 'tug factor' on the ones at the pet show...with my teeth too! :raz:
 
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