Vetbed Help!

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Hev

Hev

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Hey all!

So, I got my piggies 3 weeks ago, and since then they've had hay (meadow to sleep, timothy to eat, though to be fair they're not fussy and eat both, and get mega-excited when they see fresh hay coming!) and wood shavings down in their cage. But I'm desperate to try out vetbed, after reading some of your threads and posts on here, and getting fed up of the wood-shaving going everywhere everytime they decide to popcorn around the cage! (So funny and cute to watch!)

So, I have bought some vetbed, to line the cage. Do I need anything underneath? e.g. newspaper, etc...? (Yes, I'm that much of a newbie, don't laugh! hahaha!).

I also bought some fleecy bedding from Snoozie's Cozies on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...58942.296498780454841&type=1&relevant_count=1 is my order! It arrived today - so cute!) to spoil the piggies, and also intend on putting a large-ish tray in with pure hay (maybe pre-lined with wood shavings underneath for wee-absorption) at one end of the cage. They also have a tunnel to run through (and it would seem, chew!)!

Any advice gratefully received from those with vetbed experience! Thanks!
 
I put newspaper under mine which I change daily. Love Snoozies cozies stuff, I know Nikki who runs it from the piggy clinic I volunteered at.
 
You do need something absorbent under the vet bed :-) the vet bed acts as a wicking layer underneath it you can use towels, puppy pads, newspaper, paper cat litter, cardboard animal substrate there are loads of options :-)
 
Thank you, both of you! I'll be off to buy some puppy pads tomorrow then (I need to venture and get piggy food anyhows!) - I have towels but I use those currently as lap-pads for our daughter to hold them atm (until I get paid to get a waterproof lap-pad from Nikki!) so maybe once we've got in a better system I will use those!

And yes, I love Nikki's Snoozie's Cozies items - it's such a temptation to order more, but I need to wait until payday!
 
I use washable waterproof terry towelling mattress protector underneath my vetbed. This a protector with a PVC bottom to protect the cage bottom & towel material on top to absorb the wee that comes through the vetbed. I tried puppy pads but one of my boys loves plastic to chew on & tried to get under the vetbed to get at it. I don't know how he knows it's there - does he smell plastic? He couldn't actually get under the vetbed but I just didn't want him to constantly be trying to do so. By using the mattress protectors I also only have washable & re-usable bedding now. Saves money too over the long run.
 
I use fleece and put towel and newspaper underneath as you need something absorbent. If you are going for puppy pads, do you have a B&M near you? 30pads for £5 - really cheap!
 
I use a few layers of newspaper underneath and cage twice a day.

Just a word of advice - don't cut it to fit your cage exactly until you have washed it twice. It shrinks slightly with the first 1-2 washes. You also need to wash it at 60 degrees to make sure it is free from bacteria.
 
This is a very useful thread for us new piggie owners. I'm glad you've confirmed that washable bedding should be laundered at 60 degrees c - and warned us do advanced washes to accommodate shrinking.
I have been wary about using washable bedding as my husband is always moaning about hay getting eveywhere. He'd kill me if hay got on his clothes or I blocked the washing machine's filter. A piece of advice I picked up in another thread was to wash GP bedding inside a cheap duvet .
 
I would also say if you are going for puppy pads thrt are cheaper at home bargains if you have one they are 40 for 4.99. I find they get too wet on their own so ive bought some super absorbant microfiber wash mitts from b&m or home bargains which are ment for washing dogs to go under water bottle and some smart price towels from asda I think they were 2.50 for two bath towels. This lasts much longer and them I have wood cat litter for trays
 
NewPiggieOwner said:
This is a very useful thread for us new piggie owners. I'm glad you've confirmed that washable bedding should be laundered at 60 degrees c - and warned us do advanced washes to accommodate shrinking.
I have been wary about using washable bedding as my husband is always moaning about hay getting eveywhere. He'd kill me if hay got on his clothes or I blocked the washing machine's filter. A piece of advice I picked up in another thread was to wash GP bedding inside a cheap duvet .
Click to expand...

We bought our 4th new washer today in 3 years...:oops:
 
Briony_Y said:
Ive never used them I just shake outside before putting In theres probably loads of hay in mine lol
Click to expand...

I've noticed pet hair as well - in tumble drier filter. I'm looking forward to getting the laundry bags I've ordered .
 
Thanks for all the input guys - the advice on these forums is amazing :D

The piggies have now been on the vetbed for a couple of weeks and are loving it! They have some fleecy bedding, as well as a hay tray (next to a hay rack). I line the cage with newspaper then puppy pads (from Wilkos which are excellent and never leak through to the newspaper as yet!) then the vetbed!

Not had any problems with washing yet (the tumbler element of our machine was on the blink before the vetbed came along!), though it does seem to wash better when not in a duvet cover - I give it a good brush with a dustpan before putting it in though!

Pigs are much happier with this set up! :D
 
I have had to take out my filter couple of times but hubby not bothered and washer under warranty for three years so not a problen
 
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