Vetbed Maintenance

[RosieMaia]

Hey!

About two months ago, I started using VetBed in the sleeping areas of the cage, and the pigs like it a lot for its warmth and softness. However, I struggle maintaining it soft and fluffy. Do you comb it after each wash? What's the easiest way to fluff it? And do you find it sheds a lot?

I purchased a 3 m roll from At Petnhome We Manufacture All Of Our Own Pet Beds, Pet Cushions And Pet Blanket, as it was recommended by other forum members. I'm generally happy with it, but I do wish it was lower maintenance, so I'd appreciate any tips and tricks you can offer

Thanks in advance!

 

[Julie M]

Following. As I would like to see the answers as I’m trying out pieces of vet bed for Mango as he’s elderly.

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

We've had ours for ages and it has started to go a bit... clumpy? I dunno if that's the right word, it's like the fibres get kinda stuck together! But, our kids don't seem to mind so we've left as is. It's still nice and soft, just not as fluffy anymore! Ours doesn't really shed, only where we cut it

 

[RosieMaia]

It goes very clumpy, yes. Especially if I wash it at 60 or 95 degrees. Here's an image from the Internet illustrating the issue:

For me, the clumping is even worse, and unless I spend quite some time brushing it back, it's no longer soft. I wander if it's the temperature of the water and the spin cycle (I usually use 1600 spin and it comes out almost completely dry).

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

That's funny I thought it was just me having the same problem! I've personally never brushed it (because I didn't think of it, d'oh!) but the pigs don't seem to mind. It does seem an awful shame though.

Have you tried emailing the company to explain the issue? Perhaps it's been brought to their attention before and there's a care guide? I haven't really thought about it tbh!

 

[RosieMaia]

No, I just researched their website, but I will try contacting them, thanks for the suggestion!

The brushing was suggested in other forums, so I was aware I needed to brush it even before I purchased it. What I didn't know is that I needed to brush that much, and that it would shed to this extent.

I'm beginning to think it's me and I'm doing it wrong... I have one washing machine and tend to overdo the washing temperature to make sure all is clean after the piggy laundry, but will try washing it at no more than 60 degrees and use 1200 spin. When I take out the vetbed from the washing machine, it's extremely clumped together and felted (is that the right word?), not soft at all.

Anyway, after brushing, it's nice and soft again, and my arthritic boar loves it. So I ordered more - there are some nice discounts in the Clearance section in PetNHome