Vetbed - the in's and outs - can you explain?

[squeakysmallpaws]

Hello,

So I was wondering about this vetbed! Currently my piggies are on fleece - lots of fleece.....they are in huge cages - I currently use two super large fleeces and three large towels underneath - you can imagine the washing I'm generating. I clean the piggies out generally every 2 days and I just can't stay on top of the washing - for both cages it's 4 washes, then I have all the cosies. Altogether I'm doing 5 washes within 2 days purely for the guinea pigs - that doesn't take into account my clothes..... I can't remember the last time my house didn't have fleeces hanging up to dry all over the place!

I'm thinking about making cage liners - atleast if I have one long liner that would reduce my washing - but it's finding the time to a) set up my sewing machine which I've never used b) learn how to use it c) work out how to actually make a cage liner......

So I was wondering about this vetbed. My piggies are indoors.

- Could I cut it to measure the cage? How does the made to measure process work? Do you order it to size etc?
- What's it like for hay? - I'm wondering whether all the bits get stuck in it making it a complete mess?
- Can I just put the vetbed down in the cage or do I need to use another liner underneath?
- How easy is it to wash? I.e. can you wash great big chunks of it? Or would I still have to do lots of seperate washing because I couldn't get it in the machine?
- How often does it need washing? I have a pair and a trio in two seperate cages.
- Where's the best place to buy it from?
- And anything else that would be useful to know before I perhaps look at making the swap?

My cages measure 75cm wide by almost 2m long.

x

 

[elensaa]

Hello in answer to your questions:

- Could I cut it to measure the cage? How does the made to measure process work? Do you order it to size etc?

You could cut it to the size of your cage but at 2m its not going to fit in your washing machine. I would make 2 rectangles 75X50 with a few Cm extra as the vet bed will shrink a little after first few washes.

- What's it like for hay? - I'm wondering whether all the bits get stuck in it making it a complete mess?


Hay WILL get stuck in the vet bed...allot. I used to brush this out with a pet brush but have now started just putting a thin fleece blanket over the top and shaking this out as its much easier to clean the hay off this.

How easy is it to wash? I.e. can you wash great big chunks of it? Or would I still have to do lots of seperate washing because I couldn't get it in the machine?


It is easy to wash think its upto 40deg, but I have washed mine at 60 before and its come to no harm. It depends on the size of your drum. I have a 8kg drum and fits 2 1m square bits of vet bed, the fleece top and 2 inco pads. But again depends on the size of the washing machine.

How often does it need washing? I have a pair and a trio in two seperate cages.

I wash my vet bed twice a week normally but they have been ok for a week when boarding with friends in the past. Also i have 2boars so bit more stinky as they have to mark their territory after each evenings floor time is over ><.

- Where's the best place to buy it from?

You can buy it from anywhere which will sell dog bedding it comes on a roll. I found the best place to get it from though was ebay. You can get lots of colours/patterns which looks nice. Get the normal backing not the non slip.

Anything else....err well you will need something underneath the vet bed to absorb the wee either inco pads/newspaper etc as vetbed just wicks away the moisture from the surface.

For other peoples experiences see the Types of bedding review sticky Bedding is a very personal choice so wish you luck in whatever you decide to go with

 

[squeakysmallpaws]

Thanks that's fab! Will have to have a very good think about it

 

[Sprogmama]

- Could I cut it to measure the cage? How does the made to measure process work? Do you order it to size etc?

It's very easy to cut to size with a Stanley knife or a good pair of scissors. The internal dimensions of my hutch are 1.7mx0.6m so I ordered a 1.5mx1m piece which I was able to cut into two sections and cover the floor perfectly.

I have seen 2mx0.75m sizes available on eBay if you'd prefer to have it ready cut.

- What's it like for hay? - I'm wondering whether all the bits get stuck in it making it a complete mess?

Hay does stick to it unfortunately. If you invest in a rubber-bristled brush though, you'll be able to scrape it off quite easily. Here's one I picked up for under a fiver delivered on eBay.

- Can I just put the vetbed down in the cage or do I need to use another liner underneath?

Like fleece, vetbed draws any wetness down to the floor, so you will need something to absorb it. I use a single waterproof mattress protector cut to size and it does the job perfectly. I bought mine from here for just over a fiver including delivery.

- How easy is it to wash? I.e. can you wash great big chunks of it? Or would I still have to do lots of seperate washing because I couldn't get it in the machine?

Very easy. I stick mine in an old single duvet (stops any hay getting into the machinery) along with the mattress protector mentioned above. There's still room in the machine for a couple of odds and sods, like snuggle sacks/beds etc, so I only need to do one wash. I wash at 40c with some white vinegar in the fabric softener draw, I also add a bit of antibacterial powder to the main wash. It dries very quickly, indoors or on the line.

That said, you may not be able to get 2m of vetbed in your machine, I was able to wash the 1.5mx1m before I cut it, but it was a tight fit. But even so, you could cut it down to two sections of 1mx0.75m and still only be washing half as much as you are now and only once a week! The mattress protector takes up barely any room, you can certainly get rid of all those cumbersome towels!

- How often does it need washing? I have a pair and a trio in two seperate cages.

I wash the vetbed and mattress protector weekly. I spot clean the poop every day with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Bear in mind that I don't have to deal with boar stink lol, as my piggies are all girls.

- Where's the best place to buy it from?

I get it from this guy on eBay, he's cheap and it's genuine vetbed.

- And anything else that would be useful to know before I perhaps look at making the swap?

Avoid the rubber-backed non-slip vetbed, apparently it isn't quite as absorbent and is more likely to smell. Go for the green-backed variety.

If I can think of anything else, I will let you know, but my brain is demanding I go to bed now.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lilly]

I have 2 boars and everything sprogmama has said could be said by us. Their vetbed and mattress protector needs no more than daily poop pickups and weekly wash despite their being boars. I just have a few things to add. Vetbed can be dried in a tumble dryer. I have used both the non-slip rubber back and green back. They both worked the same for me but I did find after several washings and dryings the rubber backed one did start to have bits of the rubber falling off.