vetbed v profleece - is there a difference?

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boozyfruits

boozyfruits

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Sorry if this question is a little thick, but is there a difference between vetbed and profleece? or are they just different makes of the same thing? :red

Also do you still need to put newspaper under it to absorb the wee? :{

Are there any real advantages of these over fleece and newspaper? ")

i would be grateful for some advice before spending money on the wrong thing!
Our boys are getting through hay bedding quicker than we can compost it, hence we are thinking about alternative beddings.
Many Thanks
Becca
 
Profleece and Vetbed are the same thing, yes. You still need newspaper/towels beneath the bedding as you need the absorbant layer to ensure the Vetbed/Profleece stays almost completely dry. It is much thicker than fleece, it's got a "sherpa" effect to the top which makes it fluffy, with a hard backing. It is usually a lot more expensive than fleece though.
 
The idea of vet bed or pro-fleece (they are pretty much the same) is that if it gets wet it gets drawn to the bottom so the top bit stays dry. I've never used fleece but I guess when weed on the whole thing gets wet?
 
The only thing to be aware of when buying this sort of thing is that Petlife Vetbed is the only one that can be washed at a high temperature, so if you had an active infection in the cage, that's the one you'd want.
 
amy104 said:
The idea of vet bed or pro-fleece (they are pretty much the same) is that if it gets wet it gets drawn to the bottom so the top bit stays dry. I've never used fleece but I guess when weed on the whole thing gets wet?
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Nope, it works the same way as Veted. Moisture gets wicked down to whatever is underneath the fleece. If you use fleece with nothing underneath it, it will stay wet. If you place newspaper and/or puppy pads and/or towels underneath the fleece, the surface stays dry. That's the mistake a lot of fleece experimentors make - along with using softener in the wash (which puts a bearing on the fleece making it hard for moisture to wick through). You need somewhere for the moisture to go once the urine/water has worked down through the fleece.

I actually have more trouble with my Vetbed being wet. At least when I shake the fleece I don't get sprayed with pee! The Vetbed seems to hold a fair bit of urine in its hard back.

I have a lovely new set of fleece to cut up now, a pretty pastel green. At least I can get rid of the ochre yellow set that shrunk in the dryer. :))
 
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is newspaper only under the fleece adequate?
re-reading some peoples comments i am a little worried about how heavy the vetbed will be when wet (is it heavy?) - i have rheumatoid arthritis and the thought of lifting sodden bedding out of the washer alternate days does not appeal. i know fleece will be wet as well, but surely not as heavy.
B
 
Vetbed isn't heavy, no. The moisture wicks through to the paper (although I used to put Megazorb in too, so there were 3 layers), so it doesn't increase in weight.
 
When washed it is heavy - but if it is run through a machine, provided it does a good final spin, it will be as good as dry, very light!
Fleece is a fair bit lighter when washed but, depending on the size of individual pieces, it can get to be quite a weight.
The weight of bedding when washed should only be a problem if you are handwashing.

Newspaper under the fleece works well in a big cage, though you may need more sheets in some areas where they tend to pee more. Towels work better - in my experience - as they absorb much more efficiently, but newspaper alone is adequate in many cases.
 
I agree with the newspaper. For a 150 puppy pads I pay $35 CAD. It last me about 2 to 3 months depending on how often and how much they pee. For me its easier.
 
Thank you everyone for your help and advice.
Chatting to hubby last night, we will probably get some cheap fleece at the weekend and give that a go first (and experiment with newspaper v towels underlay), and maybe splash out of some vetbed later in the year, if all goes well.
Becca
 
pelicano said:
Good idea - at least if it doesn't work out you haven't wasted too much money.
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my thoughts exactly :red especially as i'm keen to make Arthur a bigger cage, probably c+c type, so will probably need to get a different size of fleece for that.
Bx
 
Practical Advice please:

the boys have been on fleece and newspaper for 1 1/2 days now, but it is quite wet in places despite 4 layers for newspaper and 2 of fleece. it is due a change this evening. would folks advise thicker newspaper, or newspaper and towel then fleece on top.
i know this topic has proabably been done to death, but practical advice would be appreciated, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel myself
Becca
 
I have never found fleece practical if you want to avoid changes every two days it is not a good option. The wetness wasn't my problem it was the smell after two days with just one boy in a nero 4 if I didn't change it then the third day i'd get back from work and be hit by the smell! you should ideally change the newspaper each day and put down at least 5 sheets to soak the wee up and more in the "heavy use" toilet corners

Profleece I found worked better (regarding the smell) but it is almost like a really long thick carpet so tons of poos and food get stuck in it and even my brand new dyson couldn't get it all off. then loads ends up in your machine!
 
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