Vetbed vs Fleece?

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Tbag

Tbag

Adult Guinea Pig
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My vetbed is starting to look a little tired (had it for around a year now) - it does the job still but doesn't look as soft and fluffy as when I first got it. I'm thinking of replacing it in the new year/around Christmas but I'm also considering fleece liners as an option.

I currently use a thick layer of newspapers (around 1cm deep) under the vetbed which catches pretty much all the moisture apart from in 'water bottle corner' where the actual floor of the cage ends up a bit damp. With daily poo sweeps this lasts all week without getting stinky or overtly mucky.

What are peoples experience with fleece and would I be able to get away with the same layering of newspaper and weekly clean if I were to switch to fleece?

thanks!
 
Hi Tbag,

I currently use fleece on top on a towel and newspaper. It's the easiest and cheapest set up I can find.
With daily poo sweeps and changing it all once a week, it doesn't smell and is really easy to keep on top of.
For the bottle corner, try using a little wood shaving to soak up the moisture. (best to put it in a little bowl so the pigs don't drag it around their house too much).
Good luck! :)
 
Thanks for the info! I've found a place that does fleece liners with a layer of bamboo towelling between two bits of fleece which I'm guessing would eliminate the need for putting a towel underneath too.

(ps. the top of the vetbed stays dry in water bottle corner, its just that that area is the only place where even the newspaper underneath is soaked right through to the bottom)
 
I use vetbed for their regular home cage and fleece for their floor time run. I find that after a year it all has to be replaced simply because the weekly washings take their toll eventually. Still cheaper than any other bedding and my Hazelnut has a fabric fetish anyway, won't walk on anything else, just huddles. I use waterproof terry towelling mattress protectors under both the fleece & vetbed & find it only needs washing once a week like the other fabrics. Daily poop sweeps & that's all I have to do.
 
Thanks both! I'm tempted to get one fleece liner just as a trial and see how it goes. The main appeal for me would be not running the risk of killing my washing machine every week with a load of vetbed!
 
Tbag said:
Thanks both! I'm tempted to get one fleece liner just as a trial and see how it goes. The main appeal for me would be not running the risk of killing my washing machine every week with a load of vetbed!
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You can cut the vet bed into washing machine size pieces. It does just as good a job laid down side by side as it does in one piece. When I recently bought the boys a new cage 120 x 120 cm I also had to get vet bed that size which simply would not have fit my 5kg washing machine. But before the new vet bed arrived, my 13 year old machine died. I was able to buy a 10kg machine for the same price I originally bought the old 5kg. At leas appliance prices have come down over here!
 
I prefer fleece to Vetbed. I find it much easier to sweep hay and poo from, it's a lot cheaper and it washes and dries much more easily than Vetbed.

But then; my piggies ate holes out of their Vetbed which also influenced my decision! Am using fleece again for winter and am using Puppy pads with towels as well in the most used areas. Still on the first week but so far so good! :)
 
I use vet bed with puppy pads that I change every few days, I love it. Always stays dry on top for a lot longer than fleece in my opinion.
 
PopcornPigs said:
I use vet bed with puppy pads that I change every few days, I love it. Always stays dry on top for a lot longer than fleece in my opinion.
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Actually I quite find the vetbed stays drier on top for a lot longer than fleece as well. I use fleece only for their floor time run as they are not on it for as long as the vetbed in their normal home cage. Fleece goes into the carriers for the monthly vet trip too. I really love the vetbed and have been using it for 2 years now.
 
We manufacturer vetbed, and we really would recommend you give it a try.

I know we may be biased, but I would really recommend the Vet Bed - if you were to buy some of our clearance stock you could change more regularly so it always looks soft and fluffy!
 
If I can ever get my OH to allow the girls to live inside (Have it all planned out when he agrees... ;) ) - I think I might go for Vetbed but I would try Fleece as well :D
 
I've been using fleece for a couple of months now and find where they sleep it's usually wet the next day so I have to change it a lot. I have bought a vet bed which I have put in tonight so will see in the morning how the dampness is. Fingers crossed! :)
 
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