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Post by shalomdove on Nov 13, 2017 12:46:13 GMT
Hello I got my first guinea Pig this past weekend. I’ve research bending and i am thinking of using the fleece method. Now my question is how much supply do I need to get? I assuming I have to change the whole bedding daily  I’m confused by all the videos. can any one simplify this for me? |
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Nov 13, 2017 16:32:09 GMT
Welcome! When I used fleece, I did change it daily, but I think you can get away with shaking all the poo and hay off or vacuuming it daily, then change it after a few days. With only one guinea pig, I don't think it's necessary to change it daily. Put some towels under the fleece, so it absorbes the pee and then just try to make sure the fleece isn't wet. As long as it's dry, you can still use it.
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Post by mcbrooke1 on Nov 13, 2017 16:39:21 GMT
I was a new owner a few months ago and went through the same thing! After watching all the videos, I decided to stick with Carefresh instead of fleece. I'm temporarily using fleece and towels for a sick guinea pig that I have separated, and I have to change the bedding twice a day. The towels just get soaked underneath, it's just not for me. But I know lots of people use it. If you go to C&C cages - their website - they have some videos on fleece bedding. I was really overwhelmed so I called them and they walked me through the layers needed. They were very kind. That site and their staff may be a route to try! Like I said, in the end I decided to stick with Carefresh. Fleece i know you can get online or in the store at joann.com and right now it's 75% off!!!! It's a doorbuster item I believe. I hope this helps! I use fleece for Floor Time, so I stock up anytime it's 60 to 75% off.
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Post by 3piggles on Nov 14, 2017 0:21:16 GMT
Hello and welcome  Ah, yes, the secret of fleece It's an absorbent fabric that wicks liquid off the surface to an absorbent layer below. In my years of being on forums, I think we've tried every imaginable absorbent layer, and some of the results have been hilarious. We learn from our mistakes, so let me save you a few years of trial and error. You only need one layer of fleece. You don't need any special type of fleece, such as polar fleece. Regular fleece works fine. The fleece needs to be washed a few times in an unscented detergent, and finally dried without fabric softener. Plain white vinegar can be added to the rinse to aid in getting all the additives out of the fleece. Sizing has been added to the fleece to make it soft. Sizing prevents the fleece from wicking the liquid to the absorbent layer, which is why it needs to be washed out. Fabric softener is sizing, so if you use fabric softener, you undo all the washing you've done. The fleece will still be soft, without the fabric softener. Use an unscented detergent simply because guinea pigs live very close to their bedding, and can't get away from scents they don't like, if they have to live on it. Just because you might like a scent, doesn't mean they will. Absorbent layers very greatly. You can use anything from puppy wee pads to kitty litter, to Carefresh, to all cotton towels, and just about everything in between. Shamwow cloths do not work. Obviously, if you have old towels, they are free bedding, so just use those. If you want to use a loose bedding such as Carefresh, kitty litter, pine pellet bedding, use a piece of fiberglass window screen between the loose bedding and the fleece, to keep the loose bedding from sticking to the underside of the fleece. The window screen is inexpensive, available in home stores, feels like cloth, and can be cut to fit the cage. My recommendation, from not always cutting it down to one layer, is take the time to cut the screen, or it traps a lot of debris, and has to be shaken out regularly. The screen can be cleaned using a disinfecting wipe, or tossed in the washing machine. If you don't leave it out in the snow as I just did, it dries really quickly You'll all find what absorbent layer works best for your budgets, storage space, mobility, etc. Get a fleece for the pattern you like, as they all work the same. Enjoy your cages Oh, depending on the type of cage you have, you may want to make the fleece bigger than the bottom of the cage, so you can attach it to the bars with binder clips or clothes pins. Changing the fleece only needs to be done once a week. You can spot clean daily, if you want. I use a dust pan and brush, and just sweep up the poos and hay daily. If you have a place to put it, such as a compost heap, you can just shake the poos and hay off the fleece, and replace it. |
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Post by shades on Nov 14, 2017 3:34:10 GMT
Oh, depending on the type of cage you have, you may want to make the fleece bigger than the bottom of the cage, so you can attach it to the bars with binder clips or clothes pins. I'd recommend that too. If there's one thing that's definitely gonna happen, it's the pigs getting under the fleece... |
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I’m confused by all the videos. can any one simplify this for me? 
