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Post by Marg on Jul 18, 2005 23:06:50 GMT
Would you suggest fleece? Tell me a bit about it please.
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Post by caspertheghost on Jul 18, 2005 23:17:07 GMT
Sure, it's comforable, you don't need to buy it every few weeks or months like CareFRESH, pine, aspen, etc., pigs love the feel of it. But you have to spot clean the feces a few times a day, wash it every few days, and it's a pain in the butt getting the hay off. And in summer, I heard it has a really nasty odor, since the cavies urinate on it, and poop. You can just use Aspen or Kiln Dried Pine Shavings. I saw on one of your pictures of her that you use CareFRESH. I found it's just a waste of money down the drain, since [glow=red,2,300]it's just recycled paper. [/glow]
But Fleece is a pretty good price, try it out. I put a layer of newspapers, a layer of shavings, another layer of newspapers- and then the fleece. But I personally don't like to use it. I'm going to use it though for when Moca has babies, so the babies can cuddle up in the fleece.
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Post by Janet on Jul 19, 2005 0:05:31 GMT
Hi there, just a little reminder that is posted by Treen:
"Every guinea pig message board has its own flavour, and Clover, Wheekers and I have decided that we'd like this board to be rescue friendly. We'd therefore appreciate it if you could keep discussions about intentional breeding and/ or showing to other message boards.
People who do either are still perfectly welcome here, no heads will be bitten off! And anyone seeking advice on health issues related to either topic will be treated fairly, provided they don't seem to be promoting either activity. Thank you for your cooperation!"
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Post by samnbud on Jul 19, 2005 0:21:53 GMT
Fleece is okay but I had problems with my boys ripping up fuzzy pieces of it and getting their claws caught. Then there is the smell after a few days of urination....and you have to wash it about every day or every 2 days. You will have to buy a few pieces to use when the other is in the wash. You have to clean out the poops daily or it can become a squishy mess if they wee on top of the poop. Also it is a pain having to pick every piece of hay out or it can get caught in the washing machine and carry over to the next load. I suggest getting a small piece for maybe a place for her to sleep. The Carefresh or Yesterdays News is fine. Yes it is 'just' recycled paper, but it has gone through several processes to make it soft and safe for your piggy. Aspen shavings as well as Kiln-dried pine are cheap and safe to use....but you still have to spot check every other day to get the wee clumps out. And if you dont clean it one or two times a week it can get smelly. Also it may stay damp causing fungal problems. I use Aspen....and Carefresh here and there. A layer of plain newspaper some shavings and hay. When you are ready for clean up just roll it up and it comes out easily.
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Post by Marg on Jul 19, 2005 0:27:41 GMT
Its not actually carefresh its called crittercare I think its just a cheaper version (shhh its from wal-mart)
I might buy a square of fleece and just sit it over the bedding for a little cuddle time!
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Post by samnbud on Jul 19, 2005 0:30:53 GMT
Thats the same...I like Wal-mart stuff. They arent all bad you know. And what you have is fine. You could always buy one of those little fleece beds that are for small dogs or cats or even the really small ones for ferrets. They have bright colors and are lined with fleece. I thought about buying my babies one. And Wal-mart usually has them...it will give her something to snuggle up in.
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Post by Marg on Jul 19, 2005 0:34:39 GMT
Oh good idea. She might like that. May I ask, do you know, I was speaking to some harsh people at cavycages.com (the forum) and they said hartz brand stuff is bad for a pig could the hartz brand alfalfa hay hurt my pig? It was the only brand wal-mart had. Also I got food called premium do you know is that okay? All my supplies except cage is from walmart. We looked at wal-marts cages near me but they had wire bottoms :-(.
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Post by samnbud on Jul 19, 2005 0:39:13 GMT
I have used Hartz pellets and have had no problems. I dont think alfalfa should be given but in small quantities being its fatty nature. Though your piggy is still a baby it may be okay for awhile. Didnt they have Kaytee Timothy Hay? Or Kaytee food there?
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Post by Susie on Jul 19, 2005 0:42:21 GMT
I love it pesonally. Depends on number of pigs/cages you have. If you have a few it will make your life easier... if you have loads the washing will be a pain. Best place to buy it I've seen is ebay. you can get it in colours too... even bright purple! My top tip is invest in a handheld vacuum. Mine was very cheap. Brush off the hay etc and Vac off the excess to save your washer and a whole load of mess! wrote a little review of that and other beddings I have tried here www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bedfeed.htm
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Post by Marg on Jul 19, 2005 0:45:36 GMT
Nice guide. I only have one pig but since I don't work the washer I will try buying a small piece for cuddles only.
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Post by samnbud on Jul 19, 2005 0:52:40 GMT
LOl I suggested a hand held vacumm or Dust Buster in the tips post! So Didnt they have Kaytee Timothy Hay? Or Kaytee food there?
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Post by Marg on Jul 19, 2005 0:54:28 GMT
I didn't see any other timothy hay or alfalfa hay there, I didn't look at the pellets too long because the premium was the only one I saw without seeds. Also I have read that after about 6 monthes you switch to timothy hay but shes still very young.
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Post by Marg on Jul 19, 2005 0:55:46 GMT
I heard at cavycages that hartz food products could be fatal. Scary to a new owner (even know I have owned before). But I think alfalfa hay is all simular. Got to go summerland is on!
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Post by Susie on Jul 19, 2005 0:57:21 GMT
Tip if you do use fleece bedding... use empty tissue boxes (carbboard) to put your hay in as it won't mess it up so much!
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Post by caspertheghost on Jul 19, 2005 0:59:58 GMT
I got rubby ducky fleece & this beautiful different colored fleece. Fleece it like 8-10.99 by the yard. It's alright. I use fabric to take pictures of my cavies; like red satin, black satin, fleece, etc.
I seen the Critter Care, and the price is high for the little bag of it. I just get America's Choice; might try some combinations of beddings, since the America's Choice Kiln Dried Pine gets smelly after a few days in the boars' cages.
Also, do you live near a local feedstore? They have fresh hay, I find petstore hay not good hay, since it's not fresh, and etc, etc.
I've used carefresh before, didn't find it that great; just would go through a lot.
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Post by samnbud on Jul 19, 2005 1:01:46 GMT
Alfalfa hay shouldnt be given after the first month or so really. And if so in small quantities. Look again for the Kaytee brand its good. And Hartz IS NOT FATAL!! My piggies are still well after 2 months of eating it. I like to buy 3 different brands and mix them in one large container and give this to them..they have a large variety to eat. And they are used to it so no stomache upset.
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Post by Susie on Jul 19, 2005 1:02:37 GMT
Not that kind of fleec though i pet it takes a lovely photo! Beautiful piggy in your Avetar is that Casper? Is he a silver agouti?
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Post by caspertheghost on Jul 19, 2005 1:44:52 GMT
It's Ian, he's my Silver Agouti. Casper is my American PEW guy.
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Post by Marg on Jul 19, 2005 12:34:09 GMT
I just got what looked good from wal-mart but we are going to a HUGE petsmart in westminster on Thursday so I will pick up some more bedding, food, and hay. I still have all of those but I want higher quality food and hay. Plus I only have half a bag of bedding left.
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Post by caspertheghost on Jul 19, 2005 17:18:40 GMT
Marg, are you Alfalfa?
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