How To Use Fleece For Guinea Pigs

Are you thinking almost using fleece as bedding for your republic of guinea pig but aren't sure if it is as good every bit wood shavings? Well, you will be pleased to know many piggy parents are making the change, and are thrilled with the results. Only before you go into a fleece frenzy, it is worth looking at the benefits of this unique material, equally well as how to prepare it and line your piggy's cage correctly.

Set to find out more?

Why Fleece Bedding is a Good Idea

For the longest time, republic of guinea pig owners have used wood shavings equally bedding for their cavies. There is admittedly nothing wrong with this, only in recent years more people have discovered the benefits of fleece bedding for republic of guinea pigs. Let's have a look at these in more particular.

Fleece is friendly on the pocket – Different wood shavings that need to exist replaced regularly, fleece can exist washed and used over and once more. This means you have more money to spend on more important things, like toys and treats.

Cleaning is much made much easier with fleece bedding – If you lot gear up the fleece correctly before lining your guinea pigs' muzzle, information technology is much easier to proceed clean. All you need to do is spot cleaning during the week, and and so toss it in the laundry over the weekend.
Fleece is gentle on your republic of guinea pig'due south feet – As you know, guinea pigs take very sensitive anxiety and are decumbent to nasty diseases like bumblefoot. Fleece bedding is much gentler on your cavy'south anxiety, and perfect for snuggling into.

Fleece bedding is environmentally friendly – If you are looking for an environmentally friendly solution for bedding for your guinea squealer, look no further than fleece. There is less waste, and it tin can be hand-washed and hung up to dry out, rather than using washing machines and tumble dryers.

Fleece is more hygienic – In that location is a mutual misconception that fleece is less hygienic than other bedding options, but this is not the case. If it is pre-treated and cleaned regularly, this cloth can really eliminate unpleasant odours.

No more allergies – If your guinea pig suffers from allergies, and then fleece is an fantabulous option. There is no dust at all, and no more respiratory problems.

Fleece is fashionable – Fleece is surprisingly fashionable. Etsy has a broad range of fleece liners, hammocks, beds and snuggle sacks to choose from. If you are a bit of a fashionista, and then fleece is the fashion to go.

How to Set up the Fleece

One of the chief reasons fleece has gotten a bad rap over the years is because there is a common misconception that it doesn't absorb liquids or forestall odours. However, this is definitely not the case. If y'all have decided to use guinea pig bedding fleece, the showtime stride is knowing how to prepare it correctly. Want to find out how? Carry on reading.

ane. Wash the fleece before you use it

Earlier you place the fleece in your guinea squealer's muzzle, you lot need to launder and dry information technology a minimum of iii times. This is because the cloth has a h2o barrier that needs to be broken down. This process is known every bit wicking, and once it is washed, the fleece is more absorptive.

2. Don't use material softeners or scented detergents

The residue from these items builds up on the fleece, which clogs up the pores and prevents the textile from absorbing any liquid. Scented detergents can irritate your cavy's pare, causing allergies and other skin conditions.

3. Drying fleece liners

Weather permitting, you tin can hang the liners exterior or on a clothes dryer indoors. Of course, if yous need it in a hurry, tumble drying is an option. We suggest:

Not using dryer sheets, considering these, like cloth softeners, crusade residue to build upwardly on the fleece, making it less absorbent.

Making sure the tumble dryer is on a low heat setting. To prevent the fabric from shrinking, don't overdry it.

Before the fleece is completely dry, remover it from the dryer and hang it over a wearing apparel dryer or outside.

Acquire How to Layer the Fleece

With your fleece all fix to exist used, it is fourth dimension to observe out how best to layer it. This is essential to avert a soggy bottom (and nobody likes a soggy bottom).

The idea of layering is to forbid moisture passing straight through the fleece and pooling upwardly underneath. Yous can use old towels, mattress padding, puppy preparation pads or newspaper. The problem with newspapers though is that it absorbs liquid too quickly and can start to smell.

For the fleece to work as effectively as possible, we recommend placing ii layers of mattress padding, puppy training pads or towels on the bottom of the cage, with one layer of fleece on top. Don't make the fault of thinking 2 layers of fleece volition do a ameliorate job than i. This will prevent any moisture from passing through the fabric.

Showtime from the bottom with the padding, and finish off with the fleece bedding on top.

Place your guinea pigs back in their cage, and wait for the popcorning and wheeking to first.

Handy tip!

Here'southward an idea for your leftover fleece. Use information technology to make fleecy pillows for your guinea pigs to snooze on, or you could brand a snuggle blanket. Another keen suggestion is to make your very ain little hammock and tent to brighten up your guinea pig's muzzle.

If that seems a piffling also daunting, you could always buy i gear up-made. How beautiful is that?

If y'all aren't sure how your republic of guinea pigs will answer to the new bedding, y'all could e'er start off using wood shavings and fleece. This volition give you a gamble to meet which one you and your piggy prefer. When you are ready, you tin transition over to a fully fleeced hutch.

At present we want to hear from y'all. Are you using fleece bedding in your cavy's cage? Was it like shooting fish in a barrel to modify over? And do y'all retrieve the hutch is cleaner and less smelly than before? Better withal, send united states of america pics of your piggy'south pimped up pen, so we tin share information technology on our Facebook page.