Baking Soda?
On another board, a person was asking for reason's why her guinea pig smelled so bad. Inquiries were made about the pig's diet, housing, health (and of course was referred to guinealynx.info) but eventually the conversation turned to ways to sanitize. One person suggested baking soda on the bottom of the cage and this is the advice that was taken. I don't have much common sense when it comes to helpful kitchen tips but is that safe for pigs?
I don't think baking soda can hurt them. I know of people who mix it with water and drink it as an antacid.
I wouldn't use it in the powder form because I can see where that would be messy. You could mix some with water and wipe down the bottom of the cage to clean out any odor. I know baking soda is good for really reducing dog/cat odor in carpeting. I've used this type of mixture in my steamvac to freshen up my carpeting and it works pretty well.
I wouldn't use it in the powder form because I can see where that would be messy. You could mix some with water and wipe down the bottom of the cage to clean out any odor. I know baking soda is good for really reducing dog/cat odor in carpeting. I've used this type of mixture in my steamvac to freshen up my carpeting and it works pretty well.
This is what I do for my rat cages and it works VERY well for removing smell and crud.
Sprinkle baking soda throughout the cage, then spray it down with clean white vinegar in a sprayer. Let it foam, then scrub it up. Wash down with clean, hot water and let dry. It's really easy, effective and cheap!
Sprinkle baking soda throughout the cage, then spray it down with clean white vinegar in a sprayer. Let it foam, then scrub it up. Wash down with clean, hot water and let dry. It's really easy, effective and cheap!
-
jessicariekena
- Pigs n' Pine
I use baking soda in my rabbit's trays. It helps so much. I'm going to try to put some under the newspaper of the boar's cage.
Thanks for the rat cage tip. Boy they get stinky fast!
I use baking soda in my cat boxes underneath the litter. Seems to make their litter last longer.
Your opening comment reminded me of a situation I once encountered. I had an owner call to say she wanted to surrender her pig because she couldn't keep the cage clean and it always stunk. She was putting something crappy from the pet store in the pigs food to make her urine less smelly, etc. When I went to pick up the little piggie, she had ABSOLUTELY NO BEDDING! This woman wasn't told and had no idea that you needed to put some sort of bedding in the bottom of the cage. Here was this sweet little piggie in a plastic bottom cage, wading around in her own urine and feces. She had one dry corner to lay in, but she was all wet so it didn't matter.
I have learned to always discuss bedding when people comment on their stinky pigs! LOL
I use baking soda in my cat boxes underneath the litter. Seems to make their litter last longer.
Your opening comment reminded me of a situation I once encountered. I had an owner call to say she wanted to surrender her pig because she couldn't keep the cage clean and it always stunk. She was putting something crappy from the pet store in the pigs food to make her urine less smelly, etc. When I went to pick up the little piggie, she had ABSOLUTELY NO BEDDING! This woman wasn't told and had no idea that you needed to put some sort of bedding in the bottom of the cage. Here was this sweet little piggie in a plastic bottom cage, wading around in her own urine and feces. She had one dry corner to lay in, but she was all wet so it didn't matter.
I have learned to always discuss bedding when people comment on their stinky pigs! LOL
Ack.
I would not put baking soda in your pig's cages!!! It is an astringent that will get on their lips and in their mouths. It will changes the taste of food and will generally make them thirsty and miserable.
And they won't be able to slug some water and get away from it: they will have to live with that bitter taste 24 hours a day.
Put a dab on your lips and keep reapplying it for half an hour -- you'll see what I mean.
It may be fine for a cat litter box, but your cat doesn't live with his face in the litter all day long.
I would not put baking soda in your pig's cages!!! It is an astringent that will get on their lips and in their mouths. It will changes the taste of food and will generally make them thirsty and miserable.
And they won't be able to slug some water and get away from it: they will have to live with that bitter taste 24 hours a day.
Put a dab on your lips and keep reapplying it for half an hour -- you'll see what I mean.
It may be fine for a cat litter box, but your cat doesn't live with his face in the litter all day long.
I surely wouldn't be putting it on the top layer. It works best when it is at the bottom to absorb the odor and moisture the other bedding doesn't catch. If you put it under towels or even aspen your pigs shouldn't be getting it on their mouths. At least I have never caught mine licking the bottom of their cage.
Baking soda isn't dangerous even if they were standing directly on it. A little baking soda on the bottom of the cage might help but as other people have said it might cause crusty gunk.
Avoid crushed limestone, that will cause health problems. I have seen it sold in pet stores as a product to reduce odors.
Avoid crushed limestone, that will cause health problems. I have seen it sold in pet stores as a product to reduce odors.
I just got my guinea pig a little over month ago and its my first one does anyone have any helpful hints of what i should and shouldn't do.
some web sites say dont feed him dried fruits/seed mix and red cabbage and some say to give it to them.
Also what is the best carrying case i should get him?
some web sites say dont feed him dried fruits/seed mix and red cabbage and some say to give it to them.
Also what is the best carrying case i should get him?
Carrying case? You mean a travel cage to take him to the vet and things like that?
Cosmo, click on this http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html . It is a basic guide. Then read the rest of the stuff on Guinealynx. That must be your pig in your avatar? Very cute.
As for a travel case, I have one of those little pet carriers that are made for smaller pets, they open like a clamshell and have a wire grid at the top. Or in a pinch I use a cardboard box! I put fresh veggies and hay in it.
As for a travel case, I have one of those little pet carriers that are made for smaller pets, they open like a clamshell and have a wire grid at the top. Or in a pinch I use a cardboard box! I put fresh veggies and hay in it.
The travel cage doesn't have to be very big. Basically any pet store cage that does not have a wire bottom should be fine.
If you have C & C supplies, you can build a 1 X 1 or a 1 X 2 grid travel cage with grids, zip ties, and a small piece of coroplast.
Once finished, I use those black and silver paper clips that fold over to secure the lid.
If you have C & C supplies, you can build a 1 X 1 or a 1 X 2 grid travel cage with grids, zip ties, and a small piece of coroplast.
Once finished, I use those black and silver paper clips that fold over to secure the lid.
Thanks for the advise.
Yes that's my piggie, (THANKS everyones piggies are adorable!) I'm just trying to find out everything there is to know. I never been around piggies, always had dogs growing up. I got him 2-15-03 he was very small. He is the coolest little guy and the whole family adores him.
FLOOR TIME: he has a one of those play gates (for floor time) and he can climb over it so i bougt a taller one and he tries climbing up that too. I have very small space in my house what do you do for floor time?
Yes that's my piggie, (THANKS everyones piggies are adorable!) I'm just trying to find out everything there is to know. I never been around piggies, always had dogs growing up. I got him 2-15-03 he was very small. He is the coolest little guy and the whole family adores him.
FLOOR TIME: he has a one of those play gates (for floor time) and he can climb over it so i bougt a taller one and he tries climbing up that too. I have very small space in my house what do you do for floor time?