Hercules

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Fri Nov 01, 2024 9:03 pm


Can you get wood pellets? Like those for horse stalls? Or for wood stoves, if they don't have any accelerant added? It's by far the best, cheapest, and most long-lasting bedding I ever used for guinea pigs.

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2023

Post   » Sun Nov 03, 2024 2:55 pm


The fleece is actually recycled plastic bottles, so it feels like fabric but is actually plastic. Cotton would be totally different. I use some large pads that I made from cotton fabric with a cotton terry cloth towel inside to absorb moisture. You still have to launder, but it’s easy to shake off the hay and mess.

Chenille bath mats are polyester, so they’re synthetic, but I don’t know if the material is the same as fleece.

With paper, it’s not real absorbent and I would be concerned about hard surfaces and foot health. I have one that needs soft bedding or she gets podermatitis on her front feet. So she’s on multiple padded fleece layers - walking on clouds!

daj

Post   » Fri Nov 29, 2024 1:04 pm


I thought wood products were to be avoided because of the resins or something like that that is an irritant?
I've had them on artificial turf covered by a cotton sheet for a few weeks now. Hercules has stopped the incessant head shaking, and all three have stopped scratching. None of the sheets have gone through my laundering process yet. But they will go on laundered cotton this week. If the scratching and head shaking come back I will conclude it my laundry products, and if not, I will conclude it was the fleece microfibers.

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Fri Nov 29, 2024 5:49 pm


If you find something that works for you, that will be great!

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2023

Post   » Wed Dec 04, 2024 12:32 am


I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle of my washer. It’s supposed to get the detergent residue out and also take care of any bacteria. I had some problems with smelly laundry at one point, and ordered Washer Bomb to clean the washer. That and regular use of vinegar got rid of the smell. Clothes washers just don’t empty completely anymore, so there’s always water sitting somewhere.

If your guinea pigs start scratching after their bedding is laundered, maybe get a cleaning product like Affresh or Washer Bomb and then start using vinegar in the rinse.

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Wed Dec 04, 2024 7:37 am


I have a front loading washer and learned leaving it open (I hook it so it is partly open) has helped greatly reduce any bacterial buildup (which I suspect is the cause of the smell - bacteria/mold). Interesting to know there are products that clean and disinfect thoroughly!

daj

Post   » Sat Dec 07, 2024 12:11 pm


How about aspen shavings?

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