Squidgypigs – Guinea Pig Product Reviews – The Squidgypigs Guide to Fleece Bedding

Welcome to the Squidgypigs Guide to Fleece Bedding.

Why use fleece for Guinea Pig Bedding?:

• It’s warm.
• It’s soft.
• When used properly it’s dry.
• It’s readily available.
• It’s cheaper long term than alternative bedding. 
• Could be considered Eco-friendly when compared with disposable bedding.
• It looks rather nice.

What do you mean by “used properly”?:

• In order to be a dry, clean bedding for your piggies you must first prepare the fleece then layer your fleece in a particular way so that moisture (piddle) is wicked away from your pigs.
• New fleece is treated before sale with a waterproof conditioner that means liquid will pool and run off instead of wicking through.

How to prepare a new fleece:

• Wash your new fleece in a washing machine at a standard temperature with washing powder or liquid.
• Do not under any circumstances use fabric conditioner or dryer sheets. 
• Repeat this wash at least three times to ensure the coating has been removed. 

How to layer fleece:

• There are three essential layers.
• The bottom layer is a WATERPROOF layer to contain the piddle and stop your flooring being ruined. Corrogated plastic, a shower curtain or Lino are good options. Due to the size of our Megaherd cage we use a large tarpaulin.

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• The middle layer (to be placed on top of the waterproof layer) is the ABSORBENT layer. This ensures that piddle gets sucked away from the top layer. Newspaper, old/cheap bath towels and reusable nappy liners make a good absorbent layer. We are currently using puppy pads (sheets of sanitary towel or changing sheet like material).
• The top layer is your FLEECE. This should be kept flat and reasonably taut to ensure good absorbency.

What about poop?:

• Poop will not magically disappear through the fleece like piddle. 
• You must sweep or vacuum your piggy’s poo at least once a day to ensure their housing does not start to smell.
• Some piggies really enjoy poop sweeping time…

Trouble Shooting – Why is my fleece wet?:

• You may need to wash your new fleece another couple of times.
• Your layers are in the wrong order.
• Your fleece layer is not pulled flat/tight enough. 
• Your fleece needs changing.

Things to remember:

• Wash, wash, wash, wash, wash,etc.
• Do not use conditioner.
• Fleece on top.
• Absorbent layer in the middle.
• Waterproof layer on the bottom. 
• Poop will not magic away.