Say Goodbye to Your Guinea Pig’s Smelly, Messy Cage Bedding

There is so much to love about guinea pigs. They are relatively quiet pets, are gentle, lovable, have unique personalities and if handled regularly become very trusting of their humans. However, their cage can become quite stinky very quickly, and the cost of fresh bedding materials can really add up over time. 

Standard wood shavings and recycled paper products have been used as guinea pig bedding for years. In fact, if you purchased your guinea pig from a pet store, chances are that a salesman recommended one or the other for your new pet’s cage. The problem with these bedding materials is that they get wet and stay that way. Your guinea pig quickly runs out of dry areas within his cage, and bad odors start to drift throughout your house. 

Many people do not realize that there is an alternative to these one-time-use bedding materials, an alternative that is completely reusable, will last for years to come, and gives your guinea pigs a dry surface to enjoy. 

The Advantages of Using Fleece Cage Liners to Line Your Guinea Pig’s Cage

If you’re tired of buying bag after bag of pricey, ineffective bedding materials, then fleece cage liners might be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Fleece:

• Only requires a one-time purchase.
• Can be washed, dried, and reused over and over again.
• Allows moisture to wick through the fabric, keeping the surface and your pet dry.
• Will not become scattered all around your floors the way other bedding products might.
• Can be swept clean of solid waste easily allowing for more days between cage cleanings.
• Greatly minimizes odors.
• Provides a barrier between the guinea pig and his urine.
• Keeps your pet cleaner and drier for a longer time than ordinary bedding does.
• Looks neater.
• Many designs available meaning you can set your guinea pig up in style!

How to buy Fleece cage liners For Bedding

1. You can buy premade fleece cage liners to fit C&C cages here They are made with absorbent layers for freshness resulting in less washing and tidier cages.

• Smaller size will fit 2×1 grid C&C cage loft
• Larger size fits 4×2 grid C&C cage

2. Custom fleece cage liners can be made by your request as well, simply contact us with the your cage size and we will be able to make your very own cage liner design to suit your needs. For more information on custom cage liners visit us here

3. For those extra messy area in your cage why not try drip pads and/or cuddle mats.

Drip pads are designed to be placed underneath drink/ water bottles to absorb the drips that slowly leak out of the bottles to help keep other bedding, towels etc dry.

Cuddle mats are like smaller versions of cage liners. They have an absorbent middle and come in two sizes. Simply place these in high traffic areas which become soiled frequently. This can help minimize the frequency of washing the entire liner, instead just swapping over cuddle mats.

4. Cage liners aren’t the only thing that comes in beautiful fleece, we have a whole range of bedding, tunnels, cuddle sacks and R&R lounges you can use to make you guinea pig cage stand out from the rest. Our full range and designs can be found here

Preparing Fleece cage liners for Your Guinea Pig

Fleece requires a small amount of preparation before it can be used as bedding in your guinea pigs cage. New fleece has a protective barrier that causes liquid to pool on the surface. The prewashing process breaks down that barrier, allowing moisture to pass through.

• Place your new liners in your washing machine
• Add your detergent.
• It may take 2 or 5 washes to wash off the barrier and get the wicking working.
• Test your liner. Drop a few drops of warm water on it. If the water passes through into the fleece. It is ready to be use.
• If it still pools on the fleece, just wash it again.

Routine Maintenance

When using fleece, you’ll notice right away that the cage won’t get stinky nearly as quickly as it used to. There are a few routine tasks that you’ll want to make a habit:

1. Remove the solid waste from on top of the fleece every couple of days (or daily if needed). Some people use a dustpan and small, handheld broom to whisk away the droppings. Others scoop up the waste with a paper towel or a gloved hand. If your guinea pig doesn’t mind the noise, a handheld vacuum could also be used. 

2. Every six to eight days or so, you will need to remove the fleece cage liner, wipe down the cage’s interior with a nontoxic cleaning solution, and provide a clean fleece cage liner. When you wash the cage liner, remember to not use any fabric softener as it will bring back the waterproof quality that you worked so hard to remove.

You Won’t Regret Making the Switch to Fleece Cage Liners

​​​​​​​Not having to constantly run out to the pet store for yet another high-priced bag of disposable bedding is a huge plus in and of itself. The same goes for no longer having to clean your guinea pigs cage every two or three days. You’ll quickly get used to enjoying a fresh smelling home again and not being embarrassed by unpleasant ammonia odors when company drops in unexpectedly. The greatest joy will be picking up your little pig and noticing that his belly and nether region are clean and dry. He’s happy. You’re happy. That’s a win-win.