Fleece bedding for guinea pigs has become the biggest trend in the piggy community, with piggy parents showing off their brightly coloured liners as part of their interior design. But what is all the fuss about? Can you use fleece as bedding for guinea pigs without causing cage stink? What are the pros and cons of fleece bedding for guinea pigs? And how do we find out how to wash fleece bedding for guinea pigs?
We’ve taken a close look at the fleece cage liner for guinea pigs and how to use fleece bedding for guinea pigs to bring you this ultimate guide to your floofers’ comfy bedding!
What are fleece liners for guinea pigs?
Fleece liners are a type of bedding for guinea pigs. Unlike other options, the liners are reusable and machine-washable, which makes them great for your pets and the planet. They’re made of several layers of fabric, with the top layer being a cosy fleece, followed by an absorbent layer underneath.
Since fleece doesn't hold moisture, any pee will soak straight through the top layer and be trapped in the absorbent layer. That way, your piggies’ precious paws are protected and soggy bottoms prevented!
If you're curious to learn more about how they compare to other guinea pig bedding, check out this blog.
The pros of fleece bedding for guinea pigs
A good fleece cage liner for guinea pigs should absorb their pee quickly. This is super important because the piggies’ little legs are short and their bodies are so close to the ground. If the guinea pig bedding gets soggy, it can make them sick. And the best bedding for guinea pigs is as absorbent as a sponge!
The right fleece liner will also go through many washing machine cycles without disintegrating, shrinking or clogging - with the right care, of course. But most importantly, it should remain super comfy for your guinea pigs for many popcorns & naps to come!
Fleece bedding for guinea pigs is easy to clean
Did you know that guinea pigs can poop around 100 times a day? But don’t panic - cleaning is easy when you use a fleece cage liner for guinea pigs. Just scoop up the poop & hay during your spot clean, and then pop the liners inside the washing machine to get them as good as new. Worried about your machine? Keep any piggy mess away by securing your liners inside a laundry bag.
Generally, fleece liners should be changed around every four days but can last longer between washes with the right cleaning routine or by adding a pee pad to 'high-traffic' areas!
Guinea pig fleece bedding is comfortable
After a busy day of popcorning and scampering around the cage, guinea pigs love nothing more than to cuddle up on a padded fleece liner for a well-earned snooze.
That's because liners make the softest bedding for guinea pigs out there, protecting their sensitive feet from bumblefoot and keeping them comfortable all day long.
Fleece bedding for guinea pigs is cost effective
We’ll hold our hands up here and say that, right at the beginning, guinea pig fleece bedding may seem like a more expensive option than others. But bear in mind that fleece liners are reusable, so the up-front cost ends up being lower in the long-run than if you were to constantly replace your bedding.
When you look at it that way, guinea pig fleece cage liners can save you an average of £425 every year - just think about all the treats, toys, and even entirely new cages you could get your floofers with that money!
Guinea Pig fleece bedding is hygienic
As we’ve already learned, so long as you keep on top of spot cleaning, fleece is a great way to keep your pet palace clean. By comparison, poops tend to get buried underneath wood shavings or litter pellets, so it’s nearly impossible to keep the cage clean until a full change of bedding!
Nasty whiffs will be a thing of the past with guinea pig fleece bedding too, since it’s so efficient at absorbing urine. That way, piggy mess doesn’t get the chance to grow harmful bacteria that could make your beloved floofs unwell.
Guinea Pig fleece bedding is hypoallergenic
The dust from wood shavings - even the dust-extracted kind - can cause respiratory flare ups and skin irritations to both your piggies and your family. On the other hand, fleece liners are non-toxic and minimise dust in the air, making them a great allergy-conscious choice for you and your piggies.
Fleece cage liners for guinea pigs are eco-friendly
If you want to make the world a better place for your pets, fleece bedding for guinea pigs is the best choice! You can reuse them for many years to come, so they produce much less waste than disposable bedding options like wood shavings.
Plus, since they shouldn't be tumble-dried as it would shrink the fleece, they also require less electricity to wash. So let’s save the planet, one fleece liner at a time!
The different types of fleece liners for guinea pigs
There are many types of fleece bedding for guinea pigs, and some of them are not at all made of fleece! Typically, we find two main types of cage liners:
Padded fleece liners
This type of fleece cage liner for guinea pigs combines several materials to create a comfortable bedding. The top and bottom of the liner are made from soft fleece, while the middle part consists of absorbent material. Pee is directly captured by the padding and stored in the central part of the liner. Since the bottom layer is also made of fleece, padded liners can be used on both sides.
While these are absorbent, they're not waterproof, meaning that small leaks of urine may occasionally reach the bottom of the cage. But worry not, one wipe and these minor leaks will be gone!
Waterproof fleece liners
Waterproof liners are thinner than padded liners. They’re made of fleece on top, lined with a waterproof material underneath. While they’re great at keeping the cage bottom dry, they’re harder to wash efficiently in the long run. Piggy parents have also reported that waterproof fleece liners smell more quickly, so they need to change their guinea pig bedding more often.
Now that you know the main differences between the two most popular types of fleece liners for guinea pigs, keep all the points above in mind when choosing. At Kavee, we prefer padded liners for their versatility and functionality, and have plenty of different designs for you to pick from.
Where to get the best fleece bedding for guinea pigs
Buying the best fleece bedding for guinea pigs
If you own or plan to buy a C&C guinea pig cage, you can get fleece liners that fit inside your cage perfectly. For example, if you get a 4x2 cage, simply shop for a 4x2 liner to go with it. The best thing? You can choose from many different designs and have fun matching them to accessories of the same pattern or mix things up with different ones!
How to make fleece liners for guinea pigs
It’s absolutely possible to make your own fleece bedding for guinea pigs with a sewing machine and the right materials. Not quite sure how to make fleece bedding for your guinea pigs? Let us give you an overview!
There are different materials you can use to create the absorbent layer in the middle of your liner:
- U-haul blankets
- Mattress protectors
- Old bath or beach towels
- Disposable options such as puppy pads or incontinence pads
If you sandwich it between 2 layers of fleece, you can use different patterns or colours on the top and bottom, and have two different cage liners in one.
Keeping your fleece liners clean
Before you start using any liners, it's important to give them a good wash. Let's have a look at how you can clean your fleece cage liners for guinea pigs in a way that keeps them as good as new:
The first wash
Washing your new liners before use removes any coatings or water-repellent treatment on the fabric and improves its wicking properties. Wicking is the process of transporting liquid through a layer, so your piggies’ pee doesn’t sit on the surface (alongside the piggies).
After this first wash, any liquid - piggy pee or spilled water - can move through the top layer to the absorbent layer, where it stays until the next wash.
How to wash fleece liners
At Kavee, we’ve trialled and errored many times before figuring out how to wash fleece bedding for guinea pigs to make them last longer. Here's our perfect recipe for long-lasting liners:
- Remove any loose mess, like hay, poop, and food.
- Use a laundry bag to keep your washing machine clean and stop any stray mess clogging up the pipes. Simply pop your fleece in the bag, zip it up, and pop it in the machine.
- Add a pet-safe laundry detergent. Their sensitive skin doesn’t deal well with human detergents, so it’s best to use one made for piggies specifically.
- Also add some pet-safe laundry sanitiser to get rid of any harmful bacteria and smells. Alternatively, you can use some white vinegar. Just make sure you don't use bleach as this may discolour your liners.
- Wash your fleece liners at 30°C (86°F). That’s sufficient to clean them thoroughly, without damaging or shrinking the fleece.
- Take care not to overload your machine as this can make it challenging to rinse appropriately and get rid of excess water in the final stages of the washing cycle.
- After a wash, air dry the fleece on a drying rack. Don’t tumble dry the liners and don't iron them. It’s also important not to hang them over a radiator or heat source, as this could shrink them.
- If you use the same machine for your liners and your clothes, run a short rinsing cycle on an empty machine after you have washed the liners to get rid of any remaining hair.
Tips on keeping your fleece liners in good condition
As long as you follow the instructions above, you'll be well on your way to keeping your fleece liners as good as new. But we have a few extra tips on fleece liner care you can try out:
Keep your washing machine clean
Every now and again, run a rinse cycle to clear out any detergent residue and avoid a detergent build-up on your liners. If there’s leftover detergent on your fleece, it can get smelly in the long run - and the same goes for your own clothing.
Air dry your fleece bedding
Take the opportunity to air dry your liners as often as you can, for example, when your guinea pigs are having some out of cage time. This will allow the liners to dry and will reduce how frequently you need to change them.
Your guinea pigs should always be kept in a clean cage, and that requires a daily spot clean. However, avoid changing your guinea pig bedding too frequently as it could encourage piggies to scent mark the entire cage. This is why using scent-free cleaning products is so important!
Add pee pads
A good way to delay the next liner laundry day is to add pee pads to 'high traffic' areas. As you start to use guinea pig fleece bedding, you'll quickly become aware of which parts of the cage get the most piggy business.
When it comes to peeing, guinea pigs like to stick to the same areas, so popping down some pee pads around there will make those sections of the cage less soggy for your piggies!
Conclusion
Now that you know everything there is to know on how to use fleece cage liners for guinea pigs, we hope you feel ready to make the jump to this comfortable bedding for guinea pigs. You and your furry family won’t look back!
Guinea Pig Fleece Liners FAKs - Frequently Asked Kavees
How long do fleece liners for guinea pigs last?
A fleece cage liner for guinea pigs of good quality is sturdy and will last for a couple of years with the right care.
How many fleece liners do I need for my guinea pigs?
We recommend three sets of fleece bedding for your guinea pigs. That way, you always have one available while the others are being washed.
How often should I replace my guinea pig’s fleece bedding?
On average, every 3 to 4 days. This number is influenced by many factors, such as the numbers of pigs and cage size. If you air dry your liners and add pee pads to 'high traffic' areas, it can significantly increase the number of days before the next laundry load.
Do I need to put something underneath my guinea pig’s fleece bedding?
Not if it’s good quality bedding, since most liners are absorbent enough. Make sure to choose liners that are very thick to prevent urine leaks. However, if you really want to protect your cage base from leaks, it won't hurt to place a towel, or even a few sheets of newspapers under the liners.
Do guinea pigs like fleece liners?
They love them! You will often see guinea pigs snuggling on their fleece liners. Adorable!
