Bedding
There are so many different kinds of bedding on the market, but I will only promote one of them: wood shavings. These are by far the best in my opinion. They are cheap, absorbent or liquids and odours, easy to clean and very comfortable for your cavies. In a good sized hutch with two cavies they should only require changing twice a week. I clean my hutches on Tuesdays and Saturdays, emptying the soiled shavings and replacing with fresh ones after the plastic bottoms have been wiped down with warm water and a cloth. Try to avoid chemicals in your hutches. Elderly cavies (5 and over) should be offered a polar fleece bedding. These are quite cheap – I pick mine up from K Mart for about $5. Just wash them two to four times a week.
Other bedding that can be used: hay – this needs regular changing to avoid illness. Cavies eat hay and if they are also urinating on it, they can get sick. It is not very absorbent. Straw should never be used as it can poke out their eyes or scratch them. Newspaper – must be changed daily. Gets smelly. Doesn’t absorb moisture well. Kitty litter – as long as it is safe and odourless. Fairly pricey. Not very comfortable. A large bag of wood shavings can be bought from Living Jungle in Dandenong (03) 9794 7928) at roughly $30. I buy in bulk and can normally part with a bale or two for a cheaper price. Just email me for a quote. Can deliver for extra fee.
Other bedding that can be used: hay – this needs regular changing to avoid illness. Cavies eat hay and if they are also urinating on it, they can get sick. It is not very absorbent. Straw should never be used as it can poke out their eyes or scratch them. Newspaper – must be changed daily. Gets smelly. Doesn’t absorb moisture well. Kitty litter – as long as it is safe and odourless. Fairly pricey. Not very comfortable. A large bag of wood shavings can be bought from Living Jungle in Dandenong (03) 9794 7928) at roughly $30. I buy in bulk and can normally part with a bale or two for a cheaper price. Just email me for a quote. Can deliver for extra fee.