Guinea Pig Cage - Fleece Method

How to use fleece in your guinea pig cage instead of litter. Rhonda shows you how she does the weekly change out of the fleece.
******For everyone who asked me either how to make Lettie and Lilah's cage liners and pee pads or asked me to make them for you, I unfortunately don't have time to make them for people, but I have made a video that will show you how to make them yourself.

[@kevins1114]

I never thought to use those adult bed liners in my piggie's cage. A great idea!

[@jst4bella]

Just wanted to say that you inspired me to make my own C&C cage, very cheap, $30.00 for all the materials. I love your fleece method, the layers are a great idea and the adult pads...just genius. Thanks for the video. :)

[@edenp.2414]

$30?!! That's insanely cheap for a c&c cage

[@jst4bella]

Ya there was a great sale at bed bath and beyond where I got the c&c grids and the chloroplast was free. The other thing i spent money on was the fleece. The cage is a 4 by 2 set up so it's awesome for my two little darlings. After the food, toys and other fun things I probably spent about 100.00, so it was all pretty cheap and it was fun to do a lot of it ourselves, made the fleece pads and 4 fleece huts. Pretty awesome and easy, great crafting project with the family. :)

[@TraviSScott3]

Is building the c&c cage easy? I pretty much want the same setup as she did but don't know where to start. I liked how she had the nice sized plastic bin on bottom then had the fencing upstairs! Help me please! Thank you.

[@rskibuk]

Travis Gullickson Go to Guinea Pig Cages dot com (I can't post a link) and they have full kits that are very reasonably priced.

[@northernfur4654]

jst4bella i

[@maddydefran6188]

I just want to say you are such a good owner!!!

[@maryflavell6550]

I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to protect the corners so the pee and poo don't get down onto the plastic below - I even made separate little fleece corner protectors, but they didn't worth that well. Sewing walls directly into the liner?? BRILLIANT!!!!!!

[@xoxoyarie]

I love how they know when their cage is clean

[@Simonerosew]

I love your fleece cover! Thanks for sharing your pattern! Plan to sew up a couple for my girls!

[@cgaines8837]

Where did you find the pattern? I would LOVE to use it!

[@GT-vs2fm]

That is an awesome environment for the guinea pigs! Great work!

[@TheSporkMaster]

That bird fleece is the cutest thing I think I've ever seen x3

[@asyntheticsyn]

Best video I've seen because we have the same cage, size and all. I never thought about siding, underpads, etc. You explained everything perfectly and now I'm switching from bedding to fleece today. Awesome job, thank you.

[@mahoganyyylocs]

asyntheticsyn and you save money on bedding !!!!!!

[@luciabehler]

Thank you so much for making this video. I've been studying it for weeks as well as your video of how to make the fleece liners. Finally got our fleece method up and running last night and our piggies love it! Thanks again for taking the time to share!

[@jackiehill6557]

Fantastic idea with the floor fleece to go over the edges to prevent any poops etc going down the sides. Your piggies look so good.

[@divinegerbs]

Amazing! So much better than wasting money on bedding.

[@rskibuk]

You are very welcome! I am so happy that the videos are helping so many people! The piggies love fleece!!

[@cgaines8837]

Hello, such an AWESOME ideal! Do you mind sharing the fleece pattern with me as well? Thank you❤

[@PantsAreScary]

Thank you!! This is the best informational guinea pig video I have ever seen! Thank you!

[@leannabrenner]

We are switching to the fleece method. Our first pig, Addie, who is 10 wks. now, has her first upper respiratory infection. I have noticed when we have her down stairs in the pen with no bedding she seems much happier and sneezes less. Thank you for showing what each layer looks like and how simple it is to clean. As soon as I'm done posting I'm on my way to get more fencing and start adding some fleece. ++30 bucks a year for adult pads is AMAZING!!! Thank you!!

[@furevercute5164]

Dog at 2:34 "MMMM JELLY BEANS!"

[@MelodyLovesMusic]

lol saw that, I have 3 labs. hehehe

[@noneya9536]

FureverCute 😂

[@laneyperkins840]

Forbidden beans

[@sheilatriggs5769]

That was by far the most informative video on cage set up and cleaning. The adult pee pads idea is great. Thanks so much for posting, p.s. your piggies are adorable

[@ingridrigby988]

just wanted to say thank you for sharing your guinea pig knowledge.I have spent the last 3 he's online ,finding as much info as possible.your site has by far been the most helpful.thank u

[@rztejjy25]

Oh wow! I never thought about using the bed pads instead of puppy pads. You just saved me extra $$, thank you!

[@dawandabocanegra8935]

She's brave I need some gloves when I'm messing with poop

[@thunderstormslover62]

This is the best video! Thanks for additional ideas. I use the puppy pads, so now I'm def going to adult pads!!! And now I don't feel quite as obsessive about layers. Thx!

[@keyahnaholloway9767]

OMG,thank you Sooo much...I am getting a guinea pig for Christmas and I'm so happy and have been such a big help to me...thnx a lot..u are the best person EVER!!!!

[@mariae6942]

This is such a great detailed video! I had a guinea pig many moons ago when I was a kid. Times have really changed in the guinea pig world! I never have seen this type of a “playground,” for the guinea pigs. I was 10 years old when I had my guinea pig “Caesar.” He only had a cage. I took him out constantly though and let him run around my bedroom. I love the new playgrounds for the guinea pigs. If I get a Guinea again, I will definitely buy 2 pigs, and definitely they will have a playground such as this! Thanks for sharing.

[@neptunelady2562]

Excelent video. Thanks for sharing

[@MH-yj4qq]

Thank you for the tip about the adult pads. I like the bigger size for less money. Very helpful!!

[@christinagay3354]

I've never seen the cage done like that, being bottomless. I think I might try it tomorrow. My cage is 2x6 so that would give me several more grids to work with, to make a second level. 😊

[@stormjamaa4685]

Just want to say that you have showed me how easy it is to maintain a C and C cage. I have one piggy at the moment, but i got the same c and c cage as you. I just really want to thank you.

[@TheWholesomeGardener]

Aww you are so lovely to your piggies! So clever to make all the fleecey stuff too!!!

[@nataliedubrovsky1194]

HI Rhonda, thanks so much for the informative video. We are new to having guinea pigs and we just switched our Blondie and Frankie from the litter to the fleece today. There couldn't have been a much better option out there. They love it and I love how much easier it is to clean the cage. Thanks again.

[@jannin6079]

I love the lil beds!

[@tamara.afollowerinjesuschr6748]

Wow thank you so much for sharing . I just became a guinea pig mom and am watching as many videos I can. I love your whole set up ❤️. Thank u

[@craftingmaniac617]

Rhonda - thanks! this was great. I'm definitely switching my girls from litter to fleece.

[@leenaa.9671]

I got my 2 male piggies 2 months ago and their previous owner brought them in a cage that is 4 foot squared! The minimum for them them is double that! I’m convicting my parents to let me get them a c&c cage and this video is so so helpful, ty.

[@rskibuk]

I cut the fleece to size for the bottom, added a little for seam allowance and then I cut 12 inch strips and sewed them together to make one long strip then sewed them to the edge of all four sides of the bottom so that they wrap up and over the sides to prevent the pigs from burrowing.

[@m3bck]

I've been wondering how to use fleece. This is the best info out there! Thank you!!

[@donnadrane4977]

Wow, and I thought I spoiled my piggie. Great idea to get the bed pads for far less $ than buying pee pads in the pet section.

[@mlr0120]

Very helpful information for New Guinea pig owner. Thank you!

[@kathyburke7141]

R I love your video and I plan to use. My husband built a cage and recently my loving pig died. I plan to get two small pigs so they will have each other. And i will use the fleece method for the first time Thank you I love your 2 little pigs in the video. Kathy Burke

[@MiguelVM360]

Thank you for your video, we just ordered a c and c cage online and we were thinking of using fleece and now we know how to do it. My wife cant wait to get the cage.

[@fayeb25]

your guinea pigs are so so cute I love so much

[@rebeccapink6398]

OMG!!!! Thank you SOOO MUCH!!! I never thought of sewing something for them!! I'm getting some Guinea pigs soon.

[@theeviltwins2345]

I absolutely love this video! I have been having so much trouble from smells with my 5 pigs but. I think I'm going to do everything you have done! Thank you for this

[@edithduran8078]

Thank you for such a great video. Great ideas

[@furryfriendslover]

This helped me so much:3 me and my dad have been arguing about fleece vs bedding and i think your layout will help convince him! :D THANKS!

[@rskibuk]

What I like to do is go to JoAnn Fabrics and I get their No Sew Blanket kits when they are on 50% special. They will have a nice, colorful, fun print and then a solid. I make the bottom liner using two pieces of the patterned fleece and then add the sides with the solid color. I then make pads for the upstairs and pee pads with the scraps. For those, I do add 1-2 layers of terry towels in the center. I get inexpensive towels at WalMart for this and cut them to size.

[@rskibuk]

The majority of my fabrics I got at Joann Fabrics. I wait until they put their No Sew Fleece Blanket Kits 1/2 off. You get a printed piece and a solid for the back. It is enough to make a bottom piece with sides, a top liner and about 3-4 pee pads depending on how big you make them. This is a VERY affordable way to get cute fleece and there are tons of patterns.

[@rodentsallaround1517]

Oh my goshhhh!! This video is going to be sooooo helpful thank youuui

[@pastelshades2860]

Wow making it so the fleece wraps around the side is genius. I plan on changing to underpads from bedding and I was trying to think of a way to keep them from biting them. This would be perfect. I'm not sure I can make it but I'll try. thanks.

[@thatcamarochik3908]

I found this really helpful! I’m definitely going to make a liner an pads for my girls now. Thank you! I’m curious tho, do they ever use that triangle hammock? I’ve been thinking of making one for my piggies but wonder if they would ever actually use it

[@rskibuk]

ThatCamaroChik they never used it as an actual hammock but they loved to lay under it. It made like a hide corner. It also came in handy as a toy holder when cleaning then the piggies would come get their toys so it was kind of like a toy box!!

[@thatcamarochik3908]

rskibuk awesome! Thanks for your reply! I just watched a ton of videos on how to build a cage like yours an I think I will be doing that as well 😊 thanks for the inspiration!

[@katelynsandoval9194]

Sweet, I thought the more drying the more material disappears. That is cool that it actually makes it work better!

[@cutiepie-ik1mv]

I like the tree near the cage. the pigy's must love it.

[@GT-vs2fm]

the fountain sounds relaxing

[@Ashwin3686]

Nice video...only thing that you forgot was to put the water bottle back!!

[@OhPixel]

I needed to know a better, faster way to clean! Thank you for this video! :)

[@rhondakibuk4397]

I change the fleece pee pads daily or every other day. The adult bed liners, I throw away when I change the fleece liner every 7-10 days. I have two sets of towels and liners so that I always have a clean set. You can make due with one set, but you will have nothing to line your cage with while they are washing and drying

[@eghadwin]

love your cage

[@rskibuk]

I have a kitchen area, which keeps the hay in that area. I give the fleece a really good shaking before washing and it works good. Believe it or not, a brush and dust pan will work wonders too!

[@rskibuk]

I just make more anytime I have extra fleece left over. I have probably about 30 of them. I now use two a day, one at bottom of stairs and one under. Their favorite spot grew with the addition of a third pig!

[@tikabella21]

rskibuk best cleaning cage video I’ve seen yet 🙌🏾 and this was 4 years ago wow great tips

[@ceciliahsu928]

super helpful! I'm allergic to that dusty litter. This will help a lot!

[@shelbybuono1674]

I love your cage! my four pigs would love it.

[@mypalace1050]

This helped a lot and now I have an idea of what to do

[@rskibuk]

They almost always have a favorite spot!

[@rskibuk]

Awesome! It should work! It also could be that your fleece is the really soft, velvety kind. I've heard that that type can be hard to get to wick.

[@daisyheywood9547]

Thankyou for making this! My guineas are messy and poop a lot (I spoil them) So the cage gets wiffy within 4 days. Now it wont! Hallelujah!

[@hedgehogs6ak]

I love the liners! I never even thought about making them that way! I don't have pigs but i have hedgehogs and they liner dive really badly -.- so I'm going to attempt to make ones like that lol

[@helenhudson7116]

Thanks for the fleece liner tip I've been trying to find a tutorial that doesn't have very many expensive or "rare" or hard to find things

[@dianeorrvarstone2139]

Thank you..nice clean piggies!!

[@Luke_Skywalker1836]

Your a legendary person

[@rodentsallaround1517]

Can you make a video on how to do/make their food area. That would be so helpful

[@rskibuk]

Yes, my cage is a 2 x 3 and it's plenty big for 2 piggies. I actually have three in there now, but I plan to expand the cage soon!

[@rskibuk]

It's made of Colorplast. visit Guinea Pig Cages (google it) and there are instructions there as well as a place to purchase either the grids, the Colorplast or both.

[@rskibuk]

You can add cubes and attach to one side for a roof/lid that will open. It really isn't necessary unless you have other animals that may try to get in to harm the pigs. All of our dogs and cats are pig friendly, so we are good.

[@rskibuk]

Yes, I got a few of the larger ones and the really big one that I think is called the cavern. My girls don't like to share they want their own so I just stuck with the small ones. I had hoped that they would cuddle in one, but no, they want their own space!

[@vanessamoore4162]

Thank you for the video. It’s very informative.

[@imdemieveryone2619]

Awe,I love the fleeces!

[@MysticalKitty666]

Heys, I just wanted to let you know that you might want to relocate the snake plant that's next to your guinea pig's cage. Snake plants contain raphide crystals which can cause cause asphyxiation when ingested.

[@meganrobertson6049]

I love all the wonderful ideas you have shown throughout this video. One thing in particular I’d like to ask you about is regarding the blue base of the cage that you display in the first half of the video...can you tell me where I can get one? And if I may, what are the measurements of just that blue base of the cage? Thank you for your time. I wish you and your piggies all the best!

[@rskibuk]

Megan Robertson It was purchased through guinea pig cages dot com It is called a C& C cage. I believe it was a 3 x 2 on the bottom with a three by one upstairs. My piggies are no longer with us, and I have not gotten any more, so unfortunately I can’t measure the cage for you, but if you go to that website I am sure you can find all the information that you need

[@meganrobertson6049]

rskibuk I’m sorry to hear that. But I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to provide me with all the info you could. You’re awesome! Thank you so much! Take care :)

[@rskibuk]

You can use Dreft, which is fragrance free and color free. Pigs are sensitive to smells. To properly with the fleece, it must be washed with that type of detergent and vinegar. No fabric softeners. It will keep the fleece from wicking.

[@rskibuk]

I just sweep it with the brush into the dust pan. I have two piggies with short hair and one with long hair. I also shake them outside really well too.

[@TheBlissfullyDandy]

Helpful, thanks!

[@lilwayne759]

where did you get those huts they look awesome!! i definately wanna get one of those for my guinea pig

[@rskibuk]

The point is that it will stink. Pee smells. While it may not be wet on their bodies, the pee goes into the middle of the pee pad and the bottom liners do sometimes get wet. If you want to leave it there, by all means do. I prefer to keep a CLEAN cage. In the future, unless you have something constructive to ask, ask away. If you are going to continue to make snarky comments, I will block you. Thank you!

[@manyaaggarwal8117]

rskibuk can we get grids from Amazon

[@emmabethke7125]

rskibuk you're a bit harsh

[@emmabethke7125]

Now, I have a game for you, it's been played since 1977. Once you read this, you have to send it to 15 people. Your next five days will be like this: Day 1-you will wake up with the biggest shock of your life. Day 2-you will cross paths with an old friend you have missed. Day 3-you will find yourself a lot of money. Day 4- your day will be perfect. Day 5- you will get kissed by the love of your life. Don't brake this. Send it to 15 friends in 10 minutes. Don't know how to send it? Lol. Just hold your finger on it and it should say forward

[@charmster13]

Geeze that's a lot of work.. more power to you. I'm scared.. just took my daughter's pig she had for 2 years but we thought her pig "Porkchop" was a she, turns out HE got his new female roommate pregnant & now she's overwhelmed.. so i'm trying to help...but.. This is a lot of work ugh 🤔😱

[@itsamadmadworld4728]

Get him neutered immediately. He cant be around the babies . Then if she keeps any the cages have to be bigger. Skinnypigs 1 is excellent for advise. Her cages are excellent roomy. Good luck.

[@CapysGardenShop]

IMPORTANT misconception about FLEECE. I have to pre-rinse out everything in the sink about a dozen times each, w/ detergent, before washing only pig stuff together & still 2-3 rinses! It's exhausting & wastes h2o. But I cannot even imagine how anything would get clean in a washing machine. The musty pee smell as I pre-wash, is slightly gross, but not 1/10th as bad as the Syrian hamster pee! (Never again!) And my 2 pigs use their litter box a lot, but just not enough. FYI, I buy the $10 huge bag of rolled newspaper for their litter boxes. It is wise to surround their cage or at least 3 corners w/ litter trays. Then the food dish in the 4th corner. Four mos. of this at 41 w/ 3 kids & 2 dogs & IDK how or why I keep going. G.pig cuteness motivates me I guess. I had gp as a child. Been a + experience for my kids. Def. teaching them how to really care for a pet. So much more difficult than dogs or cats. I follow thru w/ pet ownership, unlike many. DO NOT be careless & let more gpig babies into this world. So please everyone, do your research before you adopt! (From a shelter!) :)

[@rskibuk]

Sounds like you aren't using the appropriate under layers for the fleece method. If you are having to rinse that much urine out and there is a smell, you are either not changing it often enough, or you have too many pigs in a small area. If done correctly, the urine will be in the bottom layers, which should be pee pads or layers of newspaper.

[@furevercute5164]

rskibuk Can I use towels as a bottom layer?

[@hammysammy6189]

Ya forever cute she uses them underneath

[@emmabethke7125]

SoShinesAWearyWorld I think fleece is amazing it works for me

[@danieldrake6000]

Sounds like you have some REALLY bad fleece, then. Or a REALLY bad washer. I don't use any bottom layer, pick up all poops once a day, and I wash the liners once a week. Try getting some with Uhaul pads in between the fabrics, it works wonders. I wash mine once with no detergent (can stress pigs out), and then dry them without any additives and they come out nice and clean.

[@rskibuk]

Wash and dry three times in HOT water with fragrance free, color free detergent and one cup of white vinegar. If you follow those instructions, you will not have any issues.

[@rskibuk]

Make sure you are washing & drying 3 times with hot water, fragrance free & color free detergent and a cup of white vinegar. All 3 washes. Don't use any fabric softener or dryer sheets. That will usually wick any fleece. If you do use the thick velour type stuff, it doesn't wick as well. I purchase all of my fleece at JoAnns when the no sew blanket kits go on sale 1/2 off. They come with a cute printed piece & a solid, which will make a bottom liner, with flaps, top liner & some pee pads.

[@emmamckinney5102]

This is not a hate comment just to put that out there but if you ever think of getting another Guinea I think you should get a bigger cage as well and with every Guinea u have that’s how many water and food bowls u should have

[@rskibuk]

The hidey huts I get from Jen's Custom Crafts.

[@tammymorgan8766]

That is so awesome ... I just got my son a guinea pig for x-mas and have been watching video's and have to say that I love the custom stuff you have done!!!!! That is so cool!!!!! I think me and my son will be heading down to the fabric store and making some of these!!!!! and love the loft idea!!!!!! how do I check you out on FB?????

[@mary1412]

That was awesome! I just got 2 Guinea-Pigs for the first time and I can’t sew or anything 😭 I need some of those pee pads!!

[@nailtechtaylor3015]

Mary Mack I buy all of mine. I don’t sew either. Etsy has a few shops and I also found a couple on Instagram by searching Cavy fleece or guinea pig fleece.

[@christinamiranda8028]

Thank you this helped a lot I just got my pig

[@tlafleur8433]

Do your piggies ever play with the toys or see them?

[@lailaamer3275]

OK I know this is superrr old but like this was so helpful but I just wanna know when you have to change all of that like the pee pads and stuff cause I'm gon abuy guinea pigs and I'm looking for videos that could help me so if you see this wich you brobably don't cause this is old but if you do pls answer my question thank you and your a GREATTT owner

[@amberapparel2862]

You change the pee pads once a week and you only spot clean daily

[@spongeismad6935]

I think a very nice upgrade would be a 4x2. 4x2 is the minimum for a c&c cage. This cage is very nice. Just for ur info.

[@ada87]

Al Is great hers is bigger than a 4x2

[@veronicaandalon5163]

Wow really nice setup. Where did you get the purple plastic bin for the cage?

[@asyntheticsyn]

I got the same cage bongs and all, from the guinea pig store, theguineapigstore.com based in California great team they got.

[@helenvarner5787]

What size cage do you have? What are you using for a table to sit the cage on? Love how organized you are 😊

[@rattiegirl5]

I used pee pads and fleece in my old cage, but the boys chewed the fleece, then they pulled it up and nibbled on the pee pads. Now I am afraid to use anything I do not want inside the boys' stomachs.

[@ratmansimulator]

Do you need to wash fleece three times every change or just three times when the fleece is new?

[@shanemarchant6153]

mightymustachio you only have to wash the fleece when the fleece is new

[@jeryhenuhili9263]

I see you're using a 35 cm high grid for the cage. Can I use the 17 cm high grid? Can they jump out of the cage?

[@amberapparel2862]

They can't jump out cause they don't climb

[@saraandmikeyvlogs364]

How do u get your pets like your dog to get used to your guinea pigs my dog hates my guinea pig he keeps barking and jumping at the cage yes I do stop him but idk what to do

[@amberapparel2862]

Move your guinea pigs location