smelly cage?

Question
Hi Jules, we have just adopted two (supposedly) girl GP's (Ashleigh and Buttercup - named by my daughters!).  They were born in Dec and we have had them for nearly 3 weeks now.  Up till a few days ago they have not smelt at all and we have been cleaning them out 3 times a week, but they have recently become very smelly.  We have cleaned them out daily over the past 4 days and still they are smelling.  The piggies themselves smell sweet.  There is no sign of diahorrea (sp?) and we disinfect the base of the cage then place paper followed by wood shaving and hay.  Is is possible that they smell stronger whilst in season? as they are making a rumbling type noise every now and then also which they did not do when we first got them.  If you can help I would be most grateful as they are so sweet and should smell as sweet as they look!

Answer
Hi Rachael,

If you use news paper to line the bottom of the cage that could be the problem as news paper tends to stink. It also could be do to early signs of dehydration which can cause their pee and poop to smell stronger then normal. Also dehydration can lead to diarrhea, check their poops and if they seem softer then normal, look almost black and smell really strong then it is dehydration and really early signs of diarrhea. Also try cleaning the bottom and sides of the cage with a spray bottle filled with 1/2 plain white vinegar and 1/2 water. Wipe dry. Vinegar is also not only a great antibacterial agent but it is also a great natural deodorizer.

If none of the above helps in killing the smell then it is possibly do to early dehydration. Watch them to see how much water they are drinking. If they aren't drinking as much water as they use to or even just one of them isn't drinking as much as the other, give them or the one who isn't drinking as much before the smell start, give some Pedialite or Dioralyte every hour from a dropper. Also give some water from the dropper every time you give the Pedialite or Dioralyte. It'll help in getting them or one hydrated again and in 3 days the smell should stop and be fresh smelling again.

Other then that there is no other real explanation for the smell.

I hope this helps,
 Take care,
   Jules