bedding?

Question
Hi Laura,

sorry for the many questions.

I am going to be going to the pet store to get some bedding for my guinea pigs, but i dont know which kind i should get.
Ok, so i need a bedding that is comfortable for my piggies but also something that will absorb things quiet well. Their watter bottle had a little ball in it to keep from leaking but when we were emptying it, it fell out, so i am going to get a new bottle. but my question is mostly what type of bedding is best for comfortable wise and absorbant.
we built there cage out of wood so if something leaks it goes into the wood and then making it easy to rott.
another questoin if i may ask.
is it possible that i may be able to buy smooth rubber of some type and put it on the bottom of the cage so it will stop the water or other messes from leaking into the wood w/ out making it harmful for the piggy. so i guess wat im trying to say is that is the rubber going to be dangerous or harmful to my guinea pigs?

thanx so much for helping me with my other questions.

-becca

Answer
Hi Becca,

Don't worry about all the questions. It's what I'm here for! It's much better to ask and to learn, than to carry on not knowing.

I can't say exactly what bedding will be perfect for you. I will, instead, list the beddings NOT to get:

Cedar
Pine
Corn-cob
Straw
Sawdust

Personally I use fleece, with towel and newspaper underneath to absorb the wetness wicked through to them by the fleece. This leaves the surface of the fleece dry, and it is very comfy and very cheap (you vacuum and shake the fleece, then wash, dry and re-use instead of buying over and over again).

You could purchase some linoleum or coroplast (corrugated plastic, also known as correx and corflute) to line the hutch. It is wise to protect the wood, since, as you said, it will rot over time.

Best Wishes,

- Laura
www.cavy-care.com