A clean cage is a happy guinea pig. So what do you do when you run out of bedding and your buddy needs to be cleaned? You may have to search your home for another option, whether you are waiting for new bedding delivery or cannot order until payday.
It is essential that your guinea pigs have clean cages. This makes it important to not put off housekeeping chores just because you don’t have commercial bedding. We’ve compiled this list of six great options for guinea bedding. Our goal is to help you find the right one for your home. You’ve read about the options, but you should also know what you shouldn’t use for alternative bedding.
1. Fleece
Making fleece liners for your Guinea Pig’s cage is the best and most cost-effective option. While it will need to be cleaned and washed frequently to keep the cage clean, it can also be very cost-effective if you have multiple liners that you can rotate.
Jessica from The Cavy House Youtube has a great video about how to make new fleece for guinea-pig bedding. You can find it here.
2. Shredded cardboard
You can make any cardboard box suitable bedding for your guinea pigs with a bit of elbow grease. As scissors can leave sharp edges which could hurt your guinea pigs’ feet, we recommend that you tear them as much as possible with your hands. You can save your old shipping boxes but make sure you remove the labels before making them into the bedding.
3. Hay
You may have noticed that guinea pigs love to throw food around. This can be used to make fresh bedding by repurposing hay that has been stale.
4. Straw
Straw is often used as mulch in gardens. It can be used as bedding temporarily if you have some in your shed. However, straw is not very absorbent so you don’t want it to last long.
5. Shredded Paper
You can easily tear apart junk mail, old school assignments, and work documents to make new bedding for your guinea. The chemicals and ink in many printed papers can cause harm to your guineas.
6. Newspaper
Newspaper can also be used as bedding for guinea pigs, just like the shredded papers mentioned above. Many cafes and bookstores just throw away their old newspapers so there is always a steady supply. Another problem is the ink and chemicals used to treat newspapers. It can be used in a pinch but not as a regular practice.
What to NOT Use for Guinea Pig Bedding
When you are looking at your options for bedding, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Cedar and pine are two of the most common softwood shavings. Hardwoods can be used as bedding but they are not absorbent enough to be considered a good choice. However, volatile chemicals in softwood can cause serious injuries to your guinea pig. Avoid any product that has softwood as an ingredient.
- Your guinea pig can inhale cat litter, which is too dangerous and dusty. It should be kept for your cat’s litterbox, but not used as bedding.
- Although corn cob can be used as animal bedding on many farms, it is not suitable for guinea pigs. Although corn cob can be attractive to pets, it can cause digestive problems if consumed.
How to choose safe bedding for your Guinea Pig
You should choose to bed for your Guinea Pig which has three qualities. It should have:
- It should be absorbent as your guinea pig will likely use it as a bathroom. Your guinea can become cold and wet if the bedding isn’t able to absorb liquids.
- Your guinea pig might decide to try some of the bedding to determine if it is good enough to eat.
- You must be able to resist mold and mildew as they can quickly cause respiratory problems in your pet.
- You should have these guidelines and the above-mentioned household items in mind so it is easy to find suitable bedding for your guinea.
Last Thoughts
As long as you have the following household items, running out of bedding for your guinea pigs doesn’t need to be alarming. You can prepare for anything by making a set of fleece pads for your pet’s house. This way, if your pet ever needs bedding, you will always have an alternative.
What can I use for guinea pig bedding at home?
The most common bedding substrates for guinea pigs are fleece cage liners, fabric, paper, and wood shavings. Fleece cage liners: These are quickly becoming a popular alternative, particularly for indoor guinea pigs. Not all fleece liners are created equal.
What is the most convenient bedding for guinea pigs?
Guinea Pigs may nest in a variety of bedding materials, including paper, fleece, wood, and hay. The finest bedding for your Guinea Pig is made of paper or fleece.
Do guinea pigs like to sleep with their heads covered?
Covering your guinea pigs at night is not essential. If you suspect your guinea pig is chilly, I recommend partially covering the cage, but not completely, since this will interfere with appropriate airflow.
Do guinea pigs sleep with pillows?
You’d be shocked to learn that guinea pigs, like humans, enjoy having pillows for their heads, so get a couple and set them in their favorite locations to relax.
What soothes a guinea pig?
Water, like food, should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to let the guinea pig feel at ease. Thirst can heighten their natural instincts, making them warier. Bedding that is soft and secure.
Do guinea pigs require a toilet?
The majority of the time, guinea pigs will urinate in the same location. If there is any form of shelter in the cage, it is most likely where they will do their business. These activities are frequently performed instinctively in order to avoid attracting predators. Place the litter box there.
Can guinea pigs go to the bathroom?
Guinea pigs may be trained to use a litter box to relieve themselves. Some people learn rapidly, while others never learn. That’s the way it is. Remember that it is not your guinea pig’s fault if they defecate outside the litter box – accidents happen or they just forget.
What else can I use in place of bedding?
Making pillows out of buckwheat hulls or wool batting is an easy way to green your bed.
Can shredded paper be used as guinea pig bedding?
Shredded paper is not suitable for guinea pig bedding. One reason for this is that it has most likely been printed on, and this might contain chemicals that are harmful to your little dogs. Second, guinea pig paper bedding is soft and fluffy, whereas shredded paper is not.
Can guinea pigs be given toilet paper rolls?
It is OK to use toilet paper rolls. Even www.guineapigcages.com promotes them as a toy. Just remember to cut it lengthwise, as stated in the first post.