Best Bedding for Guinea pigs

Your guinea pig is your adorable furball, and being a proud parent, providing him with a clean and safe home is very important. Bedding is one of the most important parts! With so many options out there, choosing the best guinea pig bedding can be daunting.

The good news is that I’m here to tell you that you’re covered! In this guide, we’re going to talk about how to pick the best type of bedding, what to avoid, and some seasoned tech on how to keep your guinea pig enclosure fresh and snug.

To Look Out for Good Guinea Pig Bedding

Before we drown ourselves in details of each individual type, let’s talk a little bit about what you need to ask yourself when making your pick:

-Absorbency: Guinea pigs go all over the place, a lot. So, it’s only sorted out by bedding that takes up quite a bit of water.

-Odor-Control: Smelly cage, nobody wants that. Good bedding will help neutralize these types of odors.

-Comfort: Soft, gentle materials make a really happy guinea pig and prevent injuries.

-Dust-free: Respiratory problems are linked with divisions that are very dusty, so none of that.

-A Safe-to-Chew Material: A guinea pig will chew on anything, so whatever you choose needs to be nontoxic.

Best Guinea Pig Bedding Types

These are some best bedding for your Guinea Pig in my opinion

1. Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs (Best for Reusability and Comfort)

Used by most guinea pig owners, fleece liners are the ideal means of creating a cozy, reuse and not costly bedding solution. They wick away moisture, leaving your piggies dry and happy.

Pros:

Very soft and comfortable

It is reusable and environmentally friendly

Superior odor control with regular washing

Economic in long term

Cons:

Frequently washed (every 2-3 days)

Costs more as compared with disposable options

Pro Tip: You can use absorbent “layers,” such as U-Haul pads or towels underneath the fleece for moisture control.

2. Paper Bedding for Guinea Pigs (Best for Absorbency & Odor

The paper bedding is made from paper, which could be used and thrown away. It’s soft, absorbent, and low-dust. This is the reason why Carefresh and Small Pet Select form great paper bedding options.

Pros-

Good absorbency

Terrific odor control

Soft & Comfortable

General ally low in dust

Cons-

Can turn expensive as an investment in the long run

Needs to be cleaned multiple times in a day to keep it fresh

Pro Tip: Avoid artificially perfumed paper as the aroma can irritate guinea pig respiratory systems.

3. Aspen Bedding for Guinea Pigs (Best for Natural Bedding Lovers)

Aspen serves as the safe alternative to cedar and pine-based wood beddings, as both can be pretty deleterious. This bedding is absorbent, has a nice natural smell, and controls odors quite well.

Pros:

Natural and safe for Guinea pig

Good odor control

Cheaper compared to fleece or paper

Cons:

May be dusty-choose kiln-dried aspen to reduce this

Requires continuous spot-cleaning

Pro Tip: Ensure that the aspen shavings are kiln-dried to minimize dust and oils.

4. Hay Bedding (Optimal for Combining Comfort and Nutritional Aspects)

Although not usually the first option as bedding hay can add value in form of being utilized as a secondary type of bedding. Particularly that guinea pigs eat lots of hay, it will be advantageous to use it within the bedding cage system.

Pros:

Edible and nontoxic

Environment-friendly and easily biodegradable

Improves distribution of weight

Cons:

It is not very porous

Regular change needed to avoid mildew attack

Pro Tip: The more recommended way is to use hay on top rather than using as the main bedding material for better sanitize.

Which Bedding Is the Best for Guinea Pigs in Everyday Life – as well as Smell?

Best Bedding for Guinea pigs

The most critical thing for a guinea pig owner is to deal with smell. And the suitable choices of bedding for that are as follows:

Fleece Liners: Great for eliminating a lot of smells, as long as they are washed properly, that is.

Paper Bedding: Very absorbent material which also diminishes the odors.

Aspen Shavings: Outer smell is forest floor enhancing perception of unwelcome odors.

Pro Tip: Pick up a cleaning tool every day and thoroughly change the bedding every second day to prevent any smell.

Best Bedding For Outdoor Guinea Pigs

For those whose guinea pigs escape the confines of four walls, his/her beddings need to be given special attention. Lubricate bedding should keep the animal warm and safe from water and give comfort. Those options are:

Thick Layers of Paper Bedding: Adds comfort and absorbs any moisture.

Aspen Shavings: Best bedding for outdoor setup due to its natural properties.

Hay Bedding: It is insulating and gives an edible feel.

Fleece Liners (in Covered Areas): Appropriate where it is out of the elements.

Pro Tip: Always use insulation when placing them in an outdoor setting that does not provide any eave above the living space thank.

Types of bedding to stay away from

There are some cushioning materials that are harmful and should not be used for guinea pigs. Here are some of such:

– Cedar and pine shavings – These items are strictly harmful since they are found to release dangerous volatile oils which are said to be dangerous to the respiratory system of guinea pigs.

– Cat litter – The cat litter is too rough and it can cause harm if swallowed

– Instead, try corn cob bedding – It is soft, but there are issues associated with dampness leading to the growth of mold and problems if the pig eats the cob.

– Finally, you should avoid putting a guinea pig on newspaper with ink, as this can lead to poisoning and turning the pig’s fur an ugly colour.

How Frequent Should You Change Guinea Pig Bedding?

Regarding the hygiene standards of the guinea pigs’ habitat, these are the fair rules:

Every day just get rid of rubbish: this means only that you need to clean some dirty places and take out the droppings and dirty pieces from the bedding.

– When using paper cat’s bedding, hay, and aspen: these types of bedding except the fleece are changed completely every 2-3 days to prevent the smelly odor and the growth or accumulation of endemic bacteria.

– This kind of bedding should be machine washed every 3-4 days for 3-4piggies, that is how I do. It is very cheap and less time consuming in the laundry room. – Worry about other aspects of pig care.

FAQs

Q: Which guinea pig bedding would you consider to be the least expensive?

A: Aspen shavings and fleece liners in the long-run are among the most budget-conscious options available.

Q: Is it possible to use towels as guinea pig bedding?

– Yes! Many people use towels beneath fleece liners as absorbent lining.

Q: What can be done to lessen the odor in the guinea pig cages?

– The cages need to be cleaned on time, bedding with high absorbency needs to be used and also make sure the place is well ventilated.

Q: Does guinea pig bedding include sand?

– Absolutely! It is not recommended as sand really is hazardous especially for children.

Conclusion

Deciding on the correct bed of your guinea pig depends on your pig’s individual preference and his or her lifestyle. Fleece liners provide a beneficial option when you want to re-use the bedding, while paper beddings are great in terms of their absorbance quality and comfort. Aspen shavings and hay are also beneficial when applied in the correct way. The only thing to keep in mind as said before, is to always put your guinea pig’s needs and health beforehand!

What is your favorite type of bedding for your guinea pig? Share with us in the comments section!

|The Fluffy Duo Team 🐰