Your guinea pig spends a lot of time in its home habitat, so you want it to be cozy and happy. Not all bedding is created equal, and some may even harm your guinea pig. You will want to use the best bedding that keeps them comfortable but also minimizes odors.
There are several types of bedding available to use in your pet’s habitat. Many guinea pig owners prefer eco-friendly paper bedding because it’s highly absorbent, safe, and ultra-soft. That is why Carefresh Small Pet Bedding — Natural is our top choice for your pet.
Wood shavings are one of the cheaper options available to use as guinea pig bedding. Woods that are safe to use for bedding are aspen, ash or kiln-dried pine. Sawdust is never an acceptable bedding option due to the large amount of dust, which can be hazardous to guinea pigs’ health.
Some guinea pig owners opt to use towels or linen to line their cage. This can be a reusable and environmentally friendly bedding option, but it’s not without its cons. This type of bedding is not as good at moisture control and needs to be changed more frequently or it will get smelly quickly.
Paper bedding is one of the softest materials that you can use for your guinea pig habitat. It offers some of the best odor control and has a very low dust content. This bedding is biodegradable and compostable as well. Not all paper bedding is created equal, and you should avoid using newspaper, as the ink will rub off on your pet.
This type of bedding has become more popular recently because it is another reusable, environmentally friendly solution to lining your pet’s cage. The fleece is often paired with an absorbent layer or mat underneath, but it still has the same drawbacks as the cloth bedding: It requires more maintenance, and the odor control is minimal.
Never use cat litter for your guinea pig cage. It is not designed for the tiny feet of your pet. Avoid natural products like straw or corn husks, because they will not absorb urine or feces, and can create an unsafe habitat.
The best guinea pig bedding will be comfortable and soft. Bedding that is too abrasive can harm your guinea pig’s feet by causing painful sores to appear. Paper bedding is generally more comfortable than wood shavings.
It is essential that your guinea pig bedding is highly absorbent. Not only do your guinea pigs potty in their cage, but water bottles are also often prone to leaking. Wet bedding can make your pets sick, so the more water it can absorb, the healthier your pet will be.
No one likes a smelly cage, least of all your guinea pig. The best guinea pig bedding will control odor in between cage cleanings. Beware of scented products or wood beddings that have natural odor control, like cedar or pine, as these woods’ natural oils and scents can cause respiratory issues in your pet.
Guinea pig bedding with low to no dust is a great choice to use in your pet’s habitat. Guinea pigs are active, excitable animals that often run around and kick up loads of dust. This dust isn’t good for you to breathe in, and will also cause your pet respiratory issues.
As the size of your pet’s habitat varies, so does the amount of bedding you will need to use. Smaller packages of bedding cost around $6, larger ones can cost up to $20 and custom-made fleece liners can cost upwards of $100.
A. Anything that goes into your pet’s cage may end up in its mouth. Not all piggies will eat their bedding, but be sure to monitor your pet to make sure it does not ingest large amounts of bedding.
A. Your cage should be spot-cleaned several times a week. Spot cleaning involves targeting the high-traffic bathroom spots and replacing the bedding in that area. Aim to fully clean and disinfect your guinea pig cage at least once a week, including the cage, water bottle, bowls, toys, and houses.
Carefresh Small Animal Bedding — Natural
What you need to know: This soft and fluffy bedding is not only comfortable but is highly absorbent and provides great odor control.
What you’ll love: Carefresh bedding absorbs up to three times more liquid than wood shavings and is made up of natural reclaimed paper, making it a very eco-friendly choice. It is also nearly 100% dust-free, and quite soft.
What you should consider: This bedding needs to be changed every five to seven days or it will break down into a mushy substance.
Where to buy: Sold by Petsmart, Amazon, and Chewy
What you need to know: GuineaDad liners are a dust-free absorbent liner that is comfortable for your pet and easy for you to clean.
What you’ll love: These fleece liners include a burrow pocket that allows your pet to follow its natural burrowing instinct. It’s made with high-quality materials that are very absorbent and safe to use in your guinea pig habitat.
What you should consider: The GuineaDad liners are quite expensive and require regular cleaning in a washing machine.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Small Pet Select Aspen Bedding
What you need to know: This aspen bedding is kiln-dried with no additives, making it safe for use in your guinea pig cage.
What you’ll love: Aspen bedding is made from the shaved wood of logs, making it compostable and recyclable. It’s considered 99% dust-free and on the approved list of safe woods for guinea pigs.
What you should consider: Shaved wood bedding is not as comfortable for your pet as softer, paper-based bedding.
Where to buy: Sold by Chewy and Amazon
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Vanessa Wade writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
