Guinea pigs or cavies as they are sometimes called are small social animals who need a comfortable environment in order to flourish. In pet care, guinea pig bedding is one of the fundamental aspects since it is their responsibility to keep pets properly bedded.
It is, however, important to mention that among other guinea pig care routines which are often widely publicized such as provision of food, exercise, and company, bedding comes last though it is one of the most important determinants of their health and happiness.
There is not only the proper bedding to promote guinea pig health, play a proper resting area, and keep the area clean and dry while eliminating unnecessary smell, but they also protect them from diverse in-clinic health problems such as respiratory tract infections, bumble foot or sore feet, and skin problems.
Because guinea pigs are housed most of the hours inside a cage, the place has to be most carefully suited, choosing the appropriate bedding type as it exposes them to a number of wellbeing problems in long term.
Yet, selecting the right bedding for your pet can be quite a daunting task owing to the availability of a multitude of bedding kinds such as paper, wood shavings, fleece liners, and hay. Similarly, having a wide choice of bedding materials is sometimes not a very good thing as not all can be used by guinea pigs. Cedar or pine shavings, for example, can produce toxic smoke; bedding that contains too much dust may cause respiratory problems for patient guinea pigs.
Consider for Guinea Pig bedding
Before going into the various bedding types, it’s necessary to explain the features that make a good bedding for guinea pigs. Each factor has a huge bearing on their comfort, health, as well as the ease in maintaining their habitat.
Absorbency
Cages of guinea pigs contain a lot of linens since guinea pigs tend to urinate a lot, and their fecal matter can make the bedding dirty quickly. If bedding is done in a material with no absorbent capabilities, the moisture will accumulate and in due time create a health hazard.
A wet bedding can also lead to skin diseases such as skin infections and bumblefoot whereby the latter results from being too exposed to urine leading to urinary track diseases. An absorbent bedding helps in keeping your guinea pig dry thus minimizing greater health risks.
There are bedding materials, for instance paper bedding and fleece liners that are highly absorbent and have the ability to drain moisture easily. Materials such as hay and certain types of wood shaving, on the other hand, do not get rid of moisture hence frequent replacement of the bedding may be required.
Odor Control
Odor is one of the most regular concerns faced by the owners of guinea pigs. As the guinea pig urine contains ammonia, it is necessary to mask the odors otherwise its quite simply too reeking. Appropriate bedding which does not just absorbs but also neutralizes odor is important to the proper maintenance of the cage.
There are some materials such as high-quality paper bedding that absorb all the odor, while other materials have a tendency to retain the odor unless cleaned on a regular basis or layered with something to conceal the odor. An odor preventing bedding material that can also be cleaned easily is something that is very necessary.
Safety
Safety should come first when bedding selection. Some areas have types of bedding which are embedded with toxins or other chemicals that are not good for your guinea pig. It’s well known that cedar and pine shavings contain phenols which are highly volatile to release and have been associated with respiratory diseases, allergies, and liver damage in small animals. Always go for bedding that says safe for small pets, is dust free and does not have chemicals.
Stay away from bedding that has a possibility of causing splinter, cause irritation on your guinea pig’s skin or establish digestive complications when chewed on. The bedding used by the guinea pigs are likely to be chewed so care has to be taken that the materials are non-toxic.
Comfort and Softness
Comfort is essential if you are to maintain a healthy family of guinea pigs. Guinea pigs need soft bedding to be able to burrow, make nests and sleep easily. Uneven surfaces tend to create pressure sores in the tender feet of the guinea pigs which leads to outgrowth of lymphatic infections. Some form of fleece bedding options and paper bedding are very soft and nice to their feet which allows them to rest comfortably.
This is especially the case for older guinea pigs and the ones that may have some ailments, as such pigs may prefer to lie more down and will need extra support for their joints and feet.
Dust Free Material
Dust is inhaled by animals during bedding activities and finds it’s way into the respiratory system which is quite often times out of the normal for guinea pig and other animals and thus may cause infections, allergies, and irritations among others. In such situations, it is essential to select suitable guinea pig bedding which contains either no or less dust. Most fleece liners and recycled paper bedding options do not have sand, while some wood shavings and even hay are allergens that aggravate risk of health problems.
Dusty surroundings worsen other already-present health issues like upper respiratory infectious which is very common in guinea pigs and should, therefore, be avoided at all costs. Availing less dusty bedding lowers incidence of disease.
Ease of Cleaning
Routine changes of the animal square and the bedding supplies in the guinea pig enclosure is necessary and the bedding material determines how the housing environment is kept clean. Some of soiled bedding materials such as fleece liners are washable and reusable while in the case of paper bedding and wood shavings all materials are replaced.
In the event that you keep more than one guinea pig or due to some other reasons you are just busy, you may want to choose a bedding option that is easy to clean and change without having to give it daily care. Nevertheless, spot cleaning must still be done frequently even for low maintenance bedding to keep the cage clean and healthy.
Types of Bedding for Guinea Pigs
There are a number of types of bedding that are used for guinea pigs, each of which has its own pros and cons. Below is a comprehensive summary of the most common bedding materials:
Paper Bedding
Bedding made out of paper is well-liked by many guinea pig owners and so it is. This type of bedding is made from recycled paper fibers which is gentle, highly porous, dustless and is readily biodegradable. It’s a great hygienic option that is comfortable and controls smells.
Advantages
- Absorbency: Paper bedding is highly absorbent which is one of the most effective methods of keeping the cage dry and minimizing the chances of contacting infections.
- Odor Control: Very good deodorants which keep unpleasant smells away and control odors, but when in rest rooms need to be replaced often.
- Safety: It is paper and not chemically treated making it safe for the guinea pigs and harmless for them to chew.
- Dust Free: This is very important for guinea pigs that have respiratory diseases, since it is nearly free of dust.
- Comfort: Feel soft and fuzzy making your pet’s habitat warm.
Disadvantages
- Cost: Paper bedding may prove costly when compared to the other options especially when one has to change it often.
- Frequent Changing: It might be required to change more often than fleece or wood shavings particularly in multiple guinea pig cages.
Discerning consumers of paper bedding such as Care fresh and Kaycee Clean & Cozy brands report that the bedding is soft, highly absorptive and reduces odor and they are often recommended by guinea pig owners.
Fleece Liners
While fleece bedding is popular among guinea pig s owners who appreciate its softness, eco- friendly and reusable nature. Fleece liners go well with an absorbent layer under them such as towels and activators that help to draw moisture away from the guinea pig.
Advantages
- Softness: Fleece bedding is so soft and comfortable that it is a excellent ideal for sensitive footed or aged guinea pigs.
- Eco-Friendly: Fleece bedding is quite hygienic and comes reusable which cuts on the amount of waste generated and even help you save some money in future.
- Cost-Effective: The initial costs of purchasing fleece liners may be a bit higher but they are reused hence you will eliminate costs of buying disposable bedding after some time.
- Flexible: The fleece liners can be cut according to the dimension of the cage and are available in bright colors and patterns for style.
- Immune to Dust: The use of fleece bedding prevents dust accumulation, which is good for guinea pigs suffering any respiratory diseases.
Disadvantages
- Maintenance: It is very common to dry and wash fleece as it tends to get soiled every now and then. The layers meant for absorption also require frequent washing to avoid unwanted smells.
- Odor Control: Fleece bedding may contain odor if washing is not done after a while. Proper washing of the fleece bedding from time to time is therefore very necessary.
Fleece bedding, on the other hand, is suitable for pet owners who are ready to put the effort required to maintain hygiene levels in the house and wish to use a durable and soft material for their pets.
Pellet Bedding
Another absorbent bedding alternative is pellet bedding, as it contains either recycled paper or compressed wood. Compared to the other bedding materials, it is more compact and heavier, which may not be very comfortable for guinea pigs but aid in controlling moisture very well.
Advantages
- Absorbency: The pelleted bedding is very absorbent hence a good aid towards wetting spots within a cage and retaining dryness within the cage.
- Odor Control: Because of its dense structure, it holds odors and moisture.
- Environment Friendly: Paper or wood pellets are biodegradable as they are made from recycled materials.
Disadvantages
- Comfort: One of the most common problems associated with the pelleted bedding is that the pellets can be rather hard making it uncomfortable for the guinea pigs to walk around or rest on. It is usually used in the lower parts beneath softer bedding.
- Dust: In some instances, there are quite dusty pet pellet beddings although many humbled sales persons do their best to avoid selling dusty bedding.
Conclusion
Selecting the best bedding for your guinea pig is a critical choice which will have an effect on their wellbeing and contentment. All bedding types equally have their pros and cons, thus it is reasonable to assess the degree of features like odor absorption performance, safety, and cleaning convenience before settling on one.
Paper bedding is highly preferred due to its great capacity to be able to absorb liquid, controlling excessive odors. Fleece liners are durable and and thus cost effective when used repeatedly although more work is required. Aspen shavings are a safe substitute for pine and cedar. Hay lighting provides a rel3atively safe lighting and bedding material but is not very absorbent.
