Review of the Best Guinea Pig Bedding
Having guinea pigs as a pet can be an amazing experience, but as they spend most of their time in their habitat, it's important to take all steps to ensure the safety and comfort of your beloved pet. In a guinea pig house, guinea pig bed is probably the most important piece of accessory. While there are many options available, you need to pick the best bedding for guinea pigs while paying attention to the material, which should be cozy and comfortable but highly absorbent at the same time. Here are some of the very best options to help you select the best guinea pig bedding.
The Best Guinea Pig Bedding: Our Top Picks
GuineaDad Fleece Liner
BEST Eco-friendly
Rated by: Amber
Purina Unscented Paper Pellets
BEST OVERALL
Rated by: Amber
Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
Best in comfort
Rated by: Amber
1. GuineaDad Fleece Liner
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for an eco-friendly way to create a good habitat for your guinea pig, you may want to buy this fleece liner for sure. With its thick padding packed in between layers of soft fleece, it's sure to keep your pet comfortable. Consider it more like a mattress for your rodent.
The use of hypoallergenic material means you don’t need to feel concerned about the health of your of pet. It's extra absorbent and is antibacterial as well. Therefore, it plays a good role in preventing common infections and diseases. The waterproof bottom is also an added benefit. Just keep in mind that you have to spend a lot of time washing the pad, especially if it gets very dirty.
PROS
CONS
2. Purina Unscented Paper Pellets
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for paper bedding, Purina has the right solution. It's the unscented version, so you don't need to worry about any health problems in your pigs. It's capable of absorbing odors quite effectively too, so no more stinking pig cage.
It doesn’t use any chemicals and is non-toxic and eco-friendly at the same time – it uses recycled paper. It means that there won't be any health problems even if your pet ingests it. Another good feature is that it's non-clumping, so cleaning won't be an issue. Moreover, it's soft and paw-friendly, which is why it's safe for your small furry friends.
Overall, it's a rather affordable bedding option to consider, but keep in mind that it absorbs quite extensively and can get heavy when cleaning. It's therefore important to clean it more often to avoid any issue.
PROS
CONS
3. Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
It's a good option for pet owners looking for natural small animal bedding, as it's safe and comfortable for your furry friend. It has an amazing ability to absorb waste. At the same time, it won't disappoint you with its odor absorbing potential.
A good thing is that it's not made using recycled printed paper, and uses unbleached fibers only to ensure that your pigs don't experience any health issues whatsoever. Interestingly, the paper bedding doesn't use trees actually and are made using left-over food grade material, which is why it's no-toxic and safe to use.
It's available in a compact size, but it still yields high volume, so storage is not going to be an issue whatsoever. The only thing to keep in mind is that it may be a bit more expensive as compared to other similar bedding options.
PROS
CONS
FAQ - A Buyer's Guide
Guinea pigs can make your life exciting in so many ways, but you need to ensure that your furry friends are happy, comfortable, and healthy in their habitat. Managing odors can be tricky and is an important consideration when selecting bedding. You have to do your research and opt for the best bedding for guinea pig odor control. Similarly, you need to ensure that your guinea pig beds don't pose any health hazards. Understand that not every bedding available in the market today is the same and they all have their pros and cons. Not all of them are safe for guinea pigs, be sure to educate yourself about the bedding types before finalizing your decision.
Is Fleece Bedding Better for Guinea Pigs?
Finding the right bedding for your guinea pigs can put you in some trouble because of various options available today. Some people think that they don't need to use bedding at all and turn to fleece instead. If you've never considered the option, you may think it's not the right thing to do. The truth is that you can use fleece in your guinea pig cage. This unique material is actually a good choice because it doesn't absorb the water but allows the liquid to pass through it. This is the reason why cleaning and washing it often won't be a hassle and you'll be able to keep your guinea pigs healthy and comfortable.
So many people still believe that going for wood shavings is probably the better choice, but you may want to avoid it if you're looking for a relatively cheaper way to provide your guinea pigs with a comfortable living environment. Buying bag after bag can make it expensive to use wood shavings, but you can buy separate yards of fleece and keep using them for long. Moreover, you may want to try fleece if you're looking for a more eco-friendly option to keep your guinea pigs healthy. Obviously, you'll be causing less waste by reusing fleece.
Another great reason to switch to fleece is that it's available in a variety of colors and patterns. Going for something that suits your existing décor is a great idea, but new colors would also make your guinea pigs happy. By using fleece for guinea pigs, you'll also be in a better position to clean the cage often. In most cases, you can get away with spot cleaning. It also means the cage will look a lot cleaner as well as stylish with the use of fleece bedding for guinea pigs.
For odors, fleece is a nice option too, especially because you can wash it often. And as it's soft, it's never going to be harsh on the tiny feet of your guinea pigs. However, it's worth mentioning that quite like other bedding materials, fleece will have certain issues. For instance, the issue of static cling is real. The good thing is that you can tackle the issue by adding some white vinegar to the mix when washing the fleece bedding, as it works as a natural fabric softener to reduce static cling without affecting the beneficial properties associated with fleece.
Another common issue is to deal with pesky hair. Guinea pigs will shed, but some of them are likely to shed more, and that's when using fleece bedding may cause some concerns. A simple solution would be to use a lint roller to get rid of any excess hair you find stuck to the bedding. Use it before washing the fleece and it'll work perfectly.
If you're willing to invest some money to provide your guinea pig with a perfect living environment, it may be a good idea to buy some binder clips along with fleece bedding. These clips work flawlessly to keep the bedding tied to the cage. Similarly, you may consider using leftover fleece to make it an even impressive abode for your furry friend. Cutting up leftover fleece would help make piggy tents and give your pet a chance to play hide and seek.
So, keep in mind that using fleece in place of bedding makes a lot of sense, but you may have to pay attention to identifying problems early and find a fix to ensure nothing hurts your guinea pig.
How Often Should You Change Guinea Pig Bedding?
The simple answer is, change it whenever it seems necessary!
It means you should not ignore the need to change the bedding of your guinea pigs or else it might cause health concerns. You should look for signs of dampness and bad odor to know it's time to change it. But, even if you're keeping things tidy and doing spot cleaning every other day, it still makes sense to change the bedding at least once every week. You may need to change it early though, depending on how many guinea pigs are there in the cage and how much time they spend together in the hutch. It means, you'll be better off using your own mind and following common sense to determine the level of care your guinea pig requires. Don't wait for the date you've chosen for cleaning – change it if you think it needs to be changed!
The type of bedding used in your guinea pigs' habitat will also have a huge impact on how often it needs cleaning. For instance, so many pig parents go for paper pellet bedding mainly because it's relatively easier to clean. You can also find recycled paper pellet litter to make things easier, as it's dust-free and comes with odor-controlling properties. If you're using this type of bedding, you should be changing it once a week. You may have to bend the rule a little, though, if there are multiple guinea pigs in a small cage.
Similarly, you may be one of those pig parents who use fleece bedding. Buying thick, washable fleece pads is often a good idea because it helps keep your guinea pigs comfortable and simplifies cleaning too. The good thing is that it's only mildly absorbent, but you should still be ready to clean it frequently. While it's among the most comfortable options for your pets, it's better to wash it more often, usually every 4 days.
Other than these two beddings for guinea pigs, you might find other options too, such as softwood shavings. It may not require as much maintenance as fleece, but it can be a big dangerous for your guinea pig. Surely, it's the cheapest bedding option, and is usually the choice for newbie guinea pig owners. It's better to avoid these softwood shavings, like pine or cedar because their oils and dust can be harmful for your pet's lungs.
Can Guinea Pigs Use Paper Bedding?
Pig owners looking for the best pig bedding option often consider going for fleece, but paper bedding is also a popular choice these days. It works because it's absorbent, soft, and effective in controlling odor. It means, you can surely use paper bedding for your small animals.
However, it's also important to understand that not all of these products are created equal – they're actually available in varying types and qualities. If you're looking for something soft and comfortable, be prepared to do your research, and here's what you should know about using paper bedding:
- Not all types of paper bedding products are the same in terms of comfort. Some of them may look extremely rough, while others may be a bit on the softer side. Similarly, some of these products may absorb urine quite effectively, while others may not absorb at all. If it's not absorbent, you'll find yourself in trouble dealing with the stink.
- Remember that paper bedding brands offer products that vary greatly for the amount of dust they carry. If it's really dusty, it's not a good bedding choice for your guinea pig, as it can cause health related problems, including respiratory difficulties and allergies. Cleaning these paper bedding products would be a lot trickier too.
It implies that if you can't find the high quality product, you may be better off staying away from paper bedding for guinea pig. The best bedding material is less dusty and messy, which means it will be easier to clean. Moreover, if it's not a quality product, there's always a risk of small animals ingesting the paper bedding. This can lead to the formation of wet balls in their stomach, which can be a life-threatening complication.
If you really want to use paper bedding, go for a high quality product and watch your guinea pig carefully to notice if they like to eat it or not. Avoid this bedding type if you notice there's a risk they'll ingest it.
What is the Cheapest Bedding for Guinea Pigs?
House guinea pigs are very sensitive and needs perfect living conditions in their cages, so it's important that you don't try to cut corners when buying guinea pig bedding. Using fleece is usually the better option, as it's rather affordable, easy to clean, and comfortable for your furry friend. Nevertheless, you can always find some cheaper bedding options too. For instance:
- You can buy softwood shavings or chips like pine and cedar to keep your pet comfortable instead the cage. While it may seem to work initially, it always carries a risk to cause health problems in your cavies. If you really want to use this bedding type, it's better to choose kiln-dried pine shavings, as they're less likely to have the harmful oils and phenols.
- You can choose to go with straw if you really don't want to spend much on finding bedding for your pet. Many guinea pig owners believe it works because rodents likely to nibble on hay, so they're surely going to love the drier version, called straw. It may not be the best choice for a habitat liner mainly because it lacks absorbent qualities. Your pet might like it for a while, but both you and your furry friend would hate it when feces and urine starts to pool in the straw material. Moreover, not using it correctly could create a danger to sensitive ears, eyes, feet, and nose of your cavies.
- You may consider using clumping cat litter as a habitat liner and get good results too because it has the ability to clump feces and urine, but know that it's not designed to be "lived in" and your furry friend would hate you for that. It may have good odor neutralizing properties, but it can be damaging to the tiny paws of your guinea pig.
It implies that you can surely find various bedding options these days, and they might not cost a lot, but understand that you should choose what's best for your furry friend. So, take your time to decide if odor control and maintenance is all that you care about or you want your little friend to be happy and healthy too.
Buy the Best Guinea Pig Bedding
Going for the best bedding that offers odor control and is easy to maintain is important, but you may have to conduct some research and compare a few options to finalize a buying decision. If confused, you may want to buy Pet Select Paper Bedding, which is non-toxic, comfortable, and effective. Try today!
About the Author Steven
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