Can You Use Cat Litter for Guinea Pigs? Vet-Authorised Well being Considerations, Ideas, & FAQ

The data is present and up-to-date in accordance with the newest veterinarian analysis.

Be taught extra »

So, you’d wish to litter practice your guinea pig and also you’re questioning if you should utilize cat litter. Until you’re utilizing recycled paper, such because the model Breeders Alternative Cat Litter, it’s unsafe to make use of any type of cat litter in your guinea pigs’ atmosphere.

On this article, you’ll study why cat litter will not be really useful in your guinea pigs and what litter you should utilize for potty coaching.

Well being Considerations Concerning Cat Litter

Cat litter is unsafe for guinea pigs for a lot of causes. Most cat homeowners desire clumping or clay litter, which is unhealthy and harmful  in your guinea pigs’ digestion and respiratory operate.  Beneath are the hazards that cat litter can pose to your piggy:

It’s best to discover a appropriate various in your guinea pigs to stay on, and there are a variety of excellent choices mentioned later on this article.

Intestinal Blockage: Cat litter is designed to take in urine. When your cat makes use of its litter field, the litter expands. In case your guinea pig had been to ingest any litter used for cats, it might develop of their stomachs, and it might be troublesome to go a bowel motion, resulting in constipation and the potential for an intestinal blockage.

Digestion Points: Digestive points in guinea pigs may cause weight reduction,¹ diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration. These indicators are, in some circumstances, deadly. The mud and supplies utilized in cat litter will trigger your guinea pig distressing signs, so it’s finest to keep away from cat litter in any respect prices.

Respiratory Infections: Cat litter accommodates silica, which has been discovered to trigger respiratory illness in folks. It may be assumed that cat litter mud can be not good in your guinea pig, so it’s best averted. In terms of cat litter that claims to be clumping or clay-based it’s finest to maintain it away out of your guinea pigs. In case you have cats and guinea pigs, retaining the litter field as distant out of your guinea pigs as potential is the most secure choice.   Do not forget that cat litter can get caught to your cats’ ft and tracked round the home. In the event you permit your guinea pig to roam free, at all times sweep your flooring earlier than your guinea pigs come out.

Is There Any Acceptable Cat Litter?

Some pet homeowners use pellet kinds of cat litter derived from wooden, wheat, or corn. Pellet-style paper based mostly litter is a well-liked and protected alternative for rabbits, cats, and guinea pigs. One other acceptable litter model is Breeders Alternative Cat Litter, derived from recycled paper.  Make sure to not get Breeders Alternative Plus cat litter as this accommodates an additive which may not be protected in your piggy.  It is very important keep away from wheat or corn based mostly litters as they will go mouldy shortly.  Paper or wooden based mostly pellets are protected litter choices in your guinea pigs so long as they don’t comprise any added chemical substances and are toxin free.  It is very important keep away from any pine or cedar wooden based mostly substrates as a result of they provide off fragrant oils (phenols) which might be dangerous to guinea pigs.

It’s best to keep away from utilizing pine, cedar, or straw in your guinea pig’s substrate.  Straw has sharp edges which will poke and hurt your guinea pigs, whereas pine and cedar might comprise harsh chemical substances. Nonetheless, kiln-dried wooden removes toxins within the wooden and due to this fact is protected sufficient in your guinea pig’s habitat.

Setting Up a Guinea Pig Litter Field

Guinea pigs may be litter educated, though it might take a while.

There are two forms of pooping behaviors with regards to guinea pigs. The poop-anywhere piggy, or the one-spot-only piggy. In case you have a piggy who likes to poop in a single spot, it is going to make the coaching smoother.

Preserve going even when your guinea pig doesn’t use their litter tray at first. Keep affected person and observant, and persistently reward them for his or her habits. Make it possible for the tray is simple for them to get out and in of.

Ideas for Correct Guinea Pig Bedding

When searching for the right bedding in your guinea pig, keep in mind that they was once wild cavies who lived in grassy areas the place they’d forage for meals, burrow away from predators, and stay collectively as a unit.

You’ll wish to hold their atmosphere as protected and toxin-free as potential. Protected bedding consists of paper materials, fleece bedding, or kiln-dried wooden shavings.  Good high quality hay ought to make up the vast majority of a guinea pig’s weight loss program and ought to be obtainable always.  That is completely important in your guinea pigs to maintain their digestion and enamel in good well being.

Cleansing out your guinea pigs home is crucial for his or her well being and ought to be accomplished as soon as to twice every week.  Eradicating droppings and outdated vegetable scraps day by day is really useful.  Keep in mind to make use of a guinea-pig protected disinfectant when cleansing your piggy’s hutch reminiscent of Oxyfresh Crate & Cage Cleansing Spray

Keep in mind, in case you are involved about your guinea pig in any method, it’s at all times finest to make an appointment along with your vet for a check-up.  Guinea pigs are significantly vulnerable to respiratory and dental illnesses so any indicators of sneezing, nasal/eye discharge, quick respiratory, poor urge for food, discount in poop manufacturing or some other uncommon behaviour, make an appointment pronto.

Ultimate Phrases

So, can you utilize cat litter in your guinea pigs? The quick reply is not any. Clumping, clay, silica, or different business manufacturers are harmful to guinea pigs and may trigger deadly well being points in your guinea pig. Recycled newspaper merchandise, shredded paper, fleece, or aspen shavings are really useful for guinea pig bedding to keep away from the dangers talked about above. If you personal a cat and a guinea pig, retaining your cat’s litter field distant out of your guinea pigs is a good suggestion. It’s suggested that you simply use a guinea pig-safe substrate in your cat’s litter field e.g. a paper-based pellet to keep away from any pointless danger to your piggy. Do not forget that guinea pigs are prey animals and due to this fact don’t present apparent indicators of sickness till they’re actually fairly unwell. Make an pressing appointment along with your vet in case you are in any respect involved about your guinea pig.

Featured Picture Credit score: Aurelie Le Moigne, Shutterstock