Guinea Pig Litter Field Concepts to Preserve the Mess at a Minimal

Do you know that guinea pigs can use litter bins? Whereas they can’t be reliably litter skilled, the best set-up could make cage cleansing quicker and simpler.

The very best guinea pig litter bins are straightforward to scrub with strong, waterproof bottoms. They’re giant sufficient for each certainly one of your guinea pigs to suit inside whereas consuming hay and have shallow sides to allow them to climb in simply.

On this article, we’ll focus on every thing there’s to find out about guinea pig litter bins, together with litter field concepts and what to place inside.

Can Guinea Pigs Be Litter Field Skilled?

Whereas having a litter field to your guinea pigs could make clean-up quite a bit simpler, it’s vital to have lifelike expectations. The very first thing to know is that guinea pigs can’t be reliably litter skilled.

That stated, they do are likely to poop and pee as they eat. We will reap the benefits of this by making a litter field (additionally generally referred to as a “kitchen”) with hay inside. Guinea pigs will hop into the field to entry their hay and go potty within the field as they munch away.

You’ll nonetheless discover poop and pee all through the cage and particularly of their sleeping areas. Pee pads within the locations your guinea pig spends probably the most time, reminiscent of beneath their hides, can additional assist to make clean-up simpler.

Guinea Pig Litter Field Concepts

Your guinea pigs’ litter field may be any shallow container that’s giant sufficient for them to climb into and eat their hay. Each piggy within the cage ought to be capable of match within the litter field on the identical time, with ample area to keep away from fights or anybody getting cornered.

It ought to be very straightforward to get inside, particularly in case you have older piggies with joint issues.

Keep away from small nook litter bins and bins with grids for poop to fall by means of. Grids could cause foot accidents and aren’t secure, whereas the nook bins are merely a lot too small.

When you’re chopping any container to make it match the cage or to lower depth, please take care to not go away sharp edges that may damage your piggies. You could must sand them down or cowl them with a comfortable materials.

#1 Shallow Cat or Pet Litter Field

One of many best sorts of litter bins to seek out are these made for cats or puppies. I’ve discovered shallow bins on the greenback retailer that aren’t actually cat-appropriate on account of their measurement however are nice for piggies.

These are the sorts of bins you need to search for, as small cat litter bins are match for guinea pigs. If the edges are too excessive, you could want to chop them all the way down to make an entryway. As acknowledged above, please be certain to not go away any sharp edges behind in the event you do that.

#2 Massive, Shallow Plastic Container

You may additionally be capable of discover a plastic container that matches your guinea pigs’ cage properly. Be sure that the edges aren’t too excessive, and that the container isn’t too small. As an illustration, I’ve seen individuals reuse vinegar bottles, however these aren’t almost large enough.

Keep in mind that you need to match a hay pile inside and that your guinea pigs ought to all be capable of stand within the field totally whereas consuming their hay.

#3 Home made Coroplast Litter Field

Many individuals desire the look of home made Coroplast litter bins since they are often made to completely match the cage. You usually need to reduce the Coroplast to suit the width of the cage precisely in order that there isn’t additional area on both finish of the litter field.

The fabric can even match a C&C cage, supplying you with a really cohesive and aesthetic look.

#4 Plastic Guinea Pig Litter Field

Alternatively, you should buy this litter field that was designed to suit into Midwest or C&C cages. It is available in 4 colours, together with a fundamental white, and is 22 inches vast.

It’s pre-cut and simple to assemble with easy clips at every nook. This generally is a a lot simpler various to creating your individual Coroplast litter field.

#5 Cardboard Packing containers as Disposable Litter Trays

If you’d like one thing you may throw out after every use, you get a whole lot of cardboard bins that you simply need to reuse, otherwise you simply need a momentary answer till you purchase one thing everlasting, a cardboard field is a good answer.

You’ll want to ensure you use sufficient bedding and exchange the tray typically in order that the underside doesn’t turn out to be soggy or tear when lifted. Most piggies want the field changed as soon as to twice every week, however messier pigs or giant herds may have extra frequent cleansing.

#6 Massive Foil Tray or Casserole Dish

These may be tough to seek out in the best measurement, as even giant trays and dishes are on the small aspect for an acceptable litter field. Nonetheless, some individuals do appear to have success with them.

I like to recommend overlaying the foil utterly, as I’m undecided if guinea pigs would chew the fabric–however it’s not value risking! You’ll additionally need to be sure that a casserole dish isn’t in a position to be pushed round, as you don’t need shattered glass in your piggies’ cage.

#7 A Litter Space With out the Field

If you wish to forego a litter field, you may as well simply line a portion of your cage in disposable bedding with out a barrier. This may be simpler on the joints of older piggies, however the lack of barrier can create an even bigger mess. The bedding might cling to your fleece or bathtub mats, making cleanup harder as properly.

What Do You Put in a Guinea Pig Litter Field?

You possibly can line your guinea pigs’ litter field with any secure bedding. This consists of fleece or bathtub mats, although these aren’t generally utilized in litter areas.

Most individuals go for disposable bedding, even when they use fleece in the remainder of the cage. Secure disposable bedding varieties embody:

Keep away from softwood shavings and pine that isn’t kiln-dried. Straw, corn husks, sawdust, and clay or clumping cat litter are additionally unsafe.

You need to search for bedding that’s dust-free and comfortable in your guinea pigs’ toes. Fill the litter field with at the least 2-3 inches of bedding and clear it at the least one to 2 occasions every week.

When you’d like, you may as well line the underside of the litter field with an absorbent material, reminiscent of a reusable pet pee pad. This will make cleansing the field simpler because it protects the underside from turning into as messy.

Whereas there are numerous various kinds of guinea pig litter bins, the vital factor is to decide on one thing secure, sanitary, and simple to make use of. Keep in mind to solely use guinea pig-safe litter, relatively than cat litter, and to present your piggies loads of area of their kitchen space.