The 5 Best Bedding For Guinea Pigs

The 5 Best Bedding For Guinea Pigs

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Guinea pigs are often classified as a small pet, though they are larger than both hamsters and gerbils. These domestic rodents may not be large, but they are a very active species and require a significant amount of space to get their daily dose of exercise. Choosing the right size cage is important, but it also matters what you put in it.

What Is The Best Bedding For A Guinea Pig?

No long intro here, in this article, we’ll talk about the basics of housing guinea pigs and provide some insight into choosing the best guinea pig bedding. You’ll also see our top 5 picks for the best guinea pig bedding.

At a Glance: Best Bedding For Guinea Pigs To Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Bedding For Guinea Pigs

Overall Best 1. Carefresh Complete Small Pet Bedding View on Amazon Read Review	Best For Odor Control 2. Small Pet Select Small Pet Aspen Bedding View on Chewy Read Review	Best Affordable 3. Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding View on Amazon Read Review	Best For Allergies 4. Kaytee Clean & Cozy Extreme Odor Control Pet Bedding View on Chewy Read Review	Best Paper Bedding 5. Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Bedding View on Chewy Read Review
Materials Natural fibers	Materials Natural, unbleached paper	Materials Natural fibers	Materials Natural wood fiber	Materials Recycled unbleached paper
Absorbency 2x as absorbent as shavings	Absorbency Highly absorbent	Absorbency Absorbs 3x its weight in liquid	Absorbency Holds 4x its weight	Absorbency Highly absorbent
Odor Control 10-day odor control	Odor Control Decent odor control	Odor Control Long-lasting odor control	Odor Control Long-lasting odor control, some fragrance	Odor Control Controls odors for 14 days

What To Look For In Bedding For Guinea Pigs

When it comes to guinea pig cages, there are two primary categories: homemade cages and store-bought cages. Many store-bought cages for guinea pigs are too small for one guinea pig, let alone two. This is why many guinea pig owners make their own cages called “C&C” cages.

This involves using corrugated plastic to create the base for the cage and building a frame out of metal grids (from stacking metal cube kits). The cage itself can then be lined with some kind of bedding, either fleece or another absorbent but non-toxic material.

Here are some important things to look for in guinea pig bedding:

• Safe, non-toxic materials. Whether you’re using fleece, paper bedding, or wood shavings, you need to make sure the materials are safe for your guinea pig. Avoid pine and cedar bedding because it contains oils that can be very dangerous for small animals.
• Highly absorbent. The primary role of bedding in your guinea pig’s cage is to absorb liquid and odor, keeping the cage relatively clean and dry for at least a week at a time.
• Good for odor control. Depending how many guinea pigs you have, odor control may be more of a concern. The more absorbent the material is, generally speaking, the better it controls odor.
• Low in dust. The last thing you want is to fill your guinea pig’s cage with dusty material that will kick up as your guinea pig runs around. Dust can cause allergies or respiratory problems.

Our Top Picks For The Best Bedding For Guinea Pigs

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in guinea pig bedding, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best guinea pig beddings.

The guinea pig bedding you choose is largely a matter of preference. There are several different materials to choose from, all at different price points. Just make sure that whatever bedding you choose fits the requirements summarized above.

Overall Best

1.

Carefresh Complete Small Pet Bedding

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Natural fibers
• Absorbency: 2x as absorbent as shavings
• Odor Control: 10-day odor control

Pros

• Extremely low dust, easy to clean
• Very soft texture for comfort
• Offers 10-day odor control, highly absorbent

Cons

• Somewhat expensive compared to wood shavings
• Not designed to be scooped, should be replaced weekly

If you want to fill your guinea pig’s cage with comfy, soft bedding than look no further. Made from scratch using raw, natural fibers, this bedding is highly absorbent and excellent for odor control while also keeping your pet comfy. It is twice as absorbent as wood shavings and offers a full 10 days of odor control. Plus, the materials are biodegradable and compostable for eco-friendly disposal.

Best For Odor Control

2.

Small Pet Select Small Pet Aspen Bedding

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Natural, unbleached paper
• Absorbency: Highly absorbent
• Odor Control: Decent odor control

Pros

• Made from all-natural paper, unbleached and unprinted
• Package expands to 3x its original volume
• Made in the USA with no chemicals or additives

Cons

• Packaging size may be somewhat misleading
• Some customers received product that was a little dusty

Available in packages ranging from 56L all the way up to 178L, this all-natural bedding is ideal for small pets like your guinea pig. Made from 100% natural paper materials, this bedding is soft and comfortable but still highly absorbent.

Each bag expands to more than 3 times its original size, and the product itself is completely dust-free. The paper it is made from is unbleached and has never been printed on, making it completely safe and non-toxic for your guinea pig.

Best Affordable

3.

Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Natural fibers
• Absorbency: Absorbs 3x its weight in liquid
• Odor Control: Long-lasting odor control

Pros

• Expands to 2x original volume and absorbs 3x weight in liquid
• Made from soft, all-natural materials for safety
• Offers long-lasting odor control without added fragrances

Cons

• Some customers received product that was a little dusty
• Packaging size may be somewhat misleading

If you’re looking for a premium-quality, all-natural bedding for your guinea pig, this is a great option. Not only is it completely natural and non-toxic, but this CritterCare bedding expands to twice its original volume and absorbs up to 3x its weight in liquid.

Plus, it offers long-lasting odor control to keep your guinea pig’s cage smelling fresh between cleanings. Choose from a variety of different options to buy a single bag or multiple bags in the same shipment.

Best For Allergies

4.

Kaytee Clean & Cozy Extreme Odor Control Pet Bedding

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Natural wood fiber
• Absorbency: Holds 4x its weight
• Odor Control: Long-lasting odor control, some fragrance

Pros

• Made from reclaimed wood fibers
• Highly absorbent, holds 4x its weight in liquid
• Expands to 3x its size for maximum value

Cons

• Fragrance may be too strong for some noses
• Very expensive compared to wood shavings

If you don’t mind paying more for a product that is ultra-absorbent and super-soft, try this Kaytee small animal bedding. It is eco-friendly and 99% dust-free, made from reclaimed wood fiber that has been converted into a highly absorbent bedding. It is 20% more absorbent, holding up to 4 times its weight in liquid. Plus, it expands to 3x its size outside the package for maximum value.

Best Paper Bedding

5.

Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Bedding

View on Chewy

Product Info

• Materials: Recycled unbleached paper
• Absorbency: Highly absorbent
• Odor Control: Controls odors for 14 days

Pros

• Made from non-toxic, unbleached recycled paper
• 5% dust-free for easy breathing and low mess
• Highly absorbent and controls odors for 14 days

Cons

• Very expensive compared to wood shavings
• Very fine texture, may spread outside the cage

For maximum absorbency and comfort, try this Vitakraft small animal bedding. It is made from 100% recycled, unbleached paper, which means that it is ultra-absorbent in addition to being safe and non-toxic.

It controls odors for up to 14 days without relying on artificial fragrance, and it comes in a 99.5% dust-free formula so your guinea pigs can breathe easy and comfortably.

Also Read: The 5 Best Guinea Pig Foods

Tips For Housing Guinea Pigs

As members of the rodent family, guinea pigs are fairly large. Compared to more traditional pets like cats and dogs, however, they require much less space. It is important that you don’t underestimate your guinea pig’s need for space, however, because these pets are very active.

Here are some tips for properly housing your guinea pigs:

• Provide your guinea pig with a space at 30 inches by 36 inches – if you have two guinea pigs, you’ll need a much larger space, about 30×50 inches.
• Keep your guinea pigs in an area that isn’t secluded but doesn’t see constant traffic – guinea pigs generally sleep during the day, and they can be a little skittish.
• Plan to keep at least two guinea pigs together – guinea pigs are social creatures, and they generally don’t do well alone.
• If you keep both male and female guinea pigs, make sure to keep the sexes separate – and space the cages far enough apart that they can’t come into contact.
• Make sure everything in your guinea pig’s cage is non-toxic – guinea pigs will chew on everything from housing to bedding, so use safe materials.

It may seem like a hassle to build your own guinea pig cage or an unnecessary expense to purchase one large enough, but it matters greatly for your guinea pig’s long-term health. Unless you can provide your guinea pig with the best care possible, you should consider another pet.

Final Remarks

Guinea pigs are a wonderful beginner pet because they are gentle and relatively low maintenance. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the space requirements for these rodents, which leads to an unhealthy and unhappy life. Choosing a spacious cage for your guinea pig is important, but you also need to choose a guinea pig bedding that is safe, soft, and absorbent.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for guinea pig bedding, try out one of the top 5 best guinea pig beddings we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!