subject: Bed Linen Choices For Your Rodent [print this page] Guinea pigs are cute creatures that love to play around in their cages. They are always on the lookout for predators and run around frantically. In order to keep them pleased you need to maintain their cages with proper bedding. You might have wood shavings or hay for them. I thought we would look at some of the best options for them.
The most common bedding option is to use shredded paper. Guinea pigs love paper because it is soft on their small feet. Dust is not a problem with paper and it soaks up liquids quickly that can be disposed. Newspaper and other papers that use ink should never be used for them. There are deadly toxins in the ink in paper.
Wood shavings are in fact the number 1 bedding option for Guinea pigs. The wood shavings can also be bought in a pellet form which makes it easier to handle. Since they are usually made from pine trees, they smell great. Wood shavings are cheap but they also come with a hassle known as wood dust. Many people will air out their wood shavings before introducing them to their guinea pigs. Unfortunately the strong wood smell can cause major problems for your Guinea pig. Some people put their Guinea pigs in a cage which is something you shouldn't do.
If you have access to it, straw is another great option. This type of bedding serves two purposes since they can also eat it without problem. In fact, Guinea pigs will eat straw in the wild and by you using it as bedding you get to save money. Always check to see if the hay is aired out and doesn't contain harmful mold. It usually spoils when it gets wet or is urinated on.
Sawdust is a big no-no because it can get in their eyes, or even worse, clog their breathing system.
