The kind of bedding that you choose for your guineas can affect their skin. Wood shavings / sawdust are not recommended, especially any that are scented (usually Lavender, Lemograss or Citronella) as these may cause allergies or skin sensitisation. Whilst shavings are great for absorbing urine, they can also absorb the natural oils from your guinea’s skin, leaving them more prone to skin problems. Dust / oils in the wood can also lead to respiratory disease that can be fatal to guineas, and irritating to their Humans. You only have to put your nose into a bag of shavings so see how strong the smell is, and your guineas have to put up with this every day of their life:( If you have long haired guineas, it can also get caught up in their hair leading to tangles if they aren't groomed daily. Many guinea pig rescues will not rehome guineas where shavings are being used as bedding, as they have seen so many skin and respiratory problems caused by it. So what else can you use? Cages need to be cleaned and thoroughly disinfected at least twice a week, especially when it is very hot or very cold.
Damp bedding should be removed and replaced once or twice a day - depending on the number of guineas in the cage. When the weather is hot, bacteria, fungi and viruses can grow very fast, and in cold weather, damp bedding can freeze. Recommended cleaning products include: All of these products are far more effective than the usual "pet shop sprays" and work against a wide variety of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Conficlean 2 and Virkon are available online from The Hay Experts. After bathing your guinea, always remember to put him back into a CLEAN cage! If your guinea is kept outside in a cage during the winter without any protection from the cold (not recommended), damp bedding can freeze. We recommend that as a minimum, guineas are kept in a shed / outbuilding and protected from the elements. Keeping them indoors or in a heated shed is even better. Guinea pigs are originally from Peru where the climate is warm and dry. Here in the UK they can suffer from skin / respiratory problems in particular, mainly due to the climate which is always humid.
Regular inspection of your guinea’s hair, skin, ears, nose, mouth, and an awareness of what “normal” scratching is will help you to catch any skin problems sooner rather than later. Look for any signs of redness, dry / flaky skin, hair coming out in clumps with dead skin on the end, cuts, bites, open sores etc. If you find anything suspicious, take action straight away – skin problems can kill guineas if left untreated. We recommend that you shampoo your guineas every 4 - 6 weeks with one of the range of Gorgeous Guineas shampoos. This can help to minimise the possibility of skin problems occurring in the first place. Unless your guinea has a skin problem, they do not need shampooing more often. Too much shampooing can cause their skin to become dry and irritated. Always remember to put your clean guinea back into a clean cage! Gorgeous Guineas have a range of shampoos for piggies of all ages, all hair types, and for common skin problems so why not start pampurring your piggy?
If you have a guinea with skin problems, find out more about identifying skin problems and how to help your guinea. We've also got recommendations for specific products to use for the most common types of skin problems found in guineas.You take care to decorate your home with things you love, but what about your guinea pig’s home? Not surprisingly, guinea pigs love soft, comfortable accessories just as much as we do! Providing your guinea pig with nice bedding and accessories doesn’t mean you have to cut out functionality or affordability. Looking to spruce up your guinea pigs’ cage? An important part of functional design is being sure that what your guinea pigs have, also works for you. Be mindful of your situation and the resources available to you. First, let’s start with bedding. Here are the two best options for bedding available today. Carefresh – Carefresh is a really nice disposable bedding. Although a bit more expensive than your standard wood shavings, it handles odor well and is one of the safest beddings since it does not have the potentially dangerous phenols (that “woodsy” smell) found in cedar, pine, and other softwood beddings.
Cleaning is easy—simply remove the old bedding, wipe down the cage with a 50/50 water and white vinegar solution, and refill with new. If you’re in the market for a disposable option, be sure to try Carefresh. Fleece – Personally, fleece is really second to none as far as bedding goes. It’s easy to make, easy to clean, and fun to use. Fleece is safe, too, as it does not have phenols whatsoever, and guinea pigs do not generally chew on the edges. If you have easy access to laundry facilities, fleece is a perfect option. Fleece is simply a piece of anti-pill or blizzard fleece cut to the size of your cage (plus a few inches added on all sides so you can fold the edges under for a smooth line), with two layers of absorbent material underneath. You could use bath towels, UHaul furniture pads, Zorb, mattress pads, or even disposable puppy pads. To clean your fleece, simply remove all debris from both the absorbent layers and fleece and toss all of it into the washing machine.
If you want a one-piece bedding solution, fleece cage liners might be more your style. Cage liners are essentially a layer of fleece, usually followed by two layers of absorbent material. It’s all sewn up together in one piece, making it really easy and quick to wash and change your liners. Add some additional comfort and style with some fun cage accessories! Beds – Guinea pigs love beds for their softness, warmth, and coziness. The most common type of bed in the guinea pig community is called a cuddle cup. It is usually made with fleece (on the area where a guinea pig would lie) and with cotton or flannel (on the exterior of the bed). In between the layers of fleece and cotton/flannel, there is usually some batting or foam to maintain the shape of the bed. There are all different styles and types of beds for guinea pigs, but any would be a great addition to your cage. Other Cuddly Things – There are a variety of other cuddly things out there. A few standard items are sleeping bags, tunnels, and various types of hiding houses.
Sleeping Bags – Think of a human sleeping bag, and the guinea pig kind is pretty much the same! Fleece on the inside, flannel or cotton on the outside, and with a layer of batting or foam or boning to keep the “mouth” open. Tunnels – There are many different styles of tunnels available online. Typically, though, they all have fleece on the inside, flannel or cotton on the outside, and usually a layer of batting or foam or boning to keep the ends open. These are especially loved by my guinea pigs, because they can sleep in them and run through them. Hiding Houses – There are many different guinea pig accessories businesses online, and there are just as many different types of hiding houses, too. There are different shapes and sizes, complex ones or simple ones, those that are affordable and those that are more of an investment. Whichever you buy, your guinea pigs will certainly appreciate a place to relax. Check out some of the links below for a few online retailers.
Make Your Own – You can save money and reduce, reuse, and recycle by using things you can find around your house. Here are a few ideas. For more ideas, visit Guinea Pig Cages. How do I clean fabric cage accessories? Just like cage liners, you need to wash your fabric cage accessories to keep them clean. Most cage accessories are not designed for absorbency, so you may need to wash your cage accessories once per week or every few days – it depends on the amount of traffic these items receive and the habits of your guinea pigs. Cage Liners – Cobb Cabin Crafts, Jens Custom Crafts, Cassandra’s Cuddle-Wee Things, Piggy Bedspreads, Windespirit (Sewing 4 a Cause) Cage Accessories – Cobb Cabin Crafts, Jens Custom Crafts, Cassandra’s Cuddle-Wee Things, Piggy Bedspreads, Windespirit (Sewing 4 a Cause), Fuzzies Kingdom, Let Sleeping Pigs Lie But remember, the most important toys or accessories are… A Same-Sex Guinea Pig Companion – Being incredibly social animals, guinea pigs very much appreciate the companionship of a guinea pig companion.
The friendship you have with your guinea pig is different from the relationship a guinea pig can have with another of his own kind. A friend means fun and play and communication, and you can’t always be there to offer that. Talk to a rescue or shelter about adopting a companion for your single guinea pig and visit this page for help on bonding and introductions. A Spacious Cage – Build a C&C cage, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it before! If you don’t already have one, look into building a C&C cage for your guinea pig(s). Not only do these cages provide plentiful space for your guinea pigs, they are easier to clean and allow your guinea pigs’ personalities to blossom. Floor Time – Exercise time for your guinea pig is an important part of your guinea pig’s day. Just as humans are not healthy without frequent exercise, guinea pigs need this time (about 30-60 minutes is usually a sufficient amount of time) to run around and play for health and happiness. Hay – Providing a large pile of fresh grass hay is crucial for digestive health for your guinea pig and should be available at all times, but also doubles as a play area!