If you happen to’ve learn our submit on the most effective varieties of guinea pig bedding, you already know which bedding choices are protected and which of them shouldn’t be used. A kind of bedding that’s changing into more and more widespread is bathtub mats, additionally referred to as Chenille rugs.
If you happen to’ve been contemplating switching to one of these bedding, we convey you an summary of the principle execs and cons of bathtub mats.
Let’s discover out if bathtub mats are the appropriate bedding for you and your guinea pigs!
What’s Makes Tub Mats a Good Guinea Pig Bedding?
Let’s first go over the constructive sides of utilizing bathtub mats as guinea pig bedding.
Low-cost
Disposable bedding, comparable to aspen shavings and paper bedding, should be changed continuously. With bathtub mats, when you make the preliminary buy, there are no extra prices. And the preliminary buy shouldn’t be that costly as you will get bathtub mats for affordable (below $10) in shops comparable to IKEA.
So in the event you can’t afford to spend a lot on bedding or favor to not waste cash if you don’t should, bathtub mats are a fantastic, reasonably priced choice.
Comfy
After all, cash shouldn’t be crucial issue to think about. Ensuring your guinea pigs are comfy is much more necessary, and bathtub mats are nothing in need of comfortable. They’re the closest factor to a cloud. So you may relaxation assured that your guinea pigs is not going to be uncomfortable, as bathtub mats are extraordinarily smooth on their tiny ft.
Secure
Apart from being further comfy in your pigs, bathtub mats are additionally utterly protected.
One concern with some varieties of bedding, comparable to shavings and paper, is the mud that may irritate your guinea pigs’ delicate respiratory system. However you received’t have that concern with bathtub mats. In case your guinea pigs are liable to allergic reactions or sneezing from the mud when utilizing shavings or paper, switching to bathtub mats ought to assist.
Whereas shavings and paper bedding may cause allergic reactions because of mud, paper bedding can even trigger a blockage in case your guinea pig eats it, whereas fleece may be a problem in the event you use pet pads below it and your guinea pig eats it. These points hardly ever occur, and people varieties of bedding are nonetheless protected to make use of, however the reality is that bathtub mats don’t carry these dangers.
Absorbent and Eliminates Odors Effectively
One other essential facet of bedding is its absorbency. The extra absorbent the bedding is, the much less smelly the cage might be. The great factor is that the bathtub mats are very absorbent!
Whereas fleece must be depraved to work correctly, and it wants an absorbent layer below it to soak up the pee, this isn’t wanted with bathtub mats. Many bathtub mats are absorbent sufficient for use on their very own. Though, some individuals nonetheless favor to place one thing beneath to guard the flooring, simply in case.
Straightforward to Clear
Contemplating the quantity of poop a mean guinea pig can produce every day, it’s necessary that the bedding we use is straightforward to wash, for our sake!
If you happen to’ve ever used fleece bedding, you may’ve skilled how hay tends to stay to it. With bathtub mats, the hay and poo don’t stick, so it’s simple to shake off or vacuum the hay and poop. Then pop the mat in a laundry bag and wash it within the washer. The laundry bag is beneficial because it stops the hay and different particles from coming off within the washer.
Eco-friendly
Since you should use the identical bathtub mats for years, in addition they make a extra eco-friendly choice. So if that facet is necessary to you as it’s to me, it’s a good suggestion to make use of bathtub mats as a substitute of disposable bedding that must be bought and changed on a regular basis.
The Cons of Utilizing Tub Mats
What are the downsides of utilizing bathtub mats as bedding?
The Mat Sizes May Not Match Your Cage
Discovering a shower mat that may suit your cage by an inch may be troublesome. So that you may want a number of mats or do some combos and changes to cowl the whole cage.
Some individuals use two several types of bedding and use bathtub mats solely within the “kitchen” space the place guinea pigs do many of the pooping.
You Need to Wash Them Each Couple of Days
Tub mats must be washed within the washer each few days, relying on what number of pigs you have got and the way huge the cage is. For some individuals, that is extra time-consuming than coping with disposable bedding, which may merely be thrown away.
You’ll must scoop up the poops, take away all the things from the cage, vacuum or shake off the hay from the mat, and wash it in a machine each few days (I counsel utilizing a laundry bag). Whereas the mat is being washed, substitute it with the clear one and return all the things again to the cage.
It may be a bit extra work than utilizing disposable bedding, but it surely’s nothing that may’t be dealt with with good group.
You possibly can see how the YouTuber from “It’s Pigs!” cleans their bathtub mat bedding on this video:
The place to Get Tub Mats for Your Guinea Pigs?
IKEA mats are a well-liked choice amongst guinea pig homeowners as they’re low-cost and work nicely. Nonetheless, you’ll find related bathtub mats in shops comparable to Goal, Amazon or related shops in your space.
The IKEA bathtub mat that many guinea pig homeowners use and really helpful is the TOFTBO bath mat.
What kind of bedding do you employ in your guinea pigs? Are you going to attempt bathtub mats?
Tell us within the feedback part!
