Do you know that guinea pigs can use litter packing containers? Whereas they can’t be reliably litter skilled, the suitable set-up could make cage cleansing sooner and simpler.
The very best guinea pig litter packing containers are simple to wash with stable, waterproof bottoms. They’re massive sufficient for each one in every 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 all the pieces there may be to learn about guinea pig litter packing containers, together with litter field concepts and what to place inside.
Can Guinea Pigs Be Litter Field Educated?
Whereas having a litter field in your guinea pigs could make clean-up rather a lot simpler, it’s necessary 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 are able to benefit from this by making a litter field (additionally typically known 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, equivalent to beneath their hides, can additional assist to make clean-up simpler.
Guinea Pig Litter Field Concepts
Your guinea pigs’ litter field might be any shallow container that’s massive 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 similar time, with ample area to keep away from fights or anybody getting cornered.
It must be very simple to get within, particularly when you’ve got older piggies with joint issues.
Keep away from small nook litter packing containers and packing containers with grids for poop to fall by. Grids may cause foot injuries and aren’t protected, whereas the nook packing containers are merely a lot too small.
In case you’re slicing 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. Chances are you’ll must sand them down or cowl them with a tender materials.
#1 Shallow Cat or Pet Litter Field
One of many best kinds of litter packing containers to seek out are these made for cats or puppies. I’ve discovered shallow packing containers on the greenback retailer that aren’t actually cat-appropriate as a consequence of their dimension however are nice for piggies.
These are the sorts of packing containers you need to search for, as small cat litter packing containers are a great match for guinea pigs. If the perimeters are too excessive, you might want to chop them all the way down to make an entryway. As said above, please be certain to not go away any sharp edges behind when 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. Make it possible for the perimeters aren’t too excessive, and that the container isn’t too small. As an example, I’ve seen individuals reuse vinegar bottles, however these aren’t almost sufficiently big.
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 absolutely whereas consuming their hay.
#3 Selfmade Coroplast Litter Field
Many individuals desire the look of do-it-yourself Coroplast litter packing containers since they are often made to completely match the cage. You usually need to minimize the Coroplast to suit the width of the cage precisely in order that there isn’t further area on both finish of the litter field.
The fabric may even match a C&C cage, providing you with a really cohesive and aesthetic look.
#4 Plastic Guinea Pig Litter Field
Alternatively, you should buy this litter box that was designed to suit into Midwest or C&C cages. It is available in 4 colours, together with a primary white, and is 22 inches extensive.
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 personal Coroplast litter field.
#5 Cardboard Containers as Disposable Litter Trays
In order for you one thing you’ll be able to throw out after every use, you get numerous cardboard packing containers that you simply need to reuse, otherwise you simply need a momentary answer till you purchase one thing everlasting, a cardboard field is a superb answer.
You’ll want to be sure to use sufficient bedding and change the tray typically in order that the underside doesn’t develop into soggy or tear when lifted. Most piggies want the field changed as soon as to twice per week, however messier pigs or massive herds may have extra frequent cleansing.
#6 Massive Foil Tray or Casserole Dish
These might be tough to seek out in the suitable dimension, as even massive trays and dishes are on the small facet for an acceptable litter field. Nonetheless, some individuals do appear to have success with them.
I like to recommend protecting the foil fully, as I’m undecided if guinea pigs would chew the fabric–but it surely’s not value risking! You’ll additionally need to make sure that a casserole dish isn’t capable of 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 also 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 a much bigger mess. The bedding could cling to your fleece or tub mats, making cleanup harder as nicely.
What Do You Put in a Guinea Pig Litter Field?
You’ll be able to line your guinea pigs’ litter field with any protected bedding. This consists of fleece or tub 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. Protected 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 tender in your guinea pigs’ ft. Fill the litter field with at the very least 2-3 inches of bedding and clear it at the very least one to 2 occasions per week.
In case you’d like, you may also line the underside of the litter field with an absorbent cloth, equivalent to a reusable pet pee pad. This will make cleansing the field simpler because it protects the underside from changing into as messy.
Whereas there are various various kinds of guinea pig litter packing containers, the necessary factor is to decide on one thing protected, sanitary, and simple to make use of. Bear in mind to solely use guinea pig-safe litter, relatively than cat litter, and to offer your piggies loads of area of their kitchen space.
