It may be tough to scale back our carbon footprint when we now have pets. Fortunately, guinea pigs have much less influence than meat-eaters like cats or canines–however they nonetheless produce numerous waste! Let’s focus on find out how to make guinea pigs extra eco-friendly pets.
One of the best ways to make guinea pigs eco-friendly is to scale back the quantity of stuff you purchase for them. Purchase reusable bedding like fleece liners, buy white vinegar in bulk and blend it with water to make a easy selfmade cleansing resolution, and take care to not buy extra objects than they want.
On this article, we’ll focus on extra ideas and tips to remain eco-friendly whereas nonetheless offering top-notch care to your guinea pigs.
1. Buy Reusable Bedding
In case you’re at the moment utilizing disposable bedding and may make the change, I extremely advocate buying fleece liners or tub mats and reusing them as many occasions as attainable. They’ll make it by numerous washes earlier than they put on out!
Reusable bedding tends to be costlier up-front, particularly in the event you’re shopping for premade fleece liners. Nonetheless, it’s less expensive in the long run.
There are additionally methods to save cash on reusable bedding, reminiscent of shopping for fleece from a thrift retailer and stitching your personal liners or shopping for low cost chenille tub mats from shops like Goal.
2. Don’t Purchase Extra Than You Want
Typically we are able to store a bit an excessive amount of for our pets, shopping for issues we don’t want or will solely use as soon as. If you wish to be eco-friendly, one of the simplest ways to take action is to scale back consumerism.
You may get by with two to 3 liners and different cage equipment in the event you wash them typically. Choose a coloration scheme in order that all the things matches properly, and keep away from seasonal objects in the event you don’t wish to use them year-round.
3. Use Pure Cleansing Merchandise
The most typical cleansing product for guinea pigs is a mixture of water and white vinegar. This can be a nice cleaner that’s pure and higher for the planet than many store-bought cleaners.
It’s additionally significantly better in your guinea pigs’ respiratory methods. Guinea pigs are prone to respiratory problems, and utilizing scented cleaners may cause sickness.
Vinegar may also be used within the wash to scale back smells. Relating to laundry detergent, choose one thing scent-free and made for delicate pores and skin. Bonus factors if it’s an eco-friendly or plastic-free model!
4. Keep away from Plastic Gadgets
When plastic is thrown away, it doesn’t break down like wooden or different pure supplies. It sits in a landfill or in our oceans for as much as 1,000 years!
As a substitute of plastic huts, attempt wood hidey homes. Purchase toys product of willow, grass hay, and even make your personal out of cardboard. There are additionally some enjoyable fleece toys reminiscent of snuffle mats that can be utilized time and again.
These things will even be safer in your guinea pigs. Most piggies chew their issues, and it’s not good for them to eat plastic.
Simply ensure that any supplies you select are guinea pig protected. Keep away from unsafe woods like cedar and something handled with chemical compounds.
5. Reuse Family Gadgets
You may also make your personal toys utilizing home items you’d in any other case throw away. Stuff a bathroom paper, paper towel roll, or egg carton with hay, or enclose pellets inside to make a enjoyable enrichment exercise.
Use outdated towels to cowl components of the cage, giving your piggies a way of security and luxury. Your outdated bathe liner can turn into a water-proof layer to go beneath fleece throughout flooring time.
The probabilities are countless in the event you get inventive with it! After all, ensure that all the things is protected in your guinea pigs earlier than utilizing it.
6. Purchase Second Hand
Many individuals give away their guinea pigs’ objects without cost or low cost after they cross away or are rehomed. You may be capable to discover C&C grids, water bottles, meals bowls, and different objects being given away in your neighborhood.
Search for objects that may be cleaned and sanitized, as you don’t wish to cross any sickness on to your piggies.
This one may prevent some huge cash, relying on what yow will discover!
7. Purchase Native Produce–Or Develop Your Personal!
If you should purchase native produce in your guinea pigs, this cuts down on emissions from delivery and helps native companies.
You may also attempt your hand at rising your personal greens. Lettuce, herbs, and grass are particularly simple to develop and may even be potted indoors.
In case you’re nervous about rising from seed, search for established crops at your native nursery.
8. Search for Excessive-High quality Gadgets
Shopping for high-quality objects often prices extra upfront, however pays off in the long term because you gained’t want to switch them as typically. That is very true the longer you retain guinea pigs, as lots of the stuff you purchase can be utilized all through many piggy lifetimes!
9. Compost Your Guinea Pigs’ Waste
Guinea pig poop, hay, and a few bedding sorts might be composted to scale back the trash that your piggies create. Subsequent time you clear your guinea pigs’ cage, take into account ditching the plastic rubbish bag and as a substitute dumping their waste and hay into your compost bin!
Alternatively, you possibly can preserve a compost pile in your yard or put it straight into the backyard, and it’ll break down over time.
I hope this text has helped you with concepts for making your guinea pigs extra eco-friendly and decreasing their carbon footprint. Implementing simply one in all these could make a big effect!
