It may be tough to scale back our carbon footprint when we’ve got pets. Fortunately, guinea pigs have much less impression than meat-eaters like cats or canine–however they nonetheless produce a variety of waste! Let’s focus on the right way 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 belongings you purchase for them. Purchase reusable bedding like fleece liners, buy white vinegar in bulk and blend it with water to make a easy do-it-yourself cleansing answer, and take care to not buy extra gadgets than they want.
On this article, we’ll focus on extra suggestions and tips to remain eco-friendly whereas nonetheless offering top-notch care to your guinea pigs.
1. Buy Reusable Bedding
![](https://www.animallama.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/guinea-pig-cage-setup-1.jpg)
In the event you’re presently utilizing disposable bedding and might make the swap, I extremely advocate buying fleece liners or tub mats and reusing them as many instances as potential. They’ll make it via a variety of 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, comparable to 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, the easiest way to take action is to scale back consumerism.
You will get by with two to a few liners and different cage equipment in the event you wash them usually. Choose a colour scheme in order that every part matches properly, and keep away from seasonal gadgets in the event you don’t wish to use them year-round.
3. Use Pure Cleansing Merchandise
![Natural cleaning product](https://www.animallama.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Water-vinegar-solution-for-rabbit-pee-stains.jpg)
The commonest 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 a lot better on your guinea pigs’ respiratory programs. Guinea pigs are prone to respiratory problems, and utilizing scented cleaners may cause sickness.
Vinegar will also be used within the wash to scale back smells. In the case of laundry detergent, decide 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 Objects
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 an alternative of plastic huts, strive wood hidey homes. Purchase toys fabricated from willow, grass hay, and even make your personal out of cardboard. There are additionally some enjoyable fleece toys comparable to snuffle mats that can be utilized repeatedly.
These things may even be safer on your guinea pigs. Most piggies chew their issues, and it’s not good for them to eat plastic.
Simply make sure that any supplies you select are guinea pig protected. Keep away from unsafe woods like cedar and something handled with chemical substances.
5. Reuse Family Objects
![Egg carton toy](https://www.animallama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/egg-carton-toy.jpg)
You too can 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 elements of the cage, giving your piggies a way of security and luxury. Your outdated bathe liner can turn out to be a water-proof layer to go beneath fleece throughout flooring time.
The probabilities are infinite in the event you get inventive with it! In fact, make sure that every part is protected on your guinea pigs earlier than utilizing it.
6. Purchase Second Hand
Many individuals give away their guinea pigs’ gadgets totally free or low-cost after they cross away or are rehomed. You may have the ability to discover C&C grids, water bottles, meals bowls, and different gadgets being given away in your neighborhood.
Search for gadgets that may be cleaned and sanitized, as you don’t wish to cross any sickness on to your piggies.
This one may also prevent some huge cash, relying on what you will discover!
7. Purchase Native Produce–Or Develop Your Personal!
![Growing grass for guinea pigs](https://www.animallama.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Growing-Wheatgrass.jpg)
If you should purchase native produce on your guinea pigs, this cuts down on emissions from transport and helps native companies.
You too can strive your hand at rising your personal greens. Lettuce, herbs, and grass are particularly straightforward to develop and might even be potted indoors.
In the event you’re nervous about rising from seed, search for established crops at your native nursery.
8. Search for Excessive-High quality Objects
Shopping for high-quality gadgets normally prices extra upfront, however pays off in the long term because you gained’t want to exchange them as usually. That is very true the longer you retain guinea pigs, as lots of the belongings you purchase can be utilized all through many piggy lifetimes!
9. Compost Your Guinea Pigs’ Waste
Guinea pig poop, hay, and a few bedding varieties will 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 an alternative 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 lowering their carbon footprint. Implementing simply one among these could make a big effect!