Choosing the Right Bedding For Your Guinea Pig



Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

by Peter Dranitsin
Petes Original Art Inc.

After you have chosen the desired cage, the bedding is next. The bedding is the thing that you place on the bottom of the cage. It serves as a toilet room, bed, road and play ground for your beloved guinea pig. At different prices, beddings are sold in most pet stores. In some instances one type of bedding can be a primary layer covered with another type. Depending on your prerogative and cavy needs, beddings will always differ.

This type of bedding is probably the best. It serves as a dual purpose, an excellent food source and a comfortable nesting area wherein your cavy could dig and tunnel around. It is often times used as a second layer in your pet's bedding. The problem with timothy hay is that it quickly gets wet and soiled. That is the reason why molds form fast and take note that molds if eaten and inhaled can cause serious infections. Another thing about Timothy hay is that it is more expensive compared to other grasses because it is difficult to grow and not available most of the time.

Using corn cob as bedding is a big mistake. It forms mold easily and can cause gastrointestinal obstruction if eaten. In addition, water in the stomach makes it swell making the system more obstructed. Tiny pieces can also stick to the genitals and the anal area which is a serious problem you have to attend to.

Paper Products Care

Care fresh is a popular and expensive type of paper bedding. It is often the alternative for wood shavings. It is soft and absorbable but dusty as well. It appears like shredded egg carton after its fiber has been processed. Some generic types of fresh paper products maybe cheaper but the dustiness is still evident. Megazorb is also like this. Even though it is heavy and has rough structure it is considerably cheap and absorbent. It also does not stick to the flooring even when if it is wet , making it more easy to clean.

Yesterday's news is not a common bedding material but is less expensive as compared to the other paper products. The amount of liquid it can absorb is undeniably good but the only draw back is that it heavy when wet and could stain your cavy's fur. A similar product is called Crown animal bedding. This product is also very affordable and feces are barely visible. However, it emits a certain odor and has a rough texture compared to other beddings.

Wood Products

The wood product without volatile oils is the Aspen shavings. This makes it attractive, but remember that it is expensive and difficult to find.

Pine shavings are economical and convenient. This is commonly sold at the stores at reasonable prices. They are packed in small and large bags. The presence of volatile oils in pine is a major set back. Volatile oils can cause respiratory and hepatic conditions. So, better put the shavings in a dump first and let the volatile oils diffuse in the air .

Another product called wood pellet is an excellent type of bedding. It is cheap and highly absorbable. It is just harder to walk on through and very heavy if wet as well.

Cedar shavings have been used by many, but take note that this can cause respiratory diseases. It was often used in the past because it can absorb ammonia odor well. It can also irritate your cavy's skin so don't use this as a bedding even if it has an enticing odor.

Cedric James is a lifelong guinea pig lover. For more great tips on shopping for and choosing a guinea pig bedding, visit http://www.guineapigsguides.com

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