Best Material to use in Making Guinea Pig Bedding



Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010

by Peter Dranitsin
Petes Original Art Inc.

Safety, odor controlling capability, quality, durability, availability and affordability are the important things to consider in choosing the bedding. Most guinea pig owners without a doubt will say that this is the best bedding available. It provides a comfortable bed which the guinea pigs really love. If it is fresh, it provides a soft cushion, ideal if the cavy is nesting. It is also very nutritious and a good food source for your pet.

The problem with this kind of bedding is that it has poor odor control. In some instances, you should have primary bedding before it. Molds can easily form if it becomes wet and soiled from urine and feces. Commercially packed are dried out which makes it harder and a less suitable bedding . In addition, it is very expensive and not available to everyone because it is difficult to grow.

Aspen Shavings

Aspen shavings are completely safe to use as beddings. It is non-toxic and non-allergenic to your cavy. Natural oils are absent in aspen and therefore you won't worry about potential respiratory illnesses . It also has good absorbing capabilities.

Like the Timothy hay, aspen shavings are also expensive and difficult to find. It can be sharp, so take extra precaution in using it. Even though aspen has the preventive potential of moisture formation, odor control is still an issue and the major reason why the bedding should to be changed often.

This type of bedding is made from wood pulp fibers and reclaimed cellulose. It is dye and ink free, so don't worry about cavy hair discoloration. Just like aspen shavings, it has no harmful oils. Ammonia is a major contributor of the unpleasant stench in the urine and the good thing about CareFresh is that it can control odor by inhibiting formation of ammonia. It is sanitized to minimize and destroy bacteria, mold and fungus. CareFresh is easy to dispose; you can even throw it away in your toilet bowl but just in small amount.

The major turn off in CareFresh is the price. It is expensive and comes in packs of large quantities. In addition, suppliers are very difficult to find and some even claim that the product can trigger different allergic reactions .

Cell-Sorb Plus As the name connotes, the absorbing power of cell-sorb is unmatched. It can absorb 400% more fluid and moisture as compared to wood shavings. It can quickly dry up moisture from feces and urine. Odor control is also great. Just like CareFresh, cell-sorb prevents ammonia formation. It has also a unique design that allows the droppings to settle on the bottom of the bedding making less contact with your cavy.

Like most beddings, this type is also expensive. Its durability is also questionable compared to other regular paper-based beddings.

Crown Animal Bedding

This is shaped like a pellet and composed of recycled newspaper. It is excellent in odor control and absorbs 150% its own weight. It is not heavy and does not stick on the surface even if it is wet, making it easy to clean. Aside from that it is also biodegradable. However, it is dense and should not be made as the sole bedding for your cavy.

This is the traditional bedding of most pests and often used to cover the base of the cages. It is very affordable, absorbable and a good provider of heat.

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

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