If you keep guinea pigs as pets, then you know there are countless ways that you can set up a cage for them to live in.
There’s a lot of different material that you can use to see which one makes them the most comfortable and is also easy for you to manage.
One of those items that guinea pig owners sometimes want to try when setting up a cage is puppy pads.
So, can you use puppy pads in a guinea pigs cage? Puppy pads can be used in a guinea pigs cage as long as they are switched out, or cleaned often. Leaving them in the cage for too long can make it a dirty place for them to live.
So how long can you keep the puppy pads in the cage? How safe is using puppy pads in their cage and what are the different kinds that you can use?
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Using Puppy Pads in a Guinea Pigs Cage
So the short answer to this question is yes, there is nothing wrong with using puppy pads in a guinea pig cage.
They’re easy to use and if you spend the time to choose the right puppy pad for your guinea pigs it could make them feel warm, comfortable and cozy.
Guinea pigs are playful and active animals and having them in their cage with puppy pads can certainly be a very good idea. However, the pee pads should be regularly cleaned and kept dry.
If you keep the puppy pads in the cage for too long without cleaning them it can make the guinea pigs feet and bottom wet.
Guinea pigs also love to chew on almost anything, and if you have puppy pads in their cage they might try to chew on that too. The good news is that there are different ways you can make it less likely that they’ll try to chew on it.
Recommended: Best pee pads for guinea pigs
Are Puppy Pads Safe to Use in a Guinea Pig Cage?
This is usually the next question that pet guinea pig owners have when considering using these pee pads.
The answer is mostly yes, although sometimes there is a mixed opinion on this.
Guinea pigs are quite safe when puppy pads are used in their cage, they absorb a lot of moisture and can soak it up very fast.
They can be easily disposed of in the trash and are considered by many to be easy to manage. Quality puppy pads come with a unique odor eliminating feature that is known to trap the smell of urine.
The disposable pee pads can come in a package with a high number count which can last awhile.
And the washable pee pads are very cost-effective because it can be used and washed many times without having to get a new one.
It usually starts to become unsafe when the pads are left in the cage for too long or guinea pigs start to chew on them.
Preventing Guinea Pigs From Chewing on Puppy Pads
One of the issues with using puppy pads is that guinea pigs may want to chew on the pads and this could damage it, and if you haven’t changed it out in a while then it could be bad for your guinea pigs.
Though it may not be possible to completely stop guinea pigs from trying to chew on the puppy pads, there are some ways you can reduce the amount that they attempt to do it.
You could fix the pads firmly to the floor of the cage. There are many different types of pads that have holes that are used to secure it to a cage.
The pads should be secured firmly to the flooring or the sidewalls of the cage. This will make it difficult for them to nibble and bite at it.
You can also try to cover it up with a little bit of bedding so they don’t come in direct contact with it.
How Long Can Puppy Pads be Kept in a Guinea Pigs Cage?
Though puppy pads can be extremely comfortable for guinea pigs, as a pet owner, we have to make sure their environment is as clean as possible.
This means if you have the disposable pads you have no other option but to regularly replace them.
Depending on the number of guinea pigs you have in the cage, you may have to replace the pads anywhere from one to a few times a day. This is because the pads soak up urine and then it tends to dry up.
Even though it may not smell that bad, it could be a big health issue if they live in it for too long.
A washable pee pad can be washed one or two times a week depending on the thickness and material that it uses.
Different Types of Puppy Pads For a Guinea Pig Cage
There are generally two different types of puppy pads you can choose from and it depends on how you would like to manage the cleanup. Would you rather throw away and replace or wash and replace?
The number of guinea pigs you have and your budget will also have a role to play when it comes to choosing the right pads.
Disposable Puppy Pads
Some guinea pig pet owners are happy choosing the disposable, all absorb puppy pads that are leak-proof and come with an extra quick-dry feature.
You can get them in:
- Regular.
- Heavy Duty Regular.
- X-Large.
- Heavy Duty X-large.
They can come in packs of:
- 25.
- 40.
- 50.
- 60.
- 80.
- 100.
- 150.
Because it’s leak-proof, once it’s time to dispose of the pad it’ll be easy to pick up, throw away, and replace it. If you’re interested, try these recommended disposable puppy pads.
Washable Puppy Pads
The other option you have is washable pee pads. These are a great option because they are machine washable and can be reused many times over the years.
They also absorb moisture quickly and come with order control as well. Because they are reusable, you’ll only have to replace them once every couple of years.
As pet guinea pig owners, we have to take the time to make sure our pets are as comfortable as possible while also maintain a clean environment for them to live in.
So if you decide you want to try puppy pads in your guinea pigs cage, be sure that you’re either replacing or washing the pee pads often to make sure they stay as healthy as possible.