Best bedding for guinea pigs: what is safe and what to avoid

What is the best bedding for guinea pigs?

Paper bedding is the best all-round choice: soft, absorbent, low in dust and good at holding smells. Fleece liners are the best reusable choice. Both are recommended by Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue, and the Humane World for Animals recommends paper bedding 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) deep.

Good bedding does four jobs: it soaks up urine, keeps feet dry and cushioned, gives no dust or aromatic oils to breathe, and is safe if nibbled. Guinea pigs spend nearly all their time on it, so small differences matter. Purdue's vets point out that guinea pigs have a keen sense of smell and live in close contact with their bedding all day.

Paper bedding for guinea pigs

Paper-based bedding is the safest, simplest choice for most homes. Purdue's vets say paper beddings such as Carefresh give strong smell control, and Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue lists brands including Oxbow Pure Comfort, Small Pet Select and Kaytee Clean and Cozy. Look for "dust-extracted" or "99% dust-free" on the bag, unscented, with no added colours.

Lay it 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) deep, as the Humane World for Animals advises, deeper in the toilet corner. Shredded paper also works, and the PDSA lists it as a bedding choice, but it packs flat faster.

Fleece bedding for guinea pigs

Fleece is a layered liner: a top layer of polyester fleece, with an absorbent layer underneath. Urine passes through the fleece, so the surface stays dry. Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue suggests 100% polyester anti-pill fleece, with towels, furniture pads, puppy training pads or mattress pads underneath, and says fleece saves money over time.

How to set up fleece

1. Prewash it. New fleece repels water until it has been washed. Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue says to wash it in hot water with detergent and no softener, dry it without dryer sheets, and repeat 3 to 5 times.
2. Test it. Lay the fleece on a towel and pour on some water. If it sinks through, it is ready. If it pools, wash and dry it again.
3. Layer it. Put the absorbent layer on the cage floor, then the fleece on top, smooth and tucked in so nobody can burrow underneath.
4. Sweep daily. Droppings and hay sit on top, so sweep them off every day with a small dustpan and brush.
5. Wash every 3 to 5 days. Shake off hay and fur outside first, then wash with unscented detergent and no softener. Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue suggests adding half to one cup of white vinegar for smells.

Aspen bedding for guinea pigs

Aspen is safe. It is a hardwood without the aromatic oils found in pine and cedar, and Purdue's vets list it as a safe option. Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue calls it the only acceptable wood bedding. It is cheaper than paper, but less absorbent, weaker on smells and lighter, so it gets kicked about more. Mixing aspen with paper bedding is a good way to save money.

Is pine bedding safe for guinea pigs?

We would avoid it, including kiln-dried pine. Pine is a softwood with aromatic oils that can irritate airways. The RSPCA says to avoid softwoods such as pine, the University of Florida says to avoid pine and cedar, and the Humane World says both can release fumes when soiled.

Kiln-dried pine is where vets disagree. Kiln-drying drives off most of the oils, and the MSD Vet Manual lists kiln-dried pine among preferred beddings. Purdue's vets say it is better than regular pine but still "probably best avoided if possible", because guinea pigs live with their noses in it. Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue says it releases fewer oils but still advises against it. With safe choices cheap and easy to find, we side with the cautious view.

Dust-free bedding for guinea pigs

Dust-free bedding matters because guinea pigs breathe at bedding level all day. The PDSA says any lining should be dust-free, and the RSPCA recommends dry, dust-free, absorbent litter. Paper bedding and fleece are the lowest-dust options. Sneezing, watery eyes or crusty noses after a bedding change are a sign to switch brands, and see a vet if they carry on.

Hemp bedding for guinea pigs

None of the welfare charities or vet guides we read cover hemp directly, so this is our reasoning from what they say about bedding in general. Hemp is plant-based and usually low in dust and free of aromatic oils, which ticks the main boxes. It can be coarse and firm underfoot, so put a soft layer of paper bedding or hay on top, and check the bag says dust-extracted.

Is straw, hay or wood shavings good bedding?

Straw is a poor choice. The RSPCA says straw can cause eye injuries, Purdue's vets call it unsuitable, and Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue says it does not absorb urine and goes off quickly. The PDSA does list straw for outdoor sleeping areas, but we would use hay instead.

Hay is great as a top layer, because guinea pigs can nest in it and eat it safely, but it does not soak up much. Ordinary wood shavings divide opinion: the RSPCA accepts dust-free, absorbent shavings, while RSPCA Australia says to avoid wood shavings. If you use them, choose dust-extracted hardwood such as aspen, never softwood.

What is the best litter for guinea pigs?

For a litter tray or toilet corner, use paper bedding or soft paper pellets topped with hay, since guinea pigs like to eat while they toilet. Avoid cat litter, especially clumping and clay types: the University of Florida says to avoid clay, and Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue warns that hard small-animal litters can hurt feet. Read our guinea pig cage cleaning routine to keep the toilet corner fresh.

How much bedding do guinea pigs need?

Lay loose bedding 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) deep across the whole floor, as the Humane World advises, and a little deeper in toilet corners. The University of Florida asks for at least 5 cm (2 in). In a 1 m² (10.5 sq ft) cage, that is roughly 50 to 80 litres of bedding per full change. Our guinea pig cage size guide helps you work out your floor area, and our cage setup guide shows where the bedding, hay and hides go.

Bedding that stays wet causes problems beyond smell: ammonia irritates airways, and PetMD notes urine soaking into skin can cause sores. Watch for sore feet, sneezing or crusty eyes and check our guinea pig health guide if you see them. For the full picture, see our complete guinea pig care guide.