Can I use a towel for guinea pig bedding?
James Craig
Published Jan 08, 2026
Got some old towels somewhere in your home? If so, you can totally throw them in your guinea pigs' cage and use them as bedding!
What can you use instead of bedding for guinea pigs?
Guinea Pig Bedding Alternatives
- Fleece.
- Shredded Cardboard.
- Hay.
- Straw.
- Shredded Paper.
- Newspaper.
Can guinea pigs have fabric for bedding?
Cage fleece liners are a type of bedding for guinea pigs. In contrast to other kinds of litter, they are reusable and washable, which makes them an eco-friendly solution. They are made of several layers of fabric. Typically the top layer is fleece combined to an absorbent layer.
Are cotton towels safe for guinea pigs?
Cotton bedding usually consists of towels, cloths or some types of fleece. Cotton products are a softer, snuggly choice for your pig. Some pros and cons are: It's comfortable for your Guinea pig.
Can I use a blanket for guinea pig bedding?
Yes, they definitely can. Some people use a guinea pig fleece blanket as something for their piggy to sit on while not in the cage. Or, to hide underneath and play with. And, others use it instead of traditional bedding.
24 related questions foundWhat do you put in the bottom of a guinea pig cage?
The best items to put on the bottom of a guinea pig cage are absorbent, soft, and odorless. Hay, paper and aspen shavings, 100% wood pellets, and fleece meet those basic requirements. Used alone or combined with other materials, all are good options to cover the bottom of a cavy enclosure.
Do guinea pigs like to be covered up?
ALL CAGES should have a PARTIAL, OPAQUE COVER. We think of a needing a cover for keeping them safe. Full cage covers, if they are open enough for proper ventilation and light, then they still aren't really providing that sense of security your guinea pigs desire. They want to feel safe from overhead birds of prey.
What materials are safe for guinea pigs?
Suitable options for bedding include soft grass hay, fleece fabric, and shredded paper. Sawdust or wood shavings can cause respiratory issues and should be avoided. Straw should also be avoided as it does not absorb urine well and the hard stalks can cause injuries.
Can I cover my guinea pig's cage with a blanket?
Guinea pigs are fragile animals, and completely covering the cage may cause them to have breathing problems and possibly suffocate. For this reason, it is important to only partially cover the enclosure to allow for proper airflow.
How can I keep my guinea pig warm at night?
One good way to keep your guinea pig warm is to supply him with an electric heated pad. Don't use a heating pad designed for humans, as they are unsafe for pets. Instead, try a Small Animal Heated Pad, which is designed especially for use with small animals, including guinea pigs.
Can I use dog pee pads for guinea pigs?
Puppy pee pads are safe for guinea pigs, but they should be layered underneath another type of bedding, so the guinea pigs don't chew on or eat them out of boredom. Avoid any pee pads with added scents or solutions, as these are often toxic if ingested.
How do you bathe a guinea pig?
First, place a washcloth at the bottom of the sink so that your pet won't slip. Now, thoroughly wet your guinea pig with warm water except for its face. Work a little shampoo into its fur and then rinse it well. Lastly, wrap your pet in a towel and finish by drying it with a blow dryer on the lowest speed setting.
Can I use timothy hay as bedding for guinea pigs?
Timothy hay: Timothy hay can make a good bedding for guinea pigs. In addition to being a natural food source, guinea pigs enjoy tunneling through it, making nests in it and just playing with it. Fresh timothy has a pleasant smell, and will absorb some urine.
What is the best bedding for indoor guinea pigs?
The main bedding substrate options for guinea pigs include fleece cage liners, cloth, paper and wood shavings. Fleece cage liners: These are fast becoming a very popular option especially for indoor housed guinea pigs. Not all fleece liners are the same.
Do guinea pigs need bedding?
Guinea pigs spend quite a lot of time in their habitat so they require an excellent bedding material that's not only highly-absorbent, but soft and cozy too.
Is loofah safe for guinea pigs?
Loofah is safe for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other small animals to chew.
Do guinea pigs like to be in the dark?
Darkness isn't a bad thing for guinea pigs – at times they even prefer it. However, piggies should still be exposed to light (preferably indirect, natural sunlight) throughout the day whenever possible.
What do guinea pigs like to sleep in?
But they still like to take naps under the protection of a shelter. Owners have a variety of creative choices when providing a guinea pig with a place to nap. Some people give their pets an old cardboard shoebox, tissue box, or other small boxes to sleep in.
Do guinea pigs recognize their owners?
After an adjustment period, guinea pigs recognize and respond to their owners. This happens if you interact with them daily. Since guinea pigs are nearsighted, they primarily recognize you from your smell and the tone and sound of your voice.
What do you do with guinea pigs at night?
How to Settle Your Guinea Pigs for the Night in 3 Steps
- Top off their food and water. Guinea pigs are active throughout the night, but tend to be more quiet than during the day. ...
- Spot cleaning. ...
- Make sure they're either too hot or cold. ...
- 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Cover Their Cage at Night.
What do guinea pigs like to play with?
What Do Guinea Pigs Like to Play With? 11 Toy Ideas Guinea Pigs Will Love
- DIY Obstacle Course. Create an obstacle course from wooden blocks or pieces of cardboard taped to a larger board. ...
- Tunnels. View this post on Instagram. ...
- Chase string. ...
- Fleece. ...
- Tubes Stuffed with Hay. ...
- Playpen. ...
- Crumbled paper. ...
- Chew balls.
What is the easiest way to clean a guinea pig cage?
If you have trouble finding a cage cleaner, distilled white vinegar and water can be mixed into a clean spray bottle (1:1 ratio) and used in your guinea pig's habitat. Use a spare washcloth to wipe down the habitat, then rinse the habitat with plain water to remove any remaining residue or smell.
Can I use shredded paper as guinea pig bedding?
You may have heard of using shredded paper as guinea pig bedding. Shredded paper can be a safe and affordable option for your cavy's bedding. The best option is shredded newspaper, as the ink in this paper is soy-based, meaning it is non-toxic.
Can you bathe guinea pigs with Dawn?
However, for guinea pigs, undiluted dish soap is simply too harsh. Guinea pigs have a certain oil balance on their skin and hair that keeps them healthy, and most dish soaps will strip all that away and leave skin dry and irritated.