How Do You Clean a Guinea Pig Cage? Process and Tips
Guinea pigs are lovable and fun pets, but their cages can quickly get dirty.
Whether you have one guinea pig or several, you’ll need to clean their cage regularly to keep them healthy and happy. But how do you clean a guinea pig cage?
There are a few basic steps to clean a guinea pig cage like filling the litter box, placing a small water dish in the corner, cleaning the floors and walls, etc. But the most important thing is to do it thoroughly and regularly.
Once a week is generally sufficient, but more often is better if you can manage it.
In this article, you will learn how to clean a guinea pig cage, how often to do it, and how to manage the cell.
How Do You Clean a Guinea Pig Cage?
Guinea pigs are tiny creatures that need to be kept clean and comfortable. To clean their cage, you will need a small litter box, a scoop, a small water dish, a large water dish, and a soft cloth.
Filling out the Litter Box
Fill the litter box with about a third of the litter, and sprinkle a little bit on the cage floor for the guinea pigs to use as a bathroom.
Placing Small Water Dish
Place the small water dish in the corner of the cage and the large container near the front. As time passes by, the water dish can get dirty. Also, the water can be polluted too. So, replacing the water is also necessary from time to time.
Clean the Floor and the Walls
It is important to clean the floors and the walls as soon later, the place feels stinky filled with guinea pigs’ poops and all. So, cleaning it is a must.
Place the soft cloth in the cage and hold it up so the guinea pigs can reach it. Talk to the guinea pigs and tell them you will clean their cage.
Scooping the Litter
Scoop the litter and droppings from the cage with the scoop, and place them in the small plastic bag.
Depending on the healthcare of your guinea pig, it may live longer than usual too. So, cleaning it properly is a must.
Basic Guinea Pig Cage Cleaning Tips
You can do a few things to help keep your guinea pig cage clean and healthy.
1. Regularly clean the cage’s floor and walls. This will help prevent the build-up of dirt, dust, and other materials that can harm your pet.
2. Use a dust mop to clean the cage’s surfaces weekly.
3. Remove any food or water dishes from the cage and wash them regularly.
4. Clean the Cage’s Corners and Nooks. These areas can often accumulate debris and other materials.
5. Use a moist cloth to clean the Cage’s Windows and Doors. These areas can often become dirty.
Along with cleaning the guinea pig’s cage, you need to make your guinea pigs clean too. Do you know how to clip guinea pig nails?
How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pig’s Cage?
Guinea pigs are small, energetic animals that require a confined environment to live a healthy life. Cage cleaning is essential to guinea pig care, as dirt and dust can accumulate quickly and cause health problems.
The American Association of Pet Dog Trainers recommends weekly cage cleaning for small animals and for larger animals every two to four weeks.
Guinea pigs should be removed from their cages and given a bath once a month. For the guinea pig’s bath, fill a small bucket or container with warm water, add a small shampoo, and place the guinea pig in the water.
Gently scrub the guinea pig’s body and hair with a brush. Be sure to rinse off all the soap. When the guinea pig is finished, dry him off with a towel.
Sometimes, like guinea pigs, you need to clean up hamsters’ cages too. You may sometimes find them climbing and biting the cage.
Dangers of Having Dirty Cages for Your Guinea Pigs
When it comes to keeping your Guinea pigs healthy and happy, it is essential to have clean cages. They are not that hard to take care of.
Dirty cages can lead to several health problems for your Guinea pigs, including respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, and even diabetes.
It is also essential to keep your Guinea pigs clean to avoid attracting bugs and other pests that can be harmful to them. Here are some tips to help keep your Guinea pigs clean:
- Clean their cages at least once a day.
- Change their bedding regularly. You can try using scented bedding too.
- Disinfect their cages and toys regularly.
- Keep their food and water clean.
- Remove any fecal matter from their cages regularly.
Many diseases can spread from a guinea pig’s dirty cage. One of the most common is diarrhea.
Diarrhea can be deadly to a guinea pig if it is not treated quickly. Also, your guinea pigs may get ragged ears too. Diseases from a guinea pig’s dirty cag include intestinal worms, pneumonia, and cancer.
If you think your guinea pig may have contracted any of these diseases, it is essential to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Check out the link and find out whether your guinea pig is facing any trouble for bad caging-
How to Do Spot Check Cleaning of Your Guinea Pig’s Cage?
Spot cleaning is a great way to keep your Guinea Pig’s cage clean and healthy. To do a spot check, follow these below steps:
- Simply take a quick walk around the cage and clean any visibly dirty areas.
- Be sure to focus on the areas that your Guinea Pig spends the most time in, such as their food and water dishes and bed area.
- If you notice any fecal material or debris on the cage, clean it up immediately.
FAQ
How Often Should Guinea Pig Bedding Be Changed?
Guinea pigs need to have their bedding changed regularly. This is because the bedding can get dirty and full of bacteria.
You should change the bedding every two to three days. Make sure they do not get smelly.
Do You Need to Clean a Guinea Pig’s Cage?
This question can be challenging to answer as each guinea pig may have different needs. However, most experts recommend cleaning the cage at least once a week.
Removing fecal matter, urine, and food scraps is essential to avoid bacterial and fungal build-up that can lead to health problems.
Additionally, cleaning the cage will help to remove any odors and provide your guinea pig with a clean environment in which to live.
Is guinea pig poop toxic?
Guinea pig poop is not toxic to humans. It is considered a good source of protein and other essential nutrients.
The bacterias inside a guinea pig poop are harmful to humans. But it may pose some threats. So, while cleaning your guinea pig’s poop, you must avoid direct contact with the poop.
Final Words
Cleaning a guinea pig cage is pretty simple. Depending on “how do you clean a guinea pig cage?” Your guinea pigs can be happy and clean.
If you are comfortable with guinea pigs, you’d be okay with cleaning them. If you’re uncomfortable, you should probably leave the cage cleaning to your vet.
