Guinea Pig Cage

[Emtired]

Hello! How do you get a guinea pig’s cage to be less stinky? I clean out their cage and add new blankets everyday but it gets so stinky over night! I share a room with them so this is a bit of an issue.

 

[Piggies&buns]

There should not be any smell. A few questions to help us with your set up -

How many piggies do you have?

Ive just seen that you have boars. How old are they?
The thing with boars is that they will scent mark. The more often you change the the fleece, the more they will scent mark to make it their own terrritory again, the more it will smell.

What size is the cage?

What absorbent layer are you using under the fleece blankets?

A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding

 

[PipandOreo]

Hello! How do you get a guinea pig’s cage to be less stinky? I clean out their cage and add new blankets everyday but it gets so stinky over night! I share a room with them so this is a bit of an issue.

Hi, are you using an absorbent layer underneath the blankets? When using fleece or blankets you should use an absorbent layer like towel, zorb, uhaul pads or something similar to soak up the wee as the fleece is there to keep the guinea pig feet dry not to absorb the wee. I use pee pads for the areas where my pigs tend to wee and then change the pads out every day. Some people use what I think is called an air purifier, I’ve never used one so someone who has will probably be able to give you more information about that. I’ve not found my pigs smell at all after a day but I hope this helps

 

[Emtired]

Hi, are you using an absorbent layer underneath the blankets? When using fleece or blankets you should use an absorbent layer like towel, zorb, uhaul pads or something similar to soak up the wee as the fleece is there to keep the guinea pig feet dry not to absorb the wee. I use pee pads for the areas where my pigs tend to wee and then change the pads out every day. Some people use what I think is called an air purifier, I’ve never used one so someone who has will probably be able to give you more information about that. I’ve not found my pigs smell at all after a day but I hope this helps

Oh my god! Thank you. I do put something underneath so it doesn’t stain but it’s not absorbent. I’ll definitely be buying pads to put underneath as well.

 

[Piggies&buns]

You need something like puppy pads underneath fleece. The guide I linked in explains.
Do also note, as I say, boars scent mark so the more you change the whole cage in one go, the more they will mark and the more it will smell.
If you can change half the cage at a time, then it can help them to not feel the need to mark so much.

 

[Emtired]

There should not be any smell. A few questions to help us with your set up -

How many piggies do you have?

Ive just seen that you have boars. How old are they?
The thing with boars is that they will scent mark. The more often you change the the fleece, the more they will scent mark to make it their own terrritory again, the more it will smell.

What size is the cage?

What absorbent layer are you using under the fleece blankets?

A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding

I have two boars. One is four years old and the other is around 8-9 months old. It may be their scent marks. They got along fine at first but they butt heads a lot more now and have to be separated at times. I’m sure it’s due to the young one growing up.

The cage is about 55” in length and 24” in width.


I don’t have an absorbent material underneath. Just a thin plastic to avoid staining the cage underneath. I think this might be one of the issues as well. I’m planning on buying some pads to put underneath!

 

[Emtired]

You need something like puppy pads underneath fleece. The guide I linked in explains.
Do also note, as I say, boars scent mark so the more you change the whole cage in one go, the more they will mark and the more it will smell.
If you can change half the cage at a time, then it can help them to not feel the need to mark so much.

Alright, thank you so much! This really helped.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes it does sound as if not having any absorbent layer is the problem.

So the cage comes out at 140x60cm which is a little on the small side for two boars. It’s recommended two boars have 180x60cm but 150x60cm as a minimum. Space is so important for a boar pair if they are to have enough territory each and not have issues

You are best not to continually separate them as that can harm their bond. If it is just normal dominance, then it’s best not to intervene at all - leave them to sort things out for themselves. Only separate if their bond is dysfunctional and failing or if have a full on fight, but if that occurs, then it would need to be a permanent separation.

 

[Emtired]

You need something like puppy pads underneath fleece. The guide I linked in explains.
Do also note, as I say, boars scent mark so the more you change the whole cage in one go, the more they will mark and the more it will smell.
If you can change half the cage at a time, then it can help them to not feel the need to mark so much.

Alright, thank you so much! This really helped.

 

[Emtired]

Yes it does sound as if not having any absorbent layer is the problem.

So the cage comes out at 140x60cm which is a little on the small side for two boars. It’s recommended two boars have 180x60cm but 150x60cm as a minimum. Space is so important for a boar pair if they are to have enough territory each and not have issues

You are best not to continually separate them as that can harm their bond. If it is just normal dominance, then it’s best not to intervene at all - leave them to sort things out for themselves. Only separate if their bond is dysfunctional and failing or if have a full on fight, but if that occurs, then it would need to be a permanent separation.

Alright, thank you!

Yes, I’ve separated them because they did fight. I still have them close one another and there hasn’t been issues. (Thankfully)

I will be giving them floor time together soon to see if there are still any problems. If there are any, I will talk to my family to see what we can do next.

Again, thank you so much for the advice I really needed it. I’ll update if anything happens or if I need more help!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Alright, thank you!

Yes, I’ve separated them because they did fight. I still have them close one another and there hasn’t been issues. (Thankfully)

I will be giving them floor time together soon to see if there are still any problems. If there are any, I will talk to my family to see what we can do next.

Again, thank you so much for the advice I really needed it. I’ll update if anything happens or if I need more help!

Are they in separate cages at present?
if they have already had a full on fight, then we would not recommended putting them together in the same space again. A full fight is a clear indication they do not like each other and their bond has failed.

Separated piggies will need to live in side by side but separate cages so they can interact through the bars only.

 

[dhill_cb7]

Towels work great for about 2-4 days. I wouldn’t leave them down longer.

My house started to smell a bit yesterday but I had my own wash to do. Today I will clean and wash down the cage as they have floor time for an hour or two.