Guinea Pig Standing on Poos in Cage and Breaking Them All Up

[DM030821]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on here. I currently have one guinea pig named Bodge, he is 5 years old and is seemingly very healthy and happy. However his cage is always really messy because he poops and then stands on them, crushing them so there are small bits of poop everywhere. He also gets the poop stuck on his paws and around the rim of the nugget bowl. I clean his cage twice a day, but I'm concerned he is sitting in the mess and getting dirty throughout the day.
Also, he is on fleece bedding in a 3*2 c and c cage, but the fleece always seems damp in the corners. I'm not sure if this is because he is always peeing on the same spot, or whether the fleece isn't absorbing anymore (I've had it for over 3 years).

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can keep his cage cleaner? Should I invest in new fleece bedding? How can I stop him breaking up his poos?

Thanks in Advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

What absorbent layer do you use under the fleece?
If the fleece isn’t wicking properly anymore, then perhaps it does need to be replaced. Ensure you don’t use any fabric conditioner as that will stop it from wicking. Perhaps you can use extra fleece pee pads or pieces of vetbed in high traffic areas as these can be removed more regularly

Regarding the poop, all you can do is spot clean more often, particularly as his cage isn’t very big

Are you planning on getting him a friend?

 

[DM030821]

What absorbent layer do you use under the fleece?
If the fleece isn’t wicking properly anymore, then perhaps it does need to be replaced. Ensure you don’t use any fabric conditioner as that will stop it from wicking. Perhaps you can use extra fleece pee pads or pieces of vetbed in high traffic areas as these can be removed more regularly

Regarding the poop, all you can do is spot clean more often, particularly as his cage isn’t very big

Are you planning on getting him a friend?

Thanks, I got the fleece bedding from Etsy, so not sure about the absorbant layer. Do you have any suggestions of where I can get more fleece?I might get some pee pads as well for the corners.

He does have a friend, but they are currently seperated, I am planning on moving them into the same cage soon as they get on really well. I just need to make the cage 2*4 so it is big enough for the both of them

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’ll add a link below for Uk recommended fleece suppliers.
Alternatively, you can simply use puppy pads and place a properly washed and wicked fleece blanket on top.

Members recommended UK and US sites for fleece cage liners and accessories

Do be aware that for two boars together, a 2x4 might be too small - boars need a lot of space for their more territorial nature, particularly if your other piggy is a youngster. A 2x4 meets the minimum space for two boars, but a 2x5 is the recommended size.
I’m afraid until they live permanently in the same cage, then you cant completely know how well they will they get on and be able to form a hierarchy. If you have been letting them have playtime together up until now, then do be aware that that isn’t how boars bond and constant meeting and separation causes stress but also means they won’t have completely formed a proper functioning hierarchy. Please ensure you don’t just put the piggies directly into the other ones cage - any bonding needs to be done properly in neutral territory. The guides below explain further

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[DM030821]

I’ll add a link below for Uk recommended fleece suppliers.
Alternatively, you can simply use puppy pads and place a properly washed and wicked fleece blanket on top.

Members recommended UK and US sites for fleece cage liners and accessories

Do be aware that for two boars together, a 2x4 might be too small - boars need a lot of space for their more territorial nature, particularly if your other piggy is a youngster. A 2x4 meets the minimum space for two boars, but a 2x5 is the recommended size.
I’m afraid until they live permanently in the same cage, then you cant completely know how well they will they get on and be able to form a hierarchy. If you have been letting them have playtime together up until now, then do be aware that that isn’t how boars bond and constant meeting and separation causes stress but also means they won’t have completely formed a proper functioning hierarchy. Please ensure you don’t just put the piggies directly into the other ones cage - any bonding needs to be done properly in neutral territory. The guides below explain further

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Thanks for that. Yes they have been having playtime together, but also have a larger cage for the day time which they share already. It is only at night they are seperated (sorry I should have made that clearer). But even at night, their seperate cages are right next to each other so they can see each other. The other guinea pig is only 3 months old.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks for that. Yes they have been having playtime together, but also have a larger cage for the day time which they share already. It is only at night they are seperated (sorry I should have made that clearer). But even at night, their seperate cages are right next to each other so they can see each other. The other guinea pig is only 3 months old.

Piggies dont do playtime. To them, each meeting is a full on bonding session which if then cut short and they are separated cause stress and stops them from properly forming their relationship. It takes two weeks of fully living together for a full working hierarchy and relationship to be formed. Piggies should either be permanently together or permanently apart. As the youngster is only three months then he is too young to be alone in a cage at all and should be properly living with another piggy. Piggies under four months of age need constant companionship.
If they have a larger cage (as I said 150x60cm is the minimum for two boars but 180x60cm is the recommended), can you not leave them in that overnight so they can stay together 24/7 from now on (Until you can get the bigger c&c).

 

[DM030821]

Piggies dont do playtime. To them, each meeting is a full on bonding session which if then cut short and they are separated cause stress and stops them from properly forming their relationship. It takes two weeks of fully living together for a full working hierarchy and relationship to be formed. Piggies should either be permanently together or permanently apart. As the youngster is only three months then he is too young to be alone in a cage at all and should be properly living with another piggy. Piggies under four months of age need constant companionship.
If they have a larger cage (as I said 150x60cm is the minimum for two boars but 180x60cm is the recommended), can you not leave them in that overnight so they can stay together 24/7 from now on (Until you can get the bigger c&c).

Yes I put them together from now on. So 2 male guinea pigs should be in a 2*5 cage rather than a 2*4? Ok I will try and sort that out.

 

[Piggies&buns]

A 2x4 meets is the smallest size for two boars, but a 2x5 is better. Lack of space can cause problems for two boars, particularly as your youngster will soon be hitting his hormonal teens. Ensure all your hides have two exits so neither piggy can get trapped by the other (being cornered by the other piggy can lead to defensive injuries)

all the green links I’ve added in explain boar pair (and teenage boar) behaviour and bonding

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?