How to train my guinea pig to use a litter tray

[christine1]

Hi Everyoneurely

My piggy we and poops in his bed all the trya time, in fact I would say more than anywhere else. Is this normal? I got him a litter and filled it with wood chips, but even though he sits in it he doesn't use it. He just poops all over his enclosure and more so in his bed. What am I doing wrong? I spot clean every day and have to change his bed as its wet and full of poo. I have tried just taking the liner out and replacing that, as its we and he shouldn't lie in wee surely, and do a thorough clean twice a week.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks x

 

[christine1]

Sorry that should say (Hi Everyone)

 

[VickiA]

Hello @christine1
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings......but...unless you have one of the tiny minority of piggies who are so inclined to wee and poop in limited places only you will be disappointed.
The forum is full of threads of people who have tried and failed (myself included) to litter train our piggies. Sadly mine wee and poop everywhere including their beds.
There are a very few exceptions. If I can find any helpful threads I will share them with you here.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Yes, perfectly normal, mine poop and pee everywhere too! If you can get a small piece of vet bed for their bedroom area it keeps them really dry as the deep pile wicks away any moisture, I use it for my boys as one has a habit of peeing in his sleep and often had a pee stain on his side after sleeping but now he’s fine, dry and no stains x (he is a deep sleeper, doesn’t generally wake for anything and very chilled)

 

[Lorcan]

Is it just the litter tray filled with wood chips, or is it the entire cage? If it's not the whole cage he might be funny about toileting on it.
The other thing is that, afaik, guineas will toilet where they're eating. In one end and out the other.

 

[christine1]

Thank you so much guys,

I thought it may be a problem being that I'm a newbie. He poos and pees everywhere, but because he does do it in his bed I change it daily when I spot check (who wants to sleep in that). I had a small washable incontinent sheet that we used for my granddaughter when she was still wetting the bed. So I cut it up got 4 bed size pieces and did the same with a vet fleece. Now I have enough to change them, and the top layer stays dry.

So again I thank you all again. I would love tips about keeping them amused, well anything really.

 

[cavylover2002]

Hi. My guinea pigs have a litterbox (hay bed) and they are only maybe 60% potty trained. Guinea pigs can't help pooping while they walk, sleep, eat, drink, etc...it's just normal unlike a cat or dog, say. Rabbits do the same. I am guessing you have more then one guinea pig?
Guinea pigs pretty much "amuse" themselves. Mine like to throw around their toys and toilet paper rolls, and toss hay everywhere!

 

[Allie0078]

Hi, I agree with everyone else that they are never really “litter trained”. However I’d say I’ve managed to get mine to do 80% of their business in their hay box.

Basically mine wee most where they sleep and where they eat. So they’ve got a large under bed storage box lined with newspaper and filled with hay. I also put their pellets and vegetables in there at “meal times”. I’ve covered it with a fleece canopy to make them feel safe, and once I’d done this they started to sleep in there too (despite having lots of hideys).

I top the hay up each morning and change it each night (by which times it’s pretty soggy underneath. That keeps the cage very clean.

 

[VickiA]

Here is a fabulous article written by Wiebke summarising all types of enrichment. Some super and relatively inexpensive ideas in here. Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs