There are plenty of guinea pig bedding alternatives on the market but the question is which ones are the best.
People want the best for their pets and look for the best bedding that has an absorbent top to keep a guinea pig’s cage clean at all times.
Likewise, such bedding should be easily washed in a washing machine without chemicals such as a fabric softener, which can cause allergic reactions in guinea pigs.
Those who prefer fresh bedding such as paper bedding, hemp bedding, or kiln-dried pine shavings should make sure it’s dust-free to prevent problems with their guinea pig’s respiratory system.
So let’s check various guinea pig bedding alternatives.
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Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10 Best Guinea Pig Bedding Alternatives Reviewed
With our help, you’ll have no issues picking the perfect guinea pig bedding for your pets.
1. Kaytee Clean & Cozy White Small Animal Bedding
- Clean and cozy bedding is safe for small pet including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and gerbils
- Absorbs 6x its weight in liquid
- 99.9% dust-free
- Odor control guaranteed
- Made of material that meets FDA standards
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kaytee Clean & Cozy White Small Animal Bedding is dye-free, which makes it handy to identify when cleaning is necessary.
Besides, it’s comfortable and provides a secure and smooth habitat for your guinea pig.
The material meets FDA requirements – so you can be sure that your guinea pigs are safe.
The manufacturer is confident enough to guarantee a refund for bedding that fails to remain odor-free for fourteen days.
If you want to control odor, give in Kaytee’s Extreme Odor Control a chance and try it out.
The worst thing that can happen is you’ll ask for a refund.
Although this guinea pig bedding is not reusable, it is environmentally friendly and doesn’t contain any toxic additives.
A guinea pig owner can choose natural paper bedding to fleece-lined solutions to allow those cute cavies to satisfy their need to burrow, although paper linings can cause extra fiddle in the cage area.
Kaytee has suffered from consistency problems in the past; there were variations in the softness and quality of its paper.
Although the manufacturer promises that this bedding is 99% dust-free, some batches also suffer more from dirt problems than others.
Nevertheless, Kaytee’s Clean & Cozy bedding is popular for a reason: it supplies soft and manageable bedding that will have your guinea pigs happily burrowing their way throughout the day.
Pros & Benefits:
- Guaranteed odor control
- Paper bedding with a soft texture
- Made in the US
- Good for burrowing and nesting
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2. Living World Aspen Shavings
- The shavings are hypoallergenic and are the ideal choice when there is concern that small pets may have respiratory...
- Highly-absorbent aspen shavings can absorb up to four times its weight in moisture
- Ideal bedding material for small pets such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, and chinchillas
- Made from 100-percent natural aspen wood
- Expanded volume 2500-cubic inch
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Living World’s aspen bedding may be a low-priced wood-based fresh bedding alternative.
However, make sure it’s dust-free to keep your guinea pig’s sensitive respiratory system healthy.
The company has been around for nearly fifty years, continuously producing reliable merchandise for small animals.
The bedding is hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain fragrant oils, which limits the possibility of respiratory problems development in your guinea pigs.
Also, these wood shavings are heat-treated, so don’t think that poisonous substances might bring harm to your guinea pig’s health.
However, Aspen is hard and thus less absorbent compared to softwood bedding, shredded paper, or fleece bedding.
Guinea pigs and pet parents alike can find its lack of softness a problem.
Besides, like all bedding made from shavings, this can spread on the outer sides of the guinea pigs cage!
Additionally, pay attention to the quality of this guinea pig bedding, as consistency can range between batches.
Pros & Benefits:
- Chemical and aroma free
- Good for burrowing
- Affordable
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3. Small Pets & Company – Guinea Pig Fleece Cage Liner
- HIGH QUALITY - Small Pets & Company has been selling cage liners for several years, only purchasing the highest...
- PERFECT FIT - By popular demand, our cage liners are made LARGER than the cage, to allow for shrinkage, and to...
- CONVENIENCE - Never run out of bedding again, just shake off your liner and throw it in the washer!
- MADE IN USA - Unlike our competitors, Small Pets & Company's products are made right here in the USA, with each...
- CAGE SIZES - Midwest (24" x 48"), 1x2 C&C (28" x 14")
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Small Pets & Company supplies first-class fleece cage liners manufactured right here, in the US.
These guinea pig fleece liners offer all the normal advantages of a fleece-based product: comfortable, healthy bedding which can be washed in a washing machine and reused.
And, what’s really important is that these fleece blankets and liners are dust-free.
Compared to the GuineaDad Fleece Liner 2.0, it is much larger than the cage perimeter to accommodate the shrinking of this soft material.
These fleece guinea pig cage liners are made for specific brands such as Midwest, C&C, and Corner Pad.
Another drawback is that the product’s absorbency is lower compared to many other fleece cage liners or paper-based bedding solutions.
Pros & Benefits:
- Comfortable
- Brand-specific sizing
- Prevents burrowing
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4. Pulse Brands - Super Absorbent Disposable Cage Liners
- Use cage liners with loose bedding on top.
- Safe, efficient, and sanitary way to keep your small pet’s cage clean.
- Leak-proof design ensures easy clean-up.
- Liners can be cut or folded to fit any size cage.
- Each pad measures 22x22 inches (LxW), with the center pad measuring 19x19 inches (LxW). The pad has a 1.5 inch...
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Though not technically a fleece lining, Pulse Brands Disposable Cage Liners have the same function and eliminate moisture away from the surface of your piggies cage.
A new guinea pig pet parent may be interested in a disposable product for a while, before learning more about guinea pig habits and messiness.
These liners even transform water into a gel while also minimizing odor.
However, like all disposable products, this bedding is not that great for the environment and is less cost-effective.
A pack of disposable fleece liners may turn out to be much more expensive compared to products such as the GuineaDad Fleece Liner 2.0 because you’ll need to replenish the supplies over time.
For greater environmentally friendly disposables, you’ll prefer other paper-based commercial bedding alternatives such as the tiny Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding or fleece products.
Without this, your guinea pig may find the liners too uncomfortable, or be tempted to chew the fabric.
Guinea pig owners may need to cut or fold their liners depending on the size of their guinea pig cage, as every pad comes in a 22×22 inch size.
Pros & Benefits:
- Easy to maintain a guinea pig cage
- Great for first-time guinea pig owners
- Transforms liquids into a gel, minimizing odors and moisture
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5. GuineaDad Fleece Liner 2.0
- Excellent Absorbency: The Original GuineaDad Liner features a patented multi-layered construction that quickly and...
- Soft and Comfortable: Made from premium-quality, guinea pig-safe materials, the liner provides a cloud-like surface...
- Easy to Clean: Cleaning the Original GuineaDad Liner is a breeze. Simply remove waste and debris, and then toss it...
- Eco-Friendly and Cost-effective: By choosing the Original GuineaDad Liner, you make an environmentally conscious...
- Note on Size: GuineaDad guinea pig cage liners are intentionally created larger than cages. After the first couple...
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The GuineaDad Fleece Liner 2.0 is one of the most popular bedding solutions and one of the best among fleece liners on the market.
This guinea pig bedding has a bamboo fiber lining, which is, of course, antibacterial.
The liner has a three-layer system that consists of an absorbent layer that drains urine away from the surface of the fleece and keeps it dry.
This not only maintains your pet’s cage dry and the area below the cage mess-free but also protects your guinea pig’s sensitive feet.
Unlike other bedding materials, the fleece liner can be washed and reused multiple times.
So, although the upfront fee is costly compared to paper or wood-based alternative bedding options, in the long run, it comes out cheaper.
The eco-conscious will be pleased with the biodegradable properties of this guinea’s cage liner, while the pets will love the pocket sleeve, which lets them satisfy their burrowing instincts.
There are some significant drawbacks, however.
Even first-time guinea pig owners know that lining requires a lot of maintenance that includes regular washes with a pet-friendly, detergent.
The liner also can start to degrade over time, with repeated washing.
Likewise, while its urine-absorbency is effective, the fleece lining struggles more with guinea pig poo, which accumulates quickly.
If this is a deal-breaker for you, consider a paper-based guinea pig bedding product like Kaytee Clean & Cozy.
Pros & Benefits:
- Anti-bacterial and environmentally-friendly
- Encourages burrowing
- Comes in multiple sizes for various guinea pigs cage types
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6. Kaytee Sleeper E-Cup Bed for Little Pets
- Perfect for guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas and other small animals
- Cozy and secure small animal bed
- Padded floor with foam-free filling
- Dimensions: 10”L x 12”W x 5.5”H
- Machine washable, colors may vary
Last update on 2023-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kaytee Sleeper E-Cup Bed for Little Pets is a guinea pig fleece bedding manufactured in the USA.
The bedding has a padded side for which the company claims to be foam-free, and it’s also washable.
You may choose different colors but, unfortunately, you’re restrained to just one dimension offers.
What’s good about these fleece guinea pig cage liners is that they cost less compared to other bedding alternatives.
At a price that low, it’s really worth trying it out.
This guinea pigs bedding comes with a tether clip to connect it to a cage to prevent it from sliding out of the cage.
Pros & Benefits:
- A cheap, high-quality product
- Padded floors
- Machine washable
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7. FALAdor pet Guinea pig House Bed
- Size:Width:9" Length:9" Height:10"Pls check the size before you buy it
- Material:Top quality fabric+soft fleece.No harm to your pet.Make you pet have a warm and soft night
- Nice shed for its heat preservation to keep your rabbit,squirrel, chinchilla, guinea pig, rat away from the cold,...
- Super cute strawberry design.You pet will like it.As a nice decoration in your home.
- The pillow in the bed is removable .Easy for wash and clean. Machine wash is available,release your hand.
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Guinea pig parents, pay attention: this house bed is one of the prettiest you can find on the market.
Compared to other fleece liners, its extraordinarily cute design will charm you.
This isn’t a fleece blanket, and neither is it a fleece bed.
It is an incredibly cute nest and hideout designed for guinea pigs and other small animals that provide them the privacy they often seek.
The guinea pig bedding itself is a pillow that can be easily removed and washed in a washing machine.
It is warm, soft, and cozy.
Three sizes are available: small, medium, and large.
Pros & Benefits:
- Inexpensive
- Soft, cozy, warm, and comfortable fleece
- Very easy to maintain
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8. Ware Manufacturing Safari Sleeper Bed — Best Value
- Comfortable and cozy fleece bed for small pets
- Made of super soft materials with no foam - washable
- Easily fits inside any cage, carrier, or critter home
- Waterproof bottom padding protects from spills or urine stains
- Measures 14 inches long, 12 inches wide, 2 inches high
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re looking for an interesting guinea pig bedding alternative, here’s the Safari Sleeper Bed.
This bedding for guinea pigs is available in three sizes to accommodate the size of your guinea pig’s cage.
The bed comes with a waterproof layer to prevent fluids from leaking to the bottom of the cage.
Even though it’s foam-free, the Safari Sleeper is soft, cozy, and durable, which makes it better than most fleece liners.
Even after many washes, you will find that this guinea pig bedding holds well.
Unfortunately, you might find that this bed is too small for a larger guinea pig.
Pros & Benefits:
- Budget-friendly
- Waterproof bottom
- Machine washable
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9. Piggy BedSpreads Guinea Pig Bedding Fleece Cage Liners — Premium Choice
- THIS IS A WASHABLE LINER (CAGE NOT INCLUDED) for your Hagen Living World Cage and it replaces disposable paper...
- Top layer stays dry while allowing urine to wick into the middle layer. Bottom layer is a medical grade waterproof...
- Say goodbye to disgusting droppings and dusty wood shavings kicked on the floor from your guinea pigs running...
- Wash warm with detergent that doesn't contain fabric softener, Tumble dry warm.
- Please be patient with your fleece bedding as it can take multiple wash/dry cycles to break in before performing...
Last update on 2023-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This fleece cage liner is among the luxurious bedding alternatives on the market.
This product is awesome if you’ve got more than one animal because it is pretty large.
Additionally, it’s reversible, and all the sides have specific colors.
Fleece is super-soft, while the absorbent layer underneath keeps the surface dry; your guinea pigs won’t have any problems with wet bedding.
The top layer will stay dry while urine will drain into the middle layer.
The bottom layer is made of medical-grade waterproof material.
This guinea pig bedding is easy to maintain.
You can wash it in a washing machine with a pet-friendly detergent, but without using a fabric softener.
Nonetheless, this fleece bedding can get uncomfortably hot, especially during summer.
It additionally comes with a steep price.
While it’s a fantastic product, it isn’t best for a person who is on budget as you will need at least two to change your guinea pigs bedding while the dirty bedding is being washed.
Pros & Benefits:
- Superior quality
- Reversible
- Easy to maintain
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10. Monster Pets Carefresh Natural Premium
- 【SUPER SOFT】 short velvet + high precision PP cotton filling,super soft and cozy thick materials,sturdy in it's...
- 【3 SIZE OPTIONS】Small is fit for a baby guinea pig (Weigh no more than 1 pound); Large is fit for a young...
- 【HIDEOUT SPACE】Cushion keeps the guinea pig warm and you can pull out for more space.Hideout design makes them...
- 【USEFUL FUNCTIONS】①opening is shaped in a way for small pets to easily find their way into it②the non-slip...
- 【EASY TO CLEAN】The pillowcase can be removed and washed separately, and the bed is also suitable for machine...
Last update on 2023-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Every bedding for guinea pigs has its drawbacks and positive sides.
However, The Monster Pets Carefresh Natural Premium Soft Pet Bedding is convenient for guinea pigs.
With top-notch fluffy bedding and notable long-lasting cloth, this guinea pig cage liner is dependable.
The bedding doesn’t contain any harmful substances; on the contrary, its antibacterial properties make it safe for guinea pigs.
Additionally, it’s super/absorbent, up to 3x compared to average bedding for guinea pigs.
Pros & Benefits:
- Safe and comfortable
- Antibacterial
- Soft but longlasting
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What Is the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs?
There are lots of bedding types for guinea pigs.
Bedding made of fleece material such as a fleece blanket or fleece pads is very popular because it is absorbent but soft and durable.
Fleece liners you can wash easily in a washing machine using a little detergent, so they are cheaper in the long run because you don’t have to buy new supplies all the time.
At the same time, alternative bedding made for guinea pigs includes shredded paper, hemp bedding, hardwood and softwood shavings such as cedar and pine shavings are also popular.
All the bedding types listed here are commercial bedding that can be bought online or in pet stores around you.
Many experienced guinea pig owners place puppy training pads or old towels at the bottom of their guinea pig’s cage, just to make sure that the surface of the fleece blanket at the bottom stays dry.
Old towels and puppy pads soak up all the urine from the surface, so you can wash them in a washing machine every week or two.
Which Types of Bedding Are Unsafe for Guinea Pigs?
For your guinea pigs to be safe, the bedding has to be free from dust, mold, and scent that can irritate their sensitive respiratory system.
That is the reason why veterinarians don’t recommend dusty wood shavings, straw (that can contain hard and sharp stalks, which can hurt your guinea pigs), hay, or corn cob.
Corn cob bedding molds easily, cannot control odors, and is very hard on the sensitive feet of guinea pigs.
Also, guinea pigs may eat corn cob, which swells when mixed with water. Once a guinea pig ingests it, it swells up and causes an intestinal blockage that’s very dangerous for your pets.
Besides, these types of natural materials cannot absorb moisture very well and are hard to clean if you want to eliminate only parts of the bedding from your guinea pig’s cage.
The best is to place solid and very absorbent bedding (such as pellet or paper bedding) and then put a layer of hay on top of it.
Why Use a Guinea Pig Bedding?
If you’ve taken care of small animals before, you’ll likely agree that bedding is potentially pricey but important for your guinea pigs’ health and hygiene.
Bedding should keep the moisture away from the surface, so your guinea pigs remain clean and dry.
Bedding has to be safe and cozy for your pet, but also cost-effective since you should change it regularly to keep your guinea pigs safe.
If you select the proper bedding for your pets, you’ll save money on veterinary visits to treat or prevent certain illnesses.
Wild guinea pigs sleep in grassy habitats where they will rest, socialize, nest, and forage safely.
Likewise, captive guinea pigs require an indoor area for themselves, a cage big enough for them to roam around but with deep bedding that’s soft and makes them feel secure and happy.
If you fail to supply your pet with soft places to nest, tunnel, burrow, hide, and rest, your guinea pig won’t thrive well.
Which Types of Guinea Pig Bedding to Avoid?
The bedding has to be free from dust, mold, and scent that can irritate the sensitive respiratory system of guinea pigs.
If you decide to use natural bedding, make sure it’s 100% natural, with no additives, and that it is kiln-dried, so no dust should appear in it.
Regardless, most veterinarians won’t recommend dusty wood shavings such as pine bedding, cedar bedding, or aspen bedding.
Still, if you want to use wood shavings, aspen bedding is a much better option for your guinea pigs compared to other types.
Both cedar and pine wood gives off aromatic hydrocarbons that are dangerous for guinea pigs.
For that reason, if you must, go for aspen bedding, even though it’s not as absorbent as pine bedding, but it’s softer and isn’t harmful to your pet.
Yet, it controls odors much better and lasts well between cage cleans.
Generally, natural materials make poor bedding alternatives.
They cannot absorb moisture well and are not easy to clean if you only want to remove parts of the bedding from your guinea pig’s cage.
The best you can do is to place solid and very absorbent bedding (such as pellet or paper bedding) and then put a layer of hay on top of it.
Also, make sure to avoid straw because it can contain hard and sharp stalks, which can hurt your guinea pigs.
Similarly, avoid using cat litter for your guinea pig’s bedding unless if it’s recycled paper.
Cat litter may be unsafe for guinea pigs because they can ingest it and block their digestive system.
Can Guinea Pigs Live Without Bedding?
Guinea pigs need bedding in their habitats.
To keep your pet clean and healthy, make sure to use absorbent materials such as commercial bedding alternatives or towels.
You may want to use shredded paper bedding, such as junk mail, cat litter paper bedding, puppy training pads, or fleece bedding.
Are Cedar Wood Shavings Safe for Guinea Pigs?
Never use cedar wood shavings for your guinea pigs.
Both cedar and pine wood shavings give off aromatic hydrocarbons that are dangerous for guinea pigs.
Can You Use a Blanket Instead of Bedding for a Guinea Pig?
Yes, you can use a blanket or a towel instead of bedding.
Just make sure that the material is soft, cozy, and that it absorbs moisture well.
Why Not Use Fabric Softeners Or Dryer Sheets When Washing Fleece Materials?
When you buy fleece bedding, it has a water barrier that allows moisture to go through to the absorbent layer.
However, most fabric softeners and dryer sheets leave residues that build up on fleece materials.
The reason why you shouldn’t use such chemicals is that they can clog the fleece pores and the fleece will lose its properties.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, having a guinea pig is a responsibility.
This small animal relies on you to keep it healthy and safe.
For that reason, choose the best bedding alternative.
Take care of your guinea pig’s diet and hygiene and you’ll have a happy and healthy little rodent running around for a long time.
Share your thoughts and comments with us in the section below.
