When it comes to keeping a small pet’s cage dry and clean, the first thing that comes to mind is, using a pee pad. So, if you own a guinea pig, you must want to know, Can you use puppy pee pads for guinea pigs?
You can use puppy pads for guinea pigs and they can be used to litter train tour guinea pigs and can absorb urine effectively. However, make sure that puppy pads are safe for them and put them under another bedding as they might chew on them. Moreover, ensure that you replace and clean them regularly.
So, you can see that pee pads can play an important role in taking care of guinea pigs.
In this article, I will tell you about the benefits and drawbacks of using puppy pee pads for guinea pigs’ cages. You will also know, how to use pee pads for guinea pigs and what are the alternatives.
Table of Contents
What are the benefits of using puppy pee pads for guinea pigs?
Let’s take a look at the benefits of using pee pads for guinea pigs.
1. Adds absorbency to the cage
One of the biggest advantages of using puppy pee pads for guinea pigs is that they add extra absorbency to the cage.
This is important because guinea pigs are very clean animals and they don’t like to urinate in a dirty cage.
Moreover, being wet and dirty can lead to various health problems for them.
2. Keeps cages cleaner
Another huge benefit of using pee pads is that they can help to keep your guinea pig cage clean.
If you place the pad in the corner of the cage, it will absorb any urine that your guinea pig produces and help to prevent it from making a mess of the rest of the cage.
3. Reduces odor
Pee pads also help to reduce odors in your guinea pig cage.
This is because they are highly absorbent and they will help to absorb any urine that comes into contact with them.
This can be a big advantage if your guinea pig is prone to wetting its cage.
4. Convenient
Puppy pads are also very convenient to use.
They are easy to set up and you can simply place them in the cage and let them do their job.
5. Affordable
Pee pads are also very affordable and they can be a great way to save money on cage liners.
6. Helps with litter training
Puppy pads can also be useful if you are potty training your guinea pig and you want to encourage them to use a specific area for urinating.
7. Makes cleaning easier
Pee pads can also help to make cleaning your guinea pig’s cage much easier.
This is because the pad will absorb any waste products, which can make cleaning the cage much simpler and less time-consuming.
8. Reduces messiness and stress for guinea pigs
Using dog pads can also help to reduce messiness and stress for your guinea pigs.
This is because it can help to keep their cage clean and it can also help to reduce any urine smells.
9. Comfortable
A pee pad is also comfortable for your guinea pigs. Most of them will like it.
9. Safe for guinea pigs
Puppy pads are also safe for your guinea pigs.
The reason for that is they are made from safe and non-toxic materials, so you don’t have to worry about them causing any harm to your guinea pigs.
However, you still have to make sure that the pee pad you get doesn’t contain any bad chemicals.
10. Easily removed, or replaced
Puppy pads are also very easy to remove or replace.
This is because they are not permanent fixtures in your guinea pig cage, so you can simply remove them when they are full and replace them as necessary.
11. Available in a variety of sizes and designs
Pee pads are also available in a variety of sizes and designs, which makes it easy to find one that is the right size for your guinea pig cage.
12. Can be used for other purposes
A dog pad can also be used for other purposes, such as providing protection for your floor and furniture from any accidents that your guinea pig may have.
What are the drawbacks of using puppy pee pads for guinea pigs?
There are also some drawbacks to using pee pads in a guinea pig cage.
1. Can be expensive over time
If you are using puppy pads on a regular basis, they can start to add up in cost.
2. Can be messy
Puppy pee pads can be quite messy, as they are often made of absorbent materials. This means that urine and feces can sometimes leak through the pad and onto the floor of your guinea pig’s cage.
3. Can be difficult to clean
Pee pads can also be quite difficult to clean, especially if urine has been leaking through onto the floor of your guinea pig cage. You may need to scoop out feces and scrub the cage floor more often if you are using puppy pads.
They can create a lot of waste, which can become a pain to clean
4. Placement error
One is that, if not placed correctly, they can actually make the cage messier. If the pad is too small or does not absorb enough urine, it can cause urine to spread around the cage, rather than being contained on the pad.
5. Guinea pig may not prefer it
Some guinea pigs might not like using them, which could make potty training more difficult. You may need to experiment with different types of pads before you find one that your guinea pig likes.
6. Need to be replaced frequently
They can get soiled easily and need to be replaced frequently, which can be time-consuming.
7. May produce a bad odor
They may not absorb urine completely, leading to a bad odor in the cage. So, it requires regular cleaning.
8. May not be safe sometimes
They may not be safe for guinea pigs who like to chew on things.
The pad materials can sometimes be safe for guinea pigs if they ingest them a lot.
However, it’s not very common, if you take extra precautions (described later).
Types of puppy pads for guinea pigs
Puppy pads come in many different varieties, but there are two main types that are most commonly used for guinea pigs: Washable pads and Disposable pads.
Washable pee pads
These pee pads are typically made from absorbent materials, such as cotton or bamboo. They can be washed and reused over and over again, which makes them a more economical choice in the long run.
However, they may not be as absorbent as disposable pads and will need to be changed more frequently.
Disposable pee pads
These puppy pads are usually made from a combination of paper and plastic. They are more absorbent than washable pads, but they are also much more expensive and can be difficult to find in some areas.
Additionally, if it contains a plastic backing, it may not be safe for your guinea pig to chew on.
How to use puppy pads in a guinea pig’s cage?
Now as you know there are a lot of benefits of using a puppy pad for guinea pigs, you might want to learn how to use it.
1. Get the right puppy pad
First of all, get a pee pad that’s good for your guinea pigs and do the work effectively.
Consider all the important factors (discussed below) before you make the final decision.
2. Choose the right place
Once you’ve picked the right puppy pee pad, choose a good spot to place it.
The easiest way to do this is to put the pad in a corner of the cage and make sure it’s flush against the wall.
This will minimize any messy accidents, and also make it easier to clean up.
The location should also be easily accessible for your guinea pigs and should not be too far from their food and water.
3. Place the puppy pad perfectly
Next, you need to properly place it in the guinea pig cage.
First, take the measurements of the area where you’re going to put the pad.
Then, cut the pad according to the measurements before placing it in the cage.
Some guinea pigs may decide to nibble on the edges of their pee pad, so make sure it’s secured in place.
4. Monitor your guinea pigs’ behavior
After you’ve put the pad in their cage, it’s important to monitor your guinea pigs’ behavior.
If they’re showing any signs of excitement or agitation, you’ll need to be extra-vigilant in the first few days.
This is because they may not be used to the new addition and might need some time to get used to it.
5. Train your guinea pigs
You’ll need to train your guinea pigs to use the pad. This might take some time, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
6. Be patient
Be patient while training your guinea pigs and don’t get frustrated if they make a mistake. They’ll eventually get the hang of it.
The key is to be patient and understanding, which can help you ensure your guinea pigs are comfortable with their new puppy pad.
7. Replace the puppy pad regularly
You’ll need to replace the pad regularly, depending on how often your guinea pigs use it.
How often should you change pee pads for guinea pigs?
In most cases, you have to replace a single puppy pad once every 2 to 4 days. Some may last for a week. However, this can vary depending on the number of your guinea pigs, their diet and habits, how much your guinea pigs pee, the cage size, and the quality of puppy pads.
3 Best puppy pads for guinea pigs
Here are my suggested puppy pads that you can choose for your guinea pigs.
1. Amazon Basics Puppy Pads
Amazon Basics Puppy Pads is one of the best puppy pads for guinea pigs on the market. It’s made from a five-layer quilted material that can quickly absorb urine and control odors.
Additionally, it has a waterproof backing to prevent leaks, and the pads are easy to clean.
However, after using it for a long period, some people experience leakage issues.
Pros
- High absorbency
- Great odor-control eliminator
- Easy to clean and disposable
- 5-layered with waterproof backing
- Value for money
Cons
- May leak after using a long time
Product
Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pads
2. KOOLTAIL Washable Pee Pads
If you are looking for a washable pee pad for your guinea pigs, The KOOLTAIL Washable Pee Pad can be a great option for you. It’s reusable and washable and has super absorbency. It’s soft and made of high-strength fabrics.
Pros
- Reusable and washable
- Highly absorbent
- Easy to clean
- Good odor-control
- Value for money
Cons
- Can be weak after several washes
- Low water-resistance
Product
KOOLTAIL Washable Pee Pads for Guinea Pig Cage
3. Pet Parents Pawtect™ Washable Dog Pee Pads
This puppy pad has a good absorbency level and does a great job of controlling odors. It’s also washable and reusable.
Pros
- Reusable, washable and easy to clean
- Good absorbency
- Good odor control
- Multi-layered
- Very affordable
Cons
- May need extra effort to dry off completely
- May shrink after several washes
Product
Pet Parents Pawtect™ Pads Washable Dog Pee Pads
Things to consider before using puppy pee pads for guinea pigs
If you do decide to use puppy pads in your guinea pig cage, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Size
The size of the puppy pad is one factor you need to consider. Ensure that the pad is the correct size.
You don’t want the pad to be too big or too small for the guinea pig cage. If it’s too big, your guinea pig might be able to pee on the floor of the cage. If it’s too small, your guinea pig might not be able to use it at all.
Absorbency
One important factor you need to consider is the absorbency of the puppy pad. You want a pad that can absorb a lot of urine, in order to minimize the smell from the guinea pig’s cage.
Frequency of replacing
The next factor you need to consider is how often you need to change the pee pad. Some pads require daily changes, while others can be changed two or three times a week.
Right placement
You need to place the pad in a corner of the cage where it will not interfere with your guinea pig’s access to food, water, or hiding spot.
Safe material
As a guinea pig is a sensitive creature, you have to make sure the material used to make the pad is safe for their health.
You should stay away from those pee pads that contain scent and other added chemicals.
Put bedding or hay over it
You need to ensure that even though your guinea pig decides to eat a piece of puppy pad, he doesn’t get sick.
So, place other bedding materials such as wood shavings or natural paper pellets or put some hay over it to prevent this from happening.
Replace and clean it regularly
You have to replace the pee pad regularly, as one pad can’t work very long. So, it will eventually get dirty and make the cage messy. Moreover, you need to clean regularly.
Check the result
Finally, you should check the pad regularly to make sure it is still clean and absorbent. If it is not, it will need to be replaced.
What are the alternatives to puppy pads for guinea pigs?
There are some alternative options to using puppy pads in a guinea pig cage.
1. Litter box
One of the most popular is to use a litter box with wood shavings or recycled paper bedding.
This is an easy and relatively inexpensive solution, as you can often find these materials for free or very cheap.
However, you will need to clean and replace the bedding much more often than if you use a puppy pad.
Check out litter box ideas for guinea pigs.
2. Litter pan
A litter pan is another option that you can use in place of a puppy pad. This is a small pan that you can fill with bedding.
Guinea pigs will go to the pan and use it for their bathroom needs.
This is a good option if you want to use bedding in your guinea pig cage, as it lets you keep the rest of the cage clean and free from urine smells.
However, you need a large cage to use a litter pan for them. C&C can be a great choice.
3. Newspaper in a corner
For smaller cages, you can simply place newspaper in a corner of the cage.
But, using newspaper can make the cage messier, and therefore you will need frequent cleaning.
Moreover, most guinea pigs will avoid going to this area, as they don’t like the feel of the newspaper.
You can put their favorite food or hay there to solve this issue.
However, you can also use this method in conjunction with a litter box or pan.
4. Bedding in a corner
Another option is to place bedding in a corner of the cage. This will give your guinea pig a place to go for pee and poop, while also providing them with a soft and comfortable surface to play on.
There are several advantages to using bedding in a guinea pig cage, including the fact that you can easily clean and replace the bedding when needed.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using bedding in a cage. For example, it can make the cage messier and harder to clean, and some guinea pigs may avoid using the bedding if they are not used to it.
5. Ramp or Hidey House
Another option is to use a ramp or hidey house that your guinea pig can access easily.
This will provide them with a place to go to the bathroom that is not in their sleeping area.
You can find ramps and hidey houses at most pet stores, or you can make your own using materials that you have at home.
6. Grass mat
Another alternative is to use a grass mat. These are mats made of real or synthetic grass, and they’re designed to absorb urine.
This is a great option if you’re looking for something natural, but they can be more expensive than other options.
However, make sure that the product is safe for your guinea pigs.
No matter what type of material you use for the cage bedding, it’s important to clean and change it regularly. This will help keep your guinea pig healthy and reduce odors in their cage.
Conclusion
Overall, using a puppy pad is a great option if you’re looking for an easy and effective way to absorb urine in a guinea pig cage. Just make sure to consider the size, absorbency, and frequency of changes before making your final decision. And don’t forget to clean and change the bedding regularly!
