Whitney is the Vice President of The Critter Connection, Inc., Connecticut's original guinea pig rescue. To pay for the home that her brood of guinea...
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Critter Comforts
So you're about to bring a new guinea pig (or two) home? Want a starter shopping list that cuts through the marketing spin and sales clerk schtick?
When you're a new owner, it can be confusing to face aisles of supplies for guinea pigs. When we're at our adoption events in pet stores, we are frequently approached by people who say, "Don't make me think. Just tell me exactly what to buy."
Here's our short list of items commonly found in local pet supply stores.
Build A Perfect Castle
Piggies Need A Lot Of Living Space
C&C ("Cubes & Coroplast") cages are the ultimate cages -- and the only ones that our rescue pigs are housed in. Spacious, affordable, and scalable,these expansive cages are constructed from sheets of coroplast (for the cage floor) and Neat Cubes (for the walls).
One level, two levels, long and narrow, short and wide, rectangular, square...you can create them all to fit the space you have and give your guinea pigs the space they need. These are the only cages that are pig-approved, owner-approved, and rescue-approved.
These cages are easy to build, easy to disassemble, and easy to clean. Check out
the site to learn more and see photos of some of the cool configurations you can create!
Gimme Shelter
Piggies Need A Safe Haven For Sleeping & Hanging Out
Guinea pigs must have a shelter house in their cage in order to feel safe. This is where they will primarily sleep, sometimes eat, run to when they're scared or surprised, or just hang out. A hidey house accommodates their natural instinct to tunnel, nest, and...well...hide.
There's lots and lots of options on the market. For a hidey house that's going to be in a cage 24/7, you want something that can be easily washed and sterilized in hot water and mild cleaner (like baby shampoo). With that in mind, consider hidey houses made from pet-safe, non-toxic plastic.
To be fair, lots of people use wooden houses in cages, and they're perfectly fine. But 24/7 exposure to moisture and waste can sometimes shorten their sanitary lifespan in your guinea pigs' cage. Having a small collection of different hidey houses can help you offer variety in the cage, and between the cage and the enclosed area you provide for daily out-of-cage playtime. Check out some options over at
How To Spoil Your Guinea Pig.
Super Pet Giant Igloo (Giant; 15.75"W X 13"D X 8.5"H; Assorted)
Price: $9.99
It's the coolest hide-out for your large critters. Our Giant Igloo is made of translucent, easy to clean plastic that's odor and stain resistant.Unbr... more »
It's the coolest hide-out for your large critters. Our Giant Igloo is made of translucent, easy to clean plastic that's odor and stain resistant.Unbreakable home with lots of fresh air vents in the ceiling is perfect for rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and similarly sized small animals.Offered in assorted colors. Unfortunately, colors cannot be specified for this item when ordering online. Please allow us to select one for you.
Bedding
Piggies Need A Soft & Dry Place To Land
Your guinea pig cage needs bedding that is absorbent and able to help control odor. The most common kinds of bedding used in guinea pig cages are pine, wood pulp, and recycled paper.
Owners with several guinea pig cages often use pine bedding because it's easy on the wallet and easier to find in bulk sizes at places like feed stores. (Avoid the kind with chlorophyll.) The problem with pine: it's dusty, it's messy, and it has an odor of its own. It's not unheard of to find a guinea pig that's allergic to pine.
Pulp products, like Carefresh, are a little more expensive than pine, but they're more absorbent. These products are virtually dust-free, odor-absorbent, and don't have an odor of their own. They're perfect for guinea pigs who have shown an allergy (or at least a sensitivity) to pine, and for humans with dust or tree allergies.
If you have severe allergies to trees, pulp products may still cause problems. That leaves recycled paper bedding. It's available, but it's harder on the wallet because it comes in smaller boxes with higher price tags...requiring owners to buy two or three boxes to adequately line a cage.
NOTE: Never use cedar bedding in a small animal cage! Its harsh odor causes respiratory distress -- sometimes fatal -- in small animals. Forget what store clerks tell you, and ignore the pictures of animals on the bags of cedar bedding. Veterinarians categorically agree that cedar bedding is dangerous for small animals.
Carefresh Pet Bedding (50 Liters; 46 Dry Quarts)
Price: $14.99
The 50-liter bag is the largest size. You also can find Carefresh in 23-liter, 10-liter, and 5-liter packages. Owners who use Carefresh feel that, over the long run, the 23-liter and 50-liter bags are the best buy. One 50-liter bag will sufficiently fill a 2x3 C&C cage.
Carefresh is becoming the #1 vet-recommended bedding for all small animals.
Carefresh Pet Bedding (10 Liters; 9 Dry Quarts)
Price: $4.99
The safest, healthiest bedding for your pet.CareFRESH is a patented pet bedding made from reclaimed pulp waste. This short-fiber pulp can't be made in... more »
The safest, healthiest bedding for your pet.CareFRESH is a patented pet bedding made from reclaimed pulp waste. This short-fiber pulp can't be made into paper; it's free of inks, dyes, clay and chemicals used in the paper making process. It is processed to remove potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons that exist in pine and cedar oils. It's tested for containments and sanitized to 380øF to reduce bacteria, mold and fungus. Unsurpassed odor control. CareFRESH provides unsurpassed odor control for your pet habitat. Unlike other bedding material, it works to suppress the formation of ammonia, the primary odor caused by pet urine.Super Absorbent. CareFRESH absorbs 3x its weight in liquids from pet urine or water bottle leaks so cages stay clean and dry. Long-lasting. CareFRESH lasts twice as long as shavings so you save time and money.Less dust. CareFRESH is softer and less dusty than other forms of bedding. It's cleaner and healthier for you and your pet. Good for the environment. CareFRESH has turned pulp and paper industry waste into pet owners' favorite brand of pet bedding.
Premier Pet Scent-Free Aspen Bedding (2 cu. ft.; Expands To 5 cu. ft.)
Price: $12.99
Encourage your pet's tunneling and nesting with this soft and gentle bedding. Scent-Free Aspen Bedding is naturally absorbent and effective at contro... more »
Encourage your pet's tunneling and nesting with this soft and gentle bedding. Scent-Free Aspen Bedding is naturally absorbent and effective at controlling odor.Biodegradable bedding is a natural for compost and mulch, except when used as cat litter.
Planetwise Cozy 'n Fresh Natural Pine Bedding & Litter for Small Animals, Birds & Reptiles (20 lbs.)
Price: $12.99
This product is pure pine processed with activated carbon, stays dry & smelling fresh, flushable & biodegrable, absorbs 4 times more odor-causing liqu... more »
This product is pure pine processed with activated carbon, stays dry & smelling fresh, flushable & biodegrable, absorbs 4 times more odor-causing liquid. You want to offer a clean safe environment for your small pet, while keeping your home smelling fresh. Made from environmentally friendly, all natural crumbled pine pellets with activated carbon, Cozy 'n Fresh helps you do both. Safe to have in your home and healthy for you pet, it provides comfortable sterile bedding, while neutralizing odor and absorbing moisture on contact. It naturally inhibits bacterial growth and leaves your pet's cage clean, dry and smelling pleasant. Plus, Cozy 'n Fresh lasts longer for less frequent changes. Rely on Cozy 'n Fresh and your pet will thank you. Superior Moisture & Odor Control! Why premium pine pellets? Kiln-dried pine pellets are clean, sterile, wih aromatic hydrocarbons and oils removed. Long-lasting pine pellets with carbon wick away moisture and keep odors at bay. Dust free. Will not stick to your pet's fur or feet. Stays dry for less mess and fewer changes. Veterinarian approved and environmentally friendly! Healthy and non-toxic to your pet even if ingested. Cozy 'n Fresh is perfect for your pet. Provides excellent litter bedding for rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, rats, and other small animals requiriing a dry environment. It is not recommended for amphibians or other animals requiring moist habitat. Cozy 'n Fresh can be discarded into the compost pile or used as mulch.
Premier Pet Natural Pine Bedding (2 cu. ft.)
Price: $9.99
Soft pine bedding with natural odor absorbency. Clean evergreen scent. Virtually dust-free.Biodegradable bedding can be recycled as compost (except... more »
Soft pine bedding with natural odor absorbency. Clean evergreen scent. Virtually dust-free.Biodegradable bedding can be recycled as compost (except when used as cat litter).
Housekeepers Small Pet Eco-Bedding (24 oz.; Expands To 2,250 cu. in.)
Price: $6.99
Completely dust free bedding for your small animal is hygienic and sanitary. Recyclable and biodegradable paper litter cleans easily with no sticking... more »
Completely dust free bedding for your small animal is hygienic and sanitary. Recyclable and biodegradable paper litter cleans easily with no sticking.
Cage Essentials
Piggies Need Clean Food & Water
You'll want a food dish that is washable, and hard for your guinea pig to tip over (because the little devil will tip it over during a rambunctious mood). It should also be large enough for the number of guinea pigs you have. Meal time is a communal event, so a food dish needs to be large enough to accommodate two or more guinea pigs eating at once.
You also want something to put hay in, to keep hay off the cage floor (and, therefore, not used as bedding).
Although wire bails come with water bottles, bottle guards (sold separately) do a better job of stabilizing a water bottle to the side of the cage. If you have two guinea pigs in a cage, consider buying two 8-ounce water bottles instead of one 16-ounce water bottle. Why? Oftentimes, one guinea pig either drinks a lot more -- or just likes to play with the water bottle -- which means the cage's other occupant is often left to "stand in line" until their roommate finishes.
Small Animal Kingdom Blue Ceramic Bowl (4" Diameter; Blue)
Price: $2.99
The thoughtful styling of this functional ceramic dish makes it ideal for offering food and water to your small animal, reptile, or amphibian. The bo... more »
The thoughtful styling of this functional ceramic dish makes it ideal for offering food and water to your small animal, reptile, or amphibian. The bowl features tall sides for generous portions, a high gloss finish for easy cleaning and great looks, and a heavyweight design that resists tipping.
Small Animal Kingdom Plastic Dish (5"W X 5"D X 2"H; Assorted)
Price: $1.99
Here's the durable plastic dish that's perfectly sized for your rabbit or guinea pig's food or water. Tip resistant design features finger arches at... more »
Here's the durable plastic dish that's perfectly sized for your rabbit or guinea pig's food or water. Tip resistant design features finger arches at the base to make retrieval from your pet's cage quick and easy.Easy clean, top rack dishwasher safe.Offered in assorted colors. Let us pick one for you.
Oasis Crystal Color Water Bottle (Assorted)
Price: $4.99
Translucent color water bottle ideal for mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, and cage birds.Stainless steel ball vacuum valve offers reliable wa... more »
Translucent color water bottle ideal for mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, and cage birds.Stainless steel ball vacuum valve offers reliable water delivery with no dripping.White floating ball shows water level.Nontoxic bottle is safe for all animals.Wire bail holder included.Offered in assorted colors. Let us choose one for you.
L/M Animal Farms Bottle Guard (For 8 oz. Bottles)
Price: $3.99
Galvanized steel bottle guard protects bottle from chewing. Spring loaded to securely hold bottle in guard. Fits all wire cages and most aquariums.... more »
Galvanized steel bottle guard protects bottle from chewing. Spring loaded to securely hold bottle in guard. Fits all wire cages and most aquariums. Includes easy to install bracket for mounting.
Hay Buffet (0.5 lb.; 7"L X 5"W X 8"H)
Price: $8.99
Hay Buffet is the safest way to offer healthy hay. This sanitary hay holder features a snap-lock lid for superior safety and totally wireless construc... more »
Hay Buffet is the safest way to offer healthy hay. This sanitary hay holder features a snap-lock lid for superior safety and totally wireless construction. Available in four assorted colors, Hay Buffet is perfect for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other furry friends.
Dinner Bell
Building Blocks Of A Good Diet
Like humans, guinea pigs' bodies cannot make Vitamin C, so it's important that their diets provide sufficient Vitamin C.
Food pellets should be species-specific, because manufacturers have formulated them to meet the unique nutritional needs of a species. Pay little attention to guinea pig food blends that contain seeds, nuts, and colored bits of who-knows-what. At the rescue, where we often have up to 40 animals at a time to feed, we have yet to find guinea pigs who actually eat these extra tidbits instead of just leaving them behind in the food dish. And, actually, adding these tidbits to your guinea pigs' food is a little like putting colored marshmallows into your morning bowl of Total cereal.
In addition to the food pellets listed here, Blue Seal and Gerty's brands are also good.
Hay is an important part of your guinea pig's diet, and needs to be timothy and not alfalfa. Orchard grass and meadow grass hay are good ways to change up your guinea pig's diet a bit. Or, to encourage foraging, mix timothy hay with one of these other varieties in your guinea pigs' hay rack.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food (5 lbs.)
Price: $8.99
This product is a nutritionally fortified daily diet made with fiber-rich, sun-cured timothy hay combined with other essential ingredients necessary f... more »
This product is a nutritionally fortified daily diet made with fiber-rich, sun-cured timothy hay combined with other essential ingredients necessary for your guinea pig. Timothy hay aids the natural digestive process of rabbits by poviding high quality source of fiber. Because timothy hay is lower in calcium than other grasses, it may decrease the likelihood of urinary tract problems and other health issues relative to guinea pigs. Product Features: timothy hay based diet, high fiber for better gastrointestinal healthy, complete nutrition for guinea pigs, pelleted for easy feeding and optimal animal acceptance, lower protein and calcium levels than alfalfa based diets. Packed with Long-lasting vitamin C. Guinea pigs are good companion animals and are easy to care for. They'll squeal to let you know they are hungry or want attention. Guinea Pigs must have a proper amount of vitamin c in their diets, due to their inability to synthesize it. Timothy complete is packed with long-lasting vitamin C.
Supreme Pet Foods Gerty Guinea Pig Food (2 lb. )
Price: $6.99
Gerty Guinea Pig is a premium blend of nutritious ingredients specifically formulated to provide the best for your guinea pig. Complete food suitabl... more »
Gerty Guinea Pig is a premium blend of nutritious ingredients specifically formulated to provide the best for your guinea pig. Complete food suitable for guinea pigs of all ages High fiber content to maintain healthy digestion Added Vitamin C, essential to a guinea pig's health Natural fibrous ingredients aid dental wear Gerty Guinea Pig is a complete food formulated for the special needs of guinea pigs. Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs are unable to produce their own vitamin C. Gerty Guinea Pig is fortified with vitamin C in a form that is easily absorbed by their digestive system. Gerty Guinea Pig also includes a variety of ingredients to encourage a guinea pig's natural foraging behavior and ensures that the guinea pig has to gnaw, crunch and grind, keeping their continually growing teeth trim. Supreme is dedicated to promoting the well-being of small animals. Every day Supreme feeds over 1 million small animals worldwide, so you can be confident you have chosen the right food for your pet. Supreme Quality Assurance. We take every care to ensure that this product reaches you in perfect condition. If you are not entirely satisfied or have any quesions regarding this product, please return the pack and a sample of the product to our customer services department, starting when and where purchased. Treat your pet to one of the grew new Supreme treats. Supreme products are distributed in the US & Canada by Absorption Corp, manufacturers of Carefresh Pet Bedding. The safe and healthy bedding for your pet.
Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay for Rabbits & Small Animals (48 oz.)
Price: $11.99
High quality hay aids the natural digestive process of rabbits and small animals by providing required long strand fiber. Kaytee Timothy Hay is a natu... more »
High quality hay aids the natural digestive process of rabbits and small animals by providing required long strand fiber. Kaytee Timothy Hay is a natural product with no additives or preservatives. Lower in calcium, Timothy Hay may reduce the likelihood of urinary tract problems. The high fiber from Timothy Hay in conjunction with good feeding habits may help prevent obesity.
Clean Sweep
Piggies Need A Cage That Smells Fresh & Clean
While you can clean a guinea pig's cage with a vinegar-and-water solution, or with hot water and baby shampoo, there are some good non-toxic, enzyme cleaners that are effective without leaving behind strong odors.
For more about cage maintenance, see
Easy Cage Cleaning and
Cleaning Cages.
Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover (16 oz.)
Price: $5.99
Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover contains the same ingredients that nature uses to rid organic debris from the earth's surface--enzymes. It elim... more »
Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover contains the same ingredients that nature uses to rid organic debris from the earth's surface--enzymes. It eliminates all stains and odors from pet accidents--even urine odors that other products fail to remove--or your money back. Safe for use around children and pets and on colors because it's non-toxic, non-flammable, non-caustic and non-acid. It's safe on all water-safe surfaces. Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover eliminates urine odors completely with no perfume cover-up odor. Discourages pet resoiling in same area. It also removes stains and odors caused by foods, blood, vomit, feces, grease, dirt, grass, smoke, perspiration and all other organic stains and odors. Nature's Miracle consists of billions of nature's enzymes that turn organic stains and odor causing material into a liquid you simply wipe away. Plus, only Nature's Miracle contains exclusive ingredients that speed up and greatly increase the effectiveness of the enzymes--and also helps neutralize acids in urine, vomit, and feces which helps restore color and lustre to carpets and floors that have been stained. For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, cages, litter boxes, and pet living and sleeping areas.
Nature's Miracle Deodorizing Cage Wipes for Small Animals (7" X 8" )
Price: $9.99
Nature's Miracle Small Animal Cage Wipes add the convenience of a wipe to the best selling and most effective pet stain and odor removers on the marke... more »
Nature's Miracle Small Animal Cage Wipes add the convenience of a wipe to the best selling and most effective pet stain and odor removers on the market. The deodorizing formula eliminates odors and the oversized quilted wipes make even the hardest stains an easy clean.Used on a regular basis, Nature's Miracle Cage Wipes help eliminate pet waste odors and keep a clean and hygienic cage.Yucca enzyme extract makes it tough on cage odors, gentle on pets.
