How to Keep Your Guinea Pigs’ Cage from Smelling
Guinea pigs are cute pets, but one of the challenges of keeping guinea pigs is maintaining a clean and fresh cage. Whether you have boars or sows, proper cage maintenance is needed for their health and your comfort. In this blog post, we’ll explore various ways to keep your guinea pigs’ cage from smelling, focusing on ventilation, air purifiers, regular cleaning routines, and more.
Understanding Boars vs Sows
Before diving into the cleaning tips, it’s important to understand the differences between boars (male guinea pigs) and sows (female guinea pigs). Boars tend to have a stronger smell than sows due to their scent glands. This means that if you have male guinea pigs, you might need to be extra diligent with your cleaning routine.
Importance of Ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial in preventing odors from building up in your guinea pigs’ cage. A well-ventilated space allows fresh air to circulate and helps prevent the build up of ammonia from urine. Here are some tips for ensuring good ventilation:
- Location: Place the cage in a well-ventilated area of your home. Avoid placing it in enclosed spaces or small rooms.
- Cage Design: Opt for a cage with open sides or wire mesh panels that allow air to flow freely. We don’t recommend the use of the solid perspex panels for this reason.
- Air Circulation: Use fans ( not directly aimed at the cage ) or open windows periodically to improve air circulation around the cage.
Using Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can be an excellent addition to your guinea pig care routine. They help remove airborne particles and smells, making the environment more pleasant for both you and your pets. When choosing an air purifier:
- HEPA Filters: Look for models with HEPA filters that can capture fine particles such as dust and dander.
- Activated Carbon Filters: These are particularly effective at removing odours.
- Size: Ensure the purifier is appropriately sized for the room where the cage is located.
Regular Cleaning Routine
A thorough weekly clean is essential for maintaining a fresh-smelling cage. Here’s how you can do it:
Daily Spot Cleaning
Remove any soiled bedding, uneaten food, and droppings daily. This prevents odors from building up and keeps the environment hygienic for your pets.
Weekly Clean
- Remove Guinea Pigs: Place them in a safe temporary enclosure.
- Discard Bedding: Remove all bedding material from the cage.
- Clean Surfaces: Wipe down all surfaces with a mixture of water and white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 1 part water). Vinegar helps neutralize odours without using harsh chemicals.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure all surfaces are rinsed well with water after cleaning with vinegar.
- Dry Completely: Allow everything to dry completely before adding new bedding.
Choosing a Larger Cage
A larger cage not only provides more space for your guinea pigs but also helps reduce odour concentration by spreading out waste over a larger area. When selecting a larger cage:
- Ensure it has enough space for multiple hideys (hiding spots) which can also serve as toilet areas.
- More space means less frequent soiling of any one spot, reducing overall odour.
If you already have a C&C Guinea pig cage, their modular design means they can easily be extended by adding extra grids and a new correx extension! Just message info@candcages.co.uk for more information.
Using Pee Pads for Toilet Areas and Hideys
Guinea pigs often choose specific spots as their toilet areas within their cages:
- Place pee pads in these areas for easy cleanup.
- Change them regularly to keep smells at bay.
Using pee pads under hideys where they like to rest also helps absorb any urine that might accumulate there.
Conclusion
Keeping your guinea pig’s cage from smelling involves some effort and attention to detail but is entirely achievable with proper routines in place. By understanding differences between boars vs sows, ensuring good ventilation, using air purifiers, committing to regular cleaning routines using water and white vinegar solutions, opting for larger cages, and strategically using pee pads under hideys or toilet areas—you’ll create a fresher environment that’s healthier for both you and your pets!
