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Cleaning a guinea pig cage – schedule, smell, wet spots & hygiene
A clean guinea pig cage revolves around one thing: quickly removing wet spots. Guinea pigs often urinate in designated areas. If you organize these areas cleverly (with a litter box or an absorbent area), you can do it every day in just a few minutes. On this page, you'll find a handy schedule, odor-reducing tips, and shopping links for the right products.
1) Daily maintenance (2–5 minutes)
- Remove wet bedding (especially in hay/pee areas).
- Refresh the water and remove old green food.
- Shake out cushions/baskets and replace wet items.
Useful categories: bedding , bedding mats & pee mats and cushions & baskets .
2) Make pee spots smart
Many guinea pigs like to pee in places where they spend a lot of time: near hay, in a corner, or under a hiding place. Create one or more "service zones" for these areas so you only need to clean those areas daily.
- Toilet bin: with absorbent material, useful for regular urinating places.
- Plasmat/corner mat: under hay or in a favourite corner.
- Multiple hay racks: spread out the hay so that it doesn't all get wet in one place.
Shop: toilets , urinals and hay racks .
3) Weekly schedule: what do you do when?
- Daily: wet away, change water, remove leftovers.
- 2–3× per week: completely refresh service areas (toilet/corner mat/hay corner).
- Weekly: major cleaning: replace more bedding, clean food and water bowls thoroughly.
- Once a month (or as needed): complete “reset” with thorough cleaning of the tank/surface.
4) Safe cleaning products
Preferably choose a mild, rinse-free cleaning product suitable for animal enclosures. Always rinse and let everything dry thoroughly before replacing the bedding.
View: guinea pig cleaning products .
5) Smell: where does it come from?
- Wet spots: leaving it for too long is the biggest cause.
- Insufficient absorption: choose absorbent bedding or combine with pee mats.
- Ventilation: ensure that the enclosure is not “closed in”.
- Feeding places: wet green food in ground cover quickly gives off odor; it's better to feed in a bowl.
- Remove wet spots every day (especially hay/puddle areas).
- Work with a toilet bowl or pee pad in a fixed corner(s).
- Multiple hay racks/feeding areas for a duo or group.
- Weekly major cleaning + cleaning of bowls/drinking systems.
- Use mild products, rinse and allow to dry thoroughly.
- Do not use strongly perfumed products in or around the enclosure.
- Allow everything to dry thoroughly before returning the guinea pigs.
- Check for loose fibers/fraying on mats and cushions; replace damaged items.
How often should I clean the entire cage?
That depends on the size, number of guinea pigs, and the substrate. A good urinal area often allows you to go longer with a major cleaning.
Why does it smell especially around the hay?
Many guinea pigs pee in hay. Use an extra absorbent area or litter box there.
What is the fastest routine?
Only clean service areas daily + a more thorough cleaning once a week.
More basic information can be found at caviar information . Background information: LICG .
Do you have a question about your stay or cleaning routine? Then please visit our service page .
