Can You Use Hay As Guinea Pig Bedding? (Find Out Now)

You may have heard that some people use hay as bedding for their guinea pigs. You might be wondering if it’s okay to do the same.

Yes, you can use hay as bedding for your guinea pigs. It is a good idea to do this because hay is also food for piggies. However, it’s not the best option because hay doesn’t absorb liquid well. Hay also gets dirty easily and can be expensive in the long run – because you have to keep replacing it.

Truth be told, hay is widely used as bedding. But it has its advantages and disadvantages – that I’ll cover, too.

You’ll also learn all you need to know about using hay as guinea pig bedding. Let’s begin, shall we?

What Is Hay? 

Hay is simply dried grass or legume. Hay is gotten from herbaceous plants and is stored for use as animal feed. Animals like horses, goats, and guinea pigs all eat hay. It’s typical food for herbivorous animals.

Fresh and good-quality hay should be green and soft to an extent. It’s highly nutritious because it contains fiber. It’s also used as bedding for animals like guinea pigs.

Is Hay Toxic To Guinea Pigs? 

No, hay isn’t toxic to guinea pigs. It’s their staple food and must be provided daily. But you should know that hay differs and not all hay is good for guinea pigs. To give you a clearer picture, I’ll explain the types of hay using a table. 

Take a look at the table below:

Hay Type	Total Percentage Of Fiber Content	Total Percentage Of Calcium Content	Recommendation
Oat Hay	31%	0.4%	This one is quite distinctive. Your cavies may or may not like it. It’s great for older piggies who require extra roughage.
Timothy Hay	32-34%	0.4-0.6%	This is the most popular kind of hay. It’s safe for guinea pigs of all ages.
Alfalfa Hay	28-34%	1.2-1.4%	This is high in calcium which isn’t great for piggies. Alfalfa hay should be consumed by baby or pregnant guinea pigs only.
Meadow Hay	33%	0.6%	This consists of a variety of leafy grasses and clover. It’s safe to feed all your cavies meadow hay daily.
Orchard Grass	34%	0.33%	This is softer than timothy hay. It has the lowest percentage of calcium and very high fiber. It’s suitable for piggies of all ages.
Bermuda Grass	29-32%	0.46%	This is high-quality hay plus its tropical grass. It’s safe for both young and old guinea pigs.

Now you know a lot more about the types of hay right? Yeah, you’re a pro now. Well, only alfalfa hay has restrictions for usage. All the rest are fine.

What Are Some Advantages Of Using Hay For Guinea Pig Bedding? 

Hay is easy to get and it serves as food for your cavies too. There are many other advantages of hay bedding that I’ll be telling you about.

1. Easy To Find 

For one thing, hay isn’t scarce. It’s widely available everywhere. You can even choose from the different types of hay since they aren’t hard to get.

2. Great For Guinea Pig Enrichment 

Well, I guess you know this by now…guinea pigs can’t do without hay. While serving as bedding for them, it’ll also enrich them and keep them happy.

3. No Aromatic Oils 

Hay doesn’t contain harmful aromatic oils. In fact, it doesn’t contain any aromatic oils at all. It has a natural healthy smell that isn’t toxic to guinea pigs.

4. Doesn’t Require A Washing Machine 

Many piggie owners dread the washing and scrubbing required by most bedding (like fleece). Hay can be composted, it doesn’t need any washing or drying. It only needs to be refilled or restocked.

5. Soft and Comfortable 

Good quality hay is soft and very comfy. That’s why cavies can burrow and even sleep on it without issues.

6. Cheap In Bulk 

Bulk buying of hay is cheap and I’m not joking. The larger the quantity you’re buying, the cheaper it is. You can buy bulk hay on Amazon here.  

You can also shop for Timothy hay in bulk here.

7. Safe For Guinea Pigs 

Unlike other bedding materials (like pine), hay is safe for guinea pigs. Your furry friends can’t get any respiratory problems from hay. It also doesn’t contain any compound that can affect your cavy’s tummy.

8. Dust Free 

Good quality hay doesn’t contain dust (which is a big plus!). Dust is harmful to piggies’ respiratory health. But with hay, you don’t have to worry about that (cool right?)

9. Hay Can Be Composted 

Yay! With hay, you can give back to mother nature. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. 

10. Great For Eating 

As you already know, guinea pigs LOVE hay! It’s nutritious and they’ll keep eating it without getting tired. I’m so jealous of my piggies, I wish my bed is edible. 

What Are Some Disadvantages Of Using Hay As Bedding For Guinea Pigs? 

Hay isn’t very absorbent and gets dirty within a short time. Plus hay can irritate the skin of hairless piggies and discomfort them. It’s also not great for long-haired cavies because it tangles in their fur. Some other disadvantages of using hay as bedding include:

1. Can Encourage Hay Poke 

Rough hay or sharp ends can poke your furry pal’s eyes. This might result in eye irritation and discomfort. The sad part is that it can happen frequently.

2. Bedding Can Make Your House Messy 

If you’re a neatness freak, you’re gonna hate this. Hay can mess up your house. You’ll find bits and bits of hay everywhere (I’m telling you this from experience). You’ll need to be more careful while handling the hay.

3 . Not As Absorbent As Other Beddings 

This is the major drawback of using hay as bedding. It’s not absorbent enough and requires constant refilling. You can add layers of cardboard under the hay to make it more absorbent.

4. Needs To Be Constantly Bought 

To use hay as bedding, you’ll need loads and loads of it. So yes, you’ll be buying hay pretty much every time.

5. Bad For Piggies With Wounds Or Stitches 

Hay can poke your piggies in their wounds (OUCH!). Don’t use hay as bedding for your cavy if it has an open wound or stitches.

6. Can Be Messy for Long-Haired Guinea Pigs 

Long-haired piggies will get mad at you if you use hay as bedding for them. It’ll keep tangling in their hair so much that they’ll cuss you out if they could (ha-ha)

7. Soils Easily 

Most piggie parents who use hay as bedding complain about this. Hay gets soiled easily compared to other bedding materials like fleece.

Do Other Guinea Pig Parents Use Hay As Bedding For Their Guinea Pigs? 

Yes, many guinea pig owners use hay as bedding for their fur babies. In fact, it’s quite common among piggie-loving people in the world. And how do I know this?

Well, I conducted manual research on 75 guinea pig owners. My research was to find out about their experiences using hay as bedding for their guinea pigs. I also compiled other information such as the pros and cons they mentioned, and hay usage tips.

Let’s see what they liked and disliked about using hay as bedding…

Pros	Cons
Some piggie owners mentioned that their piggies love to burrow in the hay.	Most piggie owners complain that it’s hard to use hay with other bedding like fleece. And that’s because the hay gets stuck in the washer when they’re cleaning the fleece.
Others noted that hay bedding helps their cavies to hide and ease their anxiety	A LOT of piggie owners noted that hay bedding molds easily. Plus it’s not very absorbent.
Hay bedding is fun because piggies can forage for treats in it. This helps to keep them active.	Others noted that hay bedding gets dirty in a short time.
Guinea pigs can enjoy having hay nests.	Many piggie owners have had multiple instances where hay poked their piggy’s eyes.
Most piggie owners are glad that they don’t have to use washing machines with hay bedding.	Several others complained that hay bedding holds pee and dries their cavies skin.

That was a lot, right? Well as you can see from the table above, hay bedding has many pros and cons. So let’s sum up the analysis using numerical figures (like professionals).

65% (49 piggie owners) use hay as bedding for their guinea pigs. This group believes guinea pigs should be in their natural habitat (full of hay). They believe decorative bedding (like towels and fleece) aren’t the best for cavies.

35% (26 piggie owners) use hay along with different bedding like fleece or pellets. This group consists of mostly newbie owners who are just doing trials and errors.

And…….as usual, I’ve got some tips for using hay as bedding

Special Tips:

• You can alternate hay with shavings (like aspen shavings).
• You can use other beddings and just top them with hay.
• If you’re using only hay, ensure that it’s at least 2-3 inches deep.
• Don’t use hard stuff like trays under the hay. It reduces the fun for your piggies.

I hope you’ve gained a lot from this section. Now you’ve gotten a bunch of new ideas, right? Well, you’re welcome.

How To Make Sure Your Hay Is Safe For Your Guinea Pigs 

I’ve heard a lot of people say hay is hay. The saying is quite common. Well if you have the same belief, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Hay is not hay! Feel free to quote me anywhere.

There’s various types of hay and they range in quality and nutrient composition. Some are also dustier than others. So all hay isn’t equal. (at least for cavies). That aside, here are some tips to help you in making sure your hay is safe for your cavies.

1. Use 2nd or 3rd Cut 

In case you don’t know the differences between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cut hay, I’ll run through them quickly. 1st cut hay is good for cavies with overgrown teeth or obese piggies. 2nd cut hay is the best for normal piggies with zero health issues. 

3rd cut hay is softer than the others and is good for weight gain. So choose 2nd or 3rd cut hay except you have reasons to do otherwise.

2. Dust-Free 

Always ensure to buy dust-free hay for your piggies. Dust will trigger respiratory health issues in your fur babies.

3. Soft And Without Rough Edges 

Rough-edged hay can poke your cavies and even result in skin irritation. So in all you do, go for soft hay only.

4. Spot Clean Daily 

Don’t leave poop and other dirt on your cavies’ hay bedding. It’ll lead to a build-up of bacteria or fungi on the hay. And that’s not good for your furry friends at all.

5. Check Bedding For Moisture and Mold 

Always check for mold and moisture. Like I said earlier, hay bedding molds and soils easily. So you’ve got to be consistent in changing it so that bacteria won’t become your cavy’s cagemate.

6. Don’t Just Use Hay  

Alternate between hay and other bedding or add them to the hay. For example, some piggie owners use fleece and hay together. It provides more absorption and makes up for the easy soiling of hay.

7. Avoid Using With Hairless or Long Haired Guinea Pigs 

Many piggie parents have reported that hay pokes their guinea pigs. Now picture a hairless cavy laying on a pile of prickly grass (not good huh?). Long-haired piggies too would keep having hay tangled in their fur. So, hay bedding is not advisable for such cavies.

Hay Bedding Versus Other Beddings: Which Is Better? 

Many people believe hay is better. But there’s nothing like the ‘best or perfect’ bedding. That’s because the different types of bedding have different key features. So let’s compare them to hay in the table below…

Type of Bedding	Safe?
Kiln Dried Pine	Yes, they’re absorbent and have a natural smell that’s safe for piggies. They’re also gentle and soft on our cavies’ skin.
Hay	Good quality hay is safe to use as bedding. But low-quality hay is bad for your piggy’s health because it’s dusty. Plus it’s not a long-lasting absorbent.
Aspen Shavings	Quite dusty I must admit. But it’s a decent absorbent. Some reviews from buyers say it might contain lice/mites.
Kiln-Dried Pine Pellets	Yes, they’re economical and long-lasting. They also make a great bottom layer for your cavies cage.
Carefresh Paper Bedding	This is easy to clean and it’s ultra-absorbent. What’s more? It’s safe and can help with odor control.
Sawdust	This isn’t safe. First off, it’s TOO dusty. Your guinea pigs’ respiratory health is at stake with sawdust as bedding.
Fleece	Yes, fleece bedding is safe for your furry pals. It’s economical too because you can reuse it for a while. It’s quite easy to clean and it’s absorbent.

Truth be told, most guinea pig owners have used a variety of bedding over the years. Everyone wants the perfect bedding but is there a perfect one? From the table above you’ll notice that each bedding has different features. 

Some (like hay and pellets) are quite cheap. But I promise you they don’t last like the more expensive ones. Sawdust, for example, is very bad for your piggies’ health.

Why Is It Important To Choose The Right Bedding For Guinea Pigs? 

It’s important to choose the right bedding for your guinea pigs because it has a direct effect on their health. Your guinea pigs are easily affected by their surroundings and their bedding is a key part of it. You might be wondering how that works. Well, read on, and I’ll be giving you a list of reasons why bedding is important for your cavies.

1. Avoid Bumblefoot 

Bumblefoot is a common infection that affects guinea pigs’ footpads. It’s caused by poor living conditions (their cages). The wrong bedding can irritate your piggy’s footpad and lead to bumblefoot. What’s the wrong bedding? A non-absorbent or hard bedding is the wrong bedding. 

2. Prevent Respiratory Diseases 

Dusty bedding like sawdust can take a toll on your furry friend’s health. Guinea pigs have a fragile respiratory system that can’t withstand dusty beddings. Also, some beddings have fragrances that aren’t pleasant to our piggies. 

Some of them can even trigger allergies in our piggies. An example of such bedding is cedar bedding. Its smell is toxic to guinea pigs. Regular pine beddings have a similar effect too. 

3. Stop Fly Strike 

Have you heard of flystrike? It’s a fatal situation where maggots infest guinea pigs. These maggots are from the eggs of flies.

Clean and dry bedding won’t attract flies but soiled bedding will. That’s why it’s important to choose good and absorbent bedding.

4. Avoid Bacterial Infections

If your choice of bedding is not a good absorbent, your guinea pigs can get a bacterial infection. How so? Okay, look at this…

Let’s say you’re using hay as bedding for your piggies. It can get soiled and then bacteria and fungi will start growing in it. 

This bacteria will get into your piggies’ bodies and infect them. What’s worse? Your guinea pigs can ingest the bacteria because they eat hay.

5. Save You Money and Time 

We all have lives outside being a piggie parent right? And trust me it can be really frustrating when you have to change your cavies’ bedding twice every day.

Don’t get me started on the time and effort it takes to change them. But do you think every piggie owner suffers like that? No, they don’t. 

Bedding differs in the time taken to clean them. You can live your life daily without dreading the bedding-cleaning time. Bedding like hay and carefresh paper bedding are quite easy to clean. And they don’t dry your pockets either. 

6. Depression 

If your cavy is unhappy in its cage, it’ll become depressed. Harsh or coarse bedding can make your cavy uncomfortable and sad. You wouldn’t feel comfortable sleeping on a wet bed now, would you? It’s the same for your cavies. 

They’re lively pets and they love a healthy environment. So bedding that makes them sick will depress them and make them inactive.

7. Prevent Urinary Tract Infections 

Urinary tract infections are a common issue for guinea pigs. The wrong bedding can pose a huge problem to them in this aspect. If the bedding gets soiled easily and becomes a home to bacteria, your piggie is in trouble. 

Best Hay Bedding Options For Guinea Pigs 

There are different bedding options available for you to purchase from. If you don’t know which one to buy, here’s my recommendation:

Vitakraft Small Animal Timothy Hay

This bedding material is very soft, green, and eco-friendly. It’s 99.9% dust-free and has no scented oils. You can shop for this bedding here.

Oxbow Animal Health Orchard Grass Hay

Looking for a premium quality hay that is grown in the USA? Look no further than Oxbow’s Orchard Grass Hay.

It’s hand-selected and hand-packed with care. Plus, this all-natural hay is perfect for small pets who need a high fiber diet to maintain a healthy digestive system and dental health.

You can try this great hay bedding here.

What Bedding Should You Not Use For Guinea Pigs? 

You shouldn’t use dusty or perfumed bedding for your guinea pigs.

• Cedar: Cedar bedding contains aromatic oils which are bad for guinea pigs. They can lead to respiratory issues.
• Sawdust: this can cause severe respiratory illnesses in your cavies. It contains fine dust that can trigger an allergic reaction in your cavy.
• Disposable Puppy Pads: Puppy pads or pee pads shouldn’t be used as standalone bedding. They’re thin and can’t provide enrichment for your cavies. Your fur babies can’t burrow in them too
• Paper Towels: This isn’t good for use as bedding. It’s not adequate and gets soiled quickly.
• Regular Towels: Regular towels shouldn’t be used as bedding for your cavies. They aren’t absorbent and get dirty easily. Plus your cavies might chew the fabric.

Did you know that hay can cause an allergic reaction in some guinea pigs? Check out this article to find out more: Can Your Guinea Pig Be Allergic to Hay? (What You Need to Know)

Are Hay Balls Safe For Guinea Pigs?

No hay balls aren’t safe for Guinea pigs.  In fact, they can be hazardous to your piggies (all hay balls!). Your cavies won’t get to eat enough hay. They can also get stuck in the ball. I’ve seen a few ugly scenarios like that and trust me it wasn’t fun.  

In the worst cases, it can be fatal. Our cavies are foraging animals and their food should be on the ground level. Hay balls or even racks are a no-no, please.

Can You Make Your Own Hay For Guinea Pigs?

Yes, you can make your own hay for your guinea pigs.  It takes a lot of time and effort. Oh, and you need lots of land to grow it. Personally, I’d just buy it online or at a farm. That way you’ll have more time to play with your piggies.

Things To Remember About Guinea Pigs and Hay Bedding 

Guinea pigs spend most of their time in their hutch. So bad bedding will be hell for them. 

Our furry friends poop a LOT (I know). But to be honest, cleaning hay bedding isn’t stressful. Plus you don’t even need to wash anything. 

The bottom line is that you should purchase good-quality hay. (I made some suggestions in the article.) It’s also cheaper to buy hay in bulk.

Well, that’s all about guinea pigs and hay bedding. Thanks for sticking with me till the end. You’re awesome.