Is Aspen Bedding Good for Guinea Pigs? (Find Out Now)
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There’s many types of bedding to choose from, but aspen bedding is a popular choice. Before you choose any type of bedding, it’s important to ask yourself if aspen bedding is the right choice for your guinea pig.
Yes, guinea pigs can use aspen bedding. In fact, aspen bedding is one of the most recommended types of bedding for guinea pigs. Itās safe and provides a natural environment for your guinea pigs to burrow. It doesnāt contain aromatic oils that are harmful to your piggies like cedar and pine. Itās also absorbent and does a good job of masking the smell of urine.
Deciding the right type of bedding for your guinea pig is the responsibility of every pet parent – and it’s not always the easiest choice.
Let’s take a peek at the pros and cons of Aspen bedding so you can make an informed decision about what will work best for your piggie AND for you.
What Is Aspen Bedding?
Aspen bedding is made from hardwood shavings from aspen trees. The aspen tree is processed to make thin and soft shavings that can be used to line cages of pets. It can be kiln-dried or just regular shavings, both of which are safe for guinea pigs.
Unlike pine or cedar, aspen doesnāt contain aromatic oils which have been known to harm guinea pigs. Aspen shavings are great for creating a natural environment for guinea pigs to burrow and nestle.
Aspen is soft and makes very comfortable bedding for your piggie. However, just like any other bedding, it also has its disadvantages. Aspen is less absorbent than fleece, pine, and paper bedding.
Here’s some other posts that you might find helpful: 4 Cheap, Safe Guinea Pig Bedding Options (Piggie Approved!) and 10 Reliable Guinea Pig Cage Liners (What You Need To Know)
Is Aspen Bedding Safe For Guinea Pigs?
Yes, aspen bedding is safe for guinea pigs. Unlike cedar and pine, aspen doesnāt contain aromatic oils (phenols).
Phenols are hydrocarbons that are found in some wood such as pine or cedar. The smell of pine or cedar is caused by aromatic oils. However, these oils can cause respiratory issues in guinea pigs.
Aspen is also less dusty than sawdust and pine. Although this will depend on the brand because some low-quality brands of aspen shavings can be dusty.
Other types of bedding are quite absorbent, but aspen bedding is not. This means that you will have to change it more frequently.
Do Other Guinea Pig Parents Use Aspen Bedding With Their Guinea Pigs?
I did a manual survey to find out if other parents used aspen bedding for their guinea pigs. I found that aspen bedding was very popular bedding among guinea pig pet parents.
I surveyed 125 cavy parents to find out if they used wood shavings as bedding. Here are the responses I got;
- 56 (45%) of the respondents used aspen wood shavings as bedding. I found that this was very popular bedding for piggies. Many pet parents recommended it and had been using it for years.
- 50 (40%) used kiln-dried pine shavings for their guinea pig bedding. Kiln-dried pine was actually said to be softer and more absorbent than aspen. It was also much cheaper. Although some parents didnāt like pine at all, kiln-dried or not.
- 10 (8%) used cedar shavings. Some parents loved the aroma and said it covered the smell of urine. Cedar was also cheaply available and since itās softwood, it was much softer than hardwoods like aspen. However, many pet parents warned them against using cedar shavings. Beware, cedar is not safe for guinea pigs. It has aromatic oils that cause respiratory issues in guinea pigs. Using cedar shavings will lead to the premature death of your piggie.
- 6 (5%) used regular pine shavings. The reason given here was also due to the pleasant smell and pine was easily available. The pet parents said pine was soft and affordable, unlike paper shavings. Just as cedar, regular pine is unacceptable to be used as bedding for guinea pigs. Many pet parents strongly advise against it since some lost their guinea pigs due to this bedding. Pine also has aromatic oils that are harmful to piggies. ONLY kiln-dried pine is safe for guinea pigs.
- Other pet parents (2%) used mahogany, oak, willow, and maple shavings. Some pet parents could easily access these in workshops near them. They liked them since there were no aromatic smells and they were not as dusty. Although some piggie parents warned against them. These hardwoods are too rough for guinea pigs and their splinters can cause injury to piggieās legs, skin, and eyes.
Aspen in general was the most popular type of wood shaving used. It was also the most recommended by pet parents.
It’s important to note that not all aspen bedding is created equal. Some low-quality brands can be dusty and not absorbent. Do your research to find a high-quality brand of aspen bedding before you buy it for your fur babies.
What Are Some Advantages Of Using Aspen For Guinea Pig Bedding?
Aspen shavings can be found easily. Aspen doesn’t have an aroma, absorbs urine fairly well, and doesnāt require a washing machine. It provides guinea pigs with a natural environment where they can nestle and burrow.
Aspen has a lot of advantages and is one of the best beddings you can get for your guinea pig. Below are all the reasons why you should choose aspen as your piggieās bedding.
Easy To Find
Aspen bedding is commonly used by many pets and other small animals. This makes it very easy to find. You can find it in your local pet stores or order it online.
Aspen is one of the most common hardwoods found in America so itās easily available.
Low / No Odor
Unlike cedar and pine, aspen doesnāt have any odor. This is because it doesnāt contain phenols which are aromatic oils found in some wood. Although they smell pleasant and can mask the smell of urine and poop, theyāre harmful to guinea pigs.
Generally, long-term exposure to the smell is also harmful to human beings.
Doesnāt Need As Much Spot Cleaning
Aspen bedding is able to contain the urine and poop into smaller areas. It absorbs well and doesnāt soak easily. This means the wetness wonāt spread as much unlike paper bedding.
So when you spot clean daily, the spots are not as spread out.
Doesn’t Require A Washing Machine
When replacing aspen, you can throw it out to decompose. You donāt need to clean it using a washing machine. This is not the case with fleece bedding and noodle mat bedding.
They need to be washed routinely using a washing machine. Guinea pig bedding has been known to damage washing machines due to the padding.
Very Cozy For Guinea Pigs
Aspen shavings are soft, fluffy, and light. They make for very comfortable bedding for guinea pigs. Theyāre also warm even in the cold months so your piggies will be very comfortable.
The bedding is mostly two inches thick so your piggie can curl up and feel very cozy.
Allows Guinea Pigs To Burrow
Piggies instinctively love to burrow. In the wild, they live in holes they dig themselves to burrow in. Aspen bedding allows them to burrow and nestle thus creating a natural habitat for your piggie.
They can chew the bedding and bury their heads in without you worrying about their safety. It actually helps them relax.
Considered To Be Safest Wood For Guinea Pigs
Aspen is a hardwood that doesnāt have aromatic oils. Itās also less dusty. Unlike other popular varieties of wood shavings such as cedar and pine, aspen is safe for guinea pigs.
The aromatic oil in cedar and pine is harmful to the respiratory system of guinea pigs.
Dust-Free Brands Are Available
Aspen has a variety of brands that are 99.9% dust-free and therefore very safe for your piggies to use. There are brands that are also kiln-dried so the dust has been removed from the shavings.
Aspen Shavings Can Be Composted
After you replace the bedding, you can put aspen shavings into the compost pit. Some pet parents even mix it with the topsoil of their gardens to make some very good manure.
Some woods should never be chewed on by guinea pigs or used in their enclosures like plywood, MDF wood, redwood, and others. You can learn more about what sorts of woods are safe for guinea pigs in the post: Is It Safe For Guinea Pigs To Chew Wood? (Find Out Now)
What Are Some Disadvantages Of Using Aspen Bedding For Guinea Pigs?
Aspen, like most wood shavings, is very messy. The wood shavings are light so they can disperse everywhere and need a lot of clean-up. You also canāt use aspen on hairless pigs or pigs with open wounds. It can worsen their wounds. Below are some of the main disadvantages of aspen as per pet parents.
1. Can Be Very Messy
Many pet parents who have used aspen complained of the messiness. Aspen is light and flaky so when piggies play in it, it gets everywhere.
Some pet parents changed to fleece because of this. Especially those that had their piggies cages indoors.
2. Can Be Bad For Hairless Guinea Pigs
Aspen bedding is made of hardwood shavings. The shavings might feel soft and fluffy but they still have edges that can hurt hairless guinea pigs. It can also be hard on their skin. For hairless piggies, use fleece or paper bedding since theyāre softer.
3. Not As Moisture Absorbent As Other Beddings
Aspen shavings arenāt as absorbent as other beddings. Since itās hardwood, the shavings donāt absorb liquids as fast as paper or even pine. So, the urine can sit in the bottom of your guinea pig’s cage. This can lead to a build-up of bacteria that cause infections in your guinea pig.
4. More Expensive Than Other Wood Shavings
Aspen is actually one of the most expensive types of wood shavings. Since you need to spot clean daily and change the bedding completely every 5-6 days, this can get costly.
5. Odor Control Is Spotty
Aspen has poor odor control. In fact, some pet parents stopped using it for that very reason. Despite the daily spot cleaning, the guinea pigās cages still had some smell of urine.
6. Can Be Harmful If Guinea Pigs Have Wounds Or Stitches
Itās not recommended to use aspen shavings as bedding for piggies with wounds or stitches. The shavings can be rough on the injured areas and reopen the wounds causing infections.
Theyāre also not very soft so they can be uncomfortable for your guinea pig.
7. Messy For Long-Haired Guinea Pigs
Imagine rolling your head in wood shavings and your hair gets tangled in wood flakes. Itās horrifying, isnāt it?. Aspen clings to the fur of long-haired guinea pigs.
This can make it very hard for them to move freely. The wet shavings can also dampen the skin of guinea pigs which can cause fly strikes.
Aspen is certainly the most popular wood bedding for guinea pig pet parents. But, it’s not without it’s downsides. The shavings are light and flaky, which means they get everywhere and are difficult to clean up. Aspen is also not as absorbent as some beddings. Plus, aspen bedding is more expensive than other wood shavings. If you do choose to use aspen bedding, be sure to spot clean daily and completely change the bedding every 5-6 days.
How To Make Sure Your Aspen Bedding Is Safe For Your Guinea Pigs
Aspen bedding should be: dust-free, clean and dry, soft without rough edges, have good odor control and be baking soda free.
Not every aspen shavings brand out there can make safe bedding for your piggie. There are several things to look out for when purchasing aspen bedding.
1. Dust-Extracted
Wood shavings contain dust so special measures have to be taken when processing them. Make sure that the bedding you purchase is dust extracted.
Several brands ensure that the aspen is dust-free. Dust is very harmful to your little pet.
2. Make Sure Bedding Is Clean and Dry
You can spread it out or even smell it to see if itās clean and dry. Dry wood doesnāt smell damp. The bedding should be clean so that your piggie is not at risk of infections.
If you’re not unsure, you can dry it outside for a while before use.
3. Donāt Use With Hairless or Long Haired Guinea Pigs
The shavings get tangled in their hair and make it very uncomfortable for them to move and lie down. Guinea pig skin is also sensitive. If anything sticks to it they can develop some skin problems or infections.
4. Soft And Without Rough Edges
Processed aspen bedding should be soft. The processing gets rid of the rough-edged cut into your piggieās skin or feet. Rough edges can also injure their eyes.
You can run your hand through the shavings to know if theyāre comfortable for use.
5. Odor Control
More than anything, the bedding should have good odor control. Select brands that have been reviewed by other pet parents to have good odor control. It’s not safe for your piggies to inhale the smell of urine and poop all day long.
6. Only Use With A Well-Ventilated Cage
A good flow of air will ensure that your guinea pigs have good health. Guinea pigs are prone to many respiratory illnesses. The risk increases if their cages are poorly ventilated.
Poor ventilation also means the bedding wonāt dry quickly.
7. No Baking Soda Added
Some brands add baking soda to aspen to increase odor control and absorption. Breathing in baking soda can cause respiratory and digestive problems for guinea pigs. Ensure the aspen bedding you buy doesnāt contain baking soda.
If you’re looking for a safe and comfortable bedding material for your guinea pig, aspen shavings are a good option. Aspen shavings should be dust-free, clean and dry, soft without rough edges, have good odor control, and contain no baking soda. Make sure to select a brand that is dust-extracted and does not add baking soda to their aspen shavings. Guinea pigs are prone to respiratory illnesses, so it’s important to provide them with a well-ventilated cage, too.
How Much Aspen Bedding Should I Use?
You should use around 3 – 4 inches of aspen bedding for your guinea pigs. This will give them enough bedding to burrow and nestle. You should also spot clean the bedding every day and do a full change once a week.
Aspen Bedding Versus Other Beddings: Which Is Better?
Guinea pig bedding comes in a variety of options. Letās see how they compare to aspen bedding in terms of cost and safety to use.
Type of Bedding | Safe? | Cost? |
Kiln Dried Pine | Itās very safe. Aromatic oils have been eliminated and itās also dust-free. | Itās less costly than aspen. One of the more affordable options. |
Aspen Shavings | Itās very safe since Aspen doesn’t contain phenols, unlike pine | One of the most expensive options. |
Carefresh Paper Bedding | Itās very safe and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Also more absorbent than aspen. | Itās less costly than aspen but itās one of the more expensive options. |
Sawdust | Itās the most unsafe option and kills guinea pigs. | Very cheap. |
Fleece | Itās the safest and recommended bedding. Unlike aspen, it needs washing machine cleaning. | Itās one of the most expensive options. Itās more costly than aspen. |
Is Wood Bedding Good For Guinea Pigs?
Yes. Wood bedding is good for guinea pigs. It creates a natural environment where they can nestle and burrow just like in the wild.
Wood also tends to be safe for chewing since piggies love to chew on everything around them.
Just make sure the wood bedding you select doesnāt have aromatic oils, is soft and fluffy, and is dust-free.
What Is The Best Type Of Bedding For Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pig bedding should be absorbent, odorless, soft, comfortable, and control the smell of urine. Ideally, it’s easy for you to remain. Guinea pigs spend most of their time in their cages. So their bedding should meet all the safety and comfort requirements.
Here are factors to consider when selecting the right bedding for your piggie:
1. Absorbency
Guinea pigs pee every few minutes. If the bedding doesn’t absorb the urine, they will be swimming in it soon enough. Make sure to select bedding that has good absorbency and can remain dry at the top.
2. Controls The Smell Of Urine
Breathing in the smell of urine is harmful to guinea pigs. It can cause respiratory infections. So, make sure to choose the type of bedding that can mask the smell of urine well.
3. Low/No Aromatic Oils
Aromatic oils cause respiratory diseases in guinea pigs. Their bedding should be odorless or at least contain low amounts of aromatic oils. Avoid cedar and unprocessed pine since theyāre full of aromatic oils.
4. Comfortable and Soft
Comfortable and soft bedding will do wonders to the health of your piggie. Guinea pigs can get depressed if their bedding isnāt comfortable. They refuse to eat and isolate themselves.
Ensure that theyāre in a safe and secure cage with soft and fluffy bedding they enjoy. Trust me, their mood will tell you if they find their cage comfortable.
Why Is It Important To Choose The Right Bedding For Guinea Pigs?
The right bedding for guinea pigs will:
- Protect their feet
- Prevent infections
- Stop fly strikes
- Save you time and money
- Keep your guinea pigs happy
Domesticated guinea pigs spend most of their time in their cages. So the bedding you choose is a big factor in their safety and comfort. The best bedding for your piggie will:
1. Protect Their Feet
Guinea pigs’ legs are so tiny and hairless. Theyāre very sensitive and can catch bumblefoot. This is an infection that causes extreme pain in their feet.
Choose the right bedding to protect your guinea pigs from injuries and infections.
2. Prevents Different Infections
Guinea pigs are prone to many infections. These include; upper respiratory diseases especially pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bacterial infections.
If their bedding is dusty and has poor absorbency, it can lead to infections.
3. Stop Fly Strike
Flies get attracted to unsanitary cages of piggies. Bedding that doesn’t drain urine well or mask odors attracts flies. These flies will cause flystrike your piggie which can be fatal for them.
4. Save You Money and Time
Some beddings need changing every day so you will need to spare time and money to change them. Choose bedding that can either be spot cleaned or can dry easily.
This way you only have to change it completely every 5-7 days. It can be very expensive to buy bedding for your piggie every few days.
5. Keeps Guinea Pigs Happy
Good bedding will have a direct effect on the mood and health of your piggie. If your guinea pig is in a comfortable, well-ventilated, and dry cage, their mood will improve.
This is one of the sure ways to reduce the chances of your piggie getting depression.
What Bedding Is Bad For Guinea Pigs?
Bedding for guinea pigs should not be aromatic, dusty, rough, poor absorbent, or thin. Sawdust, disposable puppy pads, cedar, newspaper, paper towels, and regular towels are bad bedding for guinea pigs.
They’re not safe or comfortable for piggies and tend to encourage bacteria build-up. Below are more reasons why these types of bedding are not ideal for guinea pigs.
1. Sawdust
Sawdust has fine dust that your piggies will inhale which will cause lung infections. Many piggies have succumbed to respiratory illnesses caused by the use of sawdust.
2. Disposable Puppy Pads
Disposable puppy pee pads are flat, thin, and rough. Piggies love digging and the puppy pads donāt allow for that. Thus, theyāre not ideal bedding for guinea pigs.
3. Cedar
Cedar releases aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) that lead to respiratory diseases in guinea pigs. Itās not advisable to be used as guinea pig bedding.
4. Newspaper
Newspapers are thin and very poor in absorption. They will not be comfortable for your piggie to lie on. They will also clump together when wet.
5. Paper Towels
Aside from the fact that paper towels clump together when theyāre wet, theyāre not soft. Theyāre also not absorbent and retain wetness that will cause bacteria buildup. Theyāre a hazard for bumblefoot in your piggie.
6. Regular Towels
Regular towels arenāt absorbent and they don’t dry fast. Your piggies will be stepping on their poop and urine all day. This will be unhygienic and even attract fly strikes.
Best Aspen Bedding Options For Guinea Pigs
As you consider buying aspen bedding for your piggie, itās important to pick reputable brands. These are brands that are recommended by other piggie parents who have tried and tested them.
1. Kaytee Aspen Bedding 3200 CU IN
This is an all-natural hardwood bedding. Due to its high absorbency, you only need to change it completely once a week. Click here to buy some fresh bedding for your piggie.
Small Pet Select – Jumbo Aspen Bedding – 113L
Small Pet Select Aspen bedding is also all-natural aspen without any additives. Itās also recyclable and kiln-dried; this is safer. Click here to check the price and secure some for your guinea pigs.
Living World Aspen Wood Shavings for Small Animals, Bedding & Nesting Material
Living World Aspen wood shavings are highly absorbent. Itās made from 100% Aspen wood and is dust and scent-free. It has high ratings from users so you can trust it. Click here to get some for your little cavy.
If you’re looking for a safe, natural bedding material for your guinea pig, aspen is a good option. Aspen bedding is absorbent and relatively dust-free, making it a good choice for your pet. Some recommended brands include Kaytee Aspen Bedding, Small Pet Select Jumbo Aspen Bedding, and Living World Aspen Wood Shavings.
Things To Remember About Guinea Pigs and Aspen Bedding
- Aspen is one of the most recommended wood shavings to use as bedding for guinea pigs.
- Ensure that the brand you choose is dust-free. Some low-quality brands are very dusty which is risky for both your piggie and you.
- Make sure it has no additives such as baking soda. This can cause respiratory and digestive issues in your guinea pigs.
- The bedding should be 2 inches thick for more comfort for your piggie.
- Spot clean aspen bedding every day. Replace the parts with urine and poop daily and replace the entire bedding every 5-7 days.
- Remember to check if your piggie is allergic to aspen. Some guinea pigs develop allergies to aspen. If theyāre wheezing, coughing, or sneezing, change the bedding.
Aspen is one of the more expensive options for bedding. If you canāt afford it, you can choose kiln-dried pine shavings. Theyāre cheaper but just as effective.