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. Itā€™s safe and provides a natural environment for your guinea pigs to burrow. It doesnā€™t contain aromatic oils that are harmful to your piggies like cedar and pine. Itā€™s also absorbent and does a good job of masking the smell of urine.  

two guinea pigs wondering if guinea pigs can use aspen bedding

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 doesnā€™t 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.  

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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. 

Is Aspen Bedding Safe For Guinea Pigs? 

a tip about whether guinea pigs can use aspen bedding

Yes, aspen bedding is safe for guinea pigs. Unlike cedar and pine, aspen doesnā€™t 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.

Do Other Guinea Pig Parents Use Aspen Bedding With Their Guinea Pigs? 

a graph on whether guinea pigs can use aspen bedding

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 didnā€™t 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 itā€™s 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 piggieā€™s 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.  

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 doesnā€™t 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 piggieā€™s 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 itā€™s easily available.  

Low / No Odor 

Unlike cedar and pine, aspen doesnā€™t have any odor. This is because it doesnā€™t contain phenols which are aromatic oils found in some wood. Although they smell pleasant and can mask the smell of urine and poop, theyā€™re harmful to guinea pigs. 

Generally, long-term exposure to the smell is also harmful to human beings. 

Doesnā€™t Need As Much Spot Cleaning  

Aspen bedding is able to contain the urine and poop into smaller areas. It absorbs well and doesnā€™t soak easily. This means the wetness wonā€™t 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 donā€™t 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. Theyā€™re 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 doesnā€™t have aromatic oils. Itā€™s 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.  

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 canā€™t 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 theyā€™re softer.  

3. Not As Moisture Absorbent As Other Beddings 

Aspen shavings arenā€™t as absorbent as other beddings. Since itā€™s hardwood, the shavings donā€™t 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 pigā€™s cages still had some smell of urine.  

6. Can Be Harmful If Guinea Pigs Have Wounds Or Stitches 

Itā€™s 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. 

Theyā€™re 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. Itā€™s horrifying, isnā€™t 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.  

How To Make Sure Your Aspen Bedding Is Safe For Your Guinea Pigs 

a tip about whether or not guinea pigs can use aspen bedding

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 itā€™s clean and dry. Dry wood doesnā€™t 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. Donā€™t 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 piggieā€™s skin or feet. Rough edges can also injure their eyes. 

You can run your hand through the shavings to know if theyā€™re 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 wonā€™t 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 doesnā€™t contain baking soda.  

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? 

a sarcastic quote about whether guinea pig can use aspen bedding

Guinea pig bedding comes in a variety of options. Letā€™s see how they compare to aspen bedding in terms of cost and safety to use.

Type of Bedding Safe? Cost? 
Kiln Dried Pine Itā€™s very safe. Aromatic oils have been eliminated and itā€™s also dust-free.Itā€™s less costly than aspen. One of the more affordable options.
Aspen Shavings Itā€™s very safe since Aspen doesn’t contain phenols, unlike pineOne of the most expensive options. 
Carefresh Paper Bedding Itā€™s very safe and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Also more absorbent than aspen.Itā€™s less costly than aspen but itā€™s one of the more expensive options. 
Sawdust Itā€™s the most unsafe option and kills guinea pigs.  Very cheap.
Fleece Itā€™s the safest and recommended bedding. Unlike aspen, it needs washing machine cleaning.Itā€™s one of the most expensive options. Itā€™s 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 doesnā€™t 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 theyā€™re 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 isnā€™t comfortable. They refuse to eat and isolate themselves. 

Ensure that theyā€™re 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. Theyā€™re 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 donā€™t allow for that. Thus, theyā€™re not ideal bedding for guinea pigs.  

3. Cedar 

Cedar releases aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) that lead to respiratory diseases in guinea pigs. Itā€™s 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 theyā€™re wet, theyā€™re not soft. Theyā€™re also not absorbent and retain wetness that will cause bacteria buildup. Theyā€™re a hazard for bumblefoot in your piggie. 

6. Regular Towels 

Regular towels arenā€™t 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, itā€™s 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. Itā€™s 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. Itā€™s 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.  

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 theyā€™re wheezing, coughing, or sneezing, change the bedding. 

Aspen is one of the more expensive options for bedding. If you canā€™t afford it, you can choose kiln-dried pine shavings. Theyā€™re cheaper but just as effective. 

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Guinea pig bedding: Types, odor control and comfort. (2020, May 30). Guinea Pigs Guide. https://www.allguineapig.com/guinea-pig-bedding/ 

Wood shavings – are they dangerous? (2010, January 7). The Guinea Pig Forum. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/wood-shavings-are-they-dangerous.42035/ 

Aspen bedding. (2021, July 24). Guinea Piggles. https://www.guineapiggles.co.uk/aspen-bedding/ 

Feed and bedding – Management of animal care and use programs in research, education, and testing – NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.). National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500447/ 

The manufacture, shipping and receiving and quality control of rodent bedding materials. (n.d.). NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS). https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/1998019747

Kawakami, K., Takeuchi, T., Yamaguchi, S., Ago, A., Nomura, M., Gonda, T., & Komemushi, S. (2003). Preference of guinea pigs for bedding materials: wood shavings versus paper cutting sheet. Experimental animals, 52(1), 11ā€“15. https://doi.org/10.1538/expanim.52.11 

Purdue University. (n.d.). Care for Guinea Pigs.https://vet.purdue.edu 

Guinea pigs ā€“ Their most common illnesses. (2019, July 29). FOUR PAWS International – Animal Welfare Organization. https://www.four-paws.org/our-stories/publications-guides/guinea-pigs-their-most-common-illnesses 

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