Can Paper Towels Be Used As Guinea Pig Bedding? (Find Out Now)

Bedding is as essential to guinea pigs as food and water. There are a variety of options to use as bedding for your guinea pigs. Can paper towels be used as guinea pig bedding? 

Yes, paper towels can be used as guinea pig bedding as a temporary measure in an emergency. Long term use of paper towels can cause a lot of health issues for your guinea pigs. Paper towels as absorbent as other beddings and don’t mask the smell of guinea pig urine well – plus they tear when wet. There’s much better bedding options that should be used.

Keep scrolling to learn when using paper towels as guinea pig bedding is okay, when it’s not, and why. You’ll also see some alternative bedding options that are better for guinea pigs.

Are Paper Towels Safe To Use A Guinea Pig Bedding?  

Yes, paper towels are safe to be used as guinea pig bedding – but only as a temporary measure. Paper towels are not meant to be used as bedding on a regular basis, as there are health risks associated with it (more on that later).

Still, in a pinch, you could do much worse than paper towels. They’re dust-free, odorless, and can fairly absorb urine. They also make it easy to spot when it’s dirty.  Just make sure to change them out as soon as possible and replace them with a better bedding option.

A safe material to be used for guinea pig bedding should be:

• Absorbent
• Dust-free 
• Aroma free
• Fluffy and soft 
• Easily to clean up/replace 

Guinea pigs need bedding that is safe and comfortable. Bedding needs to be soft enough for them to sleep on, but also needs to be able to protect them from getting hurt. As a pet parent, it’s important for you to choose the right bedding for your little friends.

Cavies pee and poop a lot during the day . You don’t want to spend your whole day changing bedding ( I mean, who would?). You need bedding that lasts longer and stays dry for your fur babies.

But, once in a while, you might need to use a bedding that’s not ideal for your guinea pigs. Lots of people have been in that situation. When you’re out of the good stuff and you need to find something quick. In these cases, paper towels can really come in handy.

Just remember, it’s not a long term solution and you should replace it.

However, you should be warned that they make for very poor bedding for your piggie if used long-term.

As a temporary option, paper towels can be a great substitute. You can pair it with other options by putting them at the bottom.  

If you decide to use paper towels make sure they’re; 

• Dust-free 
• Don’t have ink or bleach
• Aroma free 

What Are Some Advantages Of Using Paper Towels For Guinea Pig Bedding?  

Paper towels are one of the easiest to find when it comes to guinea pig bedding. You also don’t need to worry about washing them after use. They also tend to be dust free and can make cozy beds for piggies.  

If you’re considering using paper towels as temporary bedding for your little fur babies, here are reasons why you can;

1. Easy To Find  

Paper towels are a must-have in any home. They come in handy for drying your hands, wiping down your tabletops, windows, and dusting. Isn’t it awesome that something already in your home can make for a good piggie bedding? 

Just make sure the brand you have does not have any ink or bleach. Guinea pigs can chew on the paper towels so any additives will harm them.

2. Don’t Need A Washing Machine  

Unlike towels and fleece, paper towels can be easily thrown away when they’re dirty. Washing your piggie’s bedding all the time is very tiring and it can ruin your washing machine if you’re not careful.

Well, you don’t have to worry about that with paper towels. Once they’re soaked, remove them and dispose of them. Depending on the type you use, they degrades quickly and are eco-friendly.

3. Dust-Free  

Guinea pigs have sensitive respiratory systems so you want to make sure their beddings are as dust-free as possible. Plus, they’re prone to upper respiratory diseases, especially pneumonia. Dust poses a high risk to them. 

This is where paper towels come in handy. They’re practically dust-free. Since piggies spend most of their day in their cages, they can inhale dust off of the bedding.  

4.Very Cozy For Guinea Pigs  

Paper towels are very soft and cozy – especially the quilted ones. But, you’ll have to stack several of them to make a comfortable bed for your guinea pigs.

Softness and comfort is especially important for older guinea pigs who need a little extra cushioning. But, it’s also necessary to keep your guinea pigs’ feet healthy. Hard flooring can hurt their feet and lead to health problems down the road.

Overall, paper towels should only be used as a temporary bedding solution for guinea pigs, but they do have some benefits that should be considered.

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

Despite their advantages, paper towels aren’t recommended for guinea pig bedding. Especially for long-term use. They’re poor absorbents so they stay wet which puts piggies at risk of bumblefoot. They’re thin which is not very comfortable for piggies to lie on.  

Paper towels clump together when wet. Thus, very uncomfortable and unsanitary for your piggies.  

I wanted to learn about some of the negative experiences guinea pig pet parents had with paper towels. (Personally, I’ve never used them for my piggies.)

Here’s what I found:

I interviewed 63 guinea pig parents who had used paper towels as bedding.

Many pet parents had used paper towels as temporary bedding before getting wood shavings or fleece.

Here are some of their concerns with paper towels as piggie bedding;

• Guinea pigs eat paper towels: Guinea pig parents’ biggest concern was their piggies eating the paper towels. Some had noticed their piggies chewing on the towels and became concerned. Paper towels have ink and bleach that can pose harm to the guinea pig’s digestive system. 
• Poor absorbency: Many pet parents were concerned with just how often they had to change paper towels. Paper towels get soaked very quickly and the wetness spreads all over. It needs changing too often. 
• Clumping together: When it gets wet, paper towels clump together. It’s uncomfortable for piggies to rest on. The bits also stick to guinea pigs’ fur which is unsanitary. 
• Thin: Stacking paper towels together still doesn’t make them fluffy like other bedding. Paper towels don’t form good padding so it doesn’t support the weight of piggies very well.  
• Don’t mask the smell of urine: Pet parents complained that paper towels didn’t in any way hide the smell of urine. Their piggies’ cages smelled strongly of urine. This put the guinea pigs at risk of upper respiratory diseases.  
• Ink and bleach: Many pet parents were concerned with the presence of ink and bleach in paper towels. Guinea pig beddings should be free of any chemicals or additives since they can eat them. 
• Fly-strike: Pet parents were worried about the unsanitary conditions paper towels create. Since they’re poor absorbents, the smell and dampness attract flies. This puts piggies at risk of fly strikes.   
• Bumblefoot: Some pet parents said their guinea pigs developed bumblefoot. This was due to the continuous use of paper towels. The poor absorbency (icky wetness) led to a build-up of bacteria which caused bumblefoot.  
• Frequent changing: You will need to change the paper towels often. Their poor absorbency makes it hard to use them as bedding for long.
• Can’t be spot cleaned: Paper towels have to be replaced completely.  This was very inconvenient for many pet owners. 

Many pet parents REALLY discouraged paper towels. They advised that if you don’t have money to buy new bedding, use old towels. Cotton towels were a better option than paper towels since they’re softer and absorb better. 

Some parents suggested shredded paper as a cheap option as well.  

Overall, it seems that using paper towels as a temporary option is not popular with Guinea pig parents. They would rather you use other cheap but safer alternatives

What Is The Best Type Of Bedding For Guinea Pigs?  

The best guinea pig beddings should be highly absorbent, dust-free, free of aromatic oils, control the smell of urine, and soft and fluffy. There are several types of piggie beddings so you might be spoilt for choice.  

As you choose the bedding for your piggies, here’s some things to think about:

1. Absorbency  

Your cavy’s bedding should be absorbent. It should absorb guinea pig urine and remain fairly dry. Piggies pee several times during the day and their bedding should be able to remain dry despite all that. Urine should sink to the bottom and the top surface of the bedding to remain dry.  

2. Controls The Smell Of Urine  

Having good bedding is important for controlling the smell of urine. Good bedding will absorb and reduce that powerful ammonia smell . Since piggies pee throughout the day, the smell of urine can be overwhelming.

Smelling urine constantly can wreck the upper respiratory system of guinea pigs. Remember that they have a much more sensitive sense of smell that we do. Breathing in all that ammonia can put them at risk of developing respiratory illnesses.

3. Low/No Aromatic Oils 

Although piggie bedding needs to control the smell of urine, it does not mean it should be aromatic. Excess aromatic oils harm guinea pigs. Aromatic oils are harmful to guinea pigs since they cause respiratory issues. Ensure your piggies bedding is aroma free or at least low in aromatic oils. 

4. Comfortable and Soft  

Guinea pig’s skin is very sensitive. Their bedding should be comfortable and soft so that they can remain healthy. Hard surfaces for piggie bedding can injure them.  

Find the softest bedding for your piggie. You can feel it with your hand. If you can lay your face on it comfortably then it’s good for your guinea pig.  

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

Guinea pigs can be delicate, and it’s important to choose the right bedding for them in order to keep them healthy and comfortable.  

Guinea pigs spend most of their time eating, playing, and sleeping in their cage. It’s important that their bedding is as comfortable as possible for both their physical and mental health. Good bedding can prevent depression and keep your fur babies healthy. 

1. Feet Protector 

Piggie’s feet are very sensitive. Their feet don’t have fur to protect them. Since they move around a lot, it’s important to ensure they step on surfaces that are soft and dry.  

There is a risk of bacteria build-up in their feet which causes bumblefoot. This is an infection that causes swelling and extreme pain for piggies.  

Select bedding that is good absorbent and soft to step on. 

2. Prevents Different Infections 

Wet surfaces that don’t dry well lead to a build-up of bacteria and fungus. Poor bedding can cause infections in guinea pigs in their respiratory system. This can lead to Pneumonia or Bordetella. They can also get UTIs.  

Select bedding that can absorb urine very well – leaving the surface of the bedding dry. This will prevent the growth of bacteria. This way your guinea pigs aren’t exposed to bacteria or fungi.  

3. Stop Fly Strike 

If the bedding is damp and smells of urine and poop, it will attract flies. Flies are deadly for piggies. They stick to their skin and lay eggs. These flies also spread infections and diseases. Guinea pigs die from fly strikes so select bedding that reduces this risk.  

4. Saves You Money and Time 

Not only does good bedding provide a comfortable place for your guinea pig to rest, but it also helps to keep their environment clean and dry.

This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, because you won’t have to clean as often and your guinea pig will be less likely to develop health problems (hooray for less emergency vet bills)

So if you’re looking for a way to save money and time, consider investing in some good quality guinea pig bedding.  Pick bedding that can absorb well, is easily changeable, and is affordable.  

5. Keeps Guinea Pigs Happy 

Guinea pigs are actually prone to depression. They spend most of their time in their cages so make sure the bedding is comfortable. Poor living conditions cause guinea pigs to stop eating and lose the will to live.  

To keep your fur babies happy, make sure their home is soft, comfortable, and dry.  

Paper Towels Versus Other Beddings: Which Is Better? 

There are several options for guinea pig beddings. Most of them are much better than paper towels for long-term use. They’re also more durable than paper towels as well. Here is a list of bedding options for your piggies and their costs. 

Type of Bedding	Safe?	Cost?
Paper Towels	It’s fairly safe although other options are better	This is one of the cheapest options for piggie bedding
Kiln Dried Pine	It’s very Safe. Aromatic oils have been eliminated and it’s also dust-free.	It is more costly than paper towels but a more affordable option.
Aspen Shavings	It’s very safe since Aspen doesn’t contain phenols, unlike pine	One of the most expensive options.
Carefresh Paper Bedding	It’s very safe and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals	It’s one of the more expensive options. Slightly more costly than Kiln-dried pine wood shavings.
Sawdust	It’s the most unsafe option and kills guinea pigs.	Very cheap.
Fleece	It’s the safest and recommended bedding	It’s one of the most expensive options.

The best options for guinea pig beddings are Aspen shavings and fleece. Aspen doesn’t contain aromatic oils so it’s safe for piggies to use. Fleece on the other hand is the safest and best since you can wash it and reuse it. 

In terms of cost, these two are the most expensive.  

Affordable, safe, and comfortable options are kiln-dried pine shavings and Carefresh Paper bedding. These options aren’t exactly cheap but they’re not as expensive as fleece and Aspen.  

They also have great absorption and are very soft and fluffy. 

Avoid sawdust and paper towels. They’re not ideal bedding for your piggie. Between not absorbing urine well and the respiratory issues that come from having cavies near the sawdust, it’s really not worth it.

Best Alternative Bedding Options For Guinea Pigs

Aspen is one of the safest and best options to use as bedding for your guinea pigs’ cages. It’s highly absorbent and controls the smell of urine very well. You can also spot clean so you don’t need to change the entire bedding every time.  

Do you want to know where you can get Aspen bedding for your piggie? Look no further. Below are some of the best-rated and affordable options you can choose: 

Kaytee Aspen Bedding 3200CU IN 

Kaytee Aspen Bedding is all-natural hardwood bedding. It’s highly absorbent so you will only need to clean your guinea pig’s cage once a week. Click here to get this affordable bedding for your little fur baby.

Small Pet Select – Jumbo Aspen Bedding – 113L

Small Pet Select Aspen bedding is recyclable. It’s also an all-natural Aspen and contains no additives. This bedding is also kiln dried so it’s very safe for use. Click here to get a pack for your piggie.  

Living World Aspen Wood Shavings for Small Animals, Bedding & Nesting Material

PETSPICK Aspen Soft Pet Bedding for Small Animals is made from 100% Aspen wood and are dust and scent-free. It’s highly absorbent and has high ratings from other piggie parents. Click here to get your little friends their ideal bedding.  

Things To Remember About Guinea Pigs and Paper Towel Bedding 

• Bedding is very important for guinea pigs. Their bedding should be absorbent, dust-free, aroma-free, and control the smell of urine.  
• Paper towels aren’t ideal bedding for guinea pigs. They’re not absorbent and piggies tend to eat them.  
• Paper towels put your guinea pig at risk of bumblefoot and fly strikes.  
• Make sure your guinea pig’s bedding is soft and comfortable. Their skin is sensitive to hard and rough surfaces. 
• Replace your guinea pig’s bedding when it gets wet to avoid bacteria build-up.