Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are among the most social, family-friendly pets you can have. These loving little balls of fur deserve the comfiest, coziest havens to live in. And a big part of creating the perfect habitat for your guinea pig is choosing the right bedding.

The right guinea pig bedding helps keep your pet's habitat clean, and it provides a comfortable, safe place for your furball to sleep and relax. You should use a thick layer of whichever type of bedding you choose —Ā about one to three inches deep. A good layer of bedding is a must-have to provide a cushion for your guinea pig's feet. This cushion protects their feet from the hard floor of the habitat, avoiding discomfort and preventing cuts and sores on your guinea pig's feet that can lead to an infection called bumblefoot.

What to Look for in Guinea Pig Bedding

First of all, the bedding should be made with high-quality materials that are good for your pet. It should also be good at odor control and absorbent to help keep the habitat dry. Look for soft bedding to provide cushion and encourage nesting behaviors. Great guinea pig bedding should be dust-free so it doesn't irritate their vulnerable lungs.

Best Bedding Options for Your Guinea Pig

Some great bedding options for guinea pigs include:

Soft paper products

Soft paper bedding is an ideal choice for your guinea pig. Paper tends to be great at odor control, and it's ideal for absorbency to keep the habitat dry. Plus, it's not dusty, so it won't irritate your guinea pig's sensitive respiratory system. Many paper products are recycled, which is better for the environment.

If you want a premium soft paper bedding, try the Kaytee Clean & Cozy line. This bedding is made of super-soft paper that's higher quality than the leftover "sludge" byproduct that most other brands use. All Clean & Cozy bedding is 99.9% dust-free for a clean and healthy habitat. It's super absorbent and easy to scoop and discard. Plus, your guinea pig will love the soft bedding because it makes for super comfy nesting. Some varieties you might want to try include:

*Based on Nielsen data 9/6/2025.

Cage liners

Cage liners are used to line the bottom of a guinea pig's habitat in order to cushion your guinea pig's feet and keep the habitat base clean. Some pet owners like to use a cage liner to make cleanup easier. To help encourage nesting, add paper bedding on top of the cage liner. This will also absorb any liquids, control odor, and keep your guinea pig from chewing the cage liner.

Two popular types of cage liners:

  • Fleece cage liners: A single, blanket-like layer of fabric that's reusable and washable. However, they are not very absorbent nor good at odor control, leading to more frequent cleanings.

  • Disposable cage liners: Used for the convenience of making cleanup easier. Just pick up the liner and dispose it, along with the soiled bedding on top. Like fleece cage liners, disposable cage liners are not great at odor control and lack absorbency, which means more frequent cleanings for you.

Aspen shavings

Non-aromatic aspen shavings are the only type of wood shavings safe for use as a guinea pig's bedding.

One thing to consider if choosing aspen shavings is that it's not as absorbent as paper and may not be as good at controlling smells. So if you use aspen, depending on the type, you may need to clean your pet's habitat more often.

A great choice to try is the all-natural Kaytee Aspen Bedding. It's manufactured to eliminate dust and wood debris and contains no aromatic oils or inks. The bedding is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Bedding Types to Avoid

Guinea pigs have special health needs that require diligence when choosing bedding. The following is a list of bedding types you should avoid.

  • Avoid cedar or pine shavings. The natural aromatic oils from cedar or pine bedding can be extremely harmful to guinea pigs, irritating their sensitive respiratory systems and putting them at risk of respiratory infections. Cedar and pine bedding is also dusty, which can be harmful to guinea pigs' sensitive systems.

  • Avoid sawdust. Sawdust may irritate a guinea pig's respiratory system and put them at risk for respiratory infections.

  • Avoid straw. Straw might be tempting and feel like a "natural" choice, but it's not a good option for two reasons. Straw tends to be hard and sharp, so it might injure your guinea pig's eyes. Plus, it's not very absorbent, and bacteria can grow in the habitat if wet straw is not discarded.

  • Avoid raw corncob. Raw corncob bedding is occasionally recommended for guinea pigs, but it's best to avoid it when there are so many better options available. If your pet eats the raw corncob, it can cause an impaction and serious medical problems. The bedding also molds quite easily.

  • Avoid newspaper. While quite a few people might use newspaper, it's not the best choice when many better options are available. For one thing, newspaper may not be absorbent or soft enough. Also, the inks might not be safe for your guinea pig.

  • Avoid cat litter. You should never use cat litter for a guinea pig's bedding. It can cause respiratory and digestion issues for your pet. And if your guinea pig accidentally eats the litter, it can expand and cause intestinal blockages.

Choose Your Pet Guinea Pig's Bedding with Care

Be diligent when choosing bedding for your guinea pig. These pets' sensitive lungs, feet, and noses mean that certain types of bedding are simply not viable options. Soft paper and other dust-free bedding can be great alternatives that your pet will love to play, relax, and sleep in.

No matter what type of bedding you choose, keeping it clean should be a top priority. An increase in odors and ammonia can put your small pet at risk of respiratory infections. Be sure to spot-clean your pet's habitat every day, and do a thorough cleaning at least once a week.

With these precautions and a lot of care and love, you can create a wonderful, cozy home for your furry guinea pig. Your little pet will repay you with lots of love and wonderful moments together.