How to Litter Train a Guinea Pig: Keep Your Cage Cleaner For Longer!

[@MissHappyPigs]

Thanks for your advice and tips, Ive had two babies for 5 weeks now , ( 11 wk old ) and have done exactly what you have suggested in this video and I can vouch for you it absolutely works!. I couldn't believe it, that they pee in tray, and now 5 weeks on are virtually pooing in tray too! 👍 Just another question what do you clean your tray out daily with as in disinfectant?

[@SqueakDreams]

So glad the tips helped!! I use F10 disinfectant, it just needs a tiny bit mixing with water in a spray bottle :)

[@MissHappyPigs]

@@SqueakDreams great I will look it up - thanks 👍

[@jemma3459]

@@MissHappyPigs Hi there, Pets at Home do a pet safe spray for cage cleaning or I use White Vinegar which is cheap and totally safe-it also gets rid of any wee stains really well too. Enjoy your babies :-)

[@MissHappyPigs]

@@jemma3459 thanks for reply, I bought star drops white vinegar but it's a really strong smell - I was concerned it would hurt my fur babies. So I'm going to give f10 a go..also when washing fleece do you use just a non bio washing detergent?

[@jemma3459]

@@MissHappyPigs Yes, it’s best to use something completely non- scented too like Ecover or similar according to Guineadad. White vinegar does smell very strong but you can always wipe over it with water after. It’s great for cleaning out a plastic hay box/ litter box.

[@quinnszoo]

my guinea pigs are free roamed at all times, lots of room and everything, i taught them this :)

[@littleclaws7991]

My piggies somehow litter trained themselves! I have a litter box for each of them, I rarely ever find poop or pee on the cage liner.

[@SqueakDreams]

That's great!! 😀

[@Randomgenshinplayer666]

Woah!

[@SALAM.Q]

👋.. can i ask you question plz?

[@littleclaws7991]

@@SALAM.Q sure.

[@Jessieisthebest31]

Wow I’ve been potty training my 2 girls and one still goes wherever she wants 😂😅😢Today I was watching them and she was In the litter tray then she went out then weed in the middle of the cage 🤦‍♀️

[@Whooachannel]

I have one section of the cage that I have separated from the main area of the cage where I JUST put hay down over a puppy pad. Since doing this they almost exclusively pee and poop there, which I was surprised about when I first saw how much cleaner the main part of the cage was from the hay side. Im definitely going to make a special area just for the hay/puppy pad combo when I upgrade them to the c&c build and see if it'll help keep the new cage cleaner as well.

[@katerinai.salazar9566]

I just rescued a Guinea pig a few weeks ago ( he was found locked in a small dog crate in a park down form where I work. One of my regular clients found him and brought him to me). I watched your videos when I first got him and I just really wanted to thank you for sharing your knowledge and creating these helpful videos! They’ve really helped me as a first time Guinea owner and to give him the cleanest, healthiest habitat. The biggest save was the fleece for sure! He rarely pees on them- so that’s a BIG thank you!

[@marisapatel6025]

I am so grateful that I found your videos! My daughter adopted two piggies for her 11th birthday and we have been trying to figure out the best way to do ALL THE THINGS! I will definitely be spending a lot of time on your videos!

[@octavieknite3068]

I'm planning on adopting a pair of guinea pigs in the future once I finish up school, so I'm happy that I found your channel!

[@JessandKen251]

i wanna say with guinea pigs u can use baking soda and sprinkle it at the bottom of there cage than put your fleece down whatever it is that u use it helps with the smell

[@SqueakDreams]

Thanks for the tip!

[@SummerHawaii582]

Bad idea

[@wowkiller9]

why?

[@jengoodwin6344]

I love your video they are very helpful ❤

[@doralburnett9886]

Thanks for the delightful insight. Now i will be a Guinea Guru in no time!

[@CamilleOlivia]

Thanks again for your suggestions. I've actually learned some of these things on my own (because I'm a Neat Freak and MUST pick up their poo every time I see any!) Over time, they came to use the hay trays on their own. Much easier to keep clean that way! I have 2 Piggy Boys and so there isn't as much as you have. But I do think you're right: they seem to LIKE their Piggy Palace CLEAN! Cheers!

[@SqueakDreams]

They definitely do! Yay for Neat Freaks! 🤗😄

[@sophia0249]

I’m also a neat freak with a bit of ocd i think I can’t stand cats that my family got THEY GOT 2 FOR GODS SAKE Every time I see a single strand of hair i flip out, but obviously no one cares cause im just a weirdo with mental issues My room is a mess cause I can’t figure out how to clean out all the cat hair without tracking more in

[@debbiefinch7445]

Your hint on using pillowcases? BLOOMING BRILLIANT!!!!! Have spent a fortune on those washing machine bags but none of them last long at all!!! Thanks!!! xx

[@TakingInTheSights]

I am definitely going to try these tips. I had bought that triangle litter tray you spoke about, one of my guinea pigs barely fit in it comfortably. Really like the large container idea for the litter tray.

[@SqueakDreams]

Glad the video helped! I've had a few of those corner ones going back and yup they are pretty useless! 😅

[@kunaal_1928]

You are BEST piggie tuber out there!!

[@SqueakDreams]

Awh thank you so much! ❤🌻

[@thalbachin7539]

Your tip with the litter tray was super helpful for me! I use a temporary one at the moment because I just moved and need to build a new enclosure for my piggies, but the litter tray helps to keep the liners fresh for WAY longer and is so easy to clean. I will definitely try to use my smaller pads on top of bigger liners too once I get them. Thank you for your always helpful, fun to watch and cute videos :) Always entertaining to watch your sweet piggies do piggie things!

[@tammybaldwin5821]

Thank you for that little bit advise.

[@liv5536]

Thank you! Your videos are so helpful for me. I’m getting two Guinea pigs this summer and I’m learning so much from you!

[@butterhook]

We have two guinea pigs, Horace and Fluffy, and we use absorbant mats as a base layer. Thanks for all the videos 😊

[@amybethea5136]

So happy to have found you online. Your videos and tips are super encouraging, and appreciated! I’ve had my guineas for about 3 weeks now, and I’m feeling a bit like a failed mom. Their space is a hot mess express, but thankfully I will be trying several of your suggestions! Are they trainable at any age/stage of ownership? I’m praying so! Thanks so much, and please feel free to let me know of any other helpful tips to try! :)

[@katieloveslv2888]

I absolutely adore your videos! The tips are so useful, especially the litter tray tip. Has made a massive difference! Thank you honey x

[@jbjacobs9514]

Mine would nip at my t-shirt or my hair if they wanted to go back to whee. They gave me very little time from nip to whee, though! hehe During one floor time, Leetchie was having the zoomies in my cousin's room, running in circles around her. Finally she propped herself behind my cousin, lying against her and decided "now is the time to whee." No cover, no warning, just some warm whee. Thanks, Leetchie! I couldn't stop laughing. My cousin was not as amused. hehe

[@user-bu2bj8pe1m]

Always really useful and well made videos .

[@aubree_cutie]

I love all your piggies they are so cute!😍

[@auwoo1]

this was so helpful for a new guinea pig dad!

[@cindyterruso9698]

I wish I would have used the fleece from the very beginning of having my guinea pig. I always used the paper litter. I never saw this video before and I no longer have my Teddy however I used to put the fleece in his playpen for floor time and he never really urinated or pooped too much in there. I wish I would’ve used it. If I ever get another guinea pig ( doubtful- I’m too old now) I would definitely use the fleece plus it’s soft on their joints, elbows and paws. Thank you again for your love and education regarding Guinea pigs.

[@LittleKingdom3]

Wow, this was such an awesome informative video. I actually do use a medium sized litter tray for my two piggies and I just might need to take a look on how to make one out of a under the bed storage container. 6:31 that is so true, I have a little OCD in me so I need to clean the piggies a lot through my day and if I’m not home, I sometimes think about them pooping more, lol.

[@SqueakDreams]

Haha yay! I'm so glad someone else relates to that! The under bed storage works really well, I would recommend! Mine is a bit battered, I could do with making a few new ones!

[@animaladventures7831]

@@SqueakDreams I think that I am going to try that out I just have to get the storage container first I am sure that I will be able to find one somewhere right now I have a basket that they use as a litter area but I need a bigger one do your pigs chew on the plastic of the litter container??

[@SqueakDreams]

@@animaladventures7831 They sometimes have a tiny nibble but never chew pieces off

[@animaladventures7831]

@@SqueakDreams ok thanks I will try this out with my piggies

[@lsandas1677]

You are hands-down, the most knowledgeable, well spoken guinea pig expert on the Internet! Guaranteed your videos have improved more P lives than you could ever imagine. On behalf of all the guinea pigs, thank you❤️ One more thing, thank u for saying that purring does not mean they are happy!! They are annoyed, it’s obvious if you just watch their behavior!!! ❤️❤️

[@karenmukhopadhyaya1568]

Your videos are amazing and I realy love Guinea pigs

[@emmagavars6385]

Ur cage looks perfect with all the hideouts and stuff for the piggies. I'm getting two next week thanks for your videos it doesn't even look like a cage.it is like a proper home for piggies I hope I can make them feel at home like yours do and popcorn ! Lol just learned dat word !

[@SqueakDreams]

Awh thank you that's so kind! Congrats on getting piggies, I'm sure you will and they will be popcorning everywhere once they start getting confident 😃

[@emmagavars6385]

@@SqueakDreams hope so! hugs x

[@kathiemarcellus8002]

Thank you! Sarah!! Love all your videos!! I'm always learning from you!❣💖😁😎

[@zeekhansen]

I love it it’s just so awesome that I keep on watching more

[@SumDvl41]

you mention putting the fleece into a pillow case for washing...could you go into more detail about that?? thank you!

[@SqueakDreams]

Yes I do this to stop the hair getting out and clogging the machine. I think you can also buy wash bags but I find pillowcases tied with a bobble work just fine if I don't overfill them 😊. I wash the pads on either a quick wash or a longer wash at 30 or 40 degrees and let them air dry on a radiator. The liner I usually do on a longer wash at 40 degrees. Just detergent, no fabric softener for both :)

[@nickiaustin1455]

@@SqueakDreams Then do you empty the pillow case into a bin? Toss the pillow cases in the dryer? Thank you for the tip!

[@Smiles853]

Thank you for this advice my piggies are so cute and clean

[@l.obrien8341]

I found all of what you say to be true with my girls also. Except that mine seek out poop areas but not as much trained for pee. I have the square guineadad pads in each corner and with the hay between 2 pads they will sit on each sides of the hay pile and poop on the pads while they eat and rest by the hay. For floor time I have a wooden Hidey house that I call the outhouse and I put the same kind of pad under it that I use in the cage and they recognise the pad as a toilet pad. They go in the outhouse to poop probably 80% of the time, some nights will be 100%. ( Unless when they need to poop the cagemate is in the outhouse, then all bets are off). .

[@SqueakDreams]

Your techniques sound like they work great! Thanks for sharing! And I guess there's always going to be a time when someone else is in the way of the poop spot! 😂

[@nancymoya3330]

thank you!! new guinea pet owner here, this really helps

[@Iamaveryseriouspersonhonk]

I just adopted 2 smooth guineas, love your vids. Learning a lot!

[@moniqueharris8137]

I think what you do is very helpful.

[@hugoweaving6275]

Non owner here, but lm fascinated with gps, they are cute and friendly, unlike hamsters. Great video you answer alot of questions.

[@CamPope]

it was so helpful 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@peachyyflowers]

Thanks for the advice I want guinea pigs so this was grate

[@SqueakDreams]

You're welcome! Great that you're doing research beforehand! 😀

[@animaladventures7831]

@@SqueakDreams yeah that is great

[@Nana-vl2ni]

nice to see you back, you had a long break after the last time ive watched a video from you, was the video how to make a fleece liner and i still use this video today when i make a new one for my piggies :) randomly found this video of you and i just want to say "thaaaank yooou" :) this inspired me, made me happy to found you again and i will try this out with my piggies, because they make a looot of mess and i am sometimes really frustrated because they put their food all over the cage, poop where they eat and sleep and 30mins after full cage clean it looks like i have never ever cleaned the cage in the whole piggie life^^

[@unicorncookiegames]

Thank u for the advice I’m gonna get two!!!

[@ladyraaay]

Thank you for advice this really helped!

[@SqueakDreams]

So glad, thank you! 😄

[@kellykline1464]

Thank you for this video. My baby pig is just that. Poops everywhere!! I cannot wait to try all your tips and get back to you in a few weeks with updates. Thanks again for the helpful tips

[@wldhorse26]

Thank you! Great tips!

[@sydneyroloson1040]

Thank you so much for this information I hope this will help me and them

[@madgemadge225]

Hi I'm so chuffed, it's working so far, I use fleece or fabric kitchen towels on the main area, their 2 resting caves I put hay and natural bedding, at the moment their not used to going on the main, but with the puppy Mats it's doesn't smell, I charge every 3 days, in Summer as its so simple to remove and add the puppy sheets

[@PiggieTime]

Mine are slightly litter box trained but it at least helps with the cleaning 🤣

[@SqueakDreams]

I think being "slightly litter trained" is the best we can hope for with piggies! 😄😂

[@carolinegibbs1310]

Excellent advice! Very helpful.

[@iCloud.420]

I don’t have a litter tray because the cat ones take up to much room but mine just moved in to there new cage and it’s the exact same as yours and the thing about them not feeling comfortable peeing on fleece I cut off a bit of the fleece and left an area of hard black tape and it only took one our now there litter trained and this totally works

[@trinity975]

Who ever dislikes this vid there just jealous cause you have amazing vids

[@jayleejeez3621]

You’re literally my savior 😭😭 thank you!!

[@SqueakDreams]

Awh you're welcome!

[@HannaCaviidae]

This was super helpful! Thanks! I love your videos!

[@avysakura3939]

I bought a puppy training pads. I folded a baby blanket for their home. Half of the cage is puppy pads. On top of the pads there is towel for water and food bowl. I cut in to two piece the pads under the hays basket and in the edge where the spot of lots of urine. So every night, I just grab the cut pieces of pad where they peed a lot and put a new one. I like to use a big paint brush to sweep the poop all around easy and doesn't stick in the blanket. I just noticed that the blanket area near their home is clean and no pee only poop. It's always the other side near their foods and hays.

[@mightylotan]

Great ideas!!

[@SqueakDreams]

Thank you! 😊

[@PaytonSpoke]

My guinea pigs have learned to pull on my shirt when they need to go pee so whenever they pull on my shirt I know to take them down. I have no idea where they learned it from, but it is so adorble!!!!!

[@Brucee_97]

I like this!

[@jemma3459]

Thanks so much Sarah. This was a really helpful video x So, I have around 700 piggy poops a day to clean up-no wonder they keep me so busy!! I have a large cat litter tray as a hay box in the corner but although it is huge, only 5 of the piggies can get in at once and the 2 youngest have to wait and hang over the sides nibbling until the popularity of the clean hay box has diminished a little and some of the seniors have had enough and hopped out :-( I would like them all to be able to get in it together, so I might try adapting a storage tray like you have which looks a better idea. Also, as the sides are deeper, I guess less is flung out as they jump in and out as they're going in through a 'doorway' instead. Have a good weekend x

[@SqueakDreams]

Yes! The sides being deeper definitely helps, and I can put a pad under the entrance to catch any hay and poops dragged out 🤗😂 x

[@jemma3459]

@@SqueakDreams 🥰

[@suikazurax3]

Your piggies are so cute! You recommended using a pillow case for washing fleece bedding and pads... you think those mesh laundry bags would work well too?

[@fvaisek]

super:-)very helpful,THANK YOU!! :-):-)

[@bridgetheequestrian6168]

Another tip is if you let your guinea pigs free roam outside of their cages then bring their potty box out with them so that they don’t pe or poop. That’s what I do in online class it works perfectly.

[@tulsisevadasi]

My five are just fine with peeing on fleece and on their newspaper and hay lined litter trays. I use grow bag trays as they are nice and shallow. Like the dark corner trick. Will be trying it.

[@SqueakDreams]

The grow bags sound like a good idea! I hope the dark corner tricks works for you 😀

[@FunSize_Paradise]

If I put orchard grass hay down on the newspaper will my piggies still likely eat their Timothy hay in the hayrack as well? I buy those two and mix them but I'd still like for the hayrack to be used if possible

[@takini015]

Thank you so much for your videos. I don't own a guinea pig, but I have been considering getting one. And your videos have helped me understand them better and question my self if this pet will be good for me and I to them.

[@Jess-wm5su]

Yes! Get yourself your new best friends!

[@andreabreyer-johanson1954]

Your videos are so informative! Thank you so much for taking your time in doing that.❤ I Just bought 2 babies that will be getting next week and I'm wondering about those liners. Do you have a water proof liner in the entire cage and smaller ones where the piggys usually pee or do you just have normal fleece covering the bottom of the cage and the small liners in the most common spots where they pee? Thanks! 😊

[@DashieNCheekie]

Hi 😊 should I put my pigs in a separate area when I give them vegetables to keep the cage cleaner? What do you do with your pigs?

[@luciethornton5714]

Sorry I haven’t watched your videos from the start but I always rely on your videos when lost in the guinea pig world and your tips always work!!! I was just wondering whether your cage is DIY and if so where do you get all the clear plastic fencing around the outside of the cage?

[@Alexa19573]

Hi! I looooove your channel, just got my first guinea pig and thank to you, it’s becoming closer to me 🥺 can i ask you how many times do you clean out the cage in a day? So they can be comfortable

[@SqueakDreams]

I clean out the litter tray once a day and sweep up poops off the fleece a few times a day 😊

[@hollykyles6934]

I been trying with the black one u said not to (but in pink) and in a few days i realized that it was way to small (had them for a month and 9 days 3 months old now) today i gave them a cat litter tray and in 5 minutes they did it all in there

[@MoldyMoss]

hey ! what do you put under the cage to keep the floor clean ? love your videos, by the way ! :D

[@heathermacmillan962]

Thanks for another great video.. I saw you had "dust free hay"...we don't seem to have that labelling here in Australia. Do you know what type of hay it is? I really want to try and get some for my piggies 😁 Also, regarding pooping etc, my piggies seem to like pooping and peeing where the huddle, which means it ends up being a mushy mess (sorry for gross discussion). This makes it harder when spot cleaning 😒

[@SqueakDreams]

Thank you! Yes the dust free hay is by Lunnun, I have the link in the description. I'd see if you can get a "dust extracted" meadow or meadow and timothy mix and it should be similar, hopefully there's some good brands in Australia 😊 The timothy hay I get is also a favourite, over here we have a few different small brands (online order only) selling good quality timothy hay, so again you might have similar. As for the pooping (no apology needed for gross discussion 😂), perhaps you can get a waterproof pad for that particular area and change it every couple of days or so. Also regular poop disposal by gathering up the pad and emptying poops into a bin and then sweeping off any hay/stuck poops with the brush might help. If your pigs get mushy poops often you could look at their diet and reducing the amount of fresh veggies in exchange for more hay.

[@sblatchley1225]

what is the product or material under all the waterproof fleece pads? Great vid btw

[@mattg3522]

Yes

[@luckyp.7923]

Thank your for the great tips! I followed them with my two girls, and it worked out fabulously. Unfortunately, ever since the boys arrived, all of them pee and poop everywhere in the cage. I have three litter trays for four guinea pigs, but they still don't use them often enough, neither the boys, nor the girls... Do you have any idea or experience with this and how get back to the clean girls situation? Thanks a lot!

[@dienahfee777]

can i put waterproofliners into the drier?

[@SqueakDreams]

You can although check what the materials care advice was or where you bought the liner from. Some fabrics will melt in the drier if the heat is too high!

[@abbieorstad563]

Even though my piggies r 2 years old can they still b potty trained. Also those little soft beds do they pop and peel n those beds? Thanks 4 all ur advice.

[@alifarmer-womeninbusiness]

Hi where do you buy the little beds I live in Spain and I am just building two new cc cages

[@samantharogers5298]

hiya hope ur well? my 19yrold child wants a couple or 3 guinepigs. i have a few questions. do i need 2 line the litter boxes with news paper (im a bit of a tree hugger) also is it safe 4 the pig 2 b eating the hay/material their urinating/pooping on?

[@DavidSuncuravens]

Hi, thank you for the video! If I have hay in their litter box, wouldn’t it get soaked in pee all the time? Does that mean I will have to dump out the hay and replaced it everyday?

[@jemimamarks8006]

Hi, I have a guinea pig question and was wondering if you knew anything about it. My baby guinea pig I just got has I think diarrhea or just runny poop, she also has it in between her toes and gets all over the guinea pig which is annoying. Should I take her to the vet or just let her settle in and the diarrhea/runny poo is just normal. She is eating fine.

[@lily_721]

If they poop where they eat isn’t that bad? Should I have hay in two places? Just curious.

[@notyourordinarydad4549]

Do you bath yours? I have 1 with long hair and I have to sometimes cut his hair because food and poo gets stuck.

[@ChristopherTradeshow]

mine is alrwady going in one corner so I feel like it's gonna be easy with him

[@davezarn500]

Hello, what kind of hay do you use in your hay bins?

[@kirstinejrgensen2264]

Hi, i have my guinea pigs in my bedroom, which is nice and im happy to hear them running around, but lately they have started to smell, a lot. I changed their fleece liners yesterday and I cleaned their cage with vinegar mixed with water. I spot clean two times day, at least, and I have a litter box for them. But somehow it still smells. Do you have any advice on my problem? 😊

[@tammybaldwin5821]

Hi, what kind of liner should I use? & where do I get one?

[@SqueakDreams]

Hi you can get waterproof/non-waterproof liners from cosy makers online, or you can layer the materials yourself in the bottom of the cage (I did this for years before finally getting liners), so lay some old towels down then tuck the fleece under around the edges. Would be a good starting point to give fleece a go, having proper liners does make things a little easier though :)

[@dsenart]

What are the dimensions of your cage and where did you get it from?

[@coolcat92601]

How often should you change the hay and clean out the litter tray?

[@coolcat92601]

Just got to the answer all good, Thanks for the tips

[@Chicken404]

Wouldnt it be expensive to put hay in there litter box since they eat the hay too? I was just thinking it would be a waste to have to throw all that hay away once soiled. Can they pee on bedding instead or does the hay encourage them to pee in one spot? sorry im confused lol my son wants one so im trying to learn as much as i can

[@joybuenaflor6459]

Do you change out / add more hay throughout the day to the litter tray? I am trying to figure out a way to waste less hay with my pigs.

[@bravoleader8878]

When using the litter tray method, do you have to change the newspaper and hay every day as well? Asking cause I'm thinking that it may waste a bit of hay daily as well?

[@mysh13]

niiiiiiiiice :) :)

[@ladylongford1951]

Hi Sarah! I've had my piggies a few months and feel like I've tried everything to litter train them, but (& it may just be one of them) they're still weeing all over the hutch. I've put in 3 litter trays now trying to catch common areas but it's like they choose to go anywhere and everywhere! I'm having to do a full clean out every couple of days. Any thoughts or advice please? Thanks! Xx

[@kurczewskialivia6103]

Where can I find that hammock stand?

[@ArabChristian1]

I love Guinea Pigs, at least their Feces isn't like cats it would be a disaster. Their feces do not even have a smell and are very small

[@hundredsoflifes3102]

Where do you get all the stuff at?

[@ellatorrence208]

How often do you wash the fleece liners

[@pebblessmudgef1578]

Can you fleece in a hutch

[@ileanamalave8282]

Where did you get the chloroplast?

[@derpyderek2247]

Will the Guinea Pig's poo and pee in the Fleece bedding? Like in those little sacs where they can hide.