Did you know that guinea pigs can use litter boxes? While they cannot be reliably litter trained, the right set-up can make cage cleaning faster and easier.
The best guinea pig litter boxes are easy to clean with solid, waterproof bottoms. They’re large enough for every one of your guinea pigs to fit inside while eating hay and have shallow sides so they can climb in easily.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything there is to know about guinea pig litter boxes, including litter box ideas and what to put inside.
Can Guinea Pigs Be Litter Box Trained?
While having a litter box for your guinea pigs can make clean-up a lot easier, it’s important to have realistic expectations. The first thing to know is that guinea pigs cannot be reliably litter trained.
That said, they do tend to poop and pee as they eat. We can take advantage of this by creating a litter box (also sometimes called a “kitchen”) with hay inside. Guinea pigs will hop into the box to access their hay and go potty in the box as they munch away.
You’ll still notice poop and pee throughout the cage and especially in their sleeping areas. Pee pads in the places your guinea pig spends the most time, such as beneath their hides, can further help to make clean-up easier.
Guinea Pig Litter Box Ideas
Your guinea pigs’ litter box can be any shallow container that’s large enough for them to climb into and eat their hay. Every piggy in the cage should be able to fit in the litter box at the same time, with ample space to avoid fights or anyone getting cornered.
It should be very easy to get inside of, especially if you have older piggies with joint problems.
Avoid small corner litter boxes and boxes with grids for poop to fall through. Grids can cause foot injuries and aren’t safe, while the corner boxes are simply much too small.
If you’re cutting any container to make it fit the cage or to decrease depth, please take care not to leave sharp edges that can hurt your piggies. You may need to sand them down or cover them with a soft material.
#1 Shallow Cat or Puppy Litter Box
One of the easiest types of litter boxes to find are those made for cats or puppies. I’ve found shallow boxes at the dollar store that aren’t really cat-appropriate due to their size but are great for piggies.
These are the kinds of boxes you want to look for, as small cat litter boxes are a good fit for guinea pigs. If the sides are too high, you may need to cut them down to make an entryway. As stated above, please be sure not to leave any sharp edges behind if you do this.
#2 Large, Shallow Plastic Container
You might also be able to find a plastic container that fits your guinea pigs’ cage nicely. Make sure that the sides aren’t too high, and that the container isn’t too small. For instance, I’ve seen people reuse vinegar bottles, but these aren’t nearly big enough.
Remember that you want to fit a hay pile inside and that your guinea pigs should all be able to stand in the box fully while eating their hay.
#3 Homemade Coroplast Litter Box
Many people prefer the look of homemade Coroplast litter boxes since they can be made to perfectly fit the cage. You typically want to cut the Coroplast to fit the width of the cage exactly so that there isn’t extra space on either end of the litter box.
The material will also match a C&C cage, giving you a very cohesive and aesthetic look.
#4 Plastic Guinea Pig Litter Box
Alternatively, you can buy this litter box that was designed to fit into Midwest or C&C cages. It comes in four colors, including a basic white, and is 22 inches wide.
It’s pre-cut and easy to assemble with simple clips at each corner. This can be a much easier alternative to making your own Coroplast litter box.
#5 Cardboard Boxes as Disposable Litter Trays
If you want something you can throw out after each use, you get a lot of cardboard boxes that you want to reuse, or you just want a temporary solution until you buy something permanent, a cardboard box is a great solution.
You will want to make sure you use enough bedding and replace the tray often so that the bottom doesn’t become soggy or tear when lifted. Most piggies need the box replaced once to twice a week, but messier pigs or large herds may need more frequent cleaning.
#6 Large Foil Tray or Casserole Dish
These can be tricky to find in the right size, as even large trays and dishes are on the small side for an appropriate litter box. However, some people do seem to have success with them.
I recommend covering the foil completely, as I’m not sure if guinea pigs would chew the material–but it’s not worth risking! You’ll also want to ensure that a casserole dish isn’t able to be pushed around, as you don’t want shattered glass in your piggies’ cage.
#7 A Litter Area Without the Box
If you want to forego a litter box, you can also just line a portion of your cage in disposable bedding without a barrier. This can be easier on the joints of older piggies, but the lack of barrier can create a bigger mess. The bedding may cling to your fleece or bath mats, making cleanup more difficult as well.
What Do You Put in a Guinea Pig Litter Box?
You can line your guinea pigs’ litter box with any safe bedding. This includes fleece or bath mats, though these aren’t commonly used in litter areas.
Most people opt for disposable bedding, even if they use fleece in the rest of the cage. Safe disposable bedding types include:
Avoid softwood shavings and pine that isn’t kiln-dried. Straw, corn husks, sawdust, and clay or clumping cat litter are also unsafe.
You want to look for bedding that is dust-free and soft on your guinea pigs’ feet. Fill the litter box with at least 2-3 inches of bedding and clean it at least one to two times a week.
If you’d like, you can also line the bottom of the litter box with an absorbent fabric, such as a reusable puppy pee pad. This can make cleaning the box easier as it protects the bottom from becoming as messy.
While there are many different types of guinea pig litter boxes, the important thing is to choose something safe, sanitary, and easy to use. Remember to only use guinea pig-safe litter, rather than cat litter, and to give your piggies plenty of space in their kitchen area.