Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Smells, Potty Habits, and Cage Cleaning
Thinking about bringing home a guinea pig, but not sure what to expect? You're not alone! New pet parents often have a lot of questions—especially when it comes to cleanliness and odor. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’re answering some of the most common questions about guinea pig care, including whether they smell and how to keep their habitat clean and hygienic.
Do Guinea Pigs Stink?
Healthy guinea pigs themselves are not naturally stinky animals. They groom themselves regularly, and their bodies don’t produce strong odors. However, if a guinea pig’s cage is not cleaned often enough or set up properly, it can definitely lead to unpleasant smells. So if you notice a strong odor, it’s usually coming from the habitat, not the piggy.
Here’s what can cause a guinea pig habitat to stink:
- Dirty bedding: Soiled bedding traps urine and poop, especially in corners.
- Poor ventilation: A closed-in or plastic-covered cage holds in smells.
- Unneutered males: Boars may produce a musky scent when marking, particularly from their scent gland.
- Health issues: Strong or unusual odor can sometimes indicate infection. If you’re unsure about any odor, you may want to check with a vet.
How Often Do Guinea Pigs Go Potty?
Guinea pigs pee more than you might expect! It can be as frequent as every 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much water and veggies they’ve had. Because they pee so frequently, keeping their cage dry and clean is key to odor control as well as your pet’s health. Wet bedding can cause ammonia buildup and even lead to bumblefoot or respiratory problems over time. It’s important to use bedding that absorbs well and keeps their space dry.
And what about poop? Guinea pigs poop a lot. They’re grazing animals and eat often, so they poop often. On average, a single guinea pig can produce 100–200 droppings per day. That means you’ll see little droppings scattered throughout their cage, which you’ll have to spot-clean throughout the day. Luckily, it’s usually dry, pellet-shaped, and easy to clean.
What’s the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs?
We answer this question in depth in our Best Bedding for Piggies blog post. But our ultimate recommendation is to go with fleece for its absorbency, comfort, and long-term sustainability. We offer lots of options, made for various size cages and enclosures, including our Critter Box cage liner with raised sides, which helps keep messes contained.
What Size or Type of Cage Do Guinea Pigs Need?
The recommendation is for a guinea pig’s cage to be at least 7.5 square feet in size. For multiple piggies, aim for a larger cage or provide additional space so they have room to explore and exercise. For more on preparing your guinea pig’s home, check out our other article: Creating the Best Guinea Pig Habitat for Your Piggies.
How Often Should I Clean a Guinea Pig Cage?
A daily spot-clean is recommended to keep the guinea pig’s habitat healthy and hygienic. Spot cleaning can be done with a vacuum or broom and dustpan. Remember those poops we mentioned? You’ll want to sweep those up multiple times throughout the week.
A full clean of your guinea pig’s habitat can be done on a weekly basis. This involves removing your pets and accessories from the cage, shaking out loose debris, and washing the base of your cage and allowing it to dry completely. Toys, hideouts, food dishes, and water bottles or dispensers will need to be cleaned appropriately, while fleece cage liners will need to be washed. Many people find it helpful to keep at least one rotation of all these items to make it easier to reset the guinea pig’s habitat. Some guinea pig parents like to go with disposable pads so they can just toss and replace. While these are not reusable, they are very convenient and can make life a little easier. Disposable pads are a great option if you’re short on time.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs are tidy little creatures, but like all pets, they rely on their humans to keep their space clean and healthy. Knowing what to expect and setting up a good cage routine early can make life better for both you and your piggies.
Already have guinea pigs at home?
We’d love to hear your tips! Share your best cleaning hacks, favorite cage setups, or how often you spot-clean in the comments or tag us on social.