The first considerations you’ll make when deciding whether to get a new pet are how difficult they are to take care of and the impact they have on their environment.
Maybe you’re interested in getting a small pet because they seem like they would be relatively neat.
It’s perfectly logical to expect such small and adorable animals as a guinea lynx to be pretty easy to clean up after.
In reality, guineas poop and pee very frequently. Some guinea pig owners find themselves cleaning out their guinea pig cage multiple times in one day. It’s possible to potty train your piggies with time and effort, though. If you go this route, you will have a lot less cleaning up to do.
You probably feel a little nervous if you’re hearing all these things for the first time.
But don’t worry!
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about what normal, healthy poop in your guinea looks like, how to keep your friend’s cage clean, and how to potty train them if you choose.
Table of Contents
How Much Poop and Pee Are Normal for Guinea Pigs?
Before we worry about clean-up, let’s first focus on what is and isn’t healthy.
Guinea pigs produce a lot of urine and feces throughout the day.
They spend a great deal of time eating, so it’s completely normal for them to be constantly defecating.
Many guineas tend to poop more often near their food and water because it’s convenient for them.
But it’s not uncommon for them to poop all over the place, inside and outside their cage.
Frequent pooping is to be expected during floor time and cage time.
Remember, guinea pigs are prey animals, and fear is innate to them.
If you notice your pet is frequently pooping or peeing on you during lap time, this may be a sign they’re feeling nervous.
With all this being said, if you’re worried, trust your gut.
It’s good practice to keep an eye on how much your piggy is pooping throughout the day.
If you have a general idea of how much is normal for them, you’ll likely recognize it right away when they start to become sick.
Don’t question your instincts.
Get your furry friend checked out by a veterinarian.
What Does Normal Guinea Pig Poop Look Like?
A healthy guinea pig will pass oval-shaped poops. And they won’t be especially dark or light in color.
The key to keeping your piggy’s gut, and therefore their poop, healthy is to keep them on a good diet.
If your guinea lacks nutrients, eats too much fruit, or otherwise struggles to eat correctly, they are more likely to have soft or discolored poops.
Changes to their normal feces shape, color, or consistency are also sometimes signs of a viral infection or other kinds of infections.
Sometimes, smelly defecation means something is wrong, too, especially when accompanied by other changes to the color or consistency.
As a piggy owner, it’s a good idea to monitor your guinea’s habits when cleaning to avoid any issues they might be having.
Don’t hesitate to see a vet if you’re worried something is wrong with your friend!
Odd fact: Did you know? Guinea pigs will eat their own poop and this is somewhat normal.
Read more about this in our article at the link.
Cleaning Up After Your Guinea Pig
If your guinea is not potty trained, you must clean their cage out frequently.
Sometimes, you will be able to clean only small parts of the cage at a time and replace the bedding there.
But a guinea pig cage needs to be deep cleaned at least once every few days.
If you neglect to clean up, the environment will start to stink.
This also puts your piggy at risk of developing illness if they sit in their urine for too long.
When you clean out their cage, you’ll need to change all the bedding and wipe down their toys, cage, and whatever feeders and bottles you use.
(Always leave something behind with their scent on it so your piggy will feel at home in its freshly cleaned cage.)
It is often tedious doing frequent deep cleans.
But your animal will thank you for it (though maybe not with a traditional ‘thank you’).
Related: Is Guinea Pig Poop Odorous?
How To Potty Train a Guinea Pig
Potty training your pets takes time and patience.
Even if you follow all of our advice, it’s going to be a little while before your guinea behaves the way you want them to.
Don’t lose sight of why you’re doing this in the first place: to keep your guinea safe and healthy.
With this in mind, let’s walk through the steps to potty training your guinea pig.
- Set up a dark corner which will be their potty area.
- Purchase and set up a litter box in the corner.
- Put your pet’s food and water in the same corner.
Guinea pigs feel safer going to the bathroom in a darker area, which is why you’ll need to set their potty area up this way.
They’ll naturally be drawn to the darkened corner of the cage, making them more likely to do their business there.
When you get their litter box, you’ll need to decide on what kind of litter you want to use.
Some guinea pig owners rely on cat litter for their little friends.
Further reading: Using cat litter for your guinea pigs.
We recommend using paper bedding or a litter specifically designed for small animals like guineas.
Check out why we love shredded paper for guinea pig bedding.
Once your litter box is set up in the dark corner of the cage, it’s time to move their food and water over there.
Why?
Guineas tend to defecate in the same place they eat.
It may seem a bit strange.
You certainly wouldn’t eat in the bathroom, after all.
But guinea pigs are prey animals.
They want to feel safe and hidden at all times if they are able.
This is a big reason they like dark corners and tunnels so much, and it’s why they eat and poop in the same place.
Further Advice on Litter Training
Remember, even once your guinea’s potty area is set up, it will take time for them to adjust.
During this time, don’t switch the corner of the cage they’re using.
This will confuse them and prolong the process.
Above all, stay patient.
You’ve got this, and so does your piggy!
