Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are loved for their curious and friendly nature. They are not so expensive a pet to keep and can live up to 10 years when adequately cared for.
However, guinea pigs require loads of commitments. Knowing how to raise them can prove helpful in making them live longer and happier. You need to get the feeding, treatment, and bedding right.
Now this leaves us with a very crucial question. Is artificial grass safe for guinea pigs? If you’re among those asking such questions, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to know the ideal thing to do.
Can You Keep Guinea Pigs on Artificial Grass?
Yes, you can. Why not? If you were unable to get an organic lawn, artificial grass would make sense. It is a breeze to clean and maintain, giving your beloved pet a neat and comfortable place to stay.
So, yes, you can line your cage or pet house with artificial grass. But please, endeavor to buy one that’s animal-safe. Don’t compromise on this for any reason. Why? Guinea pigs like to nibble. It’s their nature; they’re inquisitive, though lovely to have around.
By lining the cage with animal-safe artificial grass, you can rest assured your guinea pig is entirely safe. Using artificial grass, which doesn’t wither like a regular organic lawn, would help to make your guinea pig house more attractive.
The realistic and natural appeal of artificial grass could also give your beautiful pets a taste of fresh and ever-green summertime. You’ll even know if something isn’t right with your bedding when using artificial grass, as against natural ones.
So, if you’re ready to invest in artificial grass, don’t hold back! You’re making a good decision that will benefit your guinea pigs and you.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Artificial Grass?
Keeping guinea pigs on artificial grass doesn’t interest most people. Why? They feel the animal can consume the grass, and that could be a disaster. Guinea pigs enjoy heating grass.
But the question is, will they consume artificial grass? Well, the answer to this question is both ways – a yes and a no. Yes, some guinea pigs do chew artificial grasses. But that doesn’t mean they would ingest them.
The guinea pig is not a foolish animal. It’s very curious and acts smart. When guinea pigs chew on artificial grass and discover it’s not natural, they’ll stop doing so. These animals like to nibble on grasses, and that’s why there’s a high possibility that they may do the same to artificial grass.
So, expect your guinea pigs to behave in this manner when introduced to an artificial grass-lined cage for the first time. After a while, they’ll become used to the grass and stop chewing it.
By the way, your guinea pigs won’t develop health challenges or die when they chew artificial grass. Just ensure the grass is animal-safe, and you would have nothing to worry about.
A Handy Tip: Guinea pigs belong to the class of animals called herbivores. And herbivores feed wholly on plants. Ensure your guinea pigs are fed with top-quality guinea pig pelleted foods and hay. You can incorporate fruits and vegetables into the animal’s meal from time to time.
Do Guinea Pigs Mess on Artificial Grass?
Yes, of course, they will. Guinea pigs may be smart and act intelligently. But don’t expect them to act the same way humans do when releasing waste.
So, expect your guinea pigs to mess up your artificial grass from time to time. It’s a normal thing with animals. They eat and so have to pass out waste products. You should feel concerned if your guinea pigs don’t release waste products.
However, most guinea pigs may decide to do their business at the corner of the lined cage, making cleanup a breeze for the owner. But even if yours messes up the artificial grass, cleanup shouldn’t be that difficult.
Artificial grass is a breeze to clean up. And you can disinfect it whenever the need arises, too.
Do Guinea Pigs Bite?
It is natural for people to ask questions about guinea pigs’ aggressiveness. If you’re keeping an animal as a pet, you have to know everything about them.
So, do guinea pigs bite? Yes, they do. But it’s no secret that they’re docile animals. Your guinea pig may ‘mouth’ you. They may do that to you most of the time when curious about knowing if you’re edible.
You can’t classify ‘mouthing’ as hard bites. It’s just your guinea pigs expressing their curiosity, as always. And yes, guinea pigs bite. But they won’t act in such a manner without a cause.
Now, why do guinea pigs bite? Let’s rephrase the question this way. Well, they would only act aggressively or bite when they feel threatened. If your guinea bites, it could be because of fleas or mites.
Pain can also force guinea pigs don’t bite. You may have held the point where the animal had the pain, which forced it to react. The biting is to notify you to take your hands off.
Again, guinea pig biting you might be a sign that it wants to do its business. It may want to urinate and then thought it would be wise to notify you.
Testosterone can also cause guinea pigs to act aggressive and bite. It is very likely when you’re raising an unneutered guinea pig. So, neutering can help stop your guinea big from being aggressive or biting, but it’s not a guarantee. It could still act aggressively after the process.
Do Guinea Pigs Smell?
Cavies are known as clean little critters. They are loved for their neatness and inquisitiveness. So, generally, guinea pigs don’t smell. Now the question many would be asking is, why does my guinea pig smell?
Most cavies stink. But is that supposed to happen? No! The reason guinea pigs might stink is diverse. It could be because they’re unwell, aren’t getting the proper nutrition, have grooming issues, or the environment they’re in.
So, if your guinea pig stinks, then something is wrong. And you need to the root cause of the issue and find a lasting solution. Having a stinky guinea pig can make keeping the pet for long a big hassle for most people.
About grooming, it’s essential to know that guinea pigs are great little groomers.
They enjoy taking care of their fur and keeping it super clean. But sometimes, cavies might not be able to get it done on their own. And that’s where you need to step in and provide help.
When it comes to keeping guinea pigs clean, everything depends on the pet parent’s readiness to act. You need to ensure the cage is clean, provide the right foods and take the pet to a veterinarian when necessary.
As for cleaning, it’s essential to perform spot cleaning now and then. And perform deep cleaning once a week.
A Handy Tip: It’s important to know that boars’ smell is stronger than that of sows.
Do Guinea Pigs Sleep?
Yes, they do. Guinea pigs sleep 4 to 6 hours daily, but not at a stretch. Guinea pigs take several naps throughout the day (day and night). But in total, they need to sleep 4 to 6 hours for their health’s sake.
Younger cavies only nap for a few minutes, while older ones can nap for 30 minutes on the stretch.
Now, most people may ask, “Is it bad when guinea pigs nap often?” Well, if this is becoming a common occurrence, it’s time to visit the vet.
Another thing to note about guinea pigs’ sleeping is that they don’t close their eyes when taking naps. Why? In the wild, they’re merely prey. So, they prefer to sleep with their eyes open to reduce the chances of being attacked by predators unaware.
If your guinea pigs are sleeping with their two eyes closed, pat yourself in the back. What this means is that they trust you, and you’re doing things right.
Furthermore, it’s essential to remember that guinea pigs don’t lie down when sleeping. If yours does, it could be because they’re ill. Visit the vet without hesitation.
Guinea pigs also enjoy sleeping in the dark. Why? It reduces their chances of being seen and eaten by predators.
Do Guinea Pigs Need Bedding?
Yes, they do. Don’t forget that guinea pigs spend the bulk of their time in their habitat. So, making the cage comfortable for them would be a nice gesture from you.
However, when choosing beddings for guinea pigs, you need to take serious care. Ensure the beddings are soft, cozy, non-toxic, and highly absorbent.
Other alternative beddings include cloth, fleece, paper, and aspen. And if you’re using paper, ensure its top quality. Please, you have to avoid newspaper, straw, pine, and cedar shavings. Why? They can give rise to serious health problems for your cavy.
Conclusion
Is artificial grass safe for guinea pigs? Yes, they’re 100% safe. But you must be careful about the type of artificial grass you’re using. Animal-safe artificial grass is a wise choice.
When your cavies nibble on such grass, they won’t develop any problem. And consequently, you won’t have to spend too many funds raising them. You can check out other tips we shared here about guinea pigs. They should help you understand the creatures and be more effective in raising them.