aaaaand WE'RE BACK, With The Latest Post Since Pause

Thanks to over 20 kind supporters, our post concerning the temporary stoppage of the release of new articles received over 10 positive comments in a mere 8 days. So, as we promised, a new article is coming your way!

First, however, I’d specifically like to point out those who stepped up and supported us by commenting to bring us back:

-Allies Way

-GuineaMom Family fun

-siena.morgan.kim

-Helen Gass

-The Rats

-Mylie Petersen

-CocoRica

-My guinea pig adventures!

-The creature Notebook

-Peanut and Chester

We’re so grateful to you and we hope that we’re able to help you in the future as much as you’ve helped us! You’re the best!!

Now, on to today’s post: All About Spot Cleaning!!

So What Is Spot Cleaning Anyways?

If you’re a guinea pig owner, there’s a very good chance that you’re able to explain spot cleaning right off the top of your head. However, for those of you that aren’t, let me catch you up.

There are two “types” of guinea pig cage cleaning - spot cleaning, and full cleaning. There are many differences between the two. Spot cleaning, depending on the size of your guinea pig enclosure, should be done 1-4 times per day; full cleans usually take place once or twice per week. In a full clean, the guinea pigs are moved to a temporary enclosure while their bedding is being replaced or washed; in a spot clean, the guinea pigs can stay right where they are. Spot cleans typically take only around 10 minutes, whereas full cleans can take up to 3-4 hours in entirety. These are just some of the differences between our two “types” of guinea pig cage cleaning.

What Does Spot Cleaning Look Like?

To give an example, I’ll describe what spot cleaning in our very own John and Jim’s cage looks like. A spot clean will take place in the early morning, then a few hours later and finally right before their dinner at night. A dustpan and small broom is simply used to brush all of their poop, leftover hay and spilled/dropped/forgotten food, which is then deposited into a plastic bag.

Why Is Spot Cleaning Important?

Spot cleaning may not sound important, but really, one of the worst mistakes a guinea pig owner can make is underestimating how essential it is to your guinea pigs’ health and comfort. Allow me to put it this way: if you were a guinea pig, you would most definitely not want to sit in a pile of your own feces. Am I right?

Not only is it uncomfortable for your piggies to be surrounded by their own poop, but it’s also harmful to their health. If not spot cleaned frequently enough, guinea pigs’ already weak respiratory systems will only grow weaker, possibly shortening your guinea pig’s lifespan.

How Often Do I Have To Spot Clean?

The answer to this question mostly depends on your guinea pigs. Usually, you’ll notice when they’re getting uncomfortable, which is when you know it’s definitely time for a clean. Sometimes, you’ll only have to spot clean once in a day, and sometimes you may find yourself spot cleaning every four hours or so. Both are typical.

Do I Really Have To Clean Every Day?

You shouldn’t fool yourself into thinking that you can skip a day of spot cleaning. No, it probably won’t affect your piggies’ health right away, and no, they won’t hate you forever. But we recommend that every time you feel too lazy to pick up your dustpan and spot clean, imagine that you’re in their situation. Would you be uncomfortable? If so, cleaning is an absolute must.

How Long Should Spot Cleaning Usually Take?

This depends on the amount of guinea pigs you have and the size of your enclosure. Obviously, the bigger your herd, the more poops you’ll have to clean up. This means that spot cleaning could take you between 5-20 minutes each time. With John and Jim’s 20-square-foot cage, spot cleaning typically takes around 10 minutes.

Sometimes, your piggies will make spot cleaning easy on you. Most guinea pigs have a favorite spot in their cage, or a place where they feel most comfortable. This is the place they’ll most often pee and poop. Their favorite spots are typically under a beloved hidey, near a pile of hay, or on a special bed or blanket.

What About My Pigs?

Spot cleaning is much easier and quicker than full cleans, in that your piggies don’t have to go anywhere. They can stay in the cage and don’t need a temporary enclosure to move to while you’re doing your work.

In fact, since guinea pigs are such curious creatures, they’ll probably enjoy coming up to sniff you and maybe give you a lick. This is our favorite part of spot cleaning - though it might seem disgusting to have to pick up guinea pig waste every day, it’s also a great way to establish a trusting bond with your piggies.

Do you have a specific spot cleaning routine? What are your guinea pigs’ reactions to your cleaning attempts? Let us know in the comments below - we’d love to hear from you!

See you next time, from the Piggie Time blog.