Potty Training HELP!!!

[Bella]

I have seen so many people that use fleece for their piggies and i'm jealous! My baby girl poopies EVERYWHERE!!! I tried to train her by putting a litter box where i see the most droppings but couldnt find just one spot. She goes everywhere and doesnt have a particular spot and conpletely ignores the litter box. I know usually they dont do their buisness close by their food or sleeping area but she doesnt care she goes by her food area, her sleeping area, play area ect. EVERYWHERE! Does anyone have any tips for me? I'd like to use fleece someday but I dont see it in the near future

[ortal]

I put mine under the water bottles... It doesnt do much for the poop, but they pee there and under the hay wrack the most (cant fit one under the hay wrack), and that is what stinks the most (the urine).

[alerz]

Hi Bella,

Actually, from my experience, guinea pigs tend to use the bathroom wherever they please, and usually more often in their sleeping areas and eating areas, since these are the places where they spend most of their time.

I switched to fleece a few months ago and advice I can give you is to check daily for the places where you see the most poop accumulation. This will give you an idea of where to put litterbox(es) in the cage. My boys poop most often in one of their hidey houses and also in the hay area, so I am sure to put down a cloth in the hidey house which I replace daily and in the hay area, I use a plastic box lined with newspaper which I can replace daily as well.

Each guinea pig's habits will be different and you will probably have to figure out something that suits you and your girl, but I think following something along these lines will point you in the right track. And with all this said, keep in mind that your piggie will continue to poop all over the cage (most likely), but at least you will have the high traffic areas pinpointed, which will reduce the mess/smell.

Hope that helps!

[lucybeebee]

I use fleece, but my boys certainly aren't potty-trained. My C&C cage is the perfect size for most fleece throw rugs so once the droppings accumulate to a certain number, I simply scoop them up and discard them. I replace the fleece every other day and take them to the coin laundry when I'm down to one left. I don't know if this is "right," but it seems to be much more economical than using shavings or other disposable kinds of bedding.

[socal805]

She sounds normal to me! I don't know where you heard that they don't go pee or poo near their food or sleeping areas because that is not true at all! They go all over the place! You can put a litter box under the food and hay areas and they will use it while they are there but those of us with fleece will tell you that the fleece does get peed and poo'd on. With fleece you have to sweep out the poo's every day or use a handheld hoover vac. I have beds that I made for all 3 of my pigs and I have to wash them every week and shake the poopies out every day. I have yet to hear of anyone who has a pig that is 100% potty trained, meaning they won't go anywhere but a litter box.
If you are willing to sweep out the poopies every day then I would say to give fleece a try. It is cheaper and looks so much nicer, plus the pigs love it!

[Bella]

Thanks so much everyone. All of your responses help. Well I guess the next step is to find some girly fleece and try it out. YAY !!! Thanks again!