The fun animals that enjoy time inside and outside their cages are the guine pigs.To keep your pet's cage and play areas more sanitary, you may want to potty train her.Like many animals, guinea pigs can be potty trained.If you follow a few simple steps, you can potty train your pet.
Step 1: Take a look at your pig.
If you want to put a litter box in your guinea pig's cage, you need to watch her to make sure she goes to the bathroom.A corner of your guinea pig's cage will most likely be used to pee and poop.This doesn't mean that she will always go in this corner.Pick where she frequents the most.
Step 2: There is a litter tray.
You need to buy a tray that will fit in that corner if you want your litter box to fit there.One that is the right size for the cage as well as one that will be comfortable for your guinea pig is what you should choose.She won't have enough room to sit and go to the bathroom if it's too small.Small litter trays are available at your local pet store.You need to buy new bedding.She might want to go there if she can smell her old pee.
Step 3: The litter tray needs to be prepared.
You need the same kind of bedding in the litter tray as you do in your guinea pig cage.The substance used for the tray is the same hay or straw that you keep in your guinea pig cage, so it's not litter.Put a few from the cage where she has already peed and pooped in the litter tray.You should put the tray in the cage that you picked.Her scent will be all over the tray if she uses hay that has already been cleaned.Aspen, wood pulp, hay, and straw are some of the beddings that work well for guinea pigs.There are different types of litter pellets and bedding that have been recommended by the vet.cedar and corn cobs are toxic to your guinea pig.She shouldn't put her food or water in the litter box.She doesn't like to go to the bathroom where she eats.You can put a small amount of straw in her litter tray to make her feel more comfortable while she goes to the bathroom.
Step 4: You can watch her behavior.
If she uses the tray, you should place it in her cage.She should use it most of the time since it smells similar to her.If she doesn't use it, you might have to take it out and try again.There might be something wrong with the tray that is preventing her from using it.Give her a treat when she uses her litter box.She will want to use it more so you will give her more treats.If the sides on the litter tray look too big for her, you should use sharp scissors or a small saw or knife to cut the excess edge off.She will be able to get into the tray if it is short.
Step 5: The litter tray needs to be kept up.
The litter tray needs to be cleaned every three days.You can take what is in the litter tray and put new litter in it.You should only wash the tray once a week.She will likely go back to the tray if this is not changed.There is a litter that is best for guinea pigs.Ask at your local pet store or vet's office if you don't know what to use.
Step 6: Be patient.
Some guinea pigs might never learn to use a litter tray because they don't like it.Keep trying to get your pig to use the tray, but if she only uses it half the time you won't have to clean her cage.Don't yell at or punish your pig.She doesn't understand why she has to go to the potty in the same place all the time.Don't try punishment if you want to encourage good behavior.It doesn't work on pigs.
Step 7: Start small.
If you have trained your guinea pig in her cage, you may want to train her outside.Start small.It needs to be an area where you can keep an eye on her.She can't run into any small vents without getting out.A hallway or bathroom is a good place to start.They are small, have few wires that are close to the ground, and have very few places for your guinea pig to hide.This will help you keep track of her while still allowing her to exercise.
Step 8: She should put her litter tray out.
You need to put her litter tray in the dark corner of the room.She will be encouraged to use the corner to potty.She will be able to find it even if you put it in one of the corners.If you can, leave some litter in it that has already been used.It will feel like she is in it.If you want, you can let her loose for a little while first to see which corner she prefers to go to the potty and then place her litter tray there.
Step 9: The remaining corners should be covered.
Guinea pigs like to use the potty in dark corners, just like they do in their cages.If you want your guinea pig to use the corner where you placed her tray, you need to cover up the rest of the corners.She will use her litter tray in the other corner if she has no other dark corner to pee or poop in.If she has an accident, you can place a newspaper around the room.It will be easier to clean up.
Step 10: The area needs to be expanded.
You can expand the area a little at a time once your pig is used to it.Even though her play area is bigger, she should use her litter tray.It's important to keep wires off the floor and hiding places covered so you don't hurt or lose your guinea pig.If she uses the bathroom somewhere else, don't scold her.She will be reminded to use the area when you reward her when she goes in her litter tray.