Can I use ripped up newspaper as Temporary bedding for my new guinea pig?

Question

I have recently gotten a new Guinea pig (His name is Broccoli ^_^) and I have been staying with my father for the summer. I am going back home in 3 days, and will be taking the bus for about 12-19 hours. Is it ok to use newspaper (I'm ripping the newspaper into strips) temporarily until I get home? My new piggie's cage an all is already prepared with either CareFresh or another safe bedding that I told my mother to buy. I'll be using the newspaper shreddings in my piggie's carrier.

Answer 1

it is not a good idea but it is ok

Answer 2

No. He could get sick from the ink. Instead, you can use ripped up toilet paper (unused, of course!) and that will work for a while.

P.S. It makes great bedding too!

Answer 3

Call the newspaper and ask if they use soy-based ink.  This type of ink will be okay for piggies.

If you have a cross-cut shredder available, I would shred the newspaper instead.  

You can also use newspaper on the bottom and then an old towel covered with an old t-shirt for now, and for the ride home.  This way you can shake off the poos and hay and wash it instead of having to worry about the newspaper.  It will take much longer to "smell".

EDIT

Don't forget to give unlimited hay.  This will keep your piggy more interested in eating that than the paper, though some consumption will still occur.  My boys have four full hay racks and still nibble the newspaper showing in their kitchen area.  And yes, I called and made sure my newspapers were printed with soy-based ink.

Answer 4

You can, but I would suggest regular bedding because when you use the ripped up newspaper, It would be soggy from the urine and become smelly. They could also try to chew on it, and if swallowed, it could cause and upset stomach. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

not really, it will get wet, it will make your piggy wet and it wont smell nice

Answer 6

yup

Answer 7

yes you can use newspaper. but you have to make sure as soon as you get home you have to change the bedding straight away. and make sure you rip up the newspaper into small tiny pieces for the guinea pig so it feels confortable and it will make the guinea pig feel as if it is actual bedding.

Answer 8

No dont use paper if the guinea pig eats the paper which he most likely will he can get sick and even die my first guinea pig died because of this try using mulch or an old towel

Answer 9

A bus trip of 12-19 hours is a very long ride. The shredded newspaper wil be wet and soggy in about three hours. I do not think this is a good solution for your pig (he will be wet and miserable for the majority of the trip) or you (it will begin to smell very fast--the people on the bus around you will not appreciate it either!).

I would buy three very cheap cotton towels from a discount store. Fold them to fit your carrier. When the bus stops for bathroom breaks (about every 3-4 hours) change the towel & throw the soiled one in the trash (or you can bring a trash bag to wrap it up until you get home).  Alternately, go get a very small bag of Carefresh and put this in his carrier for the trip. The Carefresh would be the least trouble and provide the best absorbency/odor control.

Do not forget to put some hay in the carrier and he has access to water during the trip!

When you get home, you may want to look into getting Broccoli a buddy. Guinea pigs should be kept in pairs.

Good luck!

Answer 10

that should be fine for a short period of time. just keep in mind that they put it in their mouths and can get the ink in their systems which will make them sick so not too long and be careful

Answer 11

Yes I guess that will be fine as long as soon as you get home you put Broccoli imidiately in his new cage. I hope he likes it!! Hope that this helps!

Answer 12

No, the ink is poisonous. I made this mistake once with rats and they died :-(

Use torn toilet paper/kitchen roll or an old towel

Answer 13

you can be it will smell, and get sticky and get all over piggy i would use a soft cloth, or a towel.

Answer 14

yes!!! Hope you have a good time with your piggy!!