How to potty train a guinea pig in one place

Charming rodents belong to the favorite category of pets living in cages. However, the burning question of whether it is possible to accustom a guinea pig to the toilet in one place worries many. It is the likelihood of an unpleasant odor that often prevents future owners from making a decision to purchase an animal.

How to Organize a Toilet for a Guinea Pig

The first step in taming a pig to the toilet is the choice of tray and filler. Sometimes you have to go through several options by trial and error: rodents are picky. You can consider the basic criteria for a tray that is often suitable for a pet. Corner – takes up less space and is easier to attach. Consideration should be given to compliance with the size of the animal – the animal should easily enter and exit the device. Plastic for the toilet must be of sufficient strength and thickness, and also not contain toxic components. The tray must be firmly fixed.

The filler is another important factor. They are divided into:

• synthetic;
• mineral;
• vegetable.

Sawdust of deciduous trees that absorb odor and moisture and do not injure the pet are considered optimal. Wood pellets are convenient to use, but require regular replacement, otherwise they disintegrate into dust. Please note that you can not use coniferous filler for rodents.

Corn pellets are a more expensive option for sawdust. Herbal granules – perfectly absorb liquid and odors, they must be changed regularly. The mineral composition is used if the guinea pig prefers just such a structure.

Synthetic fillers gel but can be toxic. The latest innovation is fleece bedding. They are laid on top of the filler and washed as necessary.

Once the fixtures are chosen, it’s time to organize.

To do this:

1. Observe the pet and put the tray in exactly the place that the rodent himself uses as a latrine.
2. Make sure the pig fits easily into the fixture.
3. Pour sawdust and check how they fit the animal.

In some cases, you will have to put several trays.

Toilet training in one place: recommendations

Careful observation of the owner will allow you to quickly accustom the animal to the toilet. Most animals begin to use the toilet on their own if it is in a place they have already chosen. If this does not happen, then you can put a piece of dry grass in the device. This will stimulate the rodent to get inside. And a few pellets soaked in the smell of feces will lead the animal to the right idea.

Some animals defecate where they eat. Then the way out is to put some food inside.

Additional recommendations: renew the filler every 3 days and wash the toilet no more than once every 2 weeks – it is important that a specific smell remains in it.

Common mistakes

To quickly teach your pet to go to the toilet in one place, you need to avoid a number of mistakes. It is forbidden:

• yell at pets or hit them. In the mind of the rodent, the owner’s anger and the “toilet” mistake are not connected;
• choose a tray with a high side or without it. The animal will either not be able to fit into its own toilet, or the filler will crumble around the cage;
• use cat litter. When wet, its structure changes, hard lumps appear. Pigs gnaw them, which is fraught with diseases of the digestive system;
• forget to clean the guinea pig litter box. The animal refuses to climb into an overflowing urine or feces.

You can not buy a fixture without mounts. If it constantly rolls over, then the pet will not perceive the device as a closet.

Creating a tray at home

If there are no suitable designs in the store, you can try to make a toilet yourself. Given the specifics of the required design and the exactingness of rodents, experienced owners offer 3 options:

• purchase a triangular-shaped plastic lunch box, cut it so that it acquires the necessary features. Sharp edges should be processed so that the animal does not receive damage, and holes should also be made for strong fastening;
• use a plastic scoop with a suitable shaped bottom. He should cut off the handle, and then also process all the edges and securely fasten;
• if a rectangular tray is required, then any plastic box of suitable dimensions will easily act as this.

It must be remembered that the time spent on accustoming a pet to the toilet takes more than in the case of a cat.

Initially, shy animals may not control the natural physiological processes, so it is important to first tame him, let him get used to himself, and only then begin to deal with sanitary issues.

Video: how to toilet train a guinea pig