Any tips on ways i can keep my cage cleaner between cleanings?

Piggy101

Piggy101

Junior Guinea Pig
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I clean it 1-3 times a day depending on how busy I am. But they always spill their food, also not sure why but their water bottle I think might be too big because I cant get it to fit right to the cage bars I cant get it to tilt forward enough for the ball inside it to seal off right and if I do it never stays that way long so I have to keep a bowl under it and then the pigs get some of their pellet food in it and it's just nasty lol. And their poop is all over the place which I know people "potty" train them lol but from the videos I've seen you're basically just keeping their hay in a tote so they poop there while they're munching If I understand right that is. I'm gonna try to get them a little tray for that but not easy since I cant have a litter box in it without taking up a lot of space. Any tips on things that have worked for you guys would be appreciated! I'm new to this lol
 
With regards the bottle, try filling it and leaving no gap. That seems to stop my bottle dripping.

Guinea pigs can’t be litter trained I’m afraid. They will always poo and wee where they eat or sleep. And everywhere else as they walk around in the cage. I poo pick daily and clean out the wet hay maybe every 2-3 days. It depends how much is wastage. What food do they spill? Do you mean their pellets?
 
I found those little bit of bent wire that comes with the bottles were useless! I use bottle springs and they are so much better. I got mine off eBay. Sorry can't link in on this device.
 
I have a fairly large, shallow hay tray (gravel tray) at one end of their cage. Being shallow (5cm) I can line it with a puppy pad and then a heap of hay, which they can tunnel/eat/sleep/poop and pee in to their hearts content. I also scatter their veggies in there on an evening. Their water bottle is also over the tray so any drips go in it. It’s cleaned out completely every other day. The rest of the cage gets poo picked every day.
 
I use small bungee straps for attaching my 2 water bottles.. works well... my pigs poo where they like, sometimes all in the hay trays, sometimes they leave me a special pile in a corner.....

Why does the mess bother you so much? I quite enjoy doing a poo pick.....
 
We have a pretty big cage so one end has a litter tray that’s filled with hay. A lot of the poo ends up there as it’s where the like to spend time. We also end up with piles under the shelf at the opposite end of the cage as they hide and sleep there and a fair scattering around the rest of the cage 😂 I sweep poo once or twice a day and full clean every 3 or 4 days. The hay tray gets wet hay removed daily/ every second day and fully emptied and new litter every 3 or 4 days (different days to cage clean or they’re unhappy with too nice a smelling cage 🙈)

I have the water bottle positioned over their hay tray as I find there’s always a bit of a drip.
 
I would maybe put something absorbant under the water bottle rather than a bowl. Will be easier for piggies to drink from bottle and less yucky than bowl of water with food/ poo in it.
 
Unfortunately guinea pigs are messy, they are never going to have a pristine cage. Don't worry when you see people posting pictures of their beautiful immaculate cages, they have taken these after a full clean and can be a bit misleading. I love this thread
The reality of keeping guinea pigs: share yours! please don't worry about a bit of mess your pigs won't 🙂
 
artcasper said:
I use small bungee straps for attaching my 2 water bottles.. works well... my pigs poo where they like, sometimes all in the hay trays, sometimes they leave me a special pile in a corner.....

Why does the mess bother you so much? I quite enjoy doing a poo pick.....
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I dont hate it but I'd rather make it a big easier especially how I have had to rig up my cage rn I can barely get to the back part lol. Andddd I'll be baby sitting again today my sister has to go for a bunch of tests and ultrasound so I wont be able to work on my cage today sadly lol
 
Piggy_novice said:
I would maybe put something absorbant under the water bottle rather than a bowl. Will be easier for piggies to drink from bottle and less yucky than bowl of water with food/ poo in it.
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But see it leaks SO much sometimes the bowl is almost full in less than a day now not everyday it does that but in the weak I've had them it's done it like 3 times heres the angle it's at 15905854682935178118493366105696.webp
 
And yesss they keep spilling their pellet foodd
 
If you squeeze the air out of the bottle before turning it upside down it should only drip for a few mins before stopping. Doesn’t always work but it’s a good tip to try.
 
If the bottle is leaking then it is either because it is a dodgy bottle, or because it isn’t being filled up enough to create the vacuum seal
 
Or hard water is causing the ball bearing not to seat properly. Filter the water 👍💦
 
Does the bottle have a double ball bearing in the spout? I've found the Classic bottles to be the best. Other Members may have a different opinion.
 
We dont have hard water here and I was looking at an old one we had for a hamster and it seals off right so I think this one just needs replaced tbh it's pretty old I think like 2 or 3 years maybe not sure but I can remember about when they got the Guinea pigs and it's a big plastic one Id prefer glass I dont think they get nasty as quickly either
 
Piggy101 said:
We dont have hard water here and I was looking at an old one we had for a hamster and it seals off right so I think this one just needs replaced tbh it's pretty old I think like 2 or 3 years maybe not sure but I can remember about when they got the Guinea pigs and it's a big plastic one Id prefer glass I dont think they get nasty as quickly either
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Is it a Classic? I had those when I had hammies. I'd love another hammie but the OH has said "NO":(
 
Hi! This is my first time offering advice, so I apologize if it is not useful! :)
Setting up a litter box, even if your piggies will not always use the bathroom in it, is a good idea. That way, if your water bottle ever spills, it will drip into the shavings, which can easily be scooped out. I find that setting up a litter tray also prevents the piggies from peeing on the fleece so often. :)
This water bottle seems to slant more downward if that is the issue you are having: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaytee-Cle...guinea+pig+water+bottle&qid=1590596114&sr=8-2
Also, if you have any trouble with hay spilling all over the place, I have found that this is the best hay rack for reducing mess: Amazon.com : ASOCEA Small Animals Hay Bag Guinea Pig Hanging Feeder Hamster Food Sack Holder Cage Accessories for Rabbit Bunny Chinchilla : Pet Supplies
I do not think that this item is for sale in the UK, but maybe there are similar products?
Also, I love hamsters! :)
Although guinea pigs will always use the restroom where they sleep, it is possible to litter train them otherwise. However, it takes a lot of veggies, patience, time, and determination! :)
Is there a way that you can make the semi-circular metal part higher? That may be causing the leaking as well.
I am sorry if my advice is not so great. I just want to help! :)
 
I am sorry, I did not watch this video all the way through, but it looks informational! :)
The video is titled, "How to Maintain and Prevent Leaks in Guinea Pig Water Bottles".
The water bottle in the video appears to be the same one as yours. I hope this helps! :)
 
This water bottle I think might be actually made for rabbits it's big. Also its double ball Bearing :/
 
I did put that metal piece up higher this morning and it didnt do anything different sadly. I noticed though it eventually seals off right but it shouldnt take that long to and so much water leaks out before it does and it's annoying lol but when i had sugar gliders mine never leaked like this and it was glass one and it was a double ball bearing too i think so maybe this one just needs replaced i prefer glass anyway
 
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