Is guinea pig bedding biodegradable? (5 eco-friendly guinea pig bedding) 

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The article will explore the biodegradability of guinea pig bedding while also shedding light on associated aspects such as 

  • Types of materials used
  • Composting 
  • Steps of composting 
  • Harmful to pigs or not
  • Best disposal methods
  • Eco-friendly options available 

Is guinea pig bedding biodegradability?

The biodegradability of guinea pig bedding will depend on the material(s) used to make the guinea pig bedding. The rule of thumb is that the guinea pig bedding made from natural materials such as paper, wood, or hay will be biodegradable. However, if there is a use of synthetic materials like plastics, then the guinea pig bedding will not be biodegradable. 

Before advancing, let us revisit the term biodegradation so that there is no room left for ambiguity or dubiety, of any sort. Biodegradability or biodegradation can be explained as the degradation that is rendered by the action of microbes. 

The microbes that cause biodegradation include organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses. Biodegradation is important because it negates the buildup of waste that can have negative and detrimental effects on the environment. 

What about composting?

Many people think that biodegradation and composting are identical things, however, in reality, there are some discrepancies between the two; however subtle they are. 

The rule of thumb, however, is that when something is biodegradable, it also can be composted providing the fact that there are no negative effects rendered on life in any way. 

The basic idea of composting is to increase the organic content of the soil so that there can be benefits that can be achieved such as water conservation, increased yield, better growth et cetera. 

Therefore, composting can be done only with that waste that has organic content in it so that it can be converted into organic compost which can be used as a fertiliser. 

Another advantage that is offered by composting is that the compost can be used as a natural fertiliser. This does not only good to your soil or field but also replaces synthetic and chemical-based fertilisers known to cause negative and detrimental impacts on the soil and associated life. 

Therefore, it can be said that if the guinea pig bedding is made from natural, plant-based or paper-based material, there should be no reluctance in putting the guinea pig bedding in the compost pile. 

However, you need to ensure that there is no use of chemicals because otherwise, the compost may do more harm than good. As regards the process, consider the following details. 

How to be practical with composting?

When it comes to being practical with composting, there are several points that you can keep in mind. 

When it comes to composting, there are mainly two polarities that you need to be mindful of. One is that composting can be done at commercial centres and the other is that composting can be done at homes too. 

When it comes to composting in the composting centres, all you need to do is to give your guinea pig bedding to the composting centres. The rest will be done by them. 

However, when it comes to composting at home, there are some simple steps that you can take the advantage of. 

Regardless, the subjective point of view of many is that composting at home is a lot more fun and makes you one step closer to being eco-friendly. 

  • Selection of suitable place 
  • The place should be accessible but decently distant as well 
  • The next step is the making of a compost pile. This can be done openly or in a compost bin.
  • The second option is usually pursued when you need to do hot composting. 
  • Composting is done with two types of materials. One is brown and the other is green. You need to create a balanced ratio of both to achieve optimal results. 
  • Be sure to add the guinea pig bedding too after shredding it. 
  • The next step is the continuous mixing and aerating of the compost pile. Once in a week should do. 
  • The compost should be ready within 5-8 months depending on the type of composting and external conditions provided and facilitated. 

Is guinea pig bedding harmful to pigs?

The answer is both yes and no. It all depends on the materials used to make guinea pig bedding. 

The best type of guinea pig bedding is the one made from paper-based materials. This material has no significant impact on the animals. 

However, some materials used may have detrimental impacts on the animals. For example, guinea pig bedding made from pine or cedar wood shaving may be toxic to pigs and cause effects such as respiratory diseases and liver abnormalities. 

What is the best way to dispose of guinea pig bedding?

The answer to this question will also vary subjectively. The best disposal methods will depend on the type of materials used to make guinea pig bedding. 

For example, if the guinea pig bedding is made from biodegradable and compostable material, then the best disposal method will be composted. 

This will not only reduce waste generation but will also offer ecological advantages such as better water retention, increased yield et cetera. The decreased use of chemical-based fertilisers is also another great point. 

However, if the guinea pig bedding is made from non-biodegradable materials, there are two options that are widely available. 

  • The first one is that the bedding should be given up for recycling if the curbside recycling accepts recycling. 
  • If not, then the guinea pig bedding should be treated as regular waste which will end up in a landfill. Although it is not that eco-friendly, it is still way better than ending up in open dumps or ecosystems. 

What are some good options available? (5 options) 

As it has been highlighted that some of the best guinea pig bedding are the ones made from paper and fleece. Therefore, let us explore some good options that are available in the marketplace. 

  • GuineaDad Fleece Liner 
  • Easy Going Bath Mat 
  • Everyday Chenille Rug 
  • Small Pet Select 
  • Kaytee Clean and Cozy 

These are some eco-friendly options available that you can incline on. The bottom line is the use of biodegradable materials that are friendly to the pigs as well as the environment. 

Conclusion

The biodegradability of guinea pig bedding will depend on the material(s) used to make the guinea pig bedding. The rule of thumb is that the guinea pig bedding made from natural materials such as paper, wood, or hay will be biodegradable. However, if there is a use of synthetic materials like plastics, then the guinea pig bedding will not be biodegradable. 

The article also discussed the composting reality of guinea pig bedding and how to do it. Best disposal methods and eco-friendly guinea pig beddings were shed light upon. 

References

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