Will a guinea pig chew through cardboard?

Question

I found a nice large long box for my daughters guinea pig. If we put her in it, will she chew through it?

Answer 1

Over time she will chew right through the thing.

But it isn't a good thing to put cardboard in with Guinea Pigs. Since they like to chew on it, and most cardboards contain inks, and chemicals that are harmful to a Guinea Pigs health. If chewed on for over a long period of time a Guinea Pig could be come severally sick and die do to the chemicals and inks in cardboard.

So please think again about giving your daughter's Guinea Pig the cardboard box. I know it looks like a great and inexpensive toy but it is one of the most dangerous things to give to a Guinea Pig.

Answer 2

First of all, yes, the guinea pig will chew through the cardboard. I've even known some guinea pigs to climb over the sides of foot-and-a half tall boxes, just to get out. They need to chew to keep their teeth from getting too long, and they will chew anything they can get a hold of.
Second, a cardboard box, no matter how long and big it is, is not suitable to house any animal. I suggest you get a spacious wire cage with a plastic bottom. They provide ventalation, space, and the guinea can see what's going on outside him. You also need some type of bedding, like aspen shavings. Aspen is the best because it is a harder wood, and reduces dust that could clog your pet's airway. Guinea pigs love to have small hideaway houses to play in, and they need a lot of water and vitamin C enriched food.

Answer 3

Some will and some dont, but yes they are very capable of chewing straight through cardboard. Also cardboard boxes can harbor bacteria after a time of being used, from the urine and water seepage. Not a good idea to use wood or cardboard for cages for a long term housing. Get some really inexpensive 50 gallon totes at the local department store. The high sided cheapy see throughs are good. As long as you dont have cats you dont need the tops on them they are high enough they wont crawl out of them. Drill some very small holes in the sides for cross ventelation. Also you can cut hole in the sides and link the totes together with in-expensive PVC piping (Menards has diffrent lenths and circumfriances and some elbow joints pre cut and pretty cheap) and you can make a GUINEA PIG HEAVEN. I have 6 - 50 gallon totes that I linked together with tubing for 3 guinea pigs. They LOVE IT!!! I have raised guinea pigs for 17+ years and run a rescue. I also have colroplast and cube cages and Plexiglass cages. All except one of my cages are home made. Most people like my tote idea cause they can add on to it when they want and its easy to wash and clean. Very inexpensive and fun to build. Give them chew stuff like untreated wooden blocks and hidey houses, that will be sure there teeth stay in top condition. I have also home made these out of untreated lumber. Since I have so many buying cages and toys gets really really pricey.

Answer 4

Yes, your guinea pig will chew through it.

Also, most pet store cages are too small and expensive. You can make an excellent guinea pig cage for less than something much smaller at a pet store.

http://www.guineapigcages.com to make a Cube and Coroplast cage. Your guinea pig will not chew through those. Plus, the more space your guinea pig has the better! Good luck.

Answer 5

if your making that the guinea pigs cage thats a bad idea, just go to pets mart or other pet stores guinea pigs do chew sometimes and putting it in a cardboard box is not a good idea my neighbors have some and they but them in cardboard boxs and before we knew we were having a wild search party to find them in the house i would just get a cage they are much MUCH better

Answer 6

yes, they will. If you just got a guinea pig and you are looking for a simple, easy-to-clean home for it, go to a pet store or online and get a "My First Home: Guinea Pig." They come with starting supplies like food, bedding, a water bottle and a few toys along with a simple wire cage. It's great for your first pet.

I put old boxes and paper towel rolls in with my guinea pig and she chews them up. You always need to have a chew toy in the cage or the teeth will grow too long.

Answer 7

As others have confirmed, she will indeed chew through the cardboard, but unless she is afraid of you, this is more to maintain her teeth than to 'escape'. I had a guinea pig who lived for many years in a series of carboard boxes in the corner of our kitchen. He would chew through the box, and often come out and wander around the kitchen, but always went back to the box (his 'secure' place) to eat, drink or poop.

Guinea pigs' front teeth grow constantly, I think, and they need to chew to keep them short and sharp for eating with.

Answer 8

you can let her play in it, but a cardboard box is not suitable to house any animals. You need a rel cage. Guinea pigs will definately chew through cardboard.

Answer 9

yup. they are chewers. its ok if she is being supervised but not ok for a home not only because of the chewing, but you cannot clean cardboard when it becomes soiled.

A large cardboard tube or a small box IN the cage is great because they like to hide.

Answer 10

it depends if your daughters guinea pig is really mischivous but when i had 2 guinea pigs the only thing they really chewed on was fresh grass and food.so you should be ok because guinea pigs dont really chew through stuff.