Best Guinea Pig Beds –
Vet-Approved Choices in 2022

Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

January 13, 2022

You have a spacious and nice setup for your guinea pigs with water bottles, dishes for food, and maybe some toys and tunnels. Your piggies have a lot of room to play, but how about their sleep?

As prey animals, guinea pigs are always alert. To make them feel safe and comfortable, you need to give them an environment where they feel secure. Only then can you find them fully relaxed and at peace.

Guinea pigs will certainly benefit from a cozy and comfortable bed that makes them feel safe.
– Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

A cozy, warm and sheltered guinea pig bed is an excellent way to ensure your piggies have somewhere where they feel safe and comfy.

Vet tip! When choosing a bed for your cavies, here are the key features you should look for:

• It gives your piggy a feeling of safety and security
• It’s easy to keep clean (preferably machine washable
• It’s the right size
• It keeps your piggies warm and comfortable

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For more on choosing a guinea pig bed, check out our detailed buyer’s guide below. But first, here are the best guinea pig beds – safe, snug, easy to clean, and vet-approved.

1. JanYoo Guinea Pig Bed – The Fun and Best Overall

Wildly popular, easy to keep clean, reasonably priced, and expandable. Build your perfect cage! Check the price here.

Key Features

• Available in three sizes
• Cute and fun designs
• Warm and cozy
• Makes your guinea pig feel safe
• Machine washable

Our Review

These adorable guinea pig beds are available in many cheerful designs and are great for kids or if you want a colorful and fun enclosure for your piggies.

The bed is super soft with velvet on the outside and a plush filling.  The non-slip bottom will help your pets climb in safely, and the snug shape will help them feel safe and secure.

It comes in three sizes so that you can find the right size depending on your guinea pig.

You could also get a larger one if your guinea pigs love to snuggle together, but always remember that each pig should have their own hideout and bed, so they don’t have to share if they don’t feel like it.

Pros

• Available in small, large, and X-large for the perfect fit
• Keep your guinea pig warm when it’s cold
• Gives that feeling of security
• Soft material and filling
• Can be machine washed (remember to use a laundry bag

Cons

• May start to smell if not washed regularly

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2. Kaytee Super Sleeper Cuddle-E-Cup – Best Cup-Style Plush Bed

Favorite of many guinea pig owners because it’s easy to keep clean, keeps your piggies secure, and offers comfort. See the latest price here.

Key Features

• Dimensions 10″l x 12″w x 5.5″h
• Comes in different colors
• Machine washable
• Soft and comfortable
• Sides for feeling secure

Our Review

This popular bed is durable and easy to keep clean with nylon on the outside, yet comfortable with faux fur on the inside.

It has a padded floor with foam-free filling to keep your guinea pigs comfortable, and the sides are high to give them that sense of safety while still ensuring good ventilation.

The bed is machine washable, which helps you avoid nasty odors that the bed may catch if it’s not cleaned regularly and washed thoroughly. It also makes cleaning easier when you can just shake out any debris and poop and just throw the bed into the washer.

There are also clips that you can use to fasten the bed to the side of the cage if your guinea pigs like to rearrange things by themselves.

Pros

• The sides help your pig feel secure
• The colors are fun and modern
• Easy to keep clean by washing in the washer
• The inside is soft and cozy
• Keeps your pet warm

Cons

• Heavy chewers may be able to destroy the bed

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3. Niteangel Guinea Pig Cave Bed – The High-Quality Choice

High-quality bed with a stylish cave-like design and soft fleece to keep you piggy feeling comfortable and safe. Check the current price.

Key Features

• Dimensions 8.5″ x 11″ x 10.5″
• Size of opening 7.5″ x 5.5″
• Machine washable
• High-quality materials
• Warm and comfy fleece with a soft filling

Our Review

This Niteangel guinea pig bed is soft and snug, and the fleece material with a soft filling will keep your cavy warm and cozy during colder weather.

The design is perfect for helping your pet find a hideout to feel secure in. It also looks good and has that minimalistic and natural look many owners are looking for.

The bed is machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean and smell-free with regular washes.

It can also be used to help smaller kids handle pets or to help your new guinea pig get used to handling. It also helps you avoid getting pee and poo over you when holding your pet and can be used to snuggle and carry your piggy safely.

Pros

• The design keeps your pet feeling safe
• Durable even when washed often
• Machine washable to keep odors away
• Warm and cozy
• Nice look and design

Cons

• Doesn’t fit two larger guinea pigs at once
• Can tip over

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4. HOMEYA Guinea Pig Hammock – Best Hammock Style Guinea Pig Bed

A fun way to provide a safe bed for sleeping and a fun toy to keep your piggies active at the same time. 

Key Features

• Dimensions 13.8″ x 13.8″
• Doubles as a snuggle sack
• Safe and fun for your piggies
• Adjustable straps
• Machine washable

Our Review

This guinea pig hammock is an excellent way to provide your pet with a safe place to sleep while also giving them something fun that they can use to stay more active in their cage.

Both the upper part and the lower part can be used for sleeping, but as guinea pigs are not big on climbing, they usually just use the lower part, which also feels more secure since they have something to protect them from above.

The hammock has four adjustable straps you can use to secure the hammock in its place. The maximum load is 11 lbs., so it’s perfect for 2-3 guinea pigs if they want to snuggle together in the same bed.

You can also use the bed as a snuggle sack by not hanging it, which can be a lot of fun for your cavies.

Because the materials are machine washable, you can easily keep the hammock hygienic and free of any nasty odors. The hammock is made with sturdy canvas on the outside and soft fleece on the inside to provide durability and comfort at the same time.

Pros

• A fun way to provide your piggies with a safe place to sleep
• Can also be used as a snuggle bag
• Easy to clean in the washer
• Smell-resistant because there is no filling
• Adjustable straps make it easy to fit in your setup

Cons

• Not as soft and plush as other beds

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5. FLAdorepet Guinea Pig Bed – Best Pillow-Style Guinea Pig Bed

A plush and snuggly pillow bed for your guinea pig to rest comfortably.

Key Features

• Three sizes to choose from
• Machine washable
• Soft and comfortable

Our Review

This FLAdorepet Guinea Pig Bed is a great choice if you’re just looking for a pillow bed to keep your piggy comfortable when resting, and they already have hideouts and fleece forests they love to use for hiding.

It’s affordable, and it has a pretty simple design, but it works well, and piggies love how comfy it is.

You can wash the pillow in the washer, which is great for getting it thoroughly clean and removing smells. However, the stuffing can shift, and you need to carefully fluff up the right after it’s washed to ensure it stays plush and the filling is not pushed to one side.

The pillow comes in three sizes, so you can get a size that fits your setup and number of piggies. Remember that although two guinea pigs living together may love to snuggle on the same bed, you need to give them the option of resting separately as well. We recommend you have one bed for each piggy, even if they usually end up cuddling together.

Doubling up also makes sense if you want to have a spare pillow for when the other one is in the wash.

Pros

• Allows you guinea pigs to rest comfortably
• Easily kept clean by washing it in the washer
• Three sizes so you can have the perfect fit for your setup
• Material is nice and soft

Cons

• Stuffing shifts when machine washed
• Not for heavy chewers

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Ok, now you’ve seen our favorite guinea pig beds. But why have we chosen these specific beds?

The modern pet market offers an array of different beds, and there are so many different types and models to choose from. How do you know which one to pick?

The right bed will provide your guinea pig with a safe and comfortable spot, support its joints, and give a sense of ownership.
– Cr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

To make the right choice and find the right bed for your guinea pig, you need to consider several important factors. The following features are of particular interest.

1. Types of guinea pig beds

There are many different guinea pig bed types and designs. However, the most popular types include:

• hammocks,
• mattresses or rug-like beds,
• beds with elevated sides, and
• den-like or hooded beds.

Each type of bed has its pros and cons, and there is no such thing as the ideal type – it all depends on what your guinea pigs like and need. Ideally, if the overall enclosure size allows, you can put two different types of beds for your guinea pig. This will allow them to choose which kind they prefer.

2. Correct size

This may sound like stating the obvious, but the bed size must correspond with the guinea pig’s size.

Take a look at the dimensions of the bed and make sure your guinea pig can rest comfortably. Ideally, the bed should be slightly larger than your cavy since most piggies feel safe when the bed is not too big.

If you choose a bed that is too small, your guinea pig will not fit and find a good sleeping position. If you go for a bed that is too large, the guinea pig will not feel safe and secure. Plus, the bed will take too much space from the enclosure.

However, as a general rule of thumb, choosing one size bigger than one size smaller is better when picking a guinea pig bed.

3. Material

The material of the bed is important for several reasons, including comfort, durability, and maintenance. Beds featuring fur, plush, or velvet coverings are particularly cozy and comfortable. However, sometimes comfy beds can be difficult to clean, they might not be very durable, or they can start to smell.

However, it is not just the surface materials that matter. The inside of plush beds should be filled with a high-quality filling that is soft enough to provide maximum support and comfort yet strong enough to withstand prolonged use and frequent washing.

Considering the cavy’s chewing tendencies, it goes without saying that the bed must be made of non-toxic materials.

4. Warmth and Comfort

Guinea pigs love to feel warm and appreciate comfort. Different bed designs offer different levels of warmth and comfort.

Usually, beds with higher sides and well-padded bolsters are more comfortable and more warmth preserving than rug-like beds, while rug-like beds provide better ventilation. Den-like beds offer the highest warmth and comfort levels but the least ventilation.

Some guinea pigs love hammocks, which may not be as warm, but they offer a comfortable sleeping position and good ventilation.

5. Feeling of Security

One of the reasons guinea pigs need beds is because they want a personal spot where they can feel safe and secure.

As prey animals, guinea pigs look for comfy places they can hide and rest in. Placing a bed in their enclosure can help them find a place where they feel safe.

Some types of guinea pig beds provide a higher sense of security because of their design. For example, den-like beds are more suited as hideouts for longer sleep, while rug-like beds are more practical for quick and short naps.

6. Durability 

It is better to invest in a high-quality guinea pig bed that can withstand years of use than to replace low-quality beds frequently.

A low-quality bed can be dangerous for your guinea pig. Namely, if the guinea pig chews through the covers and ingests the padding or filler material inside the bed, it can develop serious health issues.

7. Easy to Clean or Machine Washable

It is only natural that guinea pig beds get dirty over time. Guinea pigs are not very picky regarding where they pee and poop, which means some of these wastes are likely to end up on the bed.

Therefore, to avoid bacteria and other germs accumulation, you must wash the bed regularly. It is a more practical choice to find a bed made of machine-washable materials since cleaning the bed is much easier. Ideally, the bed should withstand machine drying as well because dryers efficiently remove hair, dust, and dander.

8. Resistant to Smells

Guinea pigs are likely to retain a certain smell because of their tendency to urinate everywhere. The foul urine smell can be easily transferred from the guinea pig to the bed and vice versa.

That is why the ideal bed for guinea pigs needs to be made from an odor-resistant material.

In addition, the bed should be able to absorb moisture since sleeping on damp surfaces is associated with certain health risks (bumblefoot and pneumonia).

9. Safety

Guinea pigs are notorious for their tendency to move things around the enclosure. To prevent bed relocations, you need to find a bed that will stay in its place even if the guinea pig is trying to move it.

Moving the bed is a safety hazard as the guinea pig can easily get hurt while dragging the bed. Therefore, some guinea pig beds feature clips that can be used to attach the bed to the enclosure’s walls.

You also need to make sure the bed is made out of safe materials, as guinea pigs can nibble on anything they can get their teeth to.

10. Cost

Finally, you need to consider the price tag of the guinea pig bed. In general, high-quality beds are less budget-friendly than low-quality beds. However, in the long run, it is better to invest in something that will last longer.

Luckily, because the pet market offers many guinea pig bed choices, it is relatively easy to find a bed of satisfactory quality at a relatively reasonable price.

Guinea pigs need beds just as much as we do – beds are not essential, but it is definitely a perk to have one. And if the bed happens to be of good quality, that is even better.

Guinea pigs need beds just as much as we do.

Beds are important for guinea pigs because they provide:

• Comfort and coziness: sleeping and resting are much easier when in a comfortable position.
• Safety and security: as prey animals, guinea pigs need to feel safe, especially while sleeping.
• Full body support: guinea pigs are pretty active, and their joints will appreciate proper support during rest.
• Increased habitat complexity: beds offer mental stimulation, which is essential as empty habitats can cause boredom and depression.
• Sense of ownership: as unusual as it may sound, guinea pigs are fond of their possessions, including food, toys, and beds.

Last but not least, guinea pig beds look adorable and will make your cavy’s enclosure even more fascinating and cute.

What type of bed is best for your guinea pig depends on their preferences. Generally, most piggies love soft, warm, and cozy beds that provide them shelter. As prey animals, guinea pigs want to feel safe. At the same time, they love cuddling somewhere soft and warm.

The ideal bed that combines these features is a soft cave-type bed. While it makes your piggy feel secure, it also keeps them warm and offers them a cozy place for resting and keeping an eye on the surroundings.

Guinea pigs don’t necessarily need a soft bed. What they need in their cage is a hideout where they can feel safe because, as prey animals, they tend to feel threatened.

However, just like us humans, most guinea pigs will rather sleep in a soft and comfortable bed than on the hard floor. A soft bed is an excellent addition to the cage if you want your piggy to feel cozy and comfortable.

Guinea pigs are prey animals, so they seek shelter when they want to sleep. Therefore, having a hideout in their cage is an absolute must for them to feel secure.

Most guinea pigs will sleep in their hideout, but if your piggies feel safe in their cage, they might also sleep out in the open. Many piggies also love their soft beds and curl up in their bed when they want to rest.

Yes, just like any other animal, guinea pigs sleep. Everyone needs sleep to recharge their batteries and to replenish their energy, and guinea pigs are no exception.

Pet parents often feel confused about how and whether guinea pigs sleep because of their rather unusual sleeping habits and patterns. However, you can check whether your guinea pig is sleeping by observing it carefully – if its ears and whiskers are twitching, it means your cavy is sleeping, or better said, napping.

We already explained that guinea pigs need a bed. However, to ensure they sleep well, guinea pigs also need a few other things, including:

• Plenty of physical and mental stimulation
• A quiet environment
• A hygienic and regularly cleaned enclosure.

An adult, healthy guinea pig needs to sleep somewhere between four and six hours per day. However, guinea pigs never sleep continuously for so long. Instead, they take many short naps.

The reason why guinea pigs nap instead of sleep has to do with their evolution as prey animals.

In their wild natural habitat, the environment is never safe enough for long periods of sleep – guinea pigs must always be on alert. However, this interrupted sleeping pattern does not mean they are not rested. Napping for just a couple of minutes is more than enough to recharge the batteries of a guinea pig.

Older guinea pigs may take longer naps, but only if they feel extra secure and have settled into a routine. When we say long, we do not want to confuse you – the longest nap a guinea pig makes is around 30 minutes.

It should be well-noted that guinea pigs tend to take more frequent and longer naps during the winter months. They do not hibernate but tend to be more sedentary in order to preserve energy and stay warm.

Guinea pigs that tend to sleep for more than usual should be examined by a vet as too much sleeping is not characteristic for the species.

Ever heard the old expression ”sleeping with one eye open”? Well, guinea pigs take this expression a little bit further and actually sleep with both their eyes wide open.

This may seem odd, but it is quite practical. Guinea pigs are natural prey, and in the wild, they live in dangerous environments with potential threats lurking everywhere.

To survive in their natural habitat, guinea pigs developed an unusual power – sleeping with open eyes. That way, they can always be aware of the situation around them and, if necessary, act accordingly.

Considering guinea pigs sleep with open eyes, some pet parents feel alarmed when they catch their cavies sleep with closed eyes.

This is not a red flag. In fact, if your guinea pig sleeps with its eyes closed, you should be flattered – it means the guinea pig feels safe enough to close its eyes and sink in a deep 30-minute nap.

Another unusual habit stemming from their lifestyle as prey is sleeping without lying down. Once again, this is because guinea pigs must always be ready to run and hide if a predator shows up.

Some pet guinea pigs may lie down on their side but for short periods only. If your guinea pig is spending too much time lying on its side, you should schedule an appointment with your vet.

In their natural habitat, guinea pigs would look for a sheltered and well-secluded sleeping spot away from the predators’ eyes. Pet guinea pigs are not in danger from predators, but they have retained the need to sleep in the dark.

Providing your guinea pigs with a darker and safe sleeping spot is important.

Pet guinea pigs usually sleep in their hutch or burrow small dens into the hay piles. If the enclosure has nest boxes or tunnels, guinea pigs can also sleep there.

Providing your guinea pigs with a darker and safe sleeping spot is important. It will ensure a longer and more restful power nap.

Guinea pigs are also picky when it comes to the temperature in their sleeping environment. Namely, from a guinea pig point of view, the ideal temperature for sleeping is between 17 and 20⁰C. According to the RSPCA, temperatures below 15⁰C are too low and may endanger your guinea pig.

Finally, for a good sleep, guinea pigs need a quiet environment. If exposed to loud and frequent noises, they will be in a constant ”flight” mode – thus incapable of taking a nap.

Most animals are classified as either diurnal (active through the day) or nocturnal (active through the night).

Surprisingly, guinea pigs are neither diurnal nor nocturnal – they something in between. More accurately, guinea pigs tend to take frequent naps unevenly distributed during the day and night.

Most guinea pigs are classified as crepuscular creatures. Crepuscular means they are particularly active just before the sun sets down when there is still light but not too bright.

When it comes to sleeping, guinea pigs are rather weird little creatures – from short power naps through irregular sleep patterns to sleeping with eyes wide open.

However, no matter how different our sleeping schedules and patterns, we all need one particular thing for good sleep – a good bed.

Just like you want a high-end bed with memory foam and thick padding so does your guinea pig. Luckily, the modern pet market offers a variety of different guinea pig beds, and you can choose one according to your pet’s taste preferences.

Vet’s Comment

When someone mentions pet beds, the first things that come to mind are dog and cat beds – we rarely associate guinea pigs or pocket pets with beds. However, this is a misconception – guinea pigs will certainly benefit from a cozy and comfortable bed that makes them feel safe.

The right bed will provide your guinea pig with a safe and comfortable spot, support its joints, and give a sense of ownership – who does not love their bed?

Many pet parents ask whether their guinea pigs can sleep with them. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Most importantly, because guinea pigs poop and pee, a lot and human beds are oversized for them, thus lacking the cozy and secure feeling guinea pigs need for a good rest.

– Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

NOTE: Advice provided within this article by FeedingMyPet.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Please discuss your pet’s specific dietary needs (based on his breed, weight, age, and health status) with a veterinarian.

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