Preference of Guinea Pigs for Bedding Materials: Wood Shavings versus Paper Cutting Sheet.

Abstract

Abstract:The preference of guinea pigs for bedding materials, wood shavings (WS) or paper cutting sheets (PS), was studied. Animals aged 8 weeks and 20 weeks showed a similar behaviour pattern during 30 min in the light, preferring WS to PS regardless of ages. Over both light and dark periods for 24 h, guinea pigs apparently preferred WS in the light, spending much more time resting in them than in PS. In the dark, the border-crossing was significantly more frequent than in the light, and the staying time was rather longer in PS than WS. The results suggest that guinea pigs prefer different bedding materials under light and dark conditions.

Evaluation of Bedding and Nesting Materials for Laboratory Mice by Preference Tests

“…The mice stayed on Shepherd-shack TM longer in the dark, which is a more active time for mice. The mouse is a nocturnal animal, and eating, drinking and excretion behaviour are mostly conducted in darkness [9,17]. By staying in both cages, Agrebe TM and Shepherd-shack TM , the mice suggested the differences in kinds of behavior between in the light and dark periods.…”

“…To date, wood chips, paper and others have been [2,4,9,16]. However, the increasing interest in protecting the environment and natural resources requires alternatives.…”

Biology and Diseases of Guinea Pigs

“…Guinea pigs given the option of wood shavings versus paper sheets for bedding spent significantly more time during the light cycle in areas of the cage bedded with wood shavings than with paper sheets, yet had a slight preference for paper sheets under dark conditions (Kawakami et al, 2003.) Wire-mesh flooring may result in injuries to feet and legs and reduced production in breeding animals, and should be avoided unless deemed necessary for experimental purposes.…”

“…Guinea pigs move, rest, and often eat as groups, with activity occurring both day and night , although some authors state that guinea pigs are usually nocturnal (Kawakami et al, 2003). In a cage without adequate sheltering sites, guinea pigs align along the cage perimeter, end to end, with pups near the end of the line.…”

Laboratory Animal Behavior

“…Thus, each call can have multiple meanings or uses based on context. One study found that bedding preference, for wood shavings versus shredded paper, varied depending on time of day (Kawakami et al, 2003). White et al (1990) suggested that guinea pigs did not utilize the whole of the cage area; however, Scharmann (1991) found that when the cage was enriched through the addition of hay and straw, then they burrowed and hid in it.…”