A covering is required for the floor of the guinea pig cage or hutch to provide a soft, comfortable surface for the guinea pigs and also to soak up the urine. The most common type of floor covering available is woodshavings - fine sawdust should be avoided as this can cause irritation to the eyes.

Cedar woodshavings (usually distinguished by a red tint) should not be used as the phenols they contain can cause severe irritations in guinea pigs. Although pine is also a softwood, pine woodshavings cause less problems than cedar and kiln dried (processed) pine woodshavings can be used without problems.

Any form of scented woodshavings should be avoided as these can also cause irritation and corn cob bedding is not generally recommended as it has a tendency to mould and guinea pigs have been known to eat it and it can then swell when wet inside the stomach.

Woodshavings from hardwoods such as aspen or small animal litter made from wood pulp, cardboard or paper are the safest forms of floor covering to use.