SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GUINEA PIG RESCUE
Guinea Pig Cage Guide
NO RABBIT HUTCHES, NO AQUARIUMS, NO SMALL WIRE PET SHOP CAGES, NO WIRE BOTTOMS, AND NO OUTDOOR CAGES!
The minimum space required to adopt from SCGPR is 10.5 square feet (28"x56") for 2 guinea pigs. C&C cages with 14" grids at a 2 grid by 4 grid cage meet these requirements. We may suggest bigger for certain male pairs.
Any smaller and a friendly pair of piggies may fight and become unbonded.
BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER!
More than 2 piggies require more space than 10.5 sq feet.
If purchasing or building a c&c cage make sure you are using the 14" grids, not the smaller 12" ones.
PLEASE NOTE; IF YOUR CAGE IS 24" X 47" IT IS TOO SMALL FOR A PAIR OF PIGGIES
C&C cages are our favorite kind of guinea pig cage. They are cost effective and allow for easy customization.
Please check out some of the links below for our favorite C&C style cages
Guinea Dad also makes C&C cages get 10% off ! Here
Critter Colony Club Clear Cages get 10% off with code SCOTTYSANIMALS
An Important Note:
Multi level cages should not be used. Guinea pigs have terrible eyesight and depth perception. This means they can and do get easily injured trying to climb tall multi level cages. They are not good climbers.
If you have other animals that can climb into the cage, a lid is a requirement.
Cages with a low loft and a guinea pig safe ramp can be used. You can purchase and see examples of those cages here
Guinea pigs need to be housed inside the home (not outdoors) in a draft free room where the temperature can remain steady around 65-75 degrees, they can overheat and die pretty easily so a cage that is kept outside is very dangerous.
We suggest placing the cage in a well visited area of the home such as the living room or family room.
Children's bedrooms are not suggested for several reasons.
Piggies tend to become more friendly and tame when they are in an area of the home that the entire family frequents. They also have a tendency to be active all through the night and this can keep kids awake.
They are a family pet and the cage location should reflect this.
See What Great Guinea Pig Cages Should Look Like!
In Summary
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No Wire Bottoms
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Large Cage
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No Aquariums
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No Small Pet Store Cages
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No Multi Level Cages (they aren't climbers)
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No Rabbit Hutches
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Cage Placed Indoors
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Cage Placed Temperature Controlled Room
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Cage Placed in Well Visited Area of Home
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Bigger is Better!
BEDDING
What goes in the bottom of your guinea pigs cage is extremely important. There are several choices and regardless of what bedding you choose, it needs to be clean and dry. A number of health issues can arise if guinea pigs are walking around on wet and soiled bedding including bumblefoot, urine scald and respiratory disease. Options include fleece with absorbent layer underneath, kiln dried pine, aspen shavings or carefresh paper bedding. If using loose bedding, use 1-2 inches in the cage. If using fleece, it must have an absorbent layer sewn in or layered below. Do NOT use towels, puppy pads, cotton or any other fabric in the bottom of the cage as those do not stay dry.
Please note; never use Cedar bedding as it is toxic for guinea pigs.
Fleece is our favorite choice as it's inexpensive, zero waste and pigs love it. Fleece wicks away moisture and keeps piggies nice and dry.
FLEECE BEDDING LINKS!
We love Guinea Dad Liners, and you can get 10% off when you click this link.
2 Piglets Fleece Liners & Cozies
The Pig Room-Liners & Other Goodies
Guinea Pig Market Fleece Liners
The Piggie Palace Liners & Cozies
Paige's Pets Fleece Liners & Cozies
We also HIGHLY suggest you invest in some smaller pads and/or microfiber noodle rugs for the high traffic areas of your cage
Guinea Dad Pee Pads
"Kitchen" Area In Your Cage
What is a kitchen area?
Many piggy parents who use fleece bedding, choose to designate e a separate smaller area of the cage as a kitchen area. This is usually where the hay will be and often uses a box of some kind with smaller pads or loose bedding in that area only. We find that this also helps keep other areas of the cage a bit cleaner as piggies tend to do their "business" where they lounge and munch on hay.
Gross we know, but they aren’t called pigs for nothing!
Here is a good visual of a "kitchen" area'
You can also purchase anti-pill or blizzard fleece and cut to fit. Place a towel, U-Haul blankets, pee pad or other absorbent layer underneath. Launder before using with a gentle, non-scented detergent or white vinegar.
Here Are Some Great Videos On Building Your Own C&C Cages!
