Guinea Pig Cage Guide
Your guinea pig’s cage is their home and habitat and it's important that it's the right design for a guinea pig, that means –
NO RABBIT HUTCHES, NO AQUARIUMS, NO SMALL WIRE PET SHOP CAGES, NO WIRE BOTTOMS
A guinea pig cage should be large and horizontal. 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 ramps and navigating tall multi level cages. They are not good climbers and their backs do not really bend, so cages with a lid are not necessary (unless you have other pets in the home and then a top is required for their safety).
Rabbit hutches are not acceptable cages for guinea pigs. The ramps often found in these cages are steep and dangerous.
Aquariums are also not suitable because guinea pigs need ample ventilation to prevent respiratory illness.
C&C cages are our favorite kind of guinea pig cage. They are cost effective and allow for easy customization. Kavee Cages makes a wonderful C&C cage as well as the Guinea Pig Cages Store.
Guinea pigs need a good amount of space for a hide/house per pig, food bowl, water bottle and hay pile. The minimum space required is 8 square feet for 2 females and 10.5 square feet for 2 males.
Bigger is always better so if you can do a bit more than the minimum then that is suggested. Any smaller and a friendly pair of piggies may fight and become unbonded.
They need to be housed inside the home (not outdoors) in a bright, 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.
*Please note that for most of our adoptable pairs of piggies we require 10.5 sq feet of space. C&C cages meet these requirements.
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.
Add 1 to 2 inches of bedding (like Carefresh, kiln dried pine or aspen shavings) or a towel or other absorbent layer with a layer of fleece on top. 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. It can be purchased at Joanne’s and cut to fit. Place a towel, pee pad or other absorbent layer underneath. Launder before using with a gentle, non-scented detergent or white vinegar. You can also purchase fleece liners on Etsy or at any of the links listed in our Guinea Pig Care Guide.
This is a great set up for guinea pigs. Visit any of the links provided below for more information on where to buy and help creating a cozy and comfortable home for your guinea pigs.
