In terms of choosing a guinea pig’s habitat, the quantity of enclosed house they’re going to should roam is vital. “Dimension is without doubt one of the most necessary issues to contemplate when choosing a guinea pig cage,” Catherine Alliss, creator and author for Guinea Pig Journal, advised The Spruce Pets.
The Humane Society of the USA recommends no less than 7.5 sq. ft of uninterrupted house for one guinea pig, whereas a pair wants no less than 10.5 sq. ft, however the majority of cages bought right this moment don’t meet this standards. Accessibility and the fabric the habitat is comprised of are additionally necessary to contemplate.
Our favourite guinea pig cage is the MidWest Properties for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus, which features a washable canvas backside and a divider. It additionally folds flat for storage and journey.
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With nearly 8 sq. ft of house, this top-rated guinea pig cage requires no instruments to assemble. The versatile wire mesh high folds and is detachable so that you’ll have clear entry whenever you want it and safety whenever you don’t. Two facet doorways make altering water and meals handy.
The cage additionally comes with a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC)-lined canvas backside that’s mushy, leak-proof, and washable. It’s necessary to keep away from cages with wire bottoms with areas the place tiny ft and legs can get trapped or damaged. Further bottoms can be found as a separate buy.
The Plus model features a divider with a door that doubles as a ramp. This necessary characteristic retains the cage cleaner by separating play and sleeping areas. In comparison with different cages, the MidWest Properties for Pets Guinea Habitat is each light-weight and reasonably priced for the quantity of house it gives.
It is also straightforward to double your guinea pigs’ house with the acquisition of two, since they are often linked collectively to offer further play and dwelling house.
Dimensions: 47 x 24 x 14 inches | Weight: 12.5 kilos | Supplies: Wire mesh high, PVC-lined canvas backside
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This sturdy, reasonably priced guinea pig cage requires no instruments to assemble and features a non-drip water bottle, hay guard, balcony with entry ramp, and tip-proof meals dish. The jumbo dimension is about 9 sq. ft of house in your pig to discover. The hay holder mounts on the skin, leaving much more house inside for play.
The hiding house underneath the balcony means you don’t want so as to add hiding homes, leaving extra space in your pigs to roam. Prospects just like the deep base as a result of the peak retains bedding and droppings contained in the cage for higher hygiene and simpler cleansing.
Dimensions: 48.6 x 26.6 x 20.6 inches | Weight: 18.7 kilos | Supplies: Iron wire high, polypropylene plastic backside
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Chew-proof building
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Easy to assemble with out instruments
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Add on rooftop and substitute liners bought individually
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12.5 sq. ft of house
In properties with out different animals or babies, it is potential to deal with guinea pigs in a habitat with no roof. The Kaytee Open Residing Small Pet Habitat makes it simpler to entry your small pet for enjoying, cleansing, and feeding.
The highest-free cage is made with a secure wire body, makes use of chew-proof latches, and has two fold-down doorways. The habitat comes with a sturdy, waterproof liner that simply attaches with clips for easy removing and cleansing.
Your guinea pigs will take pleasure in 12.5 sq. ft of room to wiggle, and you may simply develop their house by connecting it with one other Open Residing Small Pet Habitat from Kaytee. In case you later resolve that your guinea pig may use a roof, the Kaytee Open Residing Habitat Small Pet Rooftop Add-On is bought individually and attaches simply.
Dimensions: 60 x 30 x 19 inches | Weight: 12 kilos | Supplies: Wire body, waterproof liner
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A safe cave or den is strictly the place a guinea pig feels most comfy. with this habitat, the fold-up wire high runs the size of the cage so you have got loads of entry along with the entrance facet door. A sturdy, high-sided plastic backside tub retains bedding and droppings contained in the cage and isn’t any downside to scrub.
This cage features a balcony with an entry ramp. The tip-proof meals dish is secured in place so your pet can eat with a view with out making a large number. Beneath the balcony is an enclosed cave that your pig will like to sleep and conceal in.
Every cage comes with a drip-proof water bottle and hay guard connected outdoors the habitat. This makes day by day modifications simpler and leaves extra open house contained in the habitat. At 7.8 sq. ft of house, the extra-large cage is the minimal dimension for a guinea pig.
Dimensions: 46.9 x 24 x 22.8 inches | Weight: 19 kilos | Supplies: Wire body, plastic backside
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This engaging cage has a big first-floor play space surrounded by sturdy wire mesh. An anti-slip ramp results in a second flooring that’s good for sleeping and hiding. Altogether, that’s 9.6 sq. ft of house to roam.
Three giant front-facing doorways and a fold-up high provide ample entry. Because the wire mesh openings are solely 0.5 x 0.5 inches, your piglets might be protected against predators together with the family cat whereas nonetheless appreciating good air circulation.
However perhaps one of the best characteristic of the Aivituvin Guinea Pig Hutch is its three no-leak, pull-out trays, which make cleansing very easy. The cage additionally has 4 casters so you possibly can wheel it to completely different areas, indoors and out.
The one draw back to the Aivituvin is its softwood building, which your guinea pig could also be tempted to gnaw on. Whereas gnawing on wooden is protected in your pigs, it could make your hutch look a bit ratty over time.
The very best answer is to pay extra consideration to your guinea pig or pigs since one of many major causes they chew on the enclosure is due to boredom. You too can use a bitter-apple or comparable spray on the wooden to discourage them from gnawing.
Dimensions: 61.2 x 22.6 x 33.5 inches | Weight: 41 kilos | Supplies: Fir wooden, galvanized welded wire mesh, plastic flooring trays, waterproof asphalt roof
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Holds as much as three guinea pigs
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1-year producer’s guarantee
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No instruments required for meeting
Guinea pigs are likely to choose to stay in pairs or teams. Designed with large entrance doorways for fast cleansing and entry, this cage features a 5.5-inch-deep sturdy plastic base that detaches for easy cleansing. With greater than 10.5 ft of house, your pets could have a number of room to play.
The habitat comes with two giant water bottles, two hay feeders, a feeding bowl, and an elevated space for feeding and consuming. A wire divider can be included to create separate areas as wanted for cleansing and play. Learn extra within the FAQs about how you can resolve applicable compatibility of sexes in pairs and teams.
Dimensions: 63.8 x 23.6 x 16.7 inches | Weight: 24 kilos | Supplies: Metal wire, plastic backside
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The GuineaLoft Acrylic Cage gives eight sq. ft of dwelling house in your guinea pig to romp round and play. Every clear panel has small perforations permitting for airflow, and with no wire grids, you and your guinea pig could have an unimpeded view of one another.
The acrylic habitat comes with disposable liners for straightforward cleansing, and the cage could be personalized in many various methods. Utilizing connectors, dividers, flooring panels, and extra partitions, extra space can simply be added, however all of these items are bought individually. In case you have a very adventurous guinea pig, they may determine how you can use the airflow openings to scale the partitions, so all the time supervise your pet, or add the extra cage lid (strongly beneficial for properties with different pets and kids).
Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 10 inches | Weight: Not listed | Supplies: Acrylic (plexiglass)
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The Pawhut Small Animal Cage has 4 wheels on the bottom so it may possibly simply be moved from one room to a different. As soon as the habitat has discovered its newest resting place, you possibly can simply activate the safety brake on two of the wheels to securely hold the guinea pig dwelling in place.
This cage comes with important equipment, together with a meals bowl, hay feeder, and water fountain, and likewise has a second-story platform with a slide in your guinea pig to to climb up and go down. The moveable habitat is supplied with a big entrance door and a smaller high door which makes it simpler to scrub the cage and/or entry your guinea pig. The plastic backside can be indifferent from the wireframe high for an intensive refresh of the house.
This cage from Pawhut is healthier fitted to smaller guinea pigs, and the plastic base is fragile, so make sure to totally examine for any cracks after unboxing.
Dimensions: 35 x 17.3 x 17 inches | Weight: 9 kilos | Supplies: Nylon, polypropylene, alloy metal
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Customizable dimension and form
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Waterproof liner for containment and simple clear up
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Rust-resistant coating on wire body panels
The Viscoo Panels Small Animal Playpen could be personalized to fit your wants, which can included including a second degree.
To be used with a guinea pig, the modular habitat set contains 24 panels whole—20 panels measuring 12 by 16 inches and 4 measuring 12 by 12 inches—together with 48 nook connecters and 50 zip ties to carry all of it collectively. All of the panels have rounded edges for security and the metallic grid items are lined with a rust-resistant coating.
A small picket hammer can be included that will help you put all of it collectively, and as soon as assembled, you possibly can add the included waterproof liner to assist hold your guinea pig’s pine shavings contained. The liner mat has sides which can be shut to 5 inches tall and may simply be cleaned with a humid towel.
There isn’t any lid for the cage, so this playpen from Viscoo shouldn’t be utilized in a house with different pets or younger youngsters. This habitat additionally requires extra meeting than others on our record, however it may be enjoyable deciding how you can set it up.
Dimensions: Varies; as much as 72 x 24 x 16 inches | Weight: 13.73 kilos | Supplies: Nylon, alloy metal
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Versatile
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Air flow holes are sized to spice up airflow and forestall paws from getting trapped
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Safe locking system retains pets protected inside
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Clear, sturdy plastic gives good visibility
The distinctive design of this versatile two-piece system—consisting of a dealt with halo body with magnetic kick-out stands and a sturdy plastic ball—provides you the pliability to let your pet roam freely whether or not the ball is securely connected to the stationary service or simply rolling round on the ground. To make sure that your pet is all the time safely mounted inside, the lid has a two-step locking mechanism.
The crystal-clear plastic gives nice visibility and the air flow holes are well-sized at two millimeters to permit for ample airflow whereas stopping little paws from getting trapped. They’re additionally sufficiently small to maintain droppings from falling via.
The train ball is appropriate for varied kinds of small pets, together with chinchillas, gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats. Whereas we predict a small guinea pig may roam fairly comfortably, the ball can be too tight for a bigger one.
Dimensions: 12.75 x 10.62 x 7.62 inches | Weight: 1.36 kilos | Supplies: Plastic
Ultimate Verdict
We just like the MidWest Properties for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus as a result of it is spacious, accessible, easy to scrub, and reasonably priced. In case your piglets go outdoors, you’ll respect the Aivituvin Indoor Out of doors Wheeled Rabbit & Guinea Pig Hutch, an exquisite and sturdy cage on casters that’s a cinch to scrub.
What to Search for in Guinea Pig Cages
Dimension and Bar or Grid Spacing
“Listed below are some inquiries to ask your self whenever you’re prepared to decide on a cage that’s proper in your state of affairs,” says Catherine Alliss, creator of Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge and author for Guinea Pig Journal. “Does it meet no less than the minimal dimension necessities on one degree for the variety of guinea pigs you intend to maintain?”
The Humane Society of the USA recommends no less than 7.5 sq. ft of uninterrupted house for one, and no less than 10.5 sq. ft for a pair.
“Is the spacing between the bars or holes within the grids sufficiently small {that a} younger guinea pig won’t be able to get caught whereas attempting to squeeze out?” asks Alliss. “Keep away from cages with giant areas between the bars. It’s straightforward for the curious guinea pig to stay their nostril (after which head) via bigger gaps and change into caught. They are going to wrestle to get out and injure themselves.”
Bars spaced one inch or much less aside are sufficiently small to stop juvenile guinea pigs from getting caught or escaping. Grids bigger than about 1.5 inches are thought of unsafe as a result of pigs may get their head or limbs caught within the holes.
“Additionally keep away from any cages with wire or bars on the bottom. These will trigger hurt to your guinea pig’s ft,” says Alliss.
Accessibility and Stability
“How straightforward is it so that you can attain all areas to scrub the cage and alter the bedding?” asks Alliss. Search for cages that open on the highest and sides for consolation and ease.
In case you’ll be transferring your cage commonly, you’ll need to take into account the durability and construction of the cage. Select one with casters in the event you’ll be pushing it outdoors typically on good days. These with versatile frames typically work higher when positioned in a nook or towards a wall.
Think about whether or not the items maintain their construction when lifted. Nobody model is greatest. Select the one that matches the placement and portability that’s greatest in your state of affairs.
Supplies and Equipment
Guinea pig cages are comprised of quite a lot of supplies together with powder-coated or galvanized wire bars, grids and frames, plastic, and wooden (typically fir).
“Is the cage going to be straightforward to maintain clear and free from particles, mould, and odors?” asks Alliss. “For instance, plastic is non-absorbent, straightforward to wipe and disinfect; wooden will should be handled or lined with one thing to make it waterproof. If not, it would soak up urine and rapidly change into stained, begin to scent, and steadily rot.”
“Keep away from small cages the place the minimal flooring house required is cut up over a number of ranges,” provides Alliss. Guinea pigs don’t like nice heights so gained’t probably climb to the higher ranges of tall, multi-level cages. Two-story cages ought to have a ramp that’s not too steep. Instinctually, guinea pigs typically choose their sleeping house on the underside story and their consuming house barely elevated.
Within the wild, guinea pigs are prey to raptors, wolves, coyotes, and snakes, so it’s of their nature to cover for a superb a part of the day. Think about the equipment that include your cage. Is there a built-in cave or lined space for sleeping and hiding?
Feeding bowls ought to have a large base and low sides to stop tipping. The water bottle is necessary. If it leaks, your pigs may get dehydrated and die.
Be sure that it is giant sufficient for the variety of guineas you have got. Every piglet drinks between 50 and 300 milliliters of water per day.
FAQ
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“Ideally, a guinea pig cage must be as large as potential—most guinea pigs like to run (particularly when they’re younger), so the extra room they should run and discover, the higher,” Alliss advised The Spruce Pets.
“There are prompt cage sizes, however readers ought to notice that these are the minimal cage necessities, and it’s all the time greatest to contemplate having a cage that’s the subsequent dimension up (and even larger you probably have the room),” explains Alliss. “The sizes under are effective for feminine guinea pigs, or a blended herd of a neutered boar plus a number of sows. However in the event you plan on holding two boars, then ideally they require double the house to permit them to have their very own house, so two boars would actually need a flooring dimension appropriate for 4 guinea pigs.”
Beneficial cage sizes are as follows:
- 1 or 2 guinea pigs: 0.7 sq. meters to 7.5 sq. ft, 2×3 grids
- 3 guinea pigs: 0.98 sq. meters to 10.5 sq. ft, 2×4 grids
- 4 guinea pigs: 1.21 sq. meters to 13 sq. ft, 2×5 grids
- 5 guinea pigs: 1.49 sq. meters to 16 sq. ft, 2×6 or 3×4 grids
- Every extra guinea pig requires an additional 0.28 sq. meters, 3 sq. ft, and 1 further grid on the size
“Bear in mind,” provides Alliss. “Though the minimal cage sizes look fairly beneficiant when fully empty, when you begin including in hideys (no less than one for every guinea pig), meals dishes, hay piles, and different cute cage equipment, the quantity of obtainable flooring house for the guinea pigs to make use of is lowered significantly.”
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“There are a lot of completely different choices accessible for guinea pig bedding. All of them have execs and cons, and it’s actually all the way down to the person private choice on bedding alternative,” says Alliss. Think about these elements when selecting bedding:
Consolation: Bedding must be snug to stroll and lie on. Something harsh or abrasive will make your pigs’ ft sore and doubtlessly result in a nasty an infection.
Location: The selection of bedding will rely upon whether or not your guinea pigs might be inside or outdoor (that is frequent within the U.Okay., the place the local weather is temperate). Cloth bedding like fleece, vet mattress, and many others. isn’t beneficial to be used in hutches because it will get damp rapidly and doesn’t present a lot insulation and heat for colder days.
Absorbency: Bedding must be very absorbent in order that any urine is straight away absorbed and doesn’t hold about to annoy the pores and skin of the ft or the stomach.
Non-toxic: Bedding must be non-toxic and don’t have any antagonistic results on contact with guinea pigs; and if it’s a man-made product, it must be one thing that your guinea pigs usually are not tempted to nibble or chew on.
Mud-free: Having dust-free bedding will scale back respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
Value: Take note of not solely the preliminary buy prices but in addition ongoing prices related to it, for instance laundering of reusable bedding.
Environmental influence: All kinds of bedding have some influence on the setting.
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“It’s a good suggestion to have a high on the cage, for plenty of causes,” says Alliss. “Some guinea pigs can bounce, and a few can climb, so by having a high you possibly can stop any nasty accidents with guinea pigs falling out of the cage (particularly if the cage is raised off the bottom). A high additionally gives safety towards international objects falling into the cage and both injuring your guinea pig, or your guinea pig then chewing or consuming one thing they shouldn’t. Examine the Guinea Pig Discussion board for lots of helpful info on housing and bedding.”
Why Belief The Spruce Pets?
This piece was researched and written by Lorraine Wilde who has been a devoted pet lover for the previous 35 years. When researching every product and model, Lorraine evaluated the kind and high quality of every product, buyer critiques, the corporate’s analysis and improvement, and its enterprise ethics. Lorraine additionally holds a grasp’s diploma in environmental science. She is a agency believer that buyers could make wholesome, knowledgeable, and environmentally acutely aware decisions to guard their pets and our planet.
Catherine Alliss has greater than 15 years’ expertise holding and breeding guinea pigs, and is without doubt one of the group of specialists who commonly write for Guinea Pig Journal. She is an administrator of an lively Fb group for guinea pigs (The Guinea Pig Room), and in 2021 she wrote and revealed a guide, Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge; all proceeds are donated to 2 U.Okay.-based guinea pig rescues (Gertie’s Lonely Guinea Pig Rescue and Oaklands Rodent Rescue).