How to choose the perfect cage for your Guinea Pig

Lots of Guinea Pig owners do not realise how important a cage is for a Guinea Pig. Because a Guinea pig will spend most of its life in their cage, it is essential that you have a large enough cage for the Guinea Pig plus all it’s toys and accessories. Many of the Guinea Pig Cages marketed today are too small for a Guinea Pigs needs, which include; exercise, play, socializing, sleeping and eating. Here are some ways to improve your Guinea Pig’s home:

Safe, escape proof, materials

The safest cages are made from plastic, stainless steel, wire, or a combination of these materials. Wood cages are easily chewed through and glass cages don't provide enough ventilation and could also break easily and cut your Guinea Pig/s. No wire mesh flooring.


Housing your Guinea Pig’s cage with a wire mesh floor is putting them at risk. Guinea Pigs have extremely sustentive feet and the wire can cut their feet or give them a condition called Bumblebee. This is when the paw of the Guinea Pig swells up much larger than its normal size and is very painful to the Guinea Pig. So if your cage has a wire floor, which many do, be sure to cover it with cage mats.

Latching door or lid

This will keep your guinea pig in and other animals out. Spacious enough to provide ramps and activity areas Though guinea pigs aren't agile and don't climb very well, they do need places to play, explore and exercise.

What you put in the cage is just as important as what size the cage is. A large cage without the necessary accessories is going to be boring for your Guinea Pig, and it will eventually have a negative effect on their physical and mental state, leaving you and your Guinea Pig sad.

The following items should be in your guinea pig's cage:

• Place to hide, such as a nest box, large diameter PVC pipe, and cardboard boxes
• Heavy ceramic food dish (small enough that she can't climb in it and use it as a toilet)
• Plastic or glass water bottle with a metal spout
• Hay rack or manger to keep hay clean, fresh, and off the floor
• Aspen wood shavings or wood fiber bedding
• Ramps and other furniture for her to explore
• Low plastic shelves
• Toys such as tunnels, tubes, wooden chew toys, wood blocks, paper bags, and hanging bird toys I.e., Mirror with bell, fill colourful balls with grass, parsley, basil… (Pictured below of Shadow and Sherbet playing with toys)…

Be sure that whatever you put in the cage doesn't clash with the space he needs to run around and exercise.

Where to put the cage:

Indoors:

The guinea pig cage should be place some where, where the Guinea Pig will be able to get the sun light. Next to a window or below one is a good place to put them. Some where up against the wall out of the way, but in a place that will let you have good access when you want to hold them and feed them. This cage should also be placed some where quiet with little noise or commotion. Temperature is also another thing to keep in mind; the cage should be placed some where between 65° and 75°F or you Guinea Pig is at risk at getting ill. Also in a well ventilated area.

Outdoors:

The cage should be placed in a place out of the heat during the day but warm enough at night, under a shade cloth or under your porch is a good idea; this will stop the rain or dew rotting the cage. It should also be placed close to the house; the further away the Guinea Pig is to the house, the less attention it will get. So keep it close to the house, under a shade cloth or porch and away from heat and rain. The cage should be placed some where between 65° and 75°F.