Are Your Guinea Pigs Happy? Protect Them by Improving Their Cage
You’ve been on the hunt for a new pet. A friendly one that you and your family can love and nurture. There are several options, but you think you’ve found the perfect fit.
You’ve finally decided to buy a guinea pig. These adorable small animals stop you in your tracks every time you visit the pet store. They are tiny. Surely more manageable than a larger pet. So begins your shopping for all their necessary animal care items.
Based on your research, your checklist may look a bit like this:
✔️ Small animal habitat
✔️ Bedding
✔️ Food and food bowl
✔️ Hay feeders
✔️ Water bottle
✔️ Treats & Supplements
✔️ Enrichment items — chews, hides, and tunnels
✔️ Grooming items
You expected it to be expensive since you are starting with nothing. But quickly, you realize that things aren’t as simple as you assumed.
You can get past the need to double much of their supplies because the best thing is to make sure they have a companion. You would hate for them to be depressed. And what’s better than having one cute guinea pig? Two precious piggies!
But you also discover that the guinea pig cages in pet stores are much smaller than the recommended habitat size.
Is this going to be more of a hassle than it’s worth? Are you going to be able to find what you need?
So you turn to Google for help.
What!? Now you have sticker shock as you start shopping for the correct sized home for your furry friend.
Proper-sized small animal cages are more expensive than you expected.
Now if you’re wondering…
Does the size matter that much?
What’s the smallest size you can get away with?
Are people just trying to make money on another marketing scheme?
Here are some facts to remember when choosing which pet cage is right.
Did You Know These Guinea Pig Facts?
Because I had a guinea pig as a child, I assumed I knew plenty when our family was offered a free piggie from a friend. It didn’t take much to realize: I knew very little about small animal care. Especially; regarding their habitat. I knew I loved them and that they would make great pets. So, after learning as much as possible, we quickly adjusted our plan.
I, myself, was surprised to learn a lot of the following. Things had changed since I was little. Then I had to spend time piecing all of the information together. So, I’ve tried to condense as much information as possible into this blog — in an easy-to-read format. That way, your research can be quick and convenient.
We now have a herd of three guinea pigs and have continued to improve their habitat. I can say firsthand what a difference it has made in their personalities.
Guinea Pig Size
Adult guinea pigs range from 8-16 inches and weigh an average of 2 pounds.¹ It makes sense that they shouldn’t be kept in a space similar to the size of a hamster cage. After all, hamsters only grow to about five to seven inches.²
Here are The Humane Society’s guinea pig cage recommendations³:
🐹 One guinea pig: 7.5sq ft (minimum)
🐹🐹 Two guinea pigs: 7.5 sq ft (minimum)
🐹🐹🐹 Three guinea pigs: 10.5 sq ft (minimum)
🐹🐹🐹🐹 Four guinea pigs: 13 sq ft (minimum)
It may seem like a large amount of room for such a small animal. Especially; considering the amount of your own space it takes up. But remember, you are bringing a living animal into your home.
The Humane Society's entire purpose is to protect and end the suffering of all animals.⁴
These recommendations come from expert research. Those experts keep in mind the best interest of your small animal.
There is no financial gain for them when you follow these recommendations. Those benefits go toward your guinea pig’s well-being. And as you will see, what benefits your animal, also benefits you.
Guinea Pig Behavior
Unlike other small animals, guinea pigs generally do not jump high or climb. Floor space matters. They need room to run and roam.
Guinea pig cages need ventilation. Things such as aquariums and plastic tubs are not appropriate for these animals. Also, avoid cages with wire floors that can damage their feet.
It’s also suggested that you provide space and time “outside their enclosure at least once a day.”⁵ Although this allows them to explore and exercise, their cage is their home.
Small animal habitats are your pet’s whole world.
Everything they do — is done in this cage. It is their kitchen, bedroom, restroom, and gym.
All their accessories take up space as well.
They need adequate room for each of their daily activities.
Plenty of floor space to explore, strut, and play. Movement is crucial in staying healthy. Larger cages allow them to run and move freely. Guinea pigs love hopping (otherwise known as “popcorning”) around their cage. You’ll also love it when they get the “zoomies” and race around their habitat.
Places to hide and rest. They are very social animals and need the company of another guinea pig to thrive.⁶ But they each need space for themselves once in a while. With added space, their relationship with their cage-mate will remain more peaceful — avoiding territorial behaviors.
Their food pellet bowl, hay, and water will take up space. And those areas tend to get messy. It often also becomes the area where they potty the most. While many pigs love nesting in hay piles, they don’t want to hang out in the “kitchen” all day. You’ll also appreciate having a designated area for this messy space while cleaning.
Your small animal must be able to get away from their soiled areas. Lying in a puddle of urine or feces can cause fungus or bacterial infections.⁷ Veterinary bills for these small animals — considered exotics by most vets⁸ — are not cheap.
You will often see how much they appreciate a freshly cleaned space as they race around the cage. Their personality *shines* when they are living with adequate space.
Guinea pigs can live five to seven years.⁹ A roomy home allows them access to more enrichment and leads to better health.
Give your guinea pig a cage that lasts.
It’s not hard to find high-quality, small pet cages that meet the recommended space for your guinea pig. I’m sure you came across several in your internet search. And who doesn’t like to shop from the coziness of their own home, having their items delivered to their front door?
The two most popular types of adequately-sized guinea pig cages are the Midwest cage and the C&C cage.
Midwest Small Pet Cage
The Midwest small pet cage is a pre-assembled wire cage with a canvas PVC lining. The flexible canvas liner will need the support of a table or solid floor. These cages are sturdy and easy to use. The canvas liner can be sprayed and wiped for spot cleans and easily removed for deeper cleans.
They are a secure, long-lasting option, especially for those with other pets in the home. There is built-in coverage on the top. And easy access to the inside through multiple removable doors. Due to their size, you shouldn’t house more than two guinea pigs within one.
People have even connected Midwest cages by removing a side door and installing ramps. This essentially creates one larger cage using the two.
Fortunately, you can find ideas and suggestions within the guinea pig community through social media and other forums. Be sure to follow expert guidelines when taking advice for the health and safety of your small pet.
C&C Small Pet Cage
C&C cages are made from high-quality wire grids shaped into cubes using plastic connectors. Grids can be purchased online through many major retailers.
They’re often fitted with a coroplast bottom. Coroplast is a corrugated plastic. To clean, simply spray your cleanser and wipe it down. You can save time and energy by buying from companies that make pre-cut and prepared liners. If you prefer to save money, you can buy the coroplast at a local hardware store and fit it into your cage yourself.
This style cage is known for being easily customizable.
You have the option to stack multiple cages or use extra grids underneath to raise the level of your cage. This gives you storage underneath for all your piggies’ food and accessories.
To create a removable top — buy extra grids and connectors to cover the space. Having an open top tends to make access for cleaning and picking up your guinea pig easier.
Like many guinea pig owners, you may choose to add to your guinea pig herd. You can easily add more grids to expand the cage to an appropriate size at any point.
Conveniently configuring the grids to better fit your space is now an option. The Midwest cage doesn’t offer this due to its fixed size.
No matter which cage is best for you, purchasing the correct size at the beginning is crucial.
Don’t waste your time and money with “starter pet cages.”
New owners sometimes try to save money at first by using what they call “starter sets.”
They will purchase the cage recommended by the pet store. (These are often a similar price as my recommended cages.) They claim this cage will be used to transport their young, smaller piggie home. And they plan to use it as a travel cage in the future when they are fully grown.
The truth is, the recommended sizes are not only for full-sized piggies. And this method rarely saves anyone money. The chances of an owner ever using that small pet cage again after purchasing a larger one are low. Then they are faced with storing this bulky item indefinitely.
And all too often, the new piggie finds itself still in the tiny pet cage as a full-grown adult. Time passes, excuses are found, and it’s never replaced.
Let’s face it…you’re not going to travel much with your guinea pig. If you need to bring them to the veterinarian or for a short ride, then use a cardboard box. Make sure to include their necessary food and water for the trip.
Don’t waste your money or energy looking for what seems to be a quick fix.
Invest in quality for the long term.
Give your small animal the habitat it needs.
So the initial shock has worn off. Now, it is easier to see that investing in a high-quality and long-lasting small animal cage is worth the cost. And it generally saves you money in the long run.
You are giving your piggies a home that is safe and comfortable. In turn, you get to witness their playful personalities daily.
You also avoid common issues that arise, such as:
Territorial behavior between piggies
Skin and respiratory problems due to a lack of cleanliness.
A new mindset for small animal care.
Maybe the care of small animals is different than what you remember as a child. Maybe that is a good thing.
Often, change is a sign of growth. When it involves your guinea pigs’ care, trust the experts who want the best for animals.
Guinea pigs are some of the longest-living small animals. Give them the life they deserve. And enjoy bonding with your new furry friend for a long time.
If this information has helped you, share this post with other pet owners. You can continue to learn more about animal care on my blog.
Resources used:
¹ https://www.britannica.com/animal/guinea-pig
² https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/hurray-for-hamster-breeds/
³ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/guinea-pig-housing
⁴https://www.humanesociety.org/our-mission
⁵ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/guinea-pig-housing
⁶ https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-companionship-do-my-guinea-pigs-need/
⁸ https://guineadad.com/blogs/news/how-to-find-the-right-veterinarian-for-your-guinea-pig
⁹ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/guinea-pigs-right-pet-you