The 5 Best Cages For Guinea Pigs
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The guinea pig is a gentle, friendly pet that works very well for beginners. Just because guinea pigs are relatively easy to care for, however, doesn’t mean that they don’t have specific requirements. Guinea pigs need a surprisingly large amount of space for their size, and there are some other factors to consider in choosing a guinea pig cage as well.
In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of caring for pet guinea pigs and provide some tips for choosing the best guinea pig cage. You’ll also see our top 5 picks for the best guinea pig cage.
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
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Compare Best Cages For Guinea Pigs
Best For Multiple Guinea Pigs
5. Prevue Pet Products Small Animal Cage, Coco & White |
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Materials
Plastic and metal wire |
Materials
Plastic and metal wire |
Materials
PVC-lined canvas and wire mesh |
Materials
Plastic base with wire mesh frame |
Materials
Powder-coated metal |
Size
46 8/9 x 22 4/5 x 24 inches |
Size
47.16 x 23.62 x 19.68 inches |
Size
47x24x14 inches |
Size
55.91×23.62×19.68 inches |
Size
32.5×21.63×33 inches |
Accessories
Balcony, ramp, tip-proof bowl, water bottle |
Accessories
Hay feeder, water bottle, food bowl |
Accessories
Lock-in-place ramps and dividers |
Accessories
Hey feeder, water bottle, food bowl, home |
Accessories
Metal stand, balcony, and ramp |
What To Look For In Cages For Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs may not be the biggest pets, but they do require a significant amount of space. These animals are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk, and you’ll see them scurrying around the cage to work off their energy. Adequate space is the primary concern for guinea pig cages, but you also need to think about ventilation, safety and security, and easy access for cleaning.
Here are some important things to look for in guinea pig cages:
- Adequate floor space. Though guinea pigs are fairly small, they are highly active, and a single guinea pig needs at least 30×36 inches. Keep in mind that this number applies to floor space, if your cage has multiple levels, it only matters how much space there is on a single level.
- Proper ventilation. Guinea pigs don’t produce as much mess and odor as some small animals (like ferrets), but ventilation is important to control odor and to keep your guinea pigs healthy.
- Safety and security. If you don’t have other pets in the home, your primary concern is keeping your guinea pigs from getting out of the cage – not for other animals getting in. Either way, the cage should be secure enough to keep your guinea pigs safe.
- Easy to clean. You’ll need to clean your guinea pig’s cage once every week or two, depending on the size and type of bedding you use. The cage design will influence how easy it is to clean.
Our Top Picks For The Best Cages For Guinea Pigs
Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a guinea pig cage, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best guinea pig cages.
As long as you provide your guinea pigs with enough space to run and play, it doesn’t matter what kind of cage you choose. You need to be sure it is properly ventilated and that it will keep your guinea pigs safe and secure, but you do have some leeway as long as these requirements are met.
Living World Deluxe Small Animal Habitat
Product Info
- Materials: Plastic and metal wire
- Size: 46 8/9 x 22 4/5 x 24 inches
- Accessories: Balcony, ramp, tip-proof bowl, water bottle
- Sturdy plastic base with metal wire frame
- Top opens up in two sections for easy access and cleaning
- Includes a balcony with access ramp that doubles as a hideaway
- Front door slides open, other models open down as a ramp
- May be a little small for large breeds
The x-large size measures 47x23x24 inches, which is ideal for a single guinea pig but may be a little small for two unless they are a smaller breed. The cage also comes with a balcony that doubles as a hideaway underneath with a tip-proof food dish and a water bottle.
MidWest Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Home
Product Info
- Materials: Plastic and metal wire
- Size: 47.16 x 23.62 x 19.68 inches
- Accessories: Hay feeder, water bottle, food bowl
- Easy assembly, sturdy plastic base with wire frame
- Generously sized, can accommodate two guinea pigs
- Comes with a variety of accessories including water bottle and bowl
- Largest opening is on the side, not the top – may make cleaning tricky
- Plastic materials can scratch, may harbor bacteria
MidWest Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Home
Product Info
- Materials: PVC-lined canvas and wire mesh
- Size: 47x24x14 inches
- Accessories: Lock-in-place ramps and dividers
- Modular design can be combined with multiple units
- Can create separate areas for play and care
- Spacious cage, can be customized for any number of guinea pigs
- Dividers eat into floor space dimensions
- Open-top design is not recommended for houses with other pets
Ferplast Krolik 140 Rabbit Cage & Wood Hutch
Product Info
- Materials: Plastic base with wire mesh frame
- Size: 55.91×23.62×19.68 inches
- Accessories: Hey feeder, water bottle, food bowl, home
- Sturdy plastic base with wire frame for ventilation
- Sized appropriately for two small guinea pigs
- Comes with a variety of accessories
- Plastic materials may scratch, could harbor bacteria
- Largest opening is on the side, not the top
Prevue Pet Products Small Animal Cage, Coco & White
Product Info
- Materials: Powder-coated metal
- Size: 32.5×21.63×33 inches
- Accessories: Metal stand, balcony, and ramp
- Sturdy metal construction on a rolling metal frame
- Large open space with optional balcony and ramp
- Two large doors, one on top and one on the side
- Wire bottom may irritate feet if used without bedding
- Entire construction is metal, no solid base to contain bedding
The thing you need to keep in mind is that the base is wire which may be rough on sensitive feet, so it should be covered with some kind of bedding to protect your guinea pig’s feet. The thing you need to keep in mind is that the base is wire which may be rough on sensitive feet, so it should be covered with some kind of bedding to protect your guinea pig’s feet.
Tips For Building A For Guinea Pig Cage
Purchasing a guinea pig cage from the pet store can be expensive, especially when you start going up in size. Unfortunately, many of the guinea pig cages sold in stores aren’t even large enough to comfortably accommodate one guinea pig, let alone two. If you want to provide your guinea pig with more than enough space, consider building your own cage.
Here are some simple tips for building a guinea pig cage:
- Determine how many guinea pigs you plan to keep before you start – the more guinea pigs, the larger the cage must be.
- Stick with a general rule of 7.5 square feet for one guinea pig, 10.5 square feet for 2, and 13 square feet for three or more guinea pigs.
- Decide what materials you plan to use and make sure they are safe and non-toxic for guinea pigs – untreated wood works fine if you don’t want to go the traditional route of using corrugated plastic for the base.
- Measure out the base for your guinea pig cage, keeping it a simple shape like a square or rectangle to maximize the floor space for your guinea pigs.
- Use metal grids to build the walls, attaching them with zip ties – you may want to attach the grids to each other and place the frame inside the base so you can easily remove it for cleaning.
If you don’t have the means to build your own guinea pig cage or the space to accommodate one large enough, you may be able to get by with a cage that is slightly smaller.
The thing you need to do, however, is give your guinea pigs time to run and play outside of the cage, ideally during the hours when they would normally be most active. Consider buying a fold-out puppy playpen to keep your guinea pigs contained while also giving them time and space to play.
Final Remarks
Space is the most important consideration when shopping for a guinea pig cage. On top of that, however, you need to make sure the cage is properly ventilated, will keep your guinea pig safe, and that it is easy to access for cleaning. As long as these basic requirements are met, you have some leeway to choose a guinea pig cage that works for you and your new pet.
If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a guinea pig cage, try out one of the top 5 best guinea pig cages we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!