Cages to Avoid
It is very important to select a cage set up that best fits you and your guinea pig. Just because a box is labeled to be for guinea pigs, doesn't mean it will be healthy for your pet.
Contrary to popular belief, guinea pigs need a larger cage than the average commercial habitat. They need horizontal room to run, popcorn, and zoom.
These cages (and similar styles and sizes) you'll want to avoid:
Contrary to popular belief, guinea pigs need a larger cage than the average commercial habitat. They need horizontal room to run, popcorn, and zoom.
These cages (and similar styles and sizes) you'll want to avoid:
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Pictured above is a Midwest Cage.
It provides enough room for two guinea pigs to live.
It can come with a removable top to keep out any other animals you may have like cats or dogs. Personally, I don't use the top. Guinea pigs usually can't jump high enough to get out and I like to be able to reach in and interact with them frequently. It helps to tame them.
This cage is movable and will sit on a table or the floor easily.
The green bottom is useful for those that want to use loose bedding due to the raised sides. It is waterproof and easy to clean with vinegar (our choice cleaner).
A downside to this cage is it is hard to keep the corners and inside edges clean. The bottom of the cage is soft, not solid, so it needs to be supported by something if you want it off the floor.
It provides enough room for two guinea pigs to live.
It can come with a removable top to keep out any other animals you may have like cats or dogs. Personally, I don't use the top. Guinea pigs usually can't jump high enough to get out and I like to be able to reach in and interact with them frequently. It helps to tame them.
This cage is movable and will sit on a table or the floor easily.
The green bottom is useful for those that want to use loose bedding due to the raised sides. It is waterproof and easy to clean with vinegar (our choice cleaner).
A downside to this cage is it is hard to keep the corners and inside edges clean. The bottom of the cage is soft, not solid, so it needs to be supported by something if you want it off the floor.
Recommended Cages
We recommend either the Midwest Cage or a Cubes and Coroplast (C&C) Cage.
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A C&C cage (pictured above in 2 styles) is made of metal grids (storage cubes) and coroplast (corrugated plastic used to make signs).
This is my personal favorite type of cage. I'm a very crafty person and love to make things so building this was a fun activity for me.
There are many places to purchase these kits online, but you can make them yourself for a much smaller price. If you do make it yourself, you can customize the size and shape of the cage to fit your home. Just remember that guinea pigs need more horizontal room than vertical.
Click here for a great video on how to make your own cage.
This is my personal favorite type of cage. I'm a very crafty person and love to make things so building this was a fun activity for me.
There are many places to purchase these kits online, but you can make them yourself for a much smaller price. If you do make it yourself, you can customize the size and shape of the cage to fit your home. Just remember that guinea pigs need more horizontal room than vertical.
Click here for a great video on how to make your own cage.
