Top 5 Guinea Pig Cages & 7 Factors To Make Perfect Enclosure
Guinea pigs are majestic rodents that make great pets. If you are thinking of bringing a guinea pig home, the first consideration should be a cage in which your piggy will live. Choosing a good cage is important because the overall well-being of a guinea pig largely depends on its habitat.
In this post, we are going to introduce you to the top 5 guinea pig cages, and discuss 7 factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing the perfect enclosure. Our goal is to help you make an informed buying decision. Read on!
Top 5 Cages For Guinea Pigs
Guinea pig cages come in many different types and sizes, and your choice should be determined by your particular needs. The main point of purchasing a cage is to provide your guinea pigs a habitat in which they can live happily and stay healthy.
The size of the cage should be the most important consideration.
Here are our top 5 picks, and chances are that at least one of them will perfectly meet your needs.
| Products | Material And Size | Clean And Access | Cost (Around) |
| 4×2 C&C Cage With Loft & Ramp | grid panels – 55,1 x 27,6 x 13,8 inches | Door can be rotated 180 degrees | $130 |
| Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by Midwest | wire mesh47 x 24 x 14 inches | PVC lined canvas bottomleakproof, washable and easily removable | $100 |
| Basics Small Animal Cage Habitat With Accessories | Iron wire; pp plastic48.6 x 26.6 x 20.6 inches | Simple assembly (no tools needed) | $90 |
| Living World Deluxe Habitat | Plastic46.9 x 22.8 x 24 inches | Assembles in minutes, no tools required | $80-$120 |
| Krolik Extra-Large Rabbit Cage w/ Wood | timber and pine boards 55.91″L x 23.62″W x 19.69″H | Coated with clear varnishEsthetically pleasingnot convenient to disassemble | $160 |
Let’s dive in!
- 4×2 C&C Cage With Loft & Ramp
If you are looking for an enclosure for 2 guinea pigs, this one is the best option out there. The cage provides 8 square feet of living area, which is ideal for two piggies. There are baby grids that provide extra protection for small cavies older than 8 weeks.
One of the best things about the cage is that the grid panels can be placed as per the needs of your guinea pigs. That means, the panels are customizable.
The enclosure can be easily accessed and clean; the door grids rotate to 180 degrees. For easy transport you can store the cage flat.
The pre-cut coroplast sheets make it super easy to assemble the enclosure. You can set up the cage literally in just a few minutes. It’s a complete set that contains everything you need to set up a guinea pig cage.
C&C Cage 4×2 No Stand
- Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by Midwest
This enclosure measures 8 square feet— enough living space that allows guinea pigs to explore, exercise and socialize. Thanks to the spacious area, you can clean the enclosure conveniently and interact with your pet easily.
For safe and secure interaction with your piggies, the enclosure features a multi-access folding top. Play and care areas can be separated with a dividing panel. The sides measure 14 inches, giving you easy access.
Thanks to the modular design, there are options for unlimited expandability and numerous configurations. The PVC-lined canvas bottom is easily washable, and protects your guinea pig’s sensitive feet. The entire process of set up takes just a few minutes, and requires no tool.
Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by Midwest
- Basics Small Animal Cage Habitat With Accessories
This is another high-quality enclosure that measures 48.6 by 26.6 by 20.6 inches, weighs 18.7 pounds, and is designed for pet guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, and ferrets. It comes with an iron wire upper frame, PP plastic base, and large openings at the top and front.
The cage also comes with a hay guard, non-drip water bottle, and balcony. For the privacy of your piggy, there is also a hide away space, which is underneath the balcony. No tool is required to assemble the enclosure.
The enclosure is designed for the comfort and safety of your guinea pigs. It comes with versatile accessories, and is available in multiple sizes. Thanks to the large openings at the top and front, the cage is very easy to clean.
Amazon Basics Small Animal Cage Habitat With Accessories
- Living World Deluxe Habitat
Here is another high-quality guinea pig cage that comes with everything your little piggies need for their comfort and safety. The cage measures 46.9 L x 22.8 W x 24 H inches and weighs 19 pounds. It has an upper wire frame, and the bottom base is plastic.
This enclosure can be used as a hamster cage, guinea pig cage, chinchilla cage, or ferret cage. With white wire sides and an arching red wire top, the cage looks elegant. For easy access into the cage, you can open the wire top in two separate parts.
The food bowl is designed for being used to serve all types of food for guinea pigs and other small animals. The cage also comes with a hay guard and a drip proof water bottle. To save interior space, these accessories are located outside the cage.
There is enough space for different types of accessories such as litter boxes, toys, beds and hammocks. Setting up the cage is super easy, and does not require any tool.
Living World Deluxe Habitat
- Krolik Extra-Large Rabbit Cage w/ Wood
If you are looking for a large indoor guinea pig cage, this one is the best option out there. The standard size is 55.91″L x 23.62″W x 19.69″H, but the size is customizable, so you can order as large or small an enclosure you want.
It is made of thick (2 x 1 PSE) pine timber coated with pet-friendly varnish. There are perspex windows at the sides that allow your guinea pigs to look outside. Your piggies will love this big, spacious enclosure!
7 Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Guinea Pig Cages
When choosing a cage for your guinea pigs, their safety and comfort should be the most important considerations. Ideally, you should keep 2 or 3 guinea pigs in a cage.
The cage should be at least 8 square feet, and ideally 11 square feet. Make sure the materials used to construct the cage are durable and non-toxic.
Now we are going to discuss the 7 most important factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing a guinea pig cage. Here they are:
Space is Paramount
Guinea pigs are curious rodents that love to explore their surroundings. And if they are denied the opportunity to explore, they suffer. That’s the main reason you should opt for a large enclosure for your piggies.
Roomier cages allow guinea pigs to move around, which can prevent a host of medical conditions. If the cage is tiny, your piggies can become depressed due to inadequate stimulation.
If there are multiple guinea pigs, a large cage allows them to co-exist peacefully. A large cage is also easier to clean.
When it comes to choosing a guinea pig cage, bigger is always better. But how big should it be? Well, for one or two guinea pigs, at least 8 square feet of space is needed. Here is a table that sums up the size requirements:
| Number of guinea pigs | Minimum cage size (Square feet) | Ideal cage size (Square feet) |
| 1 | 8 | 11 |
| 2 | 8 | 11 |
| 3 | 10 | 14 |
| 4 | 14 | 18 |
Suitable Material
Before you buy a guinea pig cage, learn about the materials used to construct the cage. Make sure the materials are durable and non-toxic. Both metal and wooden cages are fine.
The bedding should be comfortable and non-toxic. The best options include paper, fleece and aspen bedding.
Remember that there are some woods that are toxic for guinea pigs. Always avoid cedar, pine sawdust, and chew toys. Cedar and pine are toxic for rodents, and sawdust can cause respiratory infection.
Easy To Clean
If you are keeping guinea pigs as pets, maintaining hygiene should be one of the most important considerations. Cleanliness is necessary for your piggy’s optimal health.
The simple act of keeping your guinea pig’s habitat clean can prevent a host of diseases, especially respiratory diseases.
It should be noted here that guinea pigs poop and urinate a lot, and that makes it necessary to keep the enclosure clean. When choosing a cage, make sure it is leak proof and easily washable. Cages with both front and top openings are usually easy to clean.
Expandable and Easy-to-change design
Buy a guinea pig cage that can be expanded as needed. This feature is important in part because the number of guinea pigs may change from time to time.
If you have an expandable cage and you end up with more guinea pigs, you will not have to buy another cage. An expandable cage also makes it easier to interact with your piggy.
Do not choose a cage with multiple levels, because guinea pigs like flat, open spaces, and tend to be scared of heights. Cages with multiple levels come with ladders that can block running spaces. The key is to choose a cage that is horizontally expandable.
Safe and Durable
When choosing a guinea pig enclosure, safety and durability should be among the most important considerations. Make sure the cage has no sharp edges. As we have already stated, it is important to choose a cage made of non-toxic materials.
The cage should stand firm. Avoid wire meshing floors because they cause discomfort for guinea pigs. The floor should be flat. A secure lid can keep cats and other pets out.
Dusty bedding is not good for guinea pigs. If your guinea pig inhales dust, it can lead to respiratory problems. It is also the cause of bumblefoot.
If you add a mirror to the cage, make sure the mirror has no sharp edges. And finally, the cage must be placed in an area that’s safe.
Utilities Available
The best cages come with utilities needed for the comfort of guinea pigs. Make sure the cage you choose comes with at least the essential utilities. Buying these items separately can be a hassle. So, see if you can get all these things with the cage.
In general, a guinea pig cage comes with basic utilities such as a tip-proof food dish, feeding bowl, and hay feeder. The sleeping area inside the cage should be enclosed.
Also, see if the cage has a hiding spot and PVC lined canvas bottom. And above all, the cage must be well-ventilated.
Aesthetically pleasing
Your guinea pig may not care about how beautiful or ugly the cage is, but you should. The whole point of keeping a guinea pig as a pet is to have fun. So, make sure this adorable rodent lives in an aesthetically pleasing enclosure.
Do not sacrifice the practical aspect of the cage for its aesthetic aspect, but make sure you don’t end up buying an ugly cage either.
2 Tips to Make Guinea Pigs Happy In Their Cages
Guinea pigs can live both indoors and outdoors. They are comfortable indoors so long as there is enough space and the supplies they need.
Indoor housing is fine, but you have to make sure that it serves as a comfortable, sheltered environment. Here are two tips to make your guinea pigs happier in a cage:
Always Add Accessories for Cage
Providing your guinea pigs with food and shelter is not enough. In order to be happy inside a cage, these rodents need some additional supplies. Guinea pig treats, toys and various supplies are available on the market.
Consider purchasing accessories that encourage your piggies to exercise. Movement is essential for their well-being. Just visit a local pet shop and you will find plenty of ideas to make your piggies happy. Here are some accessories:
- Water bottle
- Hay rack
- Food bowl
- Chew toys
- A hide house
- Pine, aspen or recycled paper bedding
Kaytee Clean & Cozy Bedding, White
Determine a Right Location for Cage
Guinea pigs love moving around, but they also love being indoors. If you house them indoors, make sure there is a safe and comfortable environment inside the enclosure.
The cage should provide safety from predators, temperature extremes, and other dangers. It should be spacious so that the animals can move comfortably and keep themselves fit.
Guinea Pig Cages Indoors
Keeping your guinea pig cages indoors has a host of advantages. If you keep the cage indoors, to some extent you have control over the temperature your piggies are exposed to.
An enclosure protects your guinea pigs from cats and makes it easier for you to establish a relationship with your pet. A strong cage also gives you some peace of mind.
With that said, a guinea pig cage also has some disadvantages. It exposes your guinea pigs to noisy indoor environments and limits the scope for movement. A guinea pig cage requires regular cleaning; otherwise it gets messy.
It is important to place the enclosure in a well-ventilated room with natural daylight. Make sure that predators have no access to the room. Keep the cage on a stand instead of placing it directly on the floor.
Guinea Pig Cages Outdoors
There are a host of advantages to placing your guinea pig cage outdoors. The animals will always have access to fresh air and light.
They love outdoor surroundings, so they will be less likely to be bored and depressed. By placing the cage outdoors, you will not have to deal with a smelly cage indoors.
However, if the cage is not placed in a secure location, your piggies may be at risk to outdoor predators. If the guinea pigs get injured or ill, you may not notice that right away. If they are left alone too long, they may get bored and depressed.
And if you want to keep the cage outdoors, keep it in a place that’s close to the house. Ideally, it should be under a shade that’s also exposed to sunlight. Make sure the location has a proper drainage system.
Conclusion
When choosing a cage for your guinea pigs, making an informed decision is the key. While size is the most important consideration, you have to consider other factors as well.
We hope now you have a better understanding of guinea pig cages, and will choose the right one for your piggies.
