May 5, 2023, 8:56 am | Read time: 14 minutes

Anyone who wants to keep guinea pigs should consider a few things. Proper care requires that these small animals are not kept alone. Groups of three or more reflect their natural lifestyle. The right cage for guinea pigs should therefore offer enough space. The German Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare recommends a pen size of six square meters for five or more animals. We will reveal what else to look for when buying and which guinea pig cages can be recommended.

Checklist for the Best Guinea Pig Cage

Whether a guinea pig cage is recommendable can be determined in a comparison based on the following features:

• Guinea pigs need space. The housing should not be smaller than 120 × 60 centimeters. For two to three animals, at least 2 square meters of space should be calculated, with an additional 0.5 square meters per female and 1 square meter per male guinea pig.
• Additionally, the animals need a run area of at least 2 meters, which must be set up in addition to the cage.
• For proper equipment, food bowls, water bottles, and a hay rack should be included in the delivery.
• Plastic cages are widespread. However, guinea pigs often use the bars for gnawing, so they should not be painted. Untreated wooden cages with bars or plexiglass panels are more environmentally friendly and beneficial for health.

Guinea Pig Cage Comparison: What Matters

When acquiring a home for guinea pigs, potential buyers face a wide range of products. To ensure the cage meets the requirements of proper animal care, several key criteria should be considered. We reveal which factors really count.

Size

When we talk about a cage, it always means restrictions for the animals kept inside. In the wild, guinea pigs live in large groups, create extensive tunnel systems, and often inhabit vast territories. Tip: Guinea pigs are active and like to play. Even the best guinea pig cage cannot fully meet the needs of these agile small animals. Therefore, it is advantageous to combine cage keeping with sufficient free run in the home or a protected outdoor enclosure. If the animals are to spend most of the day in their home, each animal should have at least one square meter of space. XXL cages are recommended. If space for an oversized cage is lacking, a small animal cage with multiple levels can be an alternative. However, these do not increase the cage’s square footage and do not replace the run.

Basic Equipment

To ensure the animals feel comfortable in the cage, the right equipment is crucial. Several food bowls should be purchased for feeding. Nipple drinkers can be attached from the outside. However, they should not be the only water source. It is recommended to place stable water bowls in a litter-free zone of the cage. In a guinea pig cage test, it is shown that most models include a hay rack as part of the delivery. Additionally, hay inside the cage should offer enough hiding places.

The following accessories should not be in a guinea pig cage that wants to pass a test:

• Litter with lavender, citrus, and other fragrances
• Plastic hiding places
• Metal food balls
• Nipple drinkers without additional water source
• Salt and mineral stones

Also interesting: Bowl or Nipple Bottle? What is Better for Small Animals

Hiding Places

Every guinea pig cage should offer enough suitable retreat options. Important: There should always be one more hiding place in the cage than there are animals. If you have three guinea pigs, you need four hiding places.

These objects are suitable for retreat and hiding:

• Houses (with multiple entrances)
• Multiple levels with legs (resembling tables)
• Tunnels (made of wood)
• Hammocks
• Cork tubes

Activity Options

Guinea pigs are more active than one might assume. Therefore, no home should be without enough activity options. There should be enough suitable hiding places for hide-and-seek games. Tunnels or bridges made of wood are ideal. Tip: Guinea pigs are allowed to gnaw on fruit tree wood. Oak branches can also be given occasionally. However, the animals cannot tolerate the fruits and branches of the chestnut. A popular piece of equipment for the guinea pig cage is hay tubes, which the guinea pigs can gradually eat.

Also interesting: What to Consider When Setting Up a Guinea Pig Enclosure

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Our 5 Recommendations for Guinea Pig Cages

Finding the best home for the small rodents can be a challenge given the extensive range of options. We want to provide suitable solutions for proper animal care indoors and outdoors with the following five models and help make the purchasing decision easier.

1. Spacious Rodent Home for Little Money: Kerbl Rodent Cage SONNY

This is a sturdy small animal cage. If the animals also receive enough free run, the spacious cage is suitable for housing guinea pigs or rabbits. This model can be individually equipped with accessories, which users must purchase separately and can thus optimally adapt to the animals. Overall, this rodent cage makes a valuable impression. A hay rack is included in the delivery, which can be individually attached to the grid.

The bars are made of high-quality metal wire and prove to be stable and durable when attaching various accessories. The rack sits firmly on the grid. A side attachment is also possible, as the lock between the grid and the tray can be shifted. At the front of the cage, there is an opening. This is stable and cannot be opened by the animals themselves. The top sits on a robust plastic tray. By removing the top, the grid can also be used as a boundary for the run outdoors. The bars have a non-toxic, chrome-colored coating.

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Advantages:

• affordable price
• spacious construction
• stable bars
• hay rack included
• easy cleaning with removable tray

Disadvantages:

• lid difficult to attach
• cleaning the tray is difficult due to indentations in the corners

2. Safe Outdoors: EUGAD Outdoor Enclosure for Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

This outdoor enclosure offers pet owners a lot of flexibility, as the construction can be expanded or upgraded if needed. The rectangular metal grids allow for individual customization options. A height of about 70 centimeters is recommended for the run. Optionally, the low enclosure can also be equipped with a cover net. The grid spacing is 1.5 centimeters, making it ideal for guinea pigs. But rabbits, ferrets, hedgehogs, or chinchillas can also be housed in this small animal home. A door is attached at the front to allow users access to their animals at any time.

Plastic connections ensure the secure cohesion of the individual segments. To reinforce, the adjacent struts are additionally fastened with cable ties. The included wooden hammer makes self-assembly easier. The necessary cable ties are also part of the delivery. However, they should be attached in such a way that the diligent rodents cannot bite them. Anti-slip pads provide more stability. These are self-adhesive and stick to the underside of the grids. This also protects sensitive parquet when the run is set up indoors. The enclosure can thus be a useful addition to indoor guinea pig cages.

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Advantages:

• low acquisition costs
• easy assembly
• provides safe run indoors and outdoors

Disadvantages:

• must be dismantled when not in use
• dirt accumulates on the floor as there is no tray

3. Comfort on Two Levels: PETGARD Small Animal Cage Grenada

This model provides pet owners with a complete package for keeping rodents. The cage is suitable for guinea pigs and rabbits. In a guinea pig cage test, the solid construction stands out. High-quality materials ensure stability and long durability. The design of the rodent home is advantageous. Guinea pigs can use the cage on two levels and thus experience a lot of variety. A hay rack, two wooden ladders, and a wooden level are included in the delivery. It is advantageous that natural materials were used.

A flap is attached to the top. This makes cleaning the cage easier and allows access to the animal resident at any time. The cage can be opened at the front via two additional flaps. The bottom tray can be easily removed. This makes cleaning the cage effortless. The rodent cage proves to be spacious and offers up to two guinea pigs enough space. In a subtle gray-black design, the rodent home can be integrated into any room. A test criterion is also the grid spacing. This is 27 millimeters here. Thus, the cage is still suitable for guinea pigs and other medium-sized animals, but less so for golden hamsters or mice.

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Advantages:

• solid construction
• lots of space on two levels
• extensive accessories
• easy cleaning

Disadvantages:

• stairs are a bit steep (add carpet or fleece)
• high acquisition costs

4. Lots of Variety in a Small Space: Amazon Basics Cage

This stable and comfortable guinea pig cage has a size acceptable for proper animal care. The rectangular cage appears safe and solidly built. The stable bottom tray made of polypropylene plastic ensures stability. In the upper area, grids made of iron wire are attached. This makes the guinea pig cage well-ventilated and visible from all sides. The large openings at the front and top allow easy access for cleaning the enclosure and interacting with the animals. Compared to other models, the easy assembly stands out. No additional tools are necessary.

The equipment is high-quality and comprehensive. The balcony creates an additional level and serves as a vantage point for the animals, while the area under the balcony can serve as a retreat. The animals can reach the elevated level of the cage via a ramp. Part of the accessories is also a stable food bowl, which finds space on the balcony. The outside of the cage is suitable for attaching the included hay rack. The same applies to the drip-proof water bottle.

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Advantages:

• balcony creates an additional level and retreat at the same time
• hay rack, water bottle, food bowl included
• easy access through multiple flaps

Disadvantages:

• variations in dimensions upon delivery

5. Modern XXL Rodent Home: Ferplast Small Animal Cage KROLIK

This small animal cage is characterized by its modern, straightforward design. The housing is suitable for guinea pigs and rabbits. The base of this guinea pig cage is made of thermoplastic resin. The upwardly extended shape provides the residents with more usable space. The painted metal grid is described as robust and stable. A large door is attached at the front, which helps facilitate access and cleaning of the cage. The delivery includes a helpful extension that allows the animals to build nests. A grid is also included, which can be used to separate the main cage from the additional module.

This guinea pig cage comes with extensive accessories, saving the need to purchase necessary equipment. Pet owners receive a food bowl, two water bottles, two hay racks, and a plastic house as an additional retreat. The assembly kit presents a challenge for many users. Numerous small parts need to be assembled. In the test, the instructions reveal some weaknesses in this regard. If the grid connectors are unstable, cable ties can be used, which should be placed out of reach of the guinea pigs.

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Advantages:

• patented design
• more usable space due to upwardly extended shape
• additional housing module included

Disadvantages:

• cage cannot be opened from above
• complicated assembly
• water bottle leaks

Frequently Asked Questions About Guinea Pig Cages

There are some relevant questions about acquiring guinea pig cages. We will now try to answer the most common ones briefly and concisely.

How should a guinea pig cage be properly set up?

It is important that the animals have enough freedom of movement. Corners are suitable for positioning hiding places, while in less spacious homes, several tunnels can also serve as retreats. The use of intermediate floors also creates multiple levels and additional hiding places. Hay is the most important food source for guinea pigs. Therefore, a hay rack should not be missing in the cage.

What bedding is suitable for the guinea pig cage?

The bottom of the cage should be covered with bedding. Wood shavings are often used for this. However, they are not suitable for guinea pigs. We recommend creating a bedding system with several layers. Linen straw is very absorbent and is suitable in combination with straw pellets as underbedding. To prevent the guinea pigs from injuring their paws, soft straw should then be used as top bedding.

Important: The bedding should be laid out at least five centimeters thick. Care should be taken to ensure that the soft top layer does not shift.

How often should the bedding be changed?

Guinea pigs use certain “pee corners.” Owners should therefore clean these daily and provide new bedding. The remaining bedding is usually changed weekly. Depending on the size of the cage and the number of animals kept, it is advisable to adjust the cleaning of the home individually to always ensure sufficient hygiene and avoid odors.

Can guinea pigs and rabbits be kept in the same cage?

Under certain conditions, guinea pigs and rabbits can be kept together, but it is not recommended. The conditions: It must be a sufficiently large enclosure, and several specimens of both species must be present. Enclosure sizes of ten square meters or more are considered ideal for joint keeping.

Also interesting: Can rabbits and guinea pigs be kept together – is it really possible?

What should be considered when setting up guinea pig cages outdoors?

Owners who set up their guinea pig cage outdoors should definitely take certain protective measures. Foxes, cats, or birds of prey are considered natural enemies of small animals and should therefore not have access to the home. The enclosure should not only be equipped with a grid or cover above ground but also have stable ground wires. A thick layer of straw and hay is suitable for the hiding places. Overwintering the animals outdoors is possible down to a temperature of -10 degrees.

What location is suitable outdoors?

A sheltered location is necessary. Direct sunlight should also be avoided. In a windless location on house walls or near hedges, the animals feel safe and protected. Without a location in direct shade, a parasol should provide protection for the heat-sensitive animals.

Also interesting: What to Consider When Keeping Guinea Pigs Outdoors

How can anxious guinea pigs be accustomed to the cage?

Guinea pigs always need enough retreat options because they are flight animals. Small animals usually avoid open spaces to avoid becoming prey to predators. This should also be reflected in the guinea pig cage by ensuring no hiding place is more than 80 centimeters apart. Anxious animals can be additionally provided with security through tunnels made of hay and hiding places camouflaged with branches from coniferous trees.

Where should the guinea pig cage be placed in the room?

In indoor spaces, guinea pigs prefer a location that is not too bright but quiet, as direct sunlight or drafts are not good for guinea pigs. Owners should not place the cage in the children’s room to spare the animals unnecessary stress. Locations directly next to the heater are also not optimal, as guinea pigs do not tolerate high heat. An elevated position is advantageous so that the animals can observe their surroundings more closely and are not startled when something approaches the cage from above.