Guinea Pig Home Design

Let’s begin with the first myth: there is no best measurement for a guinea pig cage. There is only one adage: the bigger the better. There are minimum cage-size guidelines that are recommended by some guinea pig associations, but take them with a grain of salt. In general, they are as follows: One guinea pig: 6-7 sq. ft. Two guinea pigs: 7.5 sq. ft. Three guinea pigs: 10.5 sq. ft. Four guinea pigs: 13 sq. ft. And so on.

The first recommendation is basically hogwash, since it is not recommended to keep a single guinea pig. Guinea pigs are very social, they are amusing and interesting creatures — keep them happy and in an optimal environment by having at least a pair.

Second: wire bottom cages are an absolute no-no. Wire floors are very hard on a guinea pig’s feet and can lead to injuries. Remember, guinea pigs are much smaller than standard size rabbits, and their legs can slip through the gaps in a wire bottom cage. The same holds for ramps and such in multi-level cages, the ramps should not be made of metal grids.

Third, a guinea pig cage does not need to be completely enclosed if there are no dangers to your guinea pigs in your home. If you own a dog or a cat, you would definitely want a lid. You also want to ensure that the walls of your enclosure are at least 14 inches high. While guinea pigs are known to jump up and down for fun, they are not ‘leapers’, and could not scale such a wall.

Four, a guinea pig cage should have doors that are abundantly big. Especially if the cage does have a lid. Guinea pigs like to scurry, and it is very difficult to try to grab a scurrying guinea pig through a small cage door. Consider cages that have ‘tailgate’ like doors.

Fifth, when in doubt about the size of your guinea pig cage, keep these few things in mind. Exercise is beneficial. A guinea pig that is stuck in a too small cage without ample opportunity to exercise will be overweight. And like humans, overweight guinea pigs have a higher tendency toward health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, bladder infections, respiratory problems, and more. A large cage with ample room for exercise can help keep your guinea pig healthy and fit. Given that guinea pigs’ activity tends to be an hour ‘on’ and an hour ‘off’, they should be able to exercise according to their own body clock and schedule, which they will only be able to do if their cage is big enough. A big enough cage with different levels and activity opportunities will keep their boredom down and stimulation up. Not only that, it will also help keep the peace, as a big enough cage allows each guinea pig enough room to play and sleep. It will also be easier for you, as large cages are easier to clean than smaller one (think of it as easier maneuverability).

Most importantly, a bigger cage means happier guinea pigs. Happier guinea pigs are more well-adjusted guinea pigs with fewer health problems, vet visits and ultimately bills. Happier guinea pigs are more entertaining and thus more fun for you.

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