Guinea pigs are peculiar and active creatures that come from the Andes and have been popular house pets since the 16th century. They are not pigs, as their name implies, but a species of domesticated rodent. They’re cute and adorable, but they have very special living requirements. They stay awake for 20 hours a day, so providing them with a living habitat that is interesting, safe, and allows them to stay active is essential for their health and well-being. Despite their size, guinea pigs need a lot of exercise, room to run around, and a hiding place to feel secure and protected. With your pet’s needs in mind, we scoured the internet to find the best guinea pig cages that are safe and secure, easy to clean, and last a long time. Don’t forget to take your guinea pig out of its cage for an hour or two a day!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know before getting a guinea pig as a pet?
Guinea pigs are active little creatures, and they can be awake for up to 20 hours a day. They need a lot of space to run around and explore. They prefer borrowing and tunneling to climbing, so hiding areas in their cage are ideal. They have to eat a lot of green or good-quality hay to get their daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Guinea pigs are also very sociable, so if you can, getting two or more guinea pigs will keep them relaxed and happy. They can also see above and behind them because of their head shape, and they can make 11 different sounds to communicate with each other.
Should I let a guinea pig out of its cage?
Yes, guinea pigs are hyperactive and need space to exert energy. Because their cages tend to be small, you should let them out of their cage for an hour or two each day if you can. If you can’t, add some toys or a wheel to keep them occupied. Exercise is vital to their physical well-being or they will become overweight and sullen. They can also experience a loss in muscle tone, which can lead to serious health problems.
Buying Guide
Although guinea pigs look like small rodents, unlike hamsters and gerbils, their cages should be bigger and substantially different to accommodate their needs. We recommend keeping the below points in mind when choosing a guinea pig cage.
- Size: Guinea pigs are not climbers and rely on floor space to move around and maintain their active lifestyle. According to the Humane Society and most veterinarians, a guinea pig’s cage needs to be at least 8 square feet in size. If you have two guinea pigs, a 10.5-square-foot cage is ideal. For four guinea pigs, you will need a 16-square foot cage. Remember that a cage is a cage at the end of the day, so the bigger the cage, the better.
- Height: Because guinea pigs are not climbers or escape artists, a cage with a height of 12 to 18 inches works great. Even if it is a regular wire mesh cage without a top, they will not be able to escape. If you have other pets, we highly recommend a roofed cage to prevent them from getting into the guinea pig’s cage.
- Materials: Most guinea pig cages incorporate a metal wire mesh on top to provide visibility and air circulation for the guinea pig. The bottom part of the cage is usually made of canvas, plastic, or wood. Canvas bases are easy to remove and clean, but they may not be very durable and tend to bunch up on the corners. Plastic bases are sturdy and can be removed for easy cleaning. However, some guinea pigs may be able to chew through the materials. Wooden bases are sturdy and durable, but ensure that they are coated with a leak-proof layer. With wood bases, you have to worry about lingering urine odors that may be hard to clean and deodorize. Cedar, pine wood, and redwood are dangerous to guinea pigs, so stay away from any cages made of these types of wood.
- Hiding Place: Guinea pigs love to burrow and hide, so having a hiding place inside the cage is ideal. Many cages have a hiding area that also serves as an elevated feeding area to keep the food bowl separate from the litter.
- Ease of Cleaning: Cleaning the guinea pig’s cage frequently and changing the litter is essential for their health. With most cages, the bottom can be easily separated from the top part of the cage for cleaning. With these designs, you will have to let the guinea pig out of the cage to clean it. Some cages have pull-out trays that do not require disassembling the cage or relocating your pet.
- Expandability: If you plan to get more guinea pigs in the future, look for cages with modular designs. These cages can be easily attached to one another to make one large cage. You can add a cage every time you get a new pet, instead of throwing out the cage all together and buying a bigger one.
MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Pig Cage
Best Overall
Easy to Care For
Our top choice has 14-inch sides to keep your pet secure inside. A modular design allows you to add as many cages as you want to expand the living habitat and add as many guinea pigs as you want.
Why We Love It:
- Provides eight square feet of living space as recommended by veterinarians
- Lined with a tough, leak-proof PVC canvas to keep the contents inside
- Door lock in place and double as ramps for easy access into and out of the cage
- Can be assembled in minutes without any additional tools
Something to Consider:
- The canvas bottom isn’t very sturdy and can crumple up on the sides
Living World Guinea Pig Cage
Runner Up
Everything You Need
This one consists of a sturdy upper wire frame and a durable plastic bottom base to provide your pet with a luxurious living habitat. The wire top opens in two separate places to provide you with easy access to the cage.
Why We Love It:
- Comes with a hay feeder, a water bottle, and a tip-proof feeding bowl
- A balcony with steps on the inside gives your pet a better view of their surroundings
- Very easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning using the included plastic clips
- Has enough space to add a small bed and a hammock to keep your pet happy
Something to Consider:
- The included water bottle tends to leak inside the cage
Ferplast Guinea Pig Cage
Contender
Ideal for New Pet Parents
This one comes with a food dish, a water bottle, a hideaway space, a hay feeder, and an elevated platform. It has plenty of room to keep your pet active and healthy or to add a bed and some toys.
Why We Love It:
- Wire cage allows you to observe and enjoy your guinea pig
- Has front and side doors for easy access and cleaning
- Deep base contains all the litter and debris contained inside
- Plastic base can be easily unlocked to change the litter
Something to Consider:
- The wire cage can bend easily if dropped
Petsfit Guinea Pig Cage
Honorable Mention
Removable Trays
This option’s claim to fame is its removable tray that allows you to easily clean and change the litter without disassembling the cage or bothering your pet. It comes with a ramp, a hiding place, and an elevated feeding area.
Why We Love It:
- Two hook-and-eye latches on the top and side keep it locked
- Easy access from the top or the side for petting or cleaning
- Wall guards at the bottom of the wire cage prevent the pet from pushing litter outside
- Painted with a safe and environmentally-friendly varnish
Something to Consider:
- Made of wood, which can retain urine odors
Aivituvin Guinea Pig Cage
Recommended
Two Separate Floors
This is the holy grail of cages. It features two floors that can be separated to house different pets or left open so your pet can live like a king. Each floor has its own leak-proof pull-out tray for easy cleaning.
Why We Love It:
- Four wheels with lockable brakes to move the cage and secure it in one spot
- Made of solid fir wood and does not have any toxic or harmful materials
- Sturdy and durable wire mesh walls allow for handing water bottles and feeders
- Comes with a metal hay feeder and a chewing toy
Something to Consider:
- Requires two people and some time to put together
