Guinea Pig Enclosures & Habitat Accessories
When shopping for guinea pig enclosures, you'll want to carefully consider the specific habits and needs of these active, friendly creatures. Chewy offers a variety of guinea pig enclosures along with all the guinea pig cage accessories you'll need to make your guinea pig cages feel like home. Here are a few things to consider before checking out new guinea pig habitats for your pets.
For starters, guinea pigs need a lot of space to run around in, as well as an adequately tall cage since they sometimes like to stand on their back legs. A minimum of 7.5 square feet of floor space is recommended for one or two guinea pigs, along with a height of 12 to 18 inches for adequate head space. Single-level cages are usually best, since guinea pigs prefer flat, open spaces and tend not to like heights. The best guinea pig habitats will be much bigger than the minimum and have a deep, solid floor pan, with chew-proof wire sides spaced closely enough to prevent escapes. A deep pan allows for lots of fresh bedding at the bottom and protects sensitive guinea pig feet from the injuries that a wire base can cause.
Be sure to choose a well-ventilated cage to avoid humidity, mold growth and odor build up. Terrariums and the like tend not to have enough airflow for guinea pigs, but you may be able to build or modify a cool DIY habitat for your guinea pig using appropriate materials and online tutorials. Rabbit habitats can also work well for guinea pigs if you make sure they meet certain size, material and comfort requirements.
You'll also want to give your guinea pigs lots of time outside of their enclosure, so check out some of the guinea pig hutches and playpens we have for both indoor and outdoor exercise and play. Outfit all your habitats with guinea pig hideouts and hideaways for rest and privacy and consider providing guinea pig bedding for burrowing and elimination in temporary play spaces, as well. And don't forget to give your piggies lots of guinea pig toys to keep them entertained wherever they are, guinea pigs need that extra stimulation to keep them mentally and physically healthy. Shop for all the guinea pig gear you need online at Chewy.com. You'll find the perfect guinea pig enclosures for your pets and everything that goes in them!
Frequently Asked Questions about Guinea Pig Enclosures & Habitat Accessories
What size enclosure does a guinea pig need?
One guinea pig needs an enclosure with a minimum or 7.5 square feet of floor space, which means a cage that measures roughly 30 x 36 inches. The MidWest Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Home provides 8 square feet of space and can be purchased with a handy divider to separate play and sleep areas. Cages for two or more guinea pigs should be closer to 10.5 square feet; the Ferplast Krolik 160 Rabbit & Guinea Pig Cage has almost exactly that and a deep pan for lots of fluffy bedding. Look for a cage height of 12-18 inches and avoid multi-level cages to avoid the risk of injury from falls, and always get the biggest cage you can reasonably manage to foster the mental and physical health of your guinea pigs.
Can a guinea pig enclosure be too big?
A guinea pig enclosure can never be too big for your pets because guinea pigs just love to run around and roam! Your home's size and budget constraints may dictate how big the enclosure you get can be, but you should always get the biggest guinea pig enclosure or hutch you can manage. Your pets will always appreciate the extra space and you may well save on vet bills by ensuring their physical and mental well-being with a larger enclosure.
Will guinea pigs use multi-level enclosures?
Guinea pigs will not use multi-level enclosures, generally speaking, as many are afraid of heights and will usually avoid ramps and platforms. Guinea pigs also run the risk of injury from falling in multi-level enclosures, so experts recommend sticking to single level enclosures. Choosing an enclosure with adequate floor space is the best way to give your pet room to run and play.