Habitats for Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pig Cage Size Standards
| Minimum size | # of Guinea Pigs * | Preferred size | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Grids | Size | Area | Grids | Size | |
| 7.5 sq ft | 2x3 grids | 27" x 41" |  |
10.5 sq ft | 2x4 grids | 27" x 56" |
| 7.5 sq ft | 2x3 grids | 27" x 41" | |
10.5 sq ft | 2x4 grids | 27" x 56" |
| 10.5 sq ft | 2x4 grids | 27" x 56" | |
13 sq ft | 2x5 grids | 27" x 71" |
| 13 sq ft | 2x5 grids | 27" x 71" | |
16 sq ft | 2x6 grids | 27" x 84" |
* for male pairs or groups of all males, go up one cage size
* you should almost always adopt two non-breeding guinea pigs, not just one. They are happier and healthier in pairs or more.
Note: A Grid is LARGER than a foot! 2x3 grids is LARGER than 2x3 feet!
Thanks to www.guineapigcagestore.com for the Guinea Pig Cage Size Standards.
BuildYour Own Guinea Pig Housing
A popular choice for guinea pig housing is a cage made from C&C grids and coroplast. These cages improve your contact with your piggies. They are easy to clean. They are easy to reconfigure or enlarge. BUNS usually has a supply of C&C grids for sale if you want to build your own cage. You can find examples of cages for sale here: www.guineapigcagesstore.com and www.kavecage.net
Other Housing Options
The Guinea Pig Habitat by Midwest is large enough for 1 or 2 piggies. A second Midwest Habitat can be attached to double the size. The extra large Living World Deluxe Habitat is another option for 1 or 2 piggies. These are available online at Amazon.
Hay Feeder
Guinea pigs need a lot of hay. The bigger your hay feeder the better. You can find hay feeders on Etsy or on www.guineapigmarket.com .
Hay
BUNS sell timothy hay by the flake for $5.00. Hay is on the shelter porch 24/7. La Cumbre Feed sells blue bags of timothy hay.
Pellets
Plain green guinea pig pellets are the best. We like Oxbow Adult or Young guinea pig pellets. Science Selective also makes a good pellet. Avoid feeding pellets mixed with seeds, dried fruit and vegetables.
Bowls
A small straight sided ceramic bowl about 3” across and 2.5” high is ideal for pellets. Water bowls should be at least twice as wide and 2.5 to 3” high. You can find these on Amazon as well or sometimes you will have something that works in your kitchen.
Water Bottle
All water bottles leak, but they are an option. Keep an eye on the water level.
Floor Covering
Habitat floors can be covered with fleece or with a paper litter. People like fleece because they can roll it up, shake it over the garbage and toss in the wash. Other people like litter which needs to be swept or scooped out and replaced. Paper litter can be found in pet stores. Fleece can be purchased on www.guineapigmarket.com or on Etsy.
Hideouts
Each of your guinea pigs will need at least one place to hide. A hideout can be a small wooden house, a woven straw house, a fleece cuddle cup or tunnel, a plastic igloo or plastic walk up barn or a flexible wood hideout. These can be found on Amazon, www.guineapigmarket.com or Etsy.
Toys and Treats
Guinea pigs need chew toys. Wicker balls, willow sticks, apple branches, etc. Toys that can be tossed, hanging toys that can be tugged can be fun. Oxbow and Small Pet Select make tasty, healthy, fiber filled treats.
Amazon Smile
Shop on Amazon Smile and make Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter your charity. Amazon will make a donation to BUNS with each of your purchases. Thank you!