Best* Guinea Pig Cages of 2023

There is no best guinea pig cage for all cavies or all pet parents. However, there are several good guidelines to follow when choosing one. The most important guideline is to invest in large guinea pig cages that provide enough space for your guinea pig to move, play and exercise.

Guinea pigs are one of the largest animals of the rodent family and they need room to stretch their legs. If their habitat is too small, your cavie could grow bored or depressed and may even develop certain health conditions—including heart disease, diabetes or bumblefoot. A habitat for a single guinea pig should be a minimum of 7.5 square feet. Two guinea pigs should ideally have 10.5 square feet of habitat space. The size of the habitat should increase for each additional guinea pig you add.

A good guinea pig cage will also include enough space to create different areas within the habitat. Guinea pigs usually do best when they have separate spaces for nesting, playing and eating, as well as a separate bathroom area.

Additionally, make sure the habitat offers good ventilation. Choose a habitat with a wire bar top. If you don’t have other pets that could consider your guinea pigs to be prey, you can even have an open-top habitat—as long as the bottom is deep enough.

To make life easier for you, consider selecting a guinea pig habitat with water-proof flooring. Many habitats also include easily detachable tops which can make cleaning the habitat and interacting with your pet easier.

Finally, glass aquariums and plastic tubs are not considered an appropriate habitat for guinea pigs. You’ll also want avoid guinea pig habitats with wire flooring. Your cavie’s small feet could get stuck between the bars, injuring your pet’s leg.

Guinea pigs require a lot of space to move and exercise. If you don’t have a lot of horizontal space to spare, are multi-level guinea pig cages a good idea? It depends. Unlike many of their other rodent cousins, guinea pigs don’t climb or jump very well. If you do invest in a tall guinea pig cage, make sure to add low and wide ramps with a gentle incline to the habitat. The right type of ramps can allow your guinea pigs to take advantage of vertical platforms. This can encourage your cavies to move and exercise more. You can also put their food and water dishes on an upper platform to prevent their bedding from getting into the bowls.

Of course, even if you choose to bring home a multi-level guinea pig habitat for your pet, the emphasis should still be on providing as much floor space as possible. Guinea pigs feel most comfortable on the ground. This is also why it is a good idea to take your guinea pig out of their habitat every day for some roaming time. Not only is this an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your pet, but it also gives them more exercise and mental stimulation.

When determining where to place your guinea pig habitat, the recommended solution is to find a place where your pets will be as secure and comfortable as possible. Placing your guinea pig habitat on the floor can be a good choice if you can provide a secure environment for your pet. This will also likely allow you to invest in a larger habitat if you want to buy a guinea pig cage for two. However, if you have small children in the home or any pets—like cats or dogs—that may see your guinea pigs as prey, then you’ll want to keep your cavie habitat out of their reach.

Other things to consider when finding the right spot for your guinea pig habitat are to avoid placing them in areas with a lot of noise, which can cause your cavies stress. Keep their habitats out of the laundry room and away from speakers. Guinea pigs can’t sweat and are susceptible to heat stroke, so keep their habitat away from heating vents, windows with direct sunlight or the fireplace. Finally, keep in mind that guinea pigs are social creatures and enjoy being part of the family. Consider keeping them in a family room where they can be part of the action. Just remember that guinea pigs—like you—need down time. Wherever you place their habitat, provide quiet time each day so your cavies can relax.