Guinea Pig Care
2. Cage, Habitat - Minimum Size 10 Sq Ft (0.9 sq. m)
Guinea Pigs need a minimum of 10 Square feet living space (0.9 sq meters ) more is better. At the L.A. Guinea Pig Rescue we recommend the C&C cage that you build yourself using the organizing grids (cubes) and a sheet of corrugated plastic. (coroplast) This method is easy to assemble, inexpensive, and easy to clean and maintain.
Before we get into cage building, a SERIOUS WORD OF WARNING. Let's talk about guinea pigs and other pets. Dogs and cats should be taken into consideration if you're going to adopt guinea pigs and where to set up your cage. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard horror stories people have told me about how their dog killed their guinea pigs. A door was left open and a dog came in and ripped their sweet little guinea pigs to pieces. I imagine the fear and the pain in the last moments of the sweet little guinea pig's lives, and the sadness and trauma that their owners will carry for the rest of their lives.
Even the sweetest dog has a prey drive. I do not blame these animals because it is their nature. But it is our responsibility to protect all our pets even if it is from each other. Cats also can harm or scare your guinea pigs. The list of pets that could be harmful to guinea pig goes on and on. Rats could hurt them, rabbits also could accidentally hurt them and should not be housed with Guinea pigs. Guinea pig should not be housed with any other animals. This is a warning that you must take seriously. I have warned people personally about the dangers their dogs posed to their guinea pigs and they promised to be diligent. And then I get the sad message that their dog killed their guinea pigs. This has happened so many times in the more than 10 years I have volunteered at the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue. Consider this my dire warning to you. Please for the sake of your guinea pigs, take every precaution to keep them safe.
I've made a video about how to make a C&C cage. It is very straightforward and simple, but there are a few steps you want to get "just right" or you may have to start over or "fix" your mistakes. Please watch the entire video and pay attention to the details, so you won't waste your time and money by cutting in the wrong place or the wrong size. I cover all the "GOTCHAS" so that you don't get frustrated redoing the construction after a miscalculation. It sounds intense, but your C&C cage can be built in less than an hour, even if you get fancy with your design. Also, C&C cages are easy to modify and expand. Here's my "How to Make a Good C&C Cage" (The Right Way!)
To Build a Guinea Pig C&C Cage you will need:
1 giant piece of corroplast. Located at home/ hardware stores, It needs to be big enough for the floor & sides. (48" X 96" makes up to 2X5) Watch the video for instructions.
A Package of Grids. A 2X4 cage requires 12 grids. 8 grids for the front and back + 2 for each side(4 grids) and so on (zip-ties required) A 2X3 cage requires 10 grids.
6 grids for the front and back + 2 for each side (4 grids)
Please note GRIDS ARE 14" NOT 12" - A 2X4 = 10 Sq Ft.
GuineaPigCagesStore.com has all the components to make your own customized cage!
We recommend Kiln Dried Pine Shavings or Fleece bedding. Never use Cedar Shavings!
You can try making your own fleece pads, or support a Guinea Pig Fleece shop like The Plush Piggie, Piggy Central, The Piggy Pantry AndyPiggiesShop or Lucy's Cozys.
In the UK check out Toffee Apple Studios and CandE Cosies.
Clicking the links & buying your supplies helps Scotty's Animals! and my supporters. Many of these links are for Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank You for helping support my rescue efforts, fostering volunteering and Care videos!
The original inventors & creators
of C&C Cages provide the best environment for your guinea pigs, and are FAST and EASY to set up!
YOU CAN EVEN GET A LID!
Made in the USA with durable materials, lots of color & design choices, that fit ANY size space.
The BEST cages you can buy, AND they're more affordable than other brands. Compare for yourself!
FAST EASY CAGE SET UP
GuineaPigCagesStore.com makes High Quality Pre Made C&C Cages
Spend less time building and more time playing with your guinea pigs!
Check out ALL the Cage Set-Up Supplies in one place on my Amazon Storefront!
I can no longer recommend a cage that's less than 10 sq ft for a pair of guinea pigs. Guinea pigs shouldn't live alone, but single pigs living side by side can thrive in the midwest or a similar 2ft X 4 ft cage.
Fleece Bedding placed and changed strategically should also keep the canvas clean. I recommend having a larger fleece pad and then placing smaller pads under hideys or in kitchen and bathroom areas. These smaller pieces can be swapped out daily and washed in a large load at the end of the week.
Keep in mind with the right bedding, and regular (weekly) cleaning, the canvas should stay relatively clean. The right amount of Kiln Dried Pine Shavings is 2-3 inches deep after its been patted down.
A great portable cage option is the Kaytee Open Living Pet Guinea Pig or Rabbit Habitat, 60" x 30" It is sturdy and well made.
That's why I made my own Hay Rack! Its on my Etsy Shop and has tons of 5 Star Reviews. Made in the USA, its all natural and 100% Guinea Pig SAFE! Watch this video all about it. Buy it HERE
Hideys help your piggies feel safe & secure. Here's 2 that I love.
Are You Using Fleece Bedding Properly?
Skinnypigs1, the YouTube channel has great ideas about fleece & FULL Cage Cleaning Videos. Are You Using Fleece Bedding Properly?
Watch This Video below!
Pest Control
I love ALL animals and believe that they all deserve respect. The only animal I have ever had real trouble with is cockroaches. Ant invasions are usually weather or garbage related and the big American cockroaches only come in for a reason too. Its the small German cockroaches that can hitch a ride on a paper bag or cardboard box and they come in to stay and multiply. They infest a place and spread everywhere. I tried exactly EVERYTHING at Home Depot to get rid of them with no luck. A friend recommended Advion to me and within a week, my cockroach problem was gone!
Now anytime I see someone buying roach stuff, I humbly recommend Advion. It is toxic to small pets but it can be applied in small doses in places your pets cannot reach. The roaches eat it, share it and the whole colony dies. Repeat in a few weeks incase any eggs hatch or stragglers remain. This works 100%
Ants are NO JOKE! While they don't usually eat Guinea Pig Food or Poop, when it gets hot they still might make trails through the cage space. I have found success getting rid of ants using these items.
