Your Guinea Pig's Cage



For Guinea Pigs, choosing a cage is very important. It has to be well-ventilated, roomy, the right temperature, the right bedding, and the right floor.

A cage needs to be between three and ten square feet for each Guinea Pig; if the cage is too big, the Guinea Pigs will be scared.
Ventilation is very important in a Guinea Pig habitat. The enclosure needs to be between 65 and 75 degrees fahrenheit as well, although Guinea Pigs tolerate the cold better than heat.
Make sure the cage is away from direct sunlight. Heat exhaustion and stroke represent real risks for a Guinea Pig.

Never use a wire-bottom cage for a Guinea Pig. It may seem easier to clean, but it can injure Guinea Pigs' soft feet. Don't buy designer cages, either; the are only marketed to humans, and don't pay any attention to the Cavy's needs. Another popular choice is building your own cage out of wood or plastic. Be careful not to use any toxic materials; Guinea Pigs will often chew on their cage walls.

Every Guinea Pig needs these things; a hiding place, a bowl of food and a fresh water-bottle, chewing toys and cage bedding.
A hiding place is for a Guinea Pig to go when it feels insecure or scared. A hiding place can be made out of an old box or can be purchased. Watch out though; Guinea pigs chew on that, too!
The food dish should be heavy, so it won't be tipped over, and it also should be non-toxic. Plastic bowls are often too light, and are chewed easily. Make sure the dish is small, or your Guinea Pig may use it as a litter box!
Never, ever use store-bought bedding! It usually contains fragrance, which is toxic to Guinea Pigs. Cedar and kitty litter are also bad. Kiln-dried pine, or all-natural specialty bedding, is a better choice.
Guinea Pigs need things to keep them interested; this is the perfect time to use your imagination! A piece of PVC pipe is fun to crawl in, and tennis balls are fun. Be creative! However, make sure that nothing you give to a Guinea Pig is toxic. Also, don't buy the wheels at the pet store; they will hurt your Guinea Pig.



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