Indoor cages for guinea pigs: space on the ground

A guinea pig lives on the floor. Guinea pigs hardly climb, but they love to run, explore and dash from one house to another. Sometimes they even make little jumps for joy. So for an indoor cage, one thing counts above all: floor space. A long, wide enclosure with low sides suits a guinea pig better than a tall cage with several levels. And because guinea pigs should always live in at least a pair, the enclosure must offer room for several animals, each with its own hiding place.

In this category you will find cages with a plastic base, expandable enclosures and wooden guinea pig hutches for indoor use. The bigger the enclosure, the better. See a cage from the shop as the minimum basis and, on top of that, preferably give your guinea pigs extra running space every day. We furnish our enclosures with a thick layer of bedding and unlimited Zooply hay, our own premium brand.

In short

• ✓ Choose by floor space, not by height: guinea pigs hardly climb.
• ✓ The bigger, the better; an expandable enclosure grows along with your group.
• ✓ Place the cage free from draughts, out of the sun, not next to the radiator or near the TV and speakers.
• ✓ Provide at least one hiding place per guinea pig, preferably houses with two exits.
• ✓ Only use upper levels with a gentle, wide ramp; steep steps are not suitable.

What will you find in the Indoor Hutches & Cages category?

Cages with a plastic base

A cage with a plastic base and a removable or fold-up wire top is practical: the base keeps the bedding inside and is easy to clean. From Ferplast you will find the Rabbit 120 (118 × 58.5 × 51.5 cm, grey) and the Krolik in two lengths: 142 × 60 × 50 cm and 162 × 60 × 50 cm, in red. From De Boon there are two cages in grey/black, of about 120 × 60 × 40 cm and 140 × 70 × 45 cm. For two guinea pigs, the longer models are the better choice. For 120 cm Ferplast enclosures there is also a stand on wheels, so the cage sits at a comfortable height and is easy to move.

Expandable enclosures

The Modular enclosures from Ferplast come in 144 × 72 × 56 cm (about 1.03 m²) and 179 × 72 × 56 cm (about 1.3 m²). With the Modular extension set (40 × 72 × 56 cm) you can make an existing Modular enclosure longer. The Ferplast wire cage with tarpaulin (140.5 × 140.5 × 59.5 cm) gives about 2 m² of living space and has a waterproof floor. The Zolux Neopark is a modular enclosure made of panels; the guinea pig version measures 105 × 105 × 35 cm, and there is also a taller rabbit version of 140 × 105 × 70 cm. From Savic you will find a corner enclosure of 148 × 50 × 63.5 cm and a long enclosure of 200 × 50 × 63.5 cm with a removable roof.

Wooden guinea pig hutches

Wooden enclosures look attractive in the home and create a calm, sheltered atmosphere. The Ferplast guinea pig hutch on wheels, made of FSC-certified pine, has a Plexiglas front and can be connected to other models. The large wooden hutch on wheels from Trixie (150 × 50 × 60 cm) offers lots of length. The Ferplast wooden indoor hutch of 129 × 70 × 104.5 cm in a pastel colour has two levels. The guinea pig hutch with levels from Trixie (114 × 30 × 74 cm) has a Plexiglas front, but at 30 cm deep it is narrow: the floor area is limited, so see it more as part of a larger set-up than as a complete enclosure for two guinea pigs.

Why floor space matters more than height

Guinea pigs are built for life on the ground. They have short legs, a fairly heavy body and do not like jumping down. A fall from an upper level can injure a guinea pig. That is why extra levels count for only a little. If an enclosure has a second level, provide a wide, gentle ramp with a non-slip surface and a rim, so that nobody can slide off.

So when comparing cages, look above all at length × width. A long enclosure gives room to run; a wide enclosure gives room to avoid each other. With a group of guinea pigs that is important: even when they get on well, a guinea pig sometimes wants to be alone for a while. Every extra guinea pig needs extra space. If you want more space without buying a new cage, the expandable enclosures or a run as daily exercise space are a good solution.

The right spot in the house

Guinea pigs are easily startled and sensitive to temperature. Put the indoor cage in a room where there is some life during the day, so your guinea pigs get used to sounds and people, but not in the busiest spot. Avoid draughts, such as near an outside door or a window that is often open. Do not put the cage in full sun in front of a window: guinea pigs cope badly with heat, and above roughly 25 °C it quickly becomes too warm. Also do not put it directly next to the radiator, or next to a TV or speakers; guinea pigs have good hearing and are startled by loud noises and vibrations.

A cage on a platform or stand has advantages: you can see your guinea pigs better, it is easier on your back when cleaning and the cage is out of the cold draught along the floor. If the cage stands on the floor, make sure other pets cannot get at it and that there is no cold floor underneath.

How to set up a guinea pig cage

Start with a thick layer of low-dust, absorbent bedding. Give each corner a function: a hay rack with fresh hay, a place for the food bowl, a water bottle and several hiding places. Guinea pigs are prey animals and only feel safe when they can hide somewhere. Provide at least one house per guinea pig, preferably one extra. Houses with two exits are ideal: a guinea pig can then always escape and never gets cornered.

Leave enough free running space between the items. A tunnel or bed adds variety and an extra hiding spot. Guinea pigs usually choose a few regular wee and poo corners themselves. Put the hay rack just next to them, not in them, and the hay stays dry and they will happily eat from it.

An enclosure for a group

If you keep three or more guinea pigs, or want to expand later, choose an enclosure that can grow with you right away. The Ferplast Modular enclosures and the Zolux Neopark can be expanded, and the Ferplast wire cage with tarpaulin gives a lot of space in one go. In a group there is always a pecking order. With enough space, several feeding spots, two hay spots and one house per guinea pig, things stay calm. If you see one guinea pig being chased all the time, the enclosure is often too small or there are too few hiding places.

Cleaning

Remove wet patches and dirty bedding every day or every other day. Replace all of the bedding at least once a week, or more often with a large group. Rinse a cage with a plastic base with warm water; sweep wooden enclosures clean and keep them as dry as possible. Let everything dry thoroughly before you put down new bedding. A well-ventilated and clean cage prevents a strong urine smell.

Useful combinations

An indoor cage only becomes a home with the right furnishings:

• Bedding: a low-dust, absorbent floor as the basis of every enclosure.
• Hay: unlimited Zooply hay, the staple food of every guinea pig.
• Houses: at least one hiding place per guinea pig, preferably with two exits.
• Hay racks: keeps the hay clean and dry in the enclosure.
• Runs: extra running space alongside the indoor cage.

Frequently asked questions about indoor cages for guinea pigs

How big should an indoor cage for two guinea pigs be?

As big as you can fit. Look at the floor space: an enclosure of well over a square metre, such as the Ferplast Modular enclosures, gives two guinea pigs room to run and to avoid each other. See a cage of around 120 cm long as the minimum basis and then give extra running space every day in a run or a fenced-off area.

Is a cage with levels suitable for guinea pigs?

Only if the floor space downstairs is already roomy enough, and if the upper level can be reached via a wide, gentle ramp. Guinea pigs hardly climb and can hurt themselves in a fall. An upper level is a bonus, never a replacement for floor space.

Can guinea pigs and rabbits live together in one cage?

We advise against it. Rabbits and guinea pigs communicate differently, eat different food and have a different temperament. A rabbit can accidentally injure a guinea pig. Guinea pigs need the company of other guinea pigs, and rabbits of other rabbits.

Is a wooden hutch or a cage with a plastic base better?

Both can work well. A cage with a plastic base is easy to clean and well ventilated. A wooden enclosure feels sheltered and looks attractive in the home, but you have to keep it dry and it needs more maintenance. Choose what suits your space and your way of cleaning, and pay particular attention to the floor space.

Where is the best place to put the guinea pig cage?

In a room with a stable temperature, without draughts, out of the sun and away from the radiator. A lively living room works well, as long as the cage is not next to the TV or speakers. A cold shed or attic is not a good indoor location.

Indoor cages for guinea pigs at Knaagplaza

At Knaagplaza, the webshop of 't Knaagplein, you choose an indoor cage that suits the way guinea pigs live: roomy, low and easy to furnish. Fill it with a thick layer of bedding and unlimited Zooply hay, our own premium brand that we use every day for our own guinea pigs. That way your guinea pigs have a calm, safe home base.