The 8 Best Guinea Pig Cages of 2023 | by The Spruce Pets

Our favorite guinea pig cage is the MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus , which includes a washable canvas bottom and a divider. It also folds flat for storage and travel. But there are several other guinea pig cages we also love.

The Humane Society of the United States recommends at least 7.5 square feet of uninterrupted space for one, while a pair needs at least 10.5 square feet. The majority of cages sold today don’t meet this criteria. Accessibility and materials are also important to consider.

“Size is one of the most important things to consider when selecting a guinea pig cage,” says Catherine Alliss , author of Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge and writer for Guinea Pig Magazine .

While there are some care guidelines to learn before getting your first guinea pig, when it comes to their habitats, it’s very simple: bigger is better.

The wire top opens fully for wide access while the sliding front door allows free movement between the habitat and play yard and keeps them secure when the play yard is not in use. A quick-clean plastic slide out bottom drawer makes bedding changes easier.

When fully expanded, this guinea pig habitat offers the most space of any cage in our list at 17.2 square feet. That’s because it comes with both a spacious rectangular cage habitat and a removable folding play yard. The habitat includes a shelf. Guinea pigs often prefer to eat slightly elevated on a platform and then hide and sleep under it. Two low ramps—one treaded and one fleece-lined—are included so your guinea pigs can move safely to and from the platform and play yard.

It comes with two large water bottles, two hay feeders, a feeding bowl and an elevated area for feeding and drinking. A wire divider is also included to create separate spaces as needed for cleaning and play. Read more in the FAQs about how to decide appropriate compatibility of the sexes in pairs and groups.

Guinea pigs tend to prefer to live in pairs or groups. Designed with wide front doors for quick cleaning and access, this cage includes a 5.5-inch-deep sturdy plastic base that detaches for smooth cleaning. With more than 10.5 feet of space, your guineas will have room to play.

The one downside to the Aivituvin is its soft wood construction, which your guinea pig may be tempted to gnaw on. While gnawing on wood is safe for your pigs, it may make your hutch look a little ratty over time. The best solution is to pay more attention to your guinea pig or pigs, since one of the primary reasons they chew on the enclosure is because of boredom. You can also use a bitter-apple or similar spray on the wood to discourage them from gnawing.

But maybe the best feature of the Aivituvin Guinea Pig Hutch is its three no-leak, pull-out trays, which makes cleaning really easy. The cage also has four casters so you can wheel the cage to different locations.

This attractive cage has a large first floor designed as a play area that is surrounded by sturdy wire mesh. An anti-slip ramp leads to a second-floor area that’s perfect for sleeping and hiding. Altogether, that’s 9.6 square feet of space to roam. Three large front-facing doors and a fold-up top offer ample access. Since the wire mesh openings are only 0.5 x 0.5 inches, your piglets will be protected from predators including the household cat while still appreciating good air circulation.

It includes a balcony with an access ramp. The tip-proof food dish is secured in place so your piglet can eat with a view without making a mess. Below the balcony is an enclosed cave that your pig will love to sleep and hide in. Each cage comes with a drip-proof water bottle and hay guard attached outside the habitat. This makes daily changes easier and leaves more open space inside the habitat. At 7.8 square feet of space, the extra-large cage is the minimum size for a pair of guinea pigs.

A secure cave or den is exactly where a guinea pig feels most at ease. The fold-up wire top runs the length of the cage so you have plenty of access in addition to the front side door. A durable, high-sided plastic bottom tub keeps bedding and droppings inside the cage and is no problem to clean.

Your guinea pigs will appreciate the 12.5 sq. ft. of room to wiggle. You’ll appreciate the added security of the high sides and the ability to connect more compatible Open Living habitats for even more room to romp. If you later decide you really need a top, Kaytee offers an optional one sold separately, as well as additional liners.

In homes without other animals and small children, it’s possible to house guinea pigs in a habitat without a roof. An open top makes for the easiest pet access, cleaning and feeding of all the cages in our list. The stable wire frame is and uses chew-proof latches for added security and safety. Ramps can be folded down. The durable, waterproof liner uses a quick clip system for smooth removal and cleaning.

Two acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic bottom trays are painless to remove and clean. Six legs raise this cage off the ground or floor offering good air flow for temperature and odor modulation.

This wooden hutch offers your guinea pig about 8.5 feet of space that includes a separate cozy sleeping and hiding area. The asphalt roof can be opened in two sections, with locking arms for effortless cleaning and access. The cage also has three doors: a wire front door, a solid wooden door to access the sleeping space and a third on the end of the unit. It’s also equipped with a handy feeding trough in the front so you can change food and water from the front. The sloping lid ensures water won’t leak in.

The hiding space under the balcony means you don’t need to add hiding houses, leaving more space for them to roam. Customers like the deep base because the height keeps bedding and droppings inside the cage for better hygiene and easier cleaning.

This sturdy, affordable guinea pig cage requires no tools to assemble and includes a non-drip water bottle, hay guard and a balcony with access ramp and tip-proof food dish. The jumbo size is about 9 square feet of space for your pig to explore. The hay holder mounts on the outside leaving even more space inside for play.

It’s also easy to double your guinea pigs’ space with the purchase of two, since they can be linked together to provide extra play and living space.

The Plus version includes a divider with a door that doubles as a ramp. This important feature keeps the cage cleaner by separating play and sleeping spaces. Compared to other cages the MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat is both lightweight and affordable for the amount of space it provides.

The cage also comes with a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC)-lined canvas bottom that is soft, leak-proof and washable. It’s important to avoid cages with wire bottoms with spaces where tiny feet and legs can get trapped or broken. Extra bottoms are available as a separate purchase.

With almost eight square feet of space, this top-rated guinea pig cage requires no tools to assemble. The versatile wire mesh top folds and is removable so you’ll have clear access when you need it and security when you don’t. Two side doors make changing water and food convenient.

Final Verdict

We like the MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus because its spacious, accessible, simple to clean and affordable. If your piglets go outside you’ll appreciate the Aivituvin Indoor Outdoor Wheeled Rabbit & Guinea Pig Hutch, a beautiful wooden cage on casters that’s a cinch to clean.

What To Look for in Guinea Pig Cages

Size and Bar or Grid Spacing

“Here are some questions to ask yourself when you’re ready to choose a cage that’s right for your situation,” begins Catherine Alliss, author of Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge and writer for Guinea Pig Magazine. “Does it meet at least the minimum size requirements on one level for the number of guinea pigs you plan to keep?”

The Humane Society of the United States recommends at least 7.5 square feet of uninterrupted space for one, and at least 10.5 square feet for a pair.

“Is the spacing between the bars or holes in the grids small enough that a young guinea pig will not be able to get stuck while trying to squeeze out?” asks Alliss. “Avoid cages with large spaces between the bars. It is easy for the curious guinea pig to stick their nose (and then the head) through larger gaps and become stuck. They will struggle to get out and injure themselves.”

Bars spaced one inch or less apart are small enough to prevent juvenile guinea pigs from getting stuck or escaping. Grids larger than about 1.5 inches (9 x 9) are considered unsafe because they could get their head or limbs stuck in the holes of larger grids.

“Also avoid any cages with wire or bars on the base. These will cause harm to your guinea pig’s feet,” adds Alliss.

Accessibility & Stability

“How easy is it for you to reach all areas to clean the cage and change the bedding?” asks Alliss. Look for cages that open on the top and the sides for comfort and ease.

If you’ll be moving your cage regularly, you’ll want to consider the sturdiness and structure of the cage. Choose one with casters if you’ll be pushing it outside often on nice days. Those with flexible frames often work better when placed in a corner or against a wall. Consider whether the pieces hold their structure when lifted. No one style is best. Choose the one that fits the location and portability that’s best for your situation.

Materials & Accessories

Guinea pig cages are made from a variety of materials including powder coated or galvanized wire bars, grids and frames, plastic and wood (often fir).

“Is the cage going to be easy to keep clean and free from debris, mold and odors?” asks Alliss. “For example, plastic is non-absorbent, easy to wipe and disinfect; wood will need to be treated or covered with something to make it waterproof. If not, it will absorb urine and quickly become stained and start to smell and gradually rot.”

“Avoid small cages where the minimum floor space required is split over multiple levels,” adds Alliss. Guinea pigs don’t like great heights so won’t likely climb to the upper levels of tall, multi-level cages. Two-story cages should have a ramp that’s not too steep. Instinctually, guinea pigs often prefer their sleeping space on the bottom story and their eating space slightly elevated.

In the wild, guinea pigs are prey of raptors, wolves, coyotes and snakes, so it’s in their nature to hide for a good part of the day. Consider the accessories that come with your cage. Is there a built-in cave or covered area for sleeping and hiding?

Feeding bowls should have a wide base and low sides to prevent tipping. The water bottle is important. If it leaks, your pigs could get dehydrated and die. Make sure its large enough for the number of guineas you have. Each piglet drinks between 50 and 300 mL of water each day.

FAQ

• How big do guinea pig cages need to be?

  “Ideally, a guinea pig cage should be as big as possible – most guinea pigs love to run (especially when they are young), so the more room they have to run and explore, the better,” Alliss told The Spruce Pets.

  “There are minimum suggested cage sizes, but readers should note that these are the minimum cage requirements, and it is always best to consider having a cage that is the next size up (or even bigger if you have the room),” explains Alliss. “The sizes below are fine for female guinea pigs, or a mixed herd of a neutered boar plus one or more sows. But if you plan on keeping two boars, then ideally they require double the space to allow them to have their own space, so 2 boars would really need a floor size suitable for four guinea pigs.”

  Recommended cage sizes are as follows:

  • 1 or 2 guinea pigs – 0.7m to 7.5ft, 2×3 grids
  • 3 guinea pigs – 0.98m to 10.5ft, 2×4 grids
  • 4 guinea pigs – 1.21m to 13ft, 2×5 grids
  • 5 guinea pigs – 1.49m to 16ft, 2×6 or 3×4 grids
  • Each additional guinea pig requires an extra – 0.28m, 3ft, 1 extra grid on the length

  “Remember,” adds Alliss. “Although the minimum cage sizes look quite generous when completely empty, once you start adding in hideys (at least one for each guinea pig), food dishes, hay piles, and other cute cage accessories, the amount of available floor space for the guinea pigs to use is reduced considerably.”

• What is the best bedding for guinea pig cages?

  “There are many different options available for guinea pig bedding. They all have pros and cons, and it is really down to the individual personal preference on bedding choice,” says Alliss. “

  Consider these things when choosing bedding:

  Comfort: Bedding should be comfortable to walk and lie on. Anything harsh or abrasive will make their feet sore and potentially lead to a nasty infection.

  Location: The choice of bedding will depend on whether your guinea pigs will be inside or outdoors (this is common in the UK where the climate is temperate).

  Fabric bedding like fleece, vetbed, etc. is not recommended for use in hutches as it gets damp quickly, and doesn’t provide much insulation and warmth for colder days.

  Absorbency: Bedding needs to be very absorbent, so that any urine is immediately absorbed and does not hang about to irritate the skin of the feet or the tummy.

  Non-toxic: Bedding should be non-toxic and have no adverse effects on contact with guinea pigs; and if it is a man-made product, it should be something that your guinea pigs are not tempted to nibble or chew on.

  Dust free: Having dust-free bedding will reduce respiratory problems and allergies.

  Cost: Take into account not only the initial purchase costs, but also ongoing costs associated with, for example laundering of reusable bedding.

  Environmental impact: All types of bedding have some impact on the environment.

• Do guinea pig cages need tops?

  “It is a good idea to have a top on the cage, for a number of reasons,” says Alliss. “Some guinea pigs can jump, and some can climb, so by having a top you can prevent any nasty accidents with guinea pigs falling out of the cage (especially if the cage is raised off the ground). A top also provides protection against foreign objects falling into the cage and either injuring your guinea pig, or your guinea pig then chewing or eating something they shouldn’t. Check the Guinea Pig Forum for a lot of useful information on housing and bedding.”

Why Trust The Spruce?

This piece was researched and written by Lorraine Wilde who has been a dedicated pet lover for the past 35 years. When researching each product and brand, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of each product, customer reviews, the company’s research and development and their business ethics. Lorraine also holds a Master’s degree in environmental science. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets and our planet.

 Catherine Alliss has more than 15 years’ experience of keeping and breeding guinea pigs, and is one of the team of experts who regularly write for Guinea Pig Magazine. She is an administrator of an active Facebook group for guinea pigs (The Guinea Pig Room), and in 2021 she wrote and published a book – Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge, all proceeds of which are donated to two UK-based guinea pig rescues (Gertie’s Lonely Guinea Pig Rescue and Oaklands Rodent Rescue).