Guinea Pig Cages
You can have a lot of fun getting your guinea pig’s habitat ready for him before you even bring him home. Get your children and spouse involved in creating a colorful, healthy environment for your pet! There are many guinea pig cages to choose from, and some containers should be specifically avoided.
First, let’s look at the ones you don’t want: Good guinea pig cages never have exposed wire mesh on the bottom. There should be no wiring, shelves, or ramps, because they can catch their feet on them and injure their pads. Never use plastic tubs or aquariums. Avoid anything that will prevent adequate ventilation or limit his view of the world around him.
Many old-fashioned breeders will tell you that guinea pig cages do not need to be larger than two to four square feet. This simply is no longer true! A cage that small is nothing more than a litter box, and you are forcing your pet to live in his own waste. You need a roomy environment so that he gets adequate exercise and enjoys his world.
The best guinea pig cages are made from cubes and Coroplast, also known as C&C. You generally buy the cubes in packages of 14 grids, which are made of coated wire; connectors are included so that you can put them together. The grids measure about 14 inches, and the little square openings should be no wider than 1.5 inches. Check the product carefully before you buy or order it, because while most of them follow those dimensions there are some with slightly wider square openings that are dangerous to little feet. As you become skillful with your cage design, you might even want to add a level so your pet feels like a world traveler.
The Coroplast is actually the trade name for a corrugated plastic product. The best thickness is 4mm (.15 inches). Anything thicker than a quarter inch (6.35 mm) won’t hurt your pet, but it’s difficult to work with it when you’re creating your cage. You need to line the bottom of the cage with this product, and you should have walls that extend up about six inches. Tape the pieces of Coroplast together for a seamless, safe lining to your cage.
Using C&C, guinea pig cages should measure two by three grids for one pet and two by four for two pets. Add one additional grid length for each additional pet. You can use other cage types as long as they are smooth-bottomed. They also must allow your pet to see and provide good airflow. Buy a 5×7 table to use as a sturdy base, or rest some shelving low on the floor near a cheery window.
The next step is to give it good flooring. Some people use fleece, although this will require regular washing. Others use a commercially marketed flooring product, aspen shavings, or oven-dried pine, to a depth of one to one-and-a-half inches. Any surface in the cage where he’ll walk, including ramps from one level to another, should be covered to keep his feet safe.
Of course all good guinea pig cages contain a floor plan, and so you can install a small covered box for his bedroom. Some people use a plastic cube to color coordinate with the Coroplast. Even if he doesn’t sleep there, he’ll want a place where he can huddle sometimes just to feel secure.
Inside the cage, attach a water bottle and add a bottom-heavy dish for his pellets so that he can’t tip it over. If you like, you can install an extra shelf for his Timothy hay.
Clean the cage about once a week, or more if you can smell an odor. Use a mixture of half water, half white vinegar.
Guinea pig cages should never be placed outdoors. These little animals do not have the constitution to withstand Nature’s sometimes-harsh elements! And you should not hide them away in somebody’s bedroom. Children often develop allergies from sleeping in close proximity to these cages. But most importantly, if you don’t put the cage in a well-trafficked area of your home, your guinea pig will be lonely and forgotten. Keep his cage, and him, out where he can be a part of the family. You will enjoy one another’s company!
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