The Cage
One of the most important factors in creating an appropriate habitat for your guinea pigs is space. The bigger cage you can provide the better! The minimum size requirement for one guinea pig is 7.5 square feet, with at least 1 extra square foot per additional guinea pig. Most pet store cages designed for rabbits and guinea pigs are terribly inadequate for these little creatures, and at the same time are very costly. Guinea pigs require good ventilation, so aquariums and plastic topped cages are not acceptable housing choices. Wire bottomed cages are also dangerous for guinea pigs, as they can cause serious injury to their delicate feet.
Cages made from sheets of corrugated plastic and wire cubes (Creative Cubes or Neat Idea Cubes can be found at Walmart, Costco, Loblaws..) are highly recommended. This type of cage is very affordable, easy to assemble and offer your guinea pigs ample space to play and exercise. A bonus with a larger cage is that it is easier to keep clean! For more information on how to build a creative cube cage, as well as size recommendations.
Click here for cage ideas
Bedding
The bottom of the cage should be covered with 1 or 2 inches of one of the recommended bedding and will need to be cleaned every few days, depending on how many guinea pigs there are in the cage and how large the cage is.
Fleece bedding is another option for guinea pigs that they seem to enjoy very much. It is fairly easy to keep clean, as long as you have access to laundry facilities, and you avoid the mess and smell of shavings. We have some guinea pigs that must live on fleece bedding due to sensitive systems and feet (our skinny pigs all live on fleece bedding). One of our homes uses a layer or two of crib blankets as a base covered with multiple layers of fleece blankets. Another home prefers using puppy training pads as a base with the layers of fleeces on top, and yet another uses towels as a base. There are many variations to try, the success of each depending on the needs of each home. The bottom line is - fleece is great!
Never Use Cedar as there are aromatic hydrocarbons in them which can cause upper respiratory problems in them.
Click her for some safe bedding ideas
What You Need In The Cage
Water Bottles
Water bottles come with a sipper tube and a ball bearing, which are ideal for guinea pigs. Attach the bottle so its in easy reach for your guinea pig. Change the water every day by emptying all the water out and replace with fresh water. Twice weekly, thoroughly wash the bottles with a bottle brush. This helps to keep the bottles clean and free of algae. If you have a build up of algae, then the bottles aren't kept clean enough. If the algae appears quickly, then the bottles are getting too much sunlight, so position the cage in a more shaded area. Check the spout is clean and isn't blocked. Also check the ball bearing to see if its working properly.
Bowls
Always use a heavy ceramic food bowl so it can't be tipped over. These days, there are many lovely guinea pig bowls for sale. Now its not only cats and dogs who have posh bowls, but guinea pigs, rabbits and other smaller pets too. Remember everyday to wash the bowl, rinse and dry well before adding fresh pellets.
Hay Rack
I personally have never used a hay rack for my guinea pigs. I change their hay daily and the hay in the bedding area is changed two or even three times a day, so they always have fresh hay to graze on. I've never encountered any problems not using a hay rack. However, I imagine they are fun to use for a guinea pig. Reaching up to grab a strand of hay and having a tug of war with it, would be great exercise and lots of fun.
Guinea Pig Houseing
Below are some ideas on housing for your guinea pig and how much space they require