Guinea pig cage - is this ok?

[chocolateroses]

Would this be ok for two guinea pigs? Should I get one that's double story?

HERITAGE RABBIT CAGE 100 CM INDOOR LARGE BUNNY HUTCH GUINEA PIG CAGES VRB-100 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EJJQRN2/ref=cmswwrwaaapiii_y-pSCbFJJG1QT

The minimum for 2 piggies is 120cm x 60cm so id say it would be too small

I’d recommend this:
www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/120_cm_cages/14083

Or even the 140cm version/160cm version

OP, that's far too small and really quite cruel.

It's too small. The guineas will be cramped. That affects their health, natural behaviours and social well-being.
THey thrive with much more space.

Unless they will be spending most of their time in an outside pen, that's far too small, sorry.

The minimum space should also be on one level, it can’t be split between two levels. Also some pigs will use ramps fine and others won’t. If you do choose a multi-storey cage make sure any ramps aren’t too steep and they can’t fall off so you could maybe add side or a tunnel etc.

It is great that you’re considering a pair though, guinea pigs shouldn’t live alone and you’re being responsible asking for advice first

I had the 140 cm zooplus cage for my two boars, but it looked too small once they'd reached adult size so I got a two-storey hutch.

@Blompitude
I agree it is probably too small for adult boars. My girls currently have a 140 added onto another 140 with the add-on tray removed so about 240 in total and I’m hoping to add to it

Thanks all, we are just researching first. I have never had a guinea pig before so want to be sure we get the right stuff.

Today I emailed and now have the number of a rescue centre I'm going to call them on Monday so they can give me extra advice, but I'm pretty excited and can't resist a window shop.

Are there any websites you would recommend that give great advice to be a good guinea pig owner?

I’d recommend some of the Facebook groups for advice to be honest!

Which aspects would you like advice on?

@SqueakyPigs thanks so much for the link, I like that one. Would that be ok for them to live in for long stretches of time?

I imagine during the colder months we will keep them inside in the cage. But during the summer and warmer months, they can go outside in our shed with a run.

Would this one be ok too for living in!?
https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/smallpets/hutchesscages/rabbitcage/1400cm_cages/570170

How much space do you have as the 160cm one is currently the same price, I think!
And are you planning/hoping to get sows or boars? Males need more space to prevent fighting.

A 140cm cage should be fine for females, especially at first and if they will have a few hours of lap time/time in a playpen during the evenings. A run outside for summer months is a great idea too, providing it is Fox/cat etc proof!

@SqueakyPigs just the basics really. Things they can/can't eat etc. I've already learnt a lot in a quick google and this one thread so wonder what other info I'm missing.

The cage I posted has great reviews on Amazon saying it's huge so I'm pleased I posted here first to check!

We want to get two females xx

Happy cavy is a website that has a safe foods list but there are multiple lists out there and do vary slightly.

I’d stay away from iceberg lettuce as it’s not good for them but otherwise they need plenty of greens and vitamin C (peppers are a great source!).

Try to feed more veggies than fruit as the sugar content in fruit is much higher so keep fruit as an occasional treat.

They need unlimited hay too, spread across the cage floor is best to allow them to hide in it and encourage them to eat more. Don’t use hay balls as they can get their head stuck which can be fatal!

Females should be great as starter pigs! Have you considered the type of bedding you will use?

I bought an almost identical cage (it was longer though) and it became very clear very quickly that it was waaaaay too small.

My boys were still small so I thought it'd be okay but once you put in a hidey space each, a tunnel, and a hay area theres literally no room left.

We now have a c&c style cage and there's room for muliple tunnels and hidey spaces, and a bunk bed and just room to zoom!

My boys also got BIG and that cage wouldnt even work for 1 of them. Such fat bottomed beasts!

The guinea pig forum (thats its actual name) has been a great source of info. They have a couple of threads with hundreds of photos of store bought cages and c&c style one and I got loads of ideas from there.

Also look at which food you’ll feed. Pellets are recommended over the muesli type as it means they get everything they need and don’t just pick out the tasty bits

I use burgess with mint and find it to be good with a high vitamin C content. They also make healthy treats which are safe too (some treats sold in pet shops really aren’t safe).

I agree with PP about the guinea pig forum! Totally forgot all about that

They all look way too small. Our pigs have a 6ft X 3ft wooden hutch (2 storey) and a 12ft by 6ft run on the lawn connected by a tube/tunnel, there is a thermal jacket on the hutch.

All in it cost £450 and for 2 pigs I'd consider anything smaller a bit cramped, ours are 2 years old and the size of very small dogs.

Also plan to have them outdoors, as, despite being lovely, they stink big time.

We have a C&C cage. Much easier to have it open topped to be able to clean out/feed/catch them etc

We also have a big metal playpen thing that we put them in for mor space to run around inside or occasional section off 1/2 of the room with it so they can’t get at the end with cables etc.

Outside we have a wooden run with a little wooden house for when it’s warm and dry for outside grass eating time.

Thanks all, I'm noting all of this down. What are the best choices for bedding?

Rumbles onto thread ...

It's all been said above and YY 100% agree - they need space.
I am that the cage in the link is advertised as suitable for a rabbit ! (I have never kept rabbits but I know enough about rabbits to know that I don't know enough to keep rabbits !)

Even worse is another one on a link that would suit small agile rodents like rats (not sure its big enough but the style of it is ) but no way would guinea-pigs manage those ramps and tiny platforms and meshed surfaces .

Personally I don't like those little plastic hidey houses in the cages , the door is small and you could potentially have one guinea-pig bullying the other and trapping it . Even in a non-confrontational pair , one will trap the other ( out of laziness and they are quite dense animals -though I love guinea-pigs beyond measure) .

Don't rule out boars - we've had 4 boars and 4 sows over the years and boars (IMO) are cuddlier . But they do need loads of space and you need to understand their relationships , boar pairs are not a natural phenonemum but it works if you you get it in order .

My pigs have never fathomed ramps , (DH built a lovely haybox and wide shallow carpeted ramp in the Pighouse but they just his under it

We've always used the Pighouse (wooden playhouse adapted for them) in conjunction with indoor cages (C&C and a 4x2) for indoors winter , in our small bedroom.
Depending on our piggie groups at any time . We had 5 pigs at one point in two groups .

At the moment we are down to our last piggie , nearly 5yo, She will stay in the bedroom (near to DD , she "helps" with homework ) apart from outdoor grazing . She's just recovering from an eye ulcer so she's still fragile but eating well and very noisy .

I agree with 70 not to rule out boars providing you do have the space!

So we went to the rescue centre today and fell in love with three babies - two girl and one boy. We've said we want all 3 and reserved them, on the condition the boy is neutered before we take him (the lady was very happy with this!).

We've bought an indoor cage as they are too young to go outside yet in this cold but hubby is going to build them a hutch and run so they can go outside when it gets warmer and they will be big enough for it to be a permanent home.

One of the little girls only has one ear, and apparently no one wants the boy because he is white with red eyes. I couldn't bear to leave him behind! X