Guinea pig housing: floor space, bedding, indoors or outdoors, and temperature
TUREFF• •0
The cages sold for guinea pigs are often far too small. Guinea pigs do not climb or use height the way hamsters or rats can; they live on the floor, so floor area is what counts. This guide covers how much space they need, what to put on the floor, and how to keep them at a safe temperature.
How much space
The RSPCA's minimum recommendation for a pair of guinea pigs is a floor area of 120 by 60 centimetres, with a height of at least 45 centimetres, and more space is always better. Bigger groups, or larger breeds, need more room again.
What matters as much as the number:
- Room to run: guinea pigs do zoomies and popcorn jumps, so a long enclosure is better than a tall one.
- Daily exercise: even a good enclosure benefits from time in a larger secure area or run every day.
- Separate hides: at least one hide per guinea pig, with two entrances where possible, so a lower-ranking animal is never trapped.
- Hay in several places, plus water and a food bowl that cannot easily be tipped over.
Many owners use C and C style grid enclosures or converted furniture to give far more floor space than a standard cage. Whatever you use, the floor must be solid, not wire mesh, which can injure feet.
Bedding and flooring
Good options include:
- Paper-based bedding, which is absorbent and low in dust.
- Fleece liners with an absorbent layer underneath, which are washable and soft, though they need frequent changing and do not suit every household.
- Dust-extracted wood shavings, used with care.
Avoid sawdust and dusty bedding, which can irritate the airways, and avoid cedar and untreated pine shavings, whose aromatic oils are widely considered irritating. Whatever you choose, add plenty of hay on top to nest in.
Clean wet and soiled patches daily, and do a full clean regularly. A dirty enclosure leads to sore feet and skin problems and attracts flies outdoors.
Indoors or outdoors?
Guinea pigs can live indoors or outdoors, but welfare organisations increasingly recommend indoor housing, especially in cold or hot weather. Indoors they are easier to monitor and spend more time around people.
If they live indoors:
- Keep them in a room where people spend time, but away from radiators, draughts, direct sun and loud equipment.
- Keep them away from other pets that could frighten them, even if they cannot reach them.
If they live outdoors:
- The hutch must be weatherproof, raised off the ground, sheltered from wind and rain, and out of direct sun.
- It needs to be secure against foxes, cats, birds of prey and rats, with strong mesh and sturdy locks.
- Attach a large run so they can exercise daily, and provide shade and shelter within it.
- Check on them at least twice a day.
Temperature
Guinea pigs cope poorly with heat and cold. The RSPCA in the UK gives an ideal room temperature of around 17 to 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above about 26 degrees risk heatstroke, and below about 15 degrees risk chilling; at that point outdoor guinea pigs should be brought indoors. A garage where a car is used or parked is not a safe alternative, because of exhaust fumes.
In hot weather:
- Keep the enclosure out of direct sunlight and away from conservatories and south-facing windows.
- Make sure there is always shade and plenty of fresh water.
- Signs of heatstroke include rapid breathing, drooling, lethargy and collapse. This is an emergency: move the guinea pig somewhere cool and call a vet immediately.
In cold weather:
- Give extra hay and bedding to burrow into.
- Protect outdoor hutches from wind and wet, or bring the guinea pigs inside.
Enrichment
Tunnels, hay racks at floor level, cardboard boxes, scatter-fed vegetables and safe chews give them things to do. Rearrange the layout occasionally to keep things interesting.
How have you set up your guinea pigs' home? Share photos, ideas or questions in the comments.