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Best Guinea Pig Cages: 7 Picks Sized by Floor Space
For a guinea pig cage, start with floor area. Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) gives 7.5 square feet as the bare minimum for one guinea pig and 10.5 square feet as the preferred size for two, and Blue Cross says a main living area should be no less than 10 square feet. All seven cages below meet the 7.5 square foot minimum by their listed size. Two reach 10 square feet, and five fall between 7.5 and 8.
The table gives each cage’s listed size and the floor area worked out from its length and width. Each pick follows, with what its Amazon listing says it includes. Check price and stock on the listing. If the cage is a gift, see another gift idea for your pet in our roundup for dogs, cats, and other pets.
Guinea Pig Cages at a Glance
| Cage | Listed size in inches | Floor area |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny Royals C&C cage with stand | 56 x 28 | 10.9 sq ft |
| Furrycave C&C playpen | 55 x 28 x 14 | 10.7 sq ft |
| VISCOO 12-panel playpen | 48 x 24 x 16 | 8.0 sq ft |
| Tresbro 12-panel playpen | 48 x 24 x 16 | 8.0 sq ft |
| Oneluck loft cage | 41.3 x 27.6 x 27.6 | 7.9 sq ft |
| MidWest Guinea Habitat Plus | 47 x 24 x 14 | 7.8 sq ft |
| Bucatstate acrylic playpen | 47.3 x 23.7 x 15.8 | 7.8 sq ft |
Seven Cages, Largest Floor First
Tiny Royals C&C Cage with Stand
The listing title gives 56 x 28 inches, which is 10.9 square feet. That is the largest floor here, above the 10.5 square feet Humane World prefers for two guinea pigs and the 10 square feet Blue Cross gives.
The listing describes 32 powder-coated carbon steel grids, a 5 mm corrugated plastic base, a washable fleece liner with absorbent padding, a storage stand, four fabric storage boxes, and zip ties, connectors, and assembly tools.
Furrycave C&C Guinea Pig Cage
The listing title gives 55 x 28 x 14 inches, and the listing describes a 10 square foot home. At 10.7 square feet by length and width, it also reaches the 10.5 square feet Humane World prefers for two guinea pigs and the 10 square feet Blue Cross gives. The 14 inch height is above the 12 inch minimum side height Humane World gives.
It is a C&C grid cage. The listing describes metal grids made from 4 mm and 2 mm iron wire, a 5 mm corrugated plastic base, and zip ties and connectors for assembly. It also includes six resin panels that the listing describes as a hideaway.
VISCOO 12-Panel Guinea Pig Playpen
The listing says the panels can be assembled to 48 x 24 x 16 inches, or 8 square feet. That clears the 7.5 square feet Humane World gives as the minimum for one guinea pig and for two. It is under the 10.5 square feet Humane World prefers for two and under the 10 square feet Blue Cross gives.
The set has 12 coated steel panels with a mesh gap of about 0.5 inches, and one panel has a door. The waterproof floor mat is 24 x 48 inches, made of 600D Oxford cloth with a PVC coating, and the listing says to wipe it clean. The connectors need tapping in with a small wooden hammer, and the listing says to tie the panels with zip ties for extra strength.
Tresbro 12-Panel Guinea Pig Playpen
The listing title gives 48 x 24 x 16 inches, which is 8.0 square feet, the same floor as the VISCOO above. Both clear the 7.5 square feet Humane World gives as the minimum for one guinea pig and for two, and both are under the 10.5 square feet it prefers for two.
The listing describes 12 coated steel panels with 0.7 inch spacing between the wires, and one panel has a door. Eight transparent square panels form a top cover. The base is a waterproof mat of 600D Oxford cloth with a thickened PVC lining, and the listing says setup needs no tools and uses buckles and straps.
Oneluck Guinea Pig Cage with Loft
The listing gives the entire dimensions as 41.3 x 27.6 x 27.6 inches, which is 7.9 square feet by length and width. The listing describes a waterproof plastic bottom, a loft joined by a ramp, a partition, and a 5.9 inch baffle to block litter. Setup needs no tools.
MidWest Guinea Habitat Plus
The listing gives 47 x 24 x 14 inches and says it provides 8 square feet. The 14 inch sides are above the 12 inch minimum Humane World gives for sides.
The listing describes a washable PVC canvas bottom, a fully removable mesh top, and a hinged divider panel with a lock-in-place ramp that separates the play and care areas. It sets up in minutes without tools, and more habitats can be connected.
Bucatstate Acrylic Guinea Pig Playpen
The listing gives 47.3 x 23.7 x 15.8 inches and 7.8 square feet. That clears the 7.5 square feet Humane World gives as the minimum for one guinea pig and for two, and its 15.8 inch walls are above the 12 inch minimum side height.
The listing describes clear, scratch-resistant acrylic panels, a lockable door, and tool-free setup within 3 minutes. It also says panels can be added later to make the cage longer.
READ NEXT: Best Hamster Cages: Top Picks for Your Furry Friend
Buying Guide
Floor Space
Guinea pigs require space to move, and the amount depends on how many you keep. Humane World says most cages marketed for guinea pigs are way too small, and that because guinea pigs are highly social, it is best to have at least two that get along. Guinea pigs are one of seven small pets compared in our list of great pets for kids.
| Guinea pigs | Minimum | Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| One | 7.5 (about 30 by 36 inches) | Bigger is better |
| Two | 7.5 | 10.5 (30 by 50 inches) |
| Three | 10.5 | 13 (30 by 62 inches) |
| Four | 13 | 30 by 76 inches |
Blue Cross gives one figure for the main living area: no less than 5 feet long by 2 feet wide, or 10 square feet in total. Its page on guinea pig care also says indoor guinea pigs without access to outside space need a space of no less than 6 feet by 4 feet, or 24 square feet, for exercise. For the rest of the budget, see our post on what a pet costs to care for.
Floors and Sides
Humane World says cages with wire floors are not acceptable as guinea pig housing and that the floor must be gentle on a guinea pig’s delicate feet. The RSPCA adds that guinea pigs need a solid floor with a good depth of litter, because grid floors let litter through and can hurt their feet. Humane World also says the sides must be at least 12 inches high, and that the top may be open as long as other household pets cannot reach it.
The RSPCA says the space should be high enough for a guinea pig to stand up fully on its back legs, and that youngsters need a height of around 30 cm for their frisky hop, also called popcorning. For wire spacing, our guide to ideal hamster cage bar spacing for safety is written for hamsters, which are a much smaller rodent than a guinea pig.
Hiding Places and Separate Areas
Humane World says guinea pigs need separate spaces for a nest, a bathroom area, and food and water, and that hide boxes and covered areas should be inside the housing. The RSPCA says refuge areas should exceed the number of animals by one, so a pair needs three refuge areas. Our guide on how to potty train a guinea pig covers the bathroom corner, and what goes on the floor is covered in our guide to bedding.
Ventilation and Cleaning
Humane World says the enclosure must have good ventilation and be easy to clean and disinfect. It also says larger spaces are easier to clean because they prevent a build-up of waste and let guinea pigs keep their bathroom area apart from other activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do guinea pigs need a cage with more than one level?
No. Humane World says guinea pigs do not jump or climb and rely solely on floor space. It says ramps and platforms at low heights provide variety, but guinea pigs need room to exercise, so a second level does not replace floor area.
Can I build a C&C cage myself?
Humane World says many guinea pig rescue organizations recommend “C&C” cages, which are enclosures made from cubes and coroplast, a corrugated plastic. Blue Cross names C and C grids and puppy play pens as popular modular options and says they let you control the length, depth, and width. For a home-built cage, give guinea pigs ample space for play and rest. The NSW Department of Education housing page for guinea pigs says it is always preferred to provide plenty of room and asks for a private nesting and hiding area.
How much time should guinea pigs spend outside the cage?
Humane World says no animal is meant to live in a cage all the time and asks for time outside the enclosure at least once a day. Out of the cage, guinea pigs risk getting caught or injured: the MSD Veterinary Manual says they are easily injured outside their cages, can be stepped on or fall from heights, and should always be supervised.
How often should I clean the cage?
The RSPCA says guinea pig accommodation should on average be deep cleaned at least once a week, with spot cleaning every day. It adds that the frequency of deep cleaning depends on the size of the cage and the number of guinea pigs in it.
Sources
- Humane World for Animals, Guinea Pig Housing Requirements and Bedding Options
- Blue Cross, Guinea pig care (archived copy)
- RSPCA, Guinea pigs: environment
- MSD Veterinary Manual, Unique Needs of Guinea Pigs
- NSW Department of Education, Guinea pigs: environment
- Cage sizes and features come from each cage’s Amazon listing, linked in its section above.
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