Cages and Hutches for Guinea Pigs
Each guinea pig should be allowed a minimum of 70cm x 70cm (30" x 30"). Commercial guinea pig hutches are available from pet shops and cost from $75 to $300. Tin or aluminium hutches can get quite hot in summer but timber hutches can rot and be chewed. Indoor cages make a great option for people living in apartments, or small units without a back yard. They also make it nice for people to have their pets in the house, so that they are easily accessible, and are able to observed in their daily activities. If you wanted to make your own, some clubs will provide advice and diagrams. (See contact list below). Do not use treated pine in any construction used for guinea pigs as the preservative used to treat the timber is toxic.
Bedding should be softwood shavings such as pine but avoid treated pine as this is toxic if chewed. Sawdust can cause respiratory problems if inhaled, and cedar shavings can also cause irritation. Cages should be cleaned and bedding replaced weekly.
Guinea pigs will happily live by themselves but if buying two ensure they are both females as two males can fight, and the alternative is a population explosion.
While it's relatively easy to determine the sex of adults, avoid pet shops which keep all the guinea pigs together as it is highly likely the females will be pregnant.
Bedding should be softwood shavings such as pine but avoid treated pine as this is toxic if chewed. Sawdust can cause respiratory problems if inhaled, and cedar shavings can also cause irritation. Cages should be cleaned and bedding replaced weekly.
Guinea pigs will happily live by themselves but if buying two ensure they are both females as two males can fight, and the alternative is a population explosion.
While it's relatively easy to determine the sex of adults, avoid pet shops which keep all the guinea pigs together as it is highly likely the females will be pregnant.