Let's Discuss Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs.....

I LOVE guinea pigs; I've loved them since I was little and have had guinea pigs for many years.

I currently have one right now; he's a skinny pig (aka: hairless) and despite being old for a skinny pig...he's still quite chipper.

Tonight I'll be acquiring 2 more that belong to my grandkids.  They are getting ready to move and don't really have the room; but more than anything the pigs need to be in a bigger enclosure and I do have that.

Cages.  If considering a guinea pig (best to buy in pairs, but I get it if you only want one); you need to buy the largest cage possible and most pet stores DO NOT sell appropriate cages.

If you ask online the better than you guinea pig owners will insist the only proper cage is what they call a C&C cage.  Several years ago, someone bought a set of those wire cube shelving units and created a cage out of it; they then purchased coroplast (used to make signs) to create a bottom for it.  Since then, anything other than a C&C cage is wrong.

Well, it's wrong....according to them; it's not wrong if you ask me.

I agree that you need large cages; I don't agree you need a C&C cage.  Here's some cages I would recommend:

Midwest Wabbitat Deluxe Extra Large    There is an extension you can get to add more space as well:

Wabbitat Extension

Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat  This can be purchased with or without the top; the bottom is canvas.  A piece of coroplast cut to fit the bottom would make it sturdier.  This cage is the closest you'll get to a C&C cage.

If you run a search through Amazon; you will find many different types of cages.  Always look for the LARGEST available and no wire bottoms - they are just bad for piggie feet (they are also bad for rabbit feet, don't use them).  This is a helpful guide:

Photo courtesy of Cagetopia

Want the C&C cages?  Cagetopia is a great place to start!  They've done it all for you.  There are a few others, but I'd start at Cagetopia.  There's tons of information there as well.

Bedding?  This becomes preference.  I really like the fleece liners; they are reusable and after the initial investment; much cheaper than shavings.  People sell them on etsy or if you know how to sew, you can make them yourself!  If you prefer shavings - stay away from cedar;  and pine shavings should be kiln dried (it'll say it right on the bag).  Aspen shavings are another good option as well as CareFresh.  Before fleece, CareFresh was the shaving everyone raved about, now not so much.

Remember to get guinea pig food (not rabbit, hamster, etc..).  And don't forget HAY; Timothy Hay is the standard.  And that's HAY not alfalfa.  Guinea pigs should always have hay available....always.