Guinea Pigs also called Cavies, are social pets & usually do better in pairs or more. Best kept with same genders or males need to be neutered if kept with females. They will multiply fast, similar to rabbits. Females Cavies can be sensitive to anesthesia so they are not usually altered (spayed).
The cage for a Cavy should be at least 2 feet square per Cavy & the cage can’t be too big. Many commercial cages sold are too small, but recently I am so happy you can find large ones sold on Amazon, like these: https://amzn.to/4kDKarl or this one which is acrylic: https://amzn.to/40fq27z or you may like this one as it has a top: https://amzn.to/466r61h. A cage 57″ x 27″ is a nice size for 2 Cavies or even one will enjoy the space. Cavies don’t climb (most don’t, but there are always exceptions) so a cover/top is not necessary unless you have a climber or a dog or cat in the home. If you do please purchase one that has a top. Cavies don’t like having people hovering over them so please don’t keep the cage on the floor. They are prey animals & the hovering down at them & the vibrations when you walk will add to their fear & can make them very timid. 2 card tables next to each other usually hold cages like these nicely. Two like this one would work well: https://amzn.to/4ePwlVl. Cavies get warm easily & prefer cooler temperatures, so a basement that is not damp is a good place for your Cavies to be housed. A dehumidifier can help with that, or if air conditioning vents are in your basement.
A variety of bedding can be used for Cavy cages, I have used a lot of different things that are available thru Amazon such as pine bedding: https://amzn.to/3InuKKd Aspen bedding: https://amzn.to/4liOZau Care fresh: https://amzn.to/44t6TS3 My favorite are the washable pads: https://amzn.to/3Gz7f0g there are several types: https://amzn.to/4lBFvqQ The last two were 2 packs, but suggest having at least 4 so can change out while some are in the wash. This is a 4 pack from Amazon: https://amzn.to/40gMDR1 Once I discovered washable cage liners I didn’t use cage litter any longer. These worked well & were less messy than shavings on the floor. They still will kick hay, food ect… on the floor, but it is one less thing to clean up. DO NOT use cedar shavings it contains too much oil. Shredded newspaper may be cheap, but it does not absorb odor well.
The Cavy in the photo above is “Stratego” he was one of the 4 babies born at my home on a Sunday AM in March of 2009. I picked up the mama about 4 weeks before from Animal Control & I asked when is she due? They looked at me & said she just had babies 4-6 weeks ago, I said well she is pregnant. I didn’t tell them I had never felt a pregnant Cavy, but her belly was rock hard, a sign of pregnancy from my experience. It was a neat experience, but then 5 Cavies needed to find homes. Just a note: they are born fully furred & start eating & chewing as soon as they dry off.
Each Cavy should have an igloo to hide in or sleep in like these: https://amzn.to/4kCLgDI They are easy to clean & don’t absorb odors. There are a variety to choose from some made of cloth like these: https://amzn.to/44rUKNb Or a wood ones like this: https://amzn.to/46GGy4d
Each Cavy should have its own water bottle like these: https://amzn.to/4lOuhiq I like the no drip feature for water bottles: https://amzn.to/40QtZzw
Each Cavy should have its own food bowl like these: https://amzn.to/3UfA9pb or these: https://amzn.to/3TCl3tO If your Cavy knocks over their bowls then this might be a great option for you: https://amzn.to/4lu0FHE You can use a fresh food bowl like these also, so be sure & have a pellet bowl for each & a fresh bowl for each Cavy you have in the cage enclosure. They may share but, always best to be safe so food aggression doesn’t start.
Above was Louie one of my many Cavy fosters. Cavy’s like to chew, so having chew toys, to keep their teeth trim. https://amzn.to/4lJImhk https://amzn.to/4ltiy9v https://amzn.to/457FWCD
The cage should be scooped daily, cleaned weekly, water bottles cleaned & daily (no less than every other day). If you’re blessed your Cavy will use one area for most of his/her potty habits, if so keep that area free of toys, food, water & hay.
In the next I publish a post in my Guinea Pig Care series I will go into feeding & a couple other things, this will probably be a 3 part series, maybe 4.
I hope you are enjoying & learning from my blog posts. My goal is to educate so people can better care for the pets in their lives. On my home page you will find a table of content for all my other blog post titles (topics) under the ‘SHOW’ tab. I blog about a variety of pet care, if you have an idea or something you would like to read about shoot me an email or comment on this post & let me know your thoughts. I appreciate it when people share my blog on their social media pages, or send the link to another pet owner. Commenting, visiting often, sharing, liking & subscribing all help to get my blog out there so more people can find it. My email is echoinggreatpetcare@gmail.com Thanks, Debbie
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