Guinea Pig Cage Instructions

A popular children's pet, the guinea pig offers a long lifespan of up to seven years. A docile pet, they rarely bite and enjoy the companionship of their human owners. A social animal, a guinea pig enjoys living with a companion of its own species but can be housed alone if adequate socialization is provided. Only purchase a guinea pig if you plan to house it indoors. They are highly susceptible to both heat and cold, so they cannot be housed outside.

Things You'll Need

30-by-36-inch cage for one guinea pig.
30-by-50-inch cage.
Recycled paper pellets, aspen or hardwood bedding
Cardboard box or commercial guinea pig house.
Mulitvitamin, mineral or salt wheels.
Three ceramic guinea pig feeding bowls.
Attachable water bottle with drinking tube made for a guinea pig or rabbit.

Instructions

- 1
  Provide a cage that measures at least 30 by 36 inches if housing only one guinea pig. If housing two, the cage should measure a minimum of 30 by 50 inches. Cage height is not that important because guinea pigs rarely enjoy climbing.
- 2
  Place the cage in an area of the house that is free of cold drafts. Locate the cage away from a window and direct sunlight so, during the summer months, the guinea pig does not become too hot. Place the cage away from heater vents, wood stoves or fireplaces.
- 3
  Line the cage with 2 to 3 inches of cage litter. Use recycled paper cage pellets, aspen or hardwood shavings for cage litter.
- 4
  Maintain a cage room temperature of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Place a small cardboard box or commercial guinea pig house in one corner of the cage so the guinea pig has a place to sleep and hide.
- 5
  Place a mulitvitamin, mineral or salt wheels in the cage for the guinea pig to chew on. Use three ceramic guinea pig bowls. One for food, one for fresh fruit and one for hay.
- 6
  Attach a water bottle to the side of the cage. Use a tube water bottle specifically designed for a guinea pig or rabbit.