If you own a guinea pig or plan to adopt one in the future, you know the importance of choosing a guinea pig cage. You want a model that will give your pet space to roam around while being safely contained from hazards. With multi-level cages and options marketed toward other pets like rabbits, it can be difficult to know what guinea pig cage you should choose.
We reviewed dozens of guinea pig cages to discover the best models available to make it easier to pick out the best one for your needs. We looked at different sizes, styles, and construction materials, such as metal and wood, to see what’s available at what price.
We’ve chosen the Living World Deluxe Habitat as the best guinea pig cage you can buy. It’s an affordable cage that’s easy to clean, with a large plastic base that detaches from the rest of the cage. Its long size can make any guinea pig feel right at home.
The 5 Top-Rated Guinea Pig Cages
Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
Our Top Pick | Living World Deluxe Habitat | 4.5 |
Our Runner Up Pick | PawHut Guinea Pig Cage with Run | 4.5 |
Best Budget Pick | Ferplast Cavie Guinea Pig Cage | 4.6 |
Best Deluxe Guinea Pig Cage | Midwest Critter Nation with Stand | 4.2 |
Best Large Guinea Pig Cage | “Guinea Habitat” Guinea Pig Cage & Accessories by MidWest | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Living World Deluxe Habitat
The Living World Deluxe Habitat is the best guinea pig cage available. That’s because it offers the best combination of size, portability, included features, access, and durability. There are three sizes available, but the extra large option is the best choice since it has the most space.
The Living World Deluxe Habitat uses durable metal and plastic materials that make it chew-resistant and sturdy despite its long base. At 47-inches long, it is one of the biggest options available, which keeps guinea pigs from feeling shut-in. The design is collapsible and self-contained for easy transport to new places.
This cage has two half-length domed ceiling hatches that offer easy access to any spot inside. It comes with all of the feeder equipment that you need for a guinea pig, plus a raised platform that serves as a secluded hutch for sleeping.
Living World Deluxe Habitat Key Features:
- More than enough space for one or two guinea pigs
- Sturdy design and construction despite its size
- Detachable top cage with eight heavy duty latches
- Two domed ceiling hatches for easy access
Our Runner-Up Pick: PawHut Guinea Pig Cage with Run
Although it was not the top choice, the PawHut Guinea Pig Cage with Run came close in second place. Why? It’s well designed and built for durability thanks to its steel construction. Plus, it includes essential items such as a water bottle, water bowl, and food dish.
One of the main draw cards of this cage is that it includes a removable run. This means that your guinea pig can get plenty of exercise while they’re in their cage. Other handy features this option boasts include roof that opens for easy cleaning, 4 caster wheels to enhance portability, and a latched door for enhanced safety.
The size featured here measures nearly 35 inches long. If you like the design of this cage but you want to give your guinea pig even more room, you’ll be happy to learn that it also comes in a larger size measuring 46.5 inches long.
PawHut Guinea Pig Cage with Run Key Features:
- Steel construction
- Door with latch
- Water bottle, water bowl, and food dish include
- 4 caster wheels
Best Budget Pick: Ferplast Cavie Guinea Pig Cage
Taking care of a guinea pig doesn’t need to be complicated, especially with a cage that is simple, reliable, and has practically everything your guinea pig needs. That’s precisely what the Ferplast Cavie Guinea Pig Cage is. It’s affordable for anyone that is new to owning guinea pigs, and is in fact designed to be a starter guinea pig cage. But even if you’re an old hand at being a guinea pig parent, this is a great choice if you’re on a budget.
As mentioned, this guinea pig cage includes all the basics: a food dish, water bottle, and a place for your guinea pig to hide out. It features a deep 6-inch base that easily keeps litter and other debris inside (rather than outside!) the cage. It’s also designed to be easy to clean, which is great news for those new to the responsibilities of owning a guinea pig.
Ferplast Cavie Guinea Pig Cage Key Features:
- Designed for new guinea pig owners
- Food dish and water bottle included
- Deep 6-inch base
- 1-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
Best Deluxe Guinea Pig Cage: Midwest Critter Nation with Stand
Most pet owners want to upgrade their cages once they are comfortable with owning a guinea pig and understand what can make a cage special. The Midwest Critter Nation with Stand takes the top spot in deluxe cages because of its additional features and detailed construction. The cage itself has a built-in stand and all metal construction. Situated on hard plastic casters, it is easier to transport than most other cages as well.
The front of the cage is made of two full-length and height doors that swing open for complete access to every spot on the inside. The top panel is easily removable as well for access from a different angle. The floor of the cage is removable and made from a durable, non-stick plastic for messes to wipe off quickly.
The Midwest Critter Nation with Stand has a second-floor platform with an attached ramp. The ramp also comes with a cover to protect pets’ feet. Under the cage, there is a second shelf for storage so that everything a guinea pig needs is kept nearby.
Midwest Critter Nation with Stand Key Features:
- Solid metal construction
- Storage shelf
- Full-panel front double doors
- Modular design for easy expansion with add-ons
Best Large Guinea Pig Cage: “Guinea Habitat” Guinea Pig Cage & Accessories by MidWest
Large animal cages offer guinea pigs more space to roam around in, which can make them much happier. The best large cage is the “Guinea Habitat” Guinea Pig Cage & Accessories by MidWest.
One of its best features is that it is modular, meaning that you can connect several of them together to make a giant guinea pig enclosure if you have the space.
The base of the cage is made of a durable canvas that is waterproof and scratch resistant. A single interior wall divides the cage into a larger section and a smaller hutch section that can be covered. The interior wall also has a padded ramp that locks into place, making it easy to walk between different sections. When adding additional cages to create a guinea pig cave, the ramps serve as connectors to keep the cages firmly connected together.
The canvas base and thin metal top design make this cage lightweight but durable. The canvas components are washable to easily remove dirt and old bedding. The cage top has smaller spaces between bars to help keep pets in, but are big enough to attach other accessories for further customization.
“Guinea Habitat” Guinea Pig Cage & Accessories by MidWest Key Features:
- Modular design
- Durable canvas construction
- Wide base design
- Locking ramps and door latches
Who Should Buy a Guinea Pig Cage
Two types of people buy guinea pig cages: new guinea pig owners and those who want to upgrade their guinea pig to a nicer house. For new guinea pig owners, it’s important to buy a cage to safely house your guinea pig before you bring your new pet home. New pet owners often want to start out with a basic habitat and may prefer a kit that includes a water bottle, food bowl, hutch, and litter with the cage. This makes it as easy as possible to set up a guinea pig cage without forgetting any of the most important accessories.
If you already own a guinea pig, you may want to upgrade your existing cage to a nicer model or replace an old cage that has been damaged. If you’re willing to spend extra money, you can find premium cages with stands, additional features, and a larger size. Some guinea pig cages even have separate housing areas for multiple pets.
Over time, you may find that your existing guinea pig cage no longer meets your needs. You may need a smaller or a larger cage, or find that you want a model that offers your guinea pig more privacy or that can also go outside. It’s okay to decide to upgrade your guinea pig’s home when you identify a model that’s better suited for your family.
Important Features to Consider
A guinea pig cage should have several important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a guinea pig cage:
- Size. In general, guinea pigs require a larger cage than hamsters and gerbils but a smaller cage than a rabbit would. Many guinea pigs would be happy in a large cage designed for a rabbit. According to the Humane Society, one guinea pig needs 7.5 square feet of space or a 30″ by 36″ cage. When you buy a cage, you’ll also need to determine how much space you have available where you want to put it.
- Construction materials. Guinea pig cages are made from wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of these materials. Some guinea pigs are able to chew their way out of a plastic or wood cage, so carefully monitor the cage for damage as your guinea pig uses it.
- Ease of cleaning. You will have to clean your guinea pig cage often to provide a safe, sanitary, and odor-free environment for your pet. You want to make sure that whatever cage you choose, you’ll be comfortable cleaning it. Guinea pig cages with plastic bases are exceptionally popular for this reason because you simply detach the bottom from the metal top and can dump out litter materials to wash it out. A guinea pig cage that’s difficult to clean can end up being a cumbersome and dreaded task on your to-do list.
- Doors and access points. You’ll need to be able to reach into the cage to pick up your pet so you’ll want to consider what kind of door or access point the cage has. Some doors have latches or locks to keep your pet safely inside.
- Hiding spaces. While your pet will enjoy walking around its cage, guinea pigs need more secure and cozy places to hide when overwhelmed and to sleep. Some guinea pig cages come with hiding spaces so you don’t have to purchase a separate hideout.
- Outdoor/Indoor use. In most climates, guinea pigs need to live inside. However, they may enjoy spending some time outdoors. Some guinea pig cages are designed for outdoor use, while others are recommended for indoor and outdoor use, so you’ll be able to move the cage to where you need it.
- Portability. There are times when you may want to bring your guinea pig somewhere or to travel. Some cages, especially those with plastic bases, are small enough where it’s easy to take them with you. Otherwise, there are special travel cages or pens available for purchase.
- Levels. Some guinea pig cages are multi-level, with a wide ramp connecting each of the levels to each other. Some guinea pigs are less agile than others, however, so you’ll need to make sure that your guinea pig isn’t one that will fall from a level that’s too high and hurt himself.
- Bar spacing. Although guinea pigs are larger than hamsters, you’ll still need to be concerned about the bar spacing on pet fences and metal cages. You don’t want to have a cage that your guinea pig can squeeze through the bars or slats of.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best kind of cage for a guinea pig?
Most pet owners have their own preferences and needs when it comes to a guinea pig cage. If you have a lot of space and know you plan to own guinea pigs for a long time, you may want to invest in a more expensive, premium cage with a stand. If you don’t have a lot of space, a multilevel cage might be best.
For most guinea pig owners, a guinea pig cage with a plastic base and metal bars on top works the best. These cages are affordable and make it easy to clean and see your pet. This is why many starter kits for new guinea pig owners use this type of cage.
What size cage does a guinea pig need?
The size cage your guinea pig cage needs depends on how many guinea pigs you have. The Humane Society recommends a 7.5 square foot cage for one guinea pig, with approximately 3 extra square feet per additional guinea pig. This translates to a cage that’s at least 30″ by 36″. The additional levels also create more space for your guinea pig to roam.
At some point, it may become impractical to house a large group of guinea pigs in the same cage. Instead, it may be easier and more space-effective to use several different cages. There are some cages available that stack on top of each other for pet owners with many small pets.
How do you keep a guinea pig cage from smelling?
There are many things that you can do to keep your guinea pig cage from smelling. The most effective strategy is to keep the guinea pig’s cage clean so it does not smell of urine and feces. For a single guinea pig, you should aim to deep clean its cage at least once a week. This includes dumping out all of the old bedding and washing out the base of the cage with a pet-safe cleaner before allowing it to dry completely and restocking the bedding or litter. You can choose to spot clean the cage daily to minimize the odors even further.
Some bedding materials absorb odors better. Some bedding is carefully formulated to control odors, such as Carefesh Complete. You’ll need to add 1″ to 3″ of bedding to the bottom for it to effectively control odors.
It is possible to train guinea pigs to use a litter box. You should start by putting the litter box where your guinea pig tends to eliminate. If you are able to get the litter box system in place, you can simply dump the litter box’s contents each night. This can have a tremendous impact on getting rid of any odor from a guinea pig cage.
What is the best way to clean a guinea pig’s cage?
To clean your guinea pig’s cage, you’ll want to dump out all of the contents into a trash bag or can. Just make sure that your guinea pig is safely secured in a travel cage or pet fence first. If you have access to an outside hose, bring the empty cage to the hose. Otherwise, you can use your bathtub to clean. Spray it with a pet-safe cleaner and allow it to sit for the recommended time. Rinse off the cleaner and any debris. Thoroughly dry the cage or allow it to dry.
For large cages that cannot be moved, you’ll need to clean the cage where it normally sits. You can use a spray bottle with water and wipe up the mess as you go. There are even specially formulated pet cage cleaning wipes that you can use. If your cage cannot be brought to water, it is especially important that you stay on top of your cage cleaning routine. Wipes won’t be able to get rid of particularly set in debris.