How to Supply a Guinea Pig Cage

So you've adopted a guinea pig or two and hopefully built a nice, big cage for them. Now that they have all that space, how do you fill it? Read on for some of the basic necessities and extra amenities you can put in your guinea pig's new cage.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cozies
• Hammocks
• Tunnels (empty soda boxes are fine)
• Small animal toys
• Your imagination

Basic Necessities

1. Fill a small food dish with guinea pig pellets and place it in the cage. Guinea pigs should get roughly 1/8 cup of plain pellets per day but the pellet dish should be left in the cage at all times. If more than 1 guinea pig is sharing a cage, consider getting 2 food dishes so they won't fight. Food dishes can be found in the small animal section of any pet store.

2. Attach at least one large water bottle to the side of the cage. (Again, if you have more than one guinea pig, consider getting more than one water bottle). Before attaching a water bottle for the first time, check the metal drip to make sure it works and doesn't leak excessively. Position the water bottle so that your guinea pig can reach it easily. Water bottle should be refilled with fresh, cold water every day.

3. Place at least 1--preferably 2 or more, if you have the room--hiding place inside the cage. Hiding places can be purchased in the small animal section of any pet store. Guinea pigs are prey animals who like their privacy; so a few hiding places are a must for any guinea pig cage. Popular hiding places sold in pet stores include brightly colored plastic igloos or small wooden houses.

4. Attach a hay rack or hay spinner to the side of the cage and fill it with hay. Guinea pigs need an unlimited supply of fresh hay every day. A hay rack helps keep the hay off the floor of the cage.

Extras

5. Place homemade or store-bought cozies or hammocks in the cage. While not completely necessary, some guinea pigs enjoy the extra warmth and comfort a cozy brings. Cozies and hammocks can both be found in the small animal section of any pet store.

6. Make room in the cage to place a tunnel for the guinea pigs to run through. Guinea pigs absolutely love hiding and tunneling in their cages. No need to go to a big expense here--an empty soda box or large paper bag with the end cut open will work just fine. Just be sure to replace it when you clean the cage.

7. Try supplying your guinea pig's cage with ferret toys. Some (but not all) guinea pigs enjoy playing with these small toys. Just make sure the toy isn't something that could break or that your guinea pig might accidentally choke on. They're notorious for chewing on everything.

Tips & Warnings

• Toys don't have to cost a bundle or even be purchased from a pet store. Use your imagination to come up with fun additions for your guinea pig's cage. Some guinea pigs are perfectly content with a "toy" simply made of hay stuffed in a paper lunch bag.
• Do not buy an exercise wheel or ball for your guinea pig. While you may see these marketed toward guinea pig owners in pet stores, they're actually very bad for guinea pigs. Their spines aren't shaped right for these kinds of toys, and using one can seriously hurt them. They should get enough exercise on their own if their cage is big enough and they get plenty of floor time.

Resources

• Guinea Pig Cages