Guinea pigs make for very good pets, as all owners will agree! Theyâre energetic, curious, and have such large personalities for such a small creature. Because of this, it makes sense that most owners opt to let their piggies run free throughout the house when theyâre home â itâs too much fun!
However, guinea pigs need a place to stay when theyâre not being social thatâs secure, clean, and especially spacious. The quality of a guinea pigâs environment and cage is a huge contributor to their overall health and happiness as we explain in this guide. While it may be intimidating knowing that your guinea pigâs cage is so important, weâve made it easy to find the best one. Weâve compiled a list of the best guinea pig cages as well as a comprehensive buying guide to understand what your guinea pig needs.
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  Product
OUR #1 RATED
AmazonBasicsâPet Habitat
This habitat is a fantastic value with itâs giant size, deep floor pan, easy cage access and added accessories.
Living WorldDeluxe Habitat
A large cage thatâs a great home for messy guinea pigs with large top doors and a deep base pan for containing bedding.
MidWestâWabbitat Deluxe Cage
Another large cage that has a deep base pan, added accessories, and has several extensions available for purchase.
FerplastâKrolik 140 Plus Cage
Excellent for guinea pigs that love privacy with its spacious, easy to access hutch and a large side door for cleaning and getting in and out.
WareâMobile Critter Home
A nice, mobile cage that has an easy-to-change base, overall solid construction, and an elevated platform and ramp.
Does My Guinea Pig Need A Cage?
Guinea pigs are hilarious and energetic creatures that love to run around and get all of their (plentiful) energy out. Because of this, we definitely recommend letting your guinea pigs roam free around your house as long as youâve got it guinea pig-proofed.
This freedom will keep your piggies stimulated and prevent boredom of constantly staying in a cage. However, this doesnât mean that your guinea pig doesnât need a cage at all.
Providing your guinea pig with a cage that acts as a sort of âhome baseâ is essential for their care and well-being. This is due to two factors. First of all, guinea pigs should be locked up when you canât supervise them, as they can get into mischief and damage your belongings or even harm themselves in some way. Additionally, a cage offers a place to neatly contain all of your guinea pigâs necessities, such as food, water, litter, and bedding.
Once again, guinea pigs should be given as much freedom and interaction as possible throughout the day, and they should really only be confined to a cage when you canât supervise them. Now, even if your guinea pig gets lots of exercise throughout the day, that doesnât mean that they can live in a small cage.
Why Are Bigger Guinea Pig Cages Better?
Guinea pigs are one of the largest rodents that are kept as pets, yet most of the time you see them in a cage thatâs meant for much smaller animals such as hamsters. This is a terrible trend, and even if your guinea pig gets a lot of free-roam time during the day, they should have a cage thatâs very roomy.
While most cages are tall and add diversity through different platforms and ramps, guinea pigs donât really use this. Instead, they get the most out of simply living on a mostly flat surface with lots of floor space and room for their accessories and running around.
Here are some of the reasons why larger guinea pig cages are better:
- Larger cages are very basic forms of enrichment, making their down time less cramped and boring overall
- More room to exercise, ensuring that your guinea pig stays healthy
- Higher chances of peaceful living with two or more guinea pigs in one cage
- checkEasier to clean as eating, sleeping, and bathroom areas can stay separated
- checkMore room to express natural behaviors, allowing you to understand your guinea pig better
- checkGuinea pigs can exercise by themselves, whenever they want to
Even just one square foot could be the difference between a happy and healthy guinea pig and one thatâs sick and depressed. Thatâs why we always recommend getting the largest cage that you can for the space that you have. Youâll definitely notice the difference in your piggies.
Where To Keep Your Guinea Pig Cage
While having a large cage is very important, it also matters where you keep the actual cage. A guinea pigâs environment isnât limited to their cage â beyond the bars is equally as important.
Here are several things to consider regarding a guinea pig cageâs location and what these things can do for you and your guinea pig:
- Temperature â The ideal temperature for a guinea pig is around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range means that your guinea pig cage should be located in a neutral location away from any extremes. Because guinea pigs canât sweat and are susceptible to heat stroke, keep your cage away from direct sun, fireplaces, or heating vents. Unheated rooms or other chilly locations are equally as bad, so avoid those as well. Humidity is another factor to consider, as locations that are too humid can promote mold growth on their hay and bedding which would make a guinea pig more prone to becoming ill.
- Noise â Guinea pigs have very sensitive hearing, meaning that they shouldnât be placed next to sources of a lot of noise. Some common examples of this are televisions, stereo systems, or even busy kitchens.
- Socialization â As if guinea pigs couldnât get any cuter, they love being around you! They benefit from socialization and just being around basic family activity, so placing them in a family or living room will give them the exposure that they need. Plus, when a guinea pig is around you all the time, itâll be a lot easier to give it the attention that it needs.
What Defines The Best Guinea Pig Cages?
All guinea pig cages are not created equal. In fact, some cages that are marketed specifically for guinea pigs donât meet their basic environmental requirements. Every guinea pig cage should have these following features to ensure that theyâre providing the best living space possible:
- Size â As stated earlier, guinea pigs need a larger space than you may think. One or two guinea pigs need an absolute minimum of 7.5 square feet, with two guinea pigs preferring around 10 square feet. Three need at least 10.5 square feet, while four need at least 13 square feet. Remember that these are minimum numbers, and you should always strive to give your piggies the largest cage possible.
- Accessibility â Having a cage thatâs accessible is very beneficial for several reasons. First of all, an accessible cage with several doors makes it easy to clean the entirety of the cage thoroughly. Additionally, this accessibility makes it easy to grab your guinea pig in case of emergency.
- Safe & easy to clean materials â A guinea pig cage should be made of durable materials that arenât easily broken or chewed on (guinea pigs will chew on anything). The metal cage should have strong bars that are close together, and the bottom pan shouldnât be easy to chew on. Smooth surfaces also allow for a thorough cleaning to be done a lot easier.
- Ventilation â Opt for a cage that has proper ventilation, as some cages may be too closed-off to allow for proper airflow. Make sure that ventilation is especially adequate within hutches or private areas, as guinea pigs need a place that they can be alone but still need access to fresh air.
What Are The Best Guinea Pig Cages?
While it can be a bit overwhelming to learn about the needs of your guinea pig and then try and find a cage that meets those needs, itâs not a very complicated process when making sure that a cage aligns with the guide given above. By going off of that guide, weâve found five of the best guinea pig cages available that would provide your guinea pig with a fantastic home.
Remember, a higher quantity of guinea pigs would require a larger cage, so take that into account when choosing a cage.
our #1 rated
OUR TOP PICK
AmazonBasics
Pet Habitat
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
Although this cage is designed by Amazon themselves, not a specialized cage manufacturer, itâs easily one of the best guinea pig cages available. The cage measures just shy of 4âx2â˛, making it a spacious home for one or two guinea pigs. The secure iron upper cage is attached to the safe plastic base and includes two large doors that allow for easy access throughout the entirety of the cage. This cage isnât just a flat surface, though, as a feeding balcony is included that provides your guinea pig with a private place to relax underneath it. Like most of the cages in this list, this cage comes with a water bottle, hay guard, and tip-proof food dish to provide your guinea pig with most of its living needs.Guinea pig owners that keep their piggies in this cage have great things to say about it. First of all, the size of the cage is frequently praised, with many people keeping two guinea pigs in it comfortably. Although the cage is large and secure, many owners state that it was easy to assemble and the large doors make it easy to reach every inch of the cage. The added accessories are also high quality (theyâre usually sub-par on other cages) and do their job well.No glaring problems exist with this cage, and the only complaint we could really find is that itâs a pretty bulky cage. However, this is to be expected from its large size and solid quality, and isnât really a problem if you find a home for the cage in a place thatâs out of the way. Other than this, itâs a consistently good home to many guinea pigs around the world.
PROSâ
- Added accessories
- Easy access with two big doors
- Great quality/size for the price
CONS
- Slightly bulky
our #2 rated
Living World
Deluxe Habitat
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
This Deluxe Habitat by Living World provides guinea pigs with everything that they need to live a happy and active life. A tight and secure wire frame locks into the deep plastic base, and this combination makes for a cage thatâs neat, safe, and overall secure for a guinea pig. A raised platform with a private space underneath is also present, making for a nice observation perch and private hideaway. Although the cage is massive, itâs made very easy to access with the giant hinged doors on the top of the cage and one on the side. Most of the accessories of this cage are also notably high-quality, once again providing an all-around great living space for one or several guinea pigs.Owners of this cage most commonly state how large the cage is and how much room their guinea pigs have to run around and stay active. A litter box, bedding, and any other accessories all fit easily into the cage while still providing plenty of room to play. Although the cage is large, itâs very easy for people to put together and surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to transport. The curved top of the cage makes the cage very tall, providing guinea pigs with plenty of space to stand and groom themselves.Some owners have noted that the added platform is slightly flimsy and may bend if two guinea pigs are sitting on it. Additionally, the included water bottle sometimes doesnât work properly and a replacement is required. Despite these small issues, the cage itself is well-built and would be more than enough for a couple of guinea pigs.
PROSâ
- Added accessories
- Very large, diverse cage
- Deep bottom pan
CONS
- Platform slightly flimsy
our #3 rated
MidWest
Wabbitat Deluxe Home
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
Bringing a lot of the same features as the above two cages, the Wabbitat Deluxe Home by MidWest also meets all of the needs of a guinea pig. This roughly 4âx2Ⲡcage has a tight metal cage attached to a deep plastic base for comfort and containment of guinea pigs and the messes they may make. An elevated feeding area and private space underneath is also present in this cage, allowing for a diverse yet spacious living space. In addition to the standard accessories that it comes with, this cage has 3 massive doors that make it easy to access every part of the cage. For big cages such as this, accessibility is key to maintain cleanliness. Another great feature of this cage is that MidWest has created several different add-ons, such as a hutch or standard extension, that can be purchased to customize the cage for your guinea pigâs needs.Guinea pig owners love the spaciousness of the cage, commonly stating that itâs more than enough space for their piggies to get the exercise that they need to stay healthy. Assembly of the cage is easy despite its size, and the overall construction of it feels very solid and secure. Additionally, many owners point out how easy the cage is to keep clean due to the great accessibility.Some owners have noted that the upper part of the cage is slightly flimsy, as it doesnât feel like it can hold much weight and was also difficult to put together. Despite the bars not being the best quality, this cage still meets all of a guinea pigâs requirements and its pros definitely outweigh the cons.
PROSâ
- Added accessories
- Many doors for accessibility
- Possibility for extensions
CONS
- Flimsiness of metal cage
- Slightly difficult build
our #4 rated
Ferplast
Krolik 140 Plus Cage
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
This Ferplast Krolik 140 Plus Cage is yet another strong contender in the collection of best guinea pig cages. The entirety of the cage measures around 4.5âx2â˛, making it spacious enough for two guinea pigs to live comfortably. Not only is the space provided large, but itâs also interesting and diverse. In addition to an elevated feeding platform and private area underneath, this cage comes with an added hutch with hinged roof for extra privacy and accessibility. This cage is easily the most diverse in our list, but that doesnât mean that itâs lacking any of the features that the other cages have.Owners of this cage state that itâs simply a great cage for up to two guinea pigs that provides a nice living experience. The attached hutch is a hit among most guinea pigs, making it a great cage for guinea pigs that roam free most of the day and use the cage to sleep. The large side door of the cage makes it easy to clean the entirety of it, and it can be left open for guinea pigs to easily come and go. Additionally, the feeding ledge is removable, and some owners have removed it in order to give their guinea pigs more space to run around.Some owners have pointed out that the top part of the cage is difficult to attach to the bottom due to a lack of ways to actually attach it. This problem is commonly fixed with simple zip ties or bungee cables. Also, the fact that there is only one door makes this cage a bit hard to clean when you donât want you guinea pigs escaping.
PROSâ
- Diverse living space
- Large side door
- Added private extension
CONS
- Door isnât very secure
- Cage difficult to initially attach
our #5 rated
Ware
Mobile Critter Home
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Valueâ
Our Rating
Although the Mobile Critter Home by Ware may be last in the list, that doesnât mean that it wouldnât make a great home for your guinea pig â itâs just up against some tough competition! This cage is spacious, very easy to assemble, and made of materials that feel both strong and safe. Overall, itâs clear that a lot of thought has gone into the build of this cage, as the doors even have an added layer of security (requiring two fingers to open). The base of the cage is covered in a grate that can either be left on or, more commonly, removed for your guinea pigs. Additionally, the cage sits on four maneuverable locking wheels that makes the cage easy to transport if you want to move around your piggiesâ living space frequently.Most owners say that the cage is both easy to assemble and feels very solid and secure once built. Most owners removed the mesh flooring and really like the high walls of the pan. The wheels are another big hit, as even though the cage is large and solid, itâs very easy to move about the house.A few owners have pointed out that the bottom tray is difficult to clean as the entire thing has to be removed. This results in needing to remove guinea pigs from the cage before cleaning. This problem isnât bad as long as your guinea pig is litter trained and doesnât make too much of a mess in the first place.
PROSâ
- Versatile flooring
- Safe and secure build
- Very mobile
CONS
- Slightly small
- Hard to clean bottom tray
Our Choice
While guinea pigs are generally happy, engaging, social pets, these characteristics can be negatively influenced if they donât have a good home to live in. If your guinea pig isnât properly trained, or if you just want to keep them secure when you canât supervise, then you will likely want to keep them in a cage. Even if your guinea pig isnât in a cage for very long, choosing the correct one will ensure their physical needs are met and theyâre happy and healthy even when theyâre relaxing.
So, after carefully reviewing all of the guinea pig cages available, weâve determined that the best guinea pig cage is the AmazonBasics Pet Habitat.
Not only is this cage a great value for the money, but it is large enough for several guinea pigs, built to be safe and secure, and comes with a variety of different accessories to ensure a healthy life for your guinea pig. While this cage is the best of the best, any of the cages weâve presented in this post would make an excellent home for your piggie. Make sure that you read our guide thoroughly so that you can ensure youâre meeting your guinea pigâs needs with your cage selection.