Have you welcomed a cavy companion into your life? Brilliant! But are you certain their living quarters are up to scratch? Despite being rodents, our guinea pig friends need significantly more room than their smaller cousins like gerbils, hamsters, and mice.

Unlike climbing creatures that thrive on vertical space, guinea pigs are ground-dwellers at heart. They flourish with generous floor space where they can forage, graze, and play to their heart's content. And whilst these sociable little creatures adore companionship, they still appreciate their own private corners for peaceful slumbers.

The Perfect Dimensions for Happy Cavies

In our experience, the most suitable homes for guinea pigs are actually those typically designed for rabbits. When it comes to guinea pig housing, there's genuine truth in the saying that bigger is indeed better!

According to RSPCA guidelines, the minimum space for a single guinea pig should be 7.5 square feet (27 inches × 41 inches). However, the recommended size is a more generous 10.5 square feet (27 inches × 56 inches).

That said, remember that cavies are naturally social creatures who thrive with friends. We wholeheartedly recommend housing at least two guinea pigs together for their emotional wellbeing.

With companionship in mind, here are our recommended cage dimensions:

• For 2 guinea pigs: 10.5 square feet (27 inches × 56 inches)
• For 3 guinea pigs: 13 square feet (27 inches × 71 inches)
• For 4 guinea pigs: 16 square feet (27 inches × 84 inches)
• Note: When housing multiple males together, always choose one size larger to help prevent territorial disputes.

Finding the Perfect Home for Your Furry Friends

When exploring guinea pig housing options, you'll discover various designs including single-tier hutches and multi-level configurations with two or three tiers. Whether you opt for single or double-storey cages depends on your specific needs and budget.

The crucial consideration when housing multiple guinea pigs is providing ample floor space for exercise and play. Single-storey hutches excel at this, but if space is limited, adding a run creates a wonderful solution.

Home and Roost offers a delightful range of guinea pig cages and runs including our popular folding run options. Here are a few of our customer favourites:

4ft Kendal Luxury Guinea Pig Hutch and Run Combo

Our 4ft Kendal Luxury Guinea Pig Hutch and Run Combo combines spacious living with a compact footprint, perfect for smaller gardens. We particularly love that this hutch is elevated, keeping your cavies safe from ground-level threats whilst providing generous space for two guinea pigs.

This charming combo includes a secure trapdoor that locks at night for added protection. The design considers your comfort too – positioned at the perfect height to interact with your pets without straining your back. Meanwhile, the ground-level run offers the ideal natural environment for your cavies to explore, play and forage.

5ft Kendal Luxury Guinea Pig Hutch and Run Combo

Another customer favourite, the 5ft Kendal Luxury Guinea Pig Hutch and Run Combo offers all the benefits of its smaller sibling but with additional space. The elevated design provides security and comfort, with plenty of room for guinea pigs to retreat when they need some quiet time.

The spacious run measures an impressive 5ft × 3.7ft × 2ft, with a secure door that can be closed at night to keep your precious companions safe from nocturnal visitors.

6ft Chartwell 2 Tier Guinea Pig Hutch

If you need to house guinea pigs separately whilst still providing generous living space, our 6ft Chartwell 2 Tier Guinea Pig Hutch offers the perfect solution. With two unconnected floors, each featuring its own sleeping compartment and play area, everyone gets their own space.

While this isn't a hutch-and-run combination, our separate runs can be purchased to expand your guinea pigs' territory even further.

Why Larger Cages Create Happier Guinea Pigs

When it comes to guinea pig housing, generous proportions offer numerous benefits:

More Space for Active Living

Guinea pigs need regular exercise to maintain good health. With their natural grazing behaviour, they're prone to weight gain if inactive, which can lead to diabetes, respiratory issues, heart problems, and painful conditions like bumblefoot. An active guinea pig is a healthy guinea pig!

Greater Mental Stimulation

Just as we humans crave varied environments, guinea pigs thrive with space to explore. Ensuring they have distinct areas for eating, sleeping, playing and toileting keeps your guinea pigs mentally stimulated and emotionally balanced.

Personal Space When Needed

While guinea pigs are wonderfully social creatures who cherish companionship, they occasionally need their own retreat. A spacious hutch allows them to enjoy social time together whilst also providing quiet corners when they need a moment to themselves.

Easier Maintenance

This might surprise you, but larger cages are actually easier to clean! Since a clean living environment is vital for your guinea pig's health, the simpler the cleaning process, the more likely you are to maintain it regularly. Our guinea pig care and cleaning collection offers everything you need to keep their home fresh and hygienic.

Healthier, Happier Companions

A content guinea pig is a healthy guinea pig – exactly what every caring owner wants. When your cavies have room to express their natural behaviours, you'll be delighted by their entertaining antics – the charming 'wheeks', playful 'whoops' and joyful 'popcorning' that make guinea pig ownership so rewarding. Plus, with less time spent cleaning, you'll have more opportunities to bond with your delightful companions.

Essential Accessories for the Perfect Guinea Pig Home

Your guinea pigs need more than just a spacious cage to thrive. Here are the essentials to complete their perfect home:

Must-Have Basics

• A heavy ceramic food bowl (like our Mason Cash Ceramic Carrot Bowl) to prevent tipping
• Water bottle/dispenser
• Comfortable bedding and hay for nesting and nibbling
• Multiple hiding spots
• Appropriate cleaning materials

Enrichment Items

Guinea pigs adore playtime, so scatter safe, non-toxic toys and accessories throughout their home. Always provide multiple toys to prevent squabbles over particularly desirable items. Popular choices include:

• Rosewood Naturals Hay n' Hide Play Tubes for cosy exploration
• Exploration tunnels
• Cosy lounging logs
• Pop-up Activity Tents for playful adventures
• Appropriate chew toys

Perhaps most important of all is time with you, their human companion! Ensure your guinea pigs enjoy regular periods outside their hutch for cuddles, gentle grooming, and supervised play sessions.

The Guinea Pig Lifestyle: Worth Every Effort

In our experience, guinea pigs rank among the most delightful small pets you could welcome into your home. When properly cared for in a spacious, enriching environment, they reward you with endless moments of joy and laughter. All they ask in return is a comfortable, roomy space to call their own.

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Did you find this guide helpful for creating your cavy's perfect home? We always cherish feedback from our community of pet lovers, so please do share your comments below.