Complete your guinea pig's setup without wondering what else they need
The hutch is just the start. Our accessories range covers feeding, bedding, cleaning, and weather protection so your guinea pigs have everything they need from day one
What accessories do I actually need when I buy a hutch?
At a minimum, your guinea pigs need bedding, hay, a water bottle, and a feeding bowl. A hutch cover is strongly recommended, especially for guinea pigs — they feel the cold more than many owners realise. Beyond that, a floor protector makes cleaning easier, and a wood treatment helps maintain the hutch over time. If you're unsure, contact us, and we'll help you put together the right setup.
What bedding should I use for guinea pigs?
A good combination is a layer of wood shavings on the floor for absorbency, with plenty of hay on top for warmth, comfort, and nesting. Hay is also your guinea pigs' main food source, so they should always have a generous supply. Avoid sawdust as it can irritate their lungs, and steer clear of straw on its own — it's not absorbent enough without shavings underneath.
How often should I clean the hutch?
Spot-clean daily — remove soiled bedding, uneaten food, and refresh the water. Do a full clean once a week, replacing all bedding and wiping down surfaces. A deeper clean monthly with a pet-safe disinfectant keeps things hygienic. A floor protector underneath the bedding makes the weekly clean much quicker.
Do I need a hutch cover as well as weatherproof treatment?
They do different jobs. Weatherproof treatment protects the timber itself from moisture, UV, and rot. A hutch cover shields the whole hutch from direct rain, wind, and frost, and keeps your guinea pigs' bedding dry. Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to cold and damp, so using both together gives the best protection and is especially important through autumn and winter.
What size water bottle do I need?
For a pair of guinea pigs, a 320ml or 600ml bottle works well. Guinea pigs drink regularly throughout the day, so check the water level daily and refresh it to keep it clean. In winter, consider a bottle snug cover to help prevent the water from freezing overnight.
Do I need a hay rack or can I just put hay in the hutch?
You can put hay directly in the hutch, but a hay rack keeps it cleaner and off the floor, where it can get soiled. This means less waste and fresher hay for your guinea pigs to eat. Hay on the floor is still fine for nesting and bedding — many owners use both, with a rack for eating and loose hay in the sleeping area for warmth.
How do I know which accessories fit my hutch?
Most accessories — bedding, hay, water bottles, feeding bowls, cleaning supplies, and wood treatments — work with any hutch. The only products sized to specific models are hutch covers and fitted floor protectors. For those, each product page lists which hutch models it fits. If you're not sure which cover or floor protector matches your hutch, contact us with a photo or your order number, and we'll match it up for you.
What should I put in the sleeping area to keep my guinea pigs warm?
Pack the sleeping area generously with hay — it's the best natural insulator and your guinea pigs will burrow into it for warmth. A thick layer of wood shavings underneath provides extra insulation from the cold floor. In winter, top up the hay daily as guinea pigs flatten it down overnight. Adding a thermal hutch cover on the outside makes the biggest difference of all on cold nights.
Is a floor protector worth buying?
Yes, especially if you want to make cleaning easier and protect the hutch floor. A floor protector sits underneath the bedding and shields the timber from urine, which can soak in and cause damage over time. When it's time to clean, simply lift it out, wipe it down, and replace it. It saves time every week and helps your hutch floor last much longer.
Do guinea pigs need anything different from rabbits in terms of accessories?
The main difference is warmth. Guinea pigs are more sensitive to cold than rabbits, so a hutch cover and thermal insulator are more important, especially in winter. They also need a constant supply of vitamin C in their diet, which they get from fresh vegetables and quality hay. The hutch accessories themselves — bedding, water bottles, cleaning supplies, wood treatments — are the same for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
What accessories do I actually need when I buy a hutch?
At a minimum, your guinea pigs need bedding, hay, a water bottle, and a feeding bowl. A hutch cover is strongly recommended, especially for guinea pigs — they feel the cold more than many owners realise. Beyond that, a floor protector makes cleaning easier, and a wood treatment helps maintain the hutch over time. If you're unsure, contact us, and we'll help you put together the right setup.
What bedding should I use for guinea pigs?
A good combination is a layer of wood shavings on the floor for absorbency, with plenty of hay on top for warmth, comfort, and nesting. Hay is also your guinea pigs' main food source, so they should always have a generous supply. Avoid sawdust as it can irritate their lungs, and steer clear of straw on its own — it's not absorbent enough without shavings underneath.
How often should I clean the hutch?
Spot-clean daily — remove soiled bedding, uneaten food, and refresh the water. Do a full clean once a week, replacing all bedding and wiping down surfaces. A deeper clean monthly with a pet-safe disinfectant keeps things hygienic. A floor protector underneath the bedding makes the weekly clean much quicker.
Do I need a hutch cover as well as weatherproof treatment?
They do different jobs. Weatherproof treatment protects the timber itself from moisture, UV, and rot. A hutch cover shields the whole hutch from direct rain, wind, and frost, and keeps your guinea pigs' bedding dry. Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to cold and damp, so using both together gives the best protection and is especially important through autumn and winter.
What size water bottle do I need?
For a pair of guinea pigs, a 320ml or 600ml bottle works well. Guinea pigs drink regularly throughout the day, so check the water level daily and refresh it to keep it clean. In winter, consider a bottle snug cover to help prevent the water from freezing overnight.
Do I need a hay rack or can I just put hay in the hutch?
You can put hay directly in the hutch, but a hay rack keeps it cleaner and off the floor, where it can get soiled. This means less waste and fresher hay for your guinea pigs to eat. Hay on the floor is still fine for nesting and bedding — many owners use both, with a rack for eating and loose hay in the sleeping area for warmth.
How do I know which accessories fit my hutch?
Most accessories — bedding, hay, water bottles, feeding bowls, cleaning supplies, and wood treatments — work with any hutch. The only products sized to specific models are hutch covers and fitted floor protectors. For those, each product page lists which hutch models it fits. If you're not sure which cover or floor protector matches your hutch, contact us with a photo or your order number, and we'll match it up for you.
What should I put in the sleeping area to keep my guinea pigs warm?
Pack the sleeping area generously with hay — it's the best natural insulator and your guinea pigs will burrow into it for warmth. A thick layer of wood shavings underneath provides extra insulation from the cold floor. In winter, top up the hay daily as guinea pigs flatten it down overnight. Adding a thermal hutch cover on the outside makes the biggest difference of all on cold nights.
Is a floor protector worth buying?
Yes, especially if you want to make cleaning easier and protect the hutch floor. A floor protector sits underneath the bedding and shields the timber from urine, which can soak in and cause damage over time. When it's time to clean, simply lift it out, wipe it down, and replace it. It saves time every week and helps your hutch floor last much longer.
Do guinea pigs need anything different from rabbits in terms of accessories?
The main difference is warmth. Guinea pigs are more sensitive to cold than rabbits, so a hutch cover and thermal insulator are more important, especially in winter. They also need a constant supply of vitamin C in their diet, which they get from fresh vegetables and quality hay. The hutch accessories themselves — bedding, water bottles, cleaning supplies, wood treatments — are the same for both.
What People Are Saying...
Wonderful product & great company
It was such a great experience!
I was concerned that it would not be possible for me, an 82yr old lady,no good at DIY. to put it together - but it just needed a Philips screwdriver and it was easy!
They were so helpful with advice and instruction and wow - British made - wonderful - superb bird feeder and cheap!
J
J DEMIRDJIAN
Verified customer
Both the hutch and run are fantastic
We purchased the 6ft Chartwell Double Rabbit Hutch along with the 6ft Heavy Duty Rabbit Run with Burrow Portal and Tunnel for our two rabbits.
Both the hutch and run are fantastic – excellent quality, very spacious for our bunnies, and easy to clean.
Thanks again, James!
A
Adam Harris
Verified customer
Best hutches around
Best hutches and cat hideouts around I was led to believe when buying flat pack cages that they would all break in a month or so which is normally been the case.
But since using home and roost with them being A British made company everything Is a lot better quality all the panels are solid they are easy to put together but we definitely ordering more from you in the future❤️
R
Rosie Stubbs
Verified customer
Quality product, quality customer service!
We are extremely impressed with the service and products from Home & Roost. We were in urgent need of our new hutch, so upon speaking with customer service.
They arranged to send our hutch on an order separate to the rest of our ordered items, at no extra charge!.
A quality product, with quality customer service.
M
Micric
Verified customer
Thank you, Home and Roost, for making my bunnies happy.
Excellent professional service, quick, reliable. Also hutches good value for money.
I am the proud owner of 1 double 6ft chartwell block and 4 6ft single chartwell. Extremely robust and well made and so easy to put together.
A
Author's name
Verified customer
High quality item with high quality service
Initial issue with delivery date, but this was sorted quickly and professionally. The catio is well made and survived all the storms we’ve had in the recent months - it never moved.
The quality is much higher than others I’ve seen, I would definitely recommend purchasing from them. Excellent product and excellent service.
M
MsL
Verified customer
All Round Great Company
I ordered the wrong hutch (I wanted a double but ordered the 2 tier) and also without realising I ordered the wrong size vinyl flooring.
The warehouse staff anticipated I had made a mistake with the flooring size and sent the one I needed.
The after sales service was excellent with helping me get the hutch I wanted
C
Caroline Fry
Verified customer
High quality item with high quality service
Initial issue with delivery date, but this was sorted quickly and professionally. The catio is well made and survived all the storms we’ve had in the recent months - it never moved.
The quality is much higher than others I’ve seen, I would definitely recommend purchasing from them.
Excellent product and excellent service.
M
MsL
Verified customer
Couldn’t fail this company
Their website, delivery, instructions everything was beyond perfect. Note, wood is very strong so you will need a small drill. Can do by screwdriver though not recommended.
Hutch is beautiful and especially the design. Definitely using this company over pets at home from now on, wish I knew of you guys earlier!
S
St Ap
Verified customer
Great product and fantastic customer service
Brilliant to find a Made in Britain company. I can be pretty sure that the making processes will do least harm to the environment, help protect our wildlife and countryside, and support local UK businesses.
Something made in China probably fails to meet any ethical standards that we consider vital . Well done Home and Roost. I'll be back!
T
Tean Mitchell
Verified customer
Solid well-made hutch
The order process was straightforward - initially, the hutch was shown as back-ordered, but it was fulfilled and dispatched earlier than the website said.
Regular updates for the delivery - so I was able to reschedule to a convenient date.
B
Bluevalhalla
Verified customer
Excellent order and delivery service
Found exactly what I was hoping for having failed with most companies. Very easy to order and the package arrived quickly and safely. Easily assembled and is up waiting for its first Sparrow residents!
A
Amanda Harris
Verified customer
Great customer service
After finding out I had made an error on ordering, I was able to contact the company easily and the response was prompt. The problem was sorted out straight away and the product then arrived in good time. Thank you
D
Denise BUTLER
Verified customer
Don't look anywhere else you'll get everything you need here
Every internet interaction we've had with Home and Roost has been marvellous.
The website is clear, and efficient, for which we are really grateful to them. The customer service has been excellent.
A great company!
B
Boz Perry
Verified customer
Service and professionalism
Great product and keenly priced, swift dispatch, but let down by the courier, who managed to damage a key component.
A quick email exchange of some photos and Alan and his team had a replacement on its way the same day!!
I cannot fault the service and professionalism of Home & Roost.
A
Alan Hutchins
Verified customer
Returns and replacement - Super efficient
Unfortunately, the product arrived damaged, but customer service was excellent and better than expected!
They replaced and picked up the damaged one the next day!
The product is fantastic and of exceptional quality. Thankyou
A
Amy P
Verified customer
The best hutch company!
This is the best company I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.
We have had multiple hutches from them, and they are really efficient and quick with dispatch.
We have also been given so much help and support from James he is always really friendly and more than happy to help.
I would highly recommend this company!!
A
Ali Watt
Verified customer
Great quality! Great customer service!
Having studied the best hutches on the market we decided to purchase the 6ft Chartwell hutch. Very well made, quality materials, lots of space for both of them and our bunnies seem very settled and safe…
All the products we have purchased are good quality and built to last.. These are built to be good for years to come!