A guinea pig enclosure and the acquisition of your first guinea pig are both relatively simple tasks to complete.
However, your responsibilities as a property owner do not end there. The guinea pig’s enclosure must be transformed into a home by the owner, who must put forth some effort.
What do guinea pigs need in a cage?
To begin with, guinea pigs require a large amount of supplies. Here are a few supplies that are absolutely necessary for guinea pig care:
- Bedding of Superior Quality
- Food bowls and hay racks are two of the most common accessories.
- Hay that has been cut recently
- a bottle of water
- Toys for children to play with Hideouts in which to sleep
- A litter tray is necessary to keep the cage clean.
How to prepare a cage for a guinea pig?
When you bring your guinea pig into your home, you will need to make arrangements for his living quarters.
Some of the families allow their guinea pigs to roam around freely all of the time.
Although your guinea pig will benefit from this freedom, there may be a number of issues to contend with.
Before allowing your guinea pig to run free, take a moment to consider your options. What could be the location of your guinea pig’s sleeping quarters?
How safe do you feel about your pet when you’re out and about doing something else? Is it going to fall to the ground and cause damage? What location will your pet use to eliminate their feces?
A guinea pig enclosure is always the safer option when it comes to caring for your pet. They will be content as long as they are given sufficient floor time on a daily basis.
The majority of the guinea pigs are interested in having their own space. Even social creatures desire to be left alone from time to time.
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Large open space to play and exercise
The most important thing that your guinea pig requires in their enclosure is plenty of space to run around.
Your guinea pigs must have enough space to move around and play in their enclosure; otherwise, they will become stressed and unhealthy as a result of feeling trapped inside.
It is recommended that guinea pigs have an enclosure that is 8 square feet in size at the very least.
When your guinea pig is in the enclosure, they must be able to stand on their hind legs comfortably.
In addition, you will need to include a hiding spot as well as a litter box. Every guinea pig will appreciate having the space to run around, jump, and play. It appears that the larger you grow, the happier they are.
If at all possible, try to incorporate a run into your guinea pig’s enclosure. This will allow your guinea pig to get some exercise while still being protected.
It is necessary to provide your guinea pig with an exercise area measuring at least 32 square feet for him to be healthy. Always keep the guinea pig’s enclosure’s entrance closed at all times during the night. It is critical that they are protected from predators.
If you are unable to incorporate a run into your guinea pig’s enclosure, you will need to spend more time on the floor. Space is essential for guinea pigs to thrive. In the event that your guinea pigs feel trapped, they will attempt to break free on a regular basis.
In addition, read: What size guinea pig cage should I get? Choosing the most appropriate one!
Soft bedding to keep their feet healthy
The majority of us believe that it is not necessary to cover the floor of the enclosure, but this is incorrect.
If the enclosure floor is made of hard wire, it would be painful for your pet to walk on it.
Finally, this may result in open sores on your guinea pig’s feet known as bumblefoot, which are painful and debilitating.
You can get bedding for your guinea pigs in a variety of materials such as fleece, paper, or aspen. If none of the above options are available, hay could be a great substitute.
A plentiful supply of hay will also suffice in this situation. Despite the fact that hay must be plentiful, keep in mind that your guinea pig’s feet should not come into contact with the ground.
If you want to use a delicate flooring material for your guinea pig’s enclosure, vinyl is a good option.
When compared to wire or wood, vinyl will be significantly more comfortable. Be aware that the guinea pig has the ability to chew through the vinyl flooring. Every day, you will be required to change the flooring.
Food and water on a daily basis
Your guinea pig’s food and water must be available at all times for him.
Guinea pigs were unable to survive for long periods of time without nutrients. It is important not to allow your pet to skip a meal. A guinea pig can eat three different types of food at the same time.
- Hay is important: Try to fill plenty of fresh hay in your guinea pig’s enclosure as much as you can.
- As guinea pigs like this most, they eat as much of this.
- Hay provides the necessary fiber, and also it is calorie-neutral.
- It also helps to trim the guinea pig’s teeth.
- For adult guinea pigs, pellets are non-compulsory: Restrict the access to pellets, once your guinea pig attains six months of age.
- That could be a little high calcium food.
- Though it does provide nutrition.
- You will not need these if you provide a good supply of vegetables daily.
- For guinea pigs, fresh vegetables and fresh fruits are a great pleasure.
- Most of these foods also offer high vitamins and nutrients.
- Don’t offer them too much as it can lead to obesity and other health issues.
It is also necessary for your guinea pig to have continuous access to fresh water. It is possible to provide a bowl or a bottle for this purpose. Drinking from a bowl is more convenient for guinea pigs, who prefer to drink from a bowl.
However, some of the guinea pigs use their bowl as a toy, which is amusing to watch. Because it can be filled with hay or bedding, or it can be knocked down, it is a viable option. As soon as your guinea pig’s enclosure is in this state, attach a bottle to it.
Checking to see that your guinea pig is getting enough water is far more important than figuring out where the water comes from.
Drinking between 50-100 ml of water for every kilogram of body weight in a day-to-day schedule should be enough for any guinea pig.
Hideouts to relax
Guinea pigs are prey animals, which means they eat other animals. Despite the fact that they have gone through the process of domestication, they still have a certain amount of survival instinct in them.
They usually require a safe haven where they can feel secure and take a nap whenever they feel the need to.
A hideout for your guinea pig’s enclosure is an absolutely essential item. A hideout for each of your pets is something you’ll need to purchase.
That means you’ll need a hideout for each guinea pig in your herd. Having at least two or more hideouts in the cage is required if you have a pair of guinea pigs in the house.
A separate sleep area
Every guinea pig necessitates the establishment of a personal space. When constructing an enclosure for their guinea pig, owners should take special care to ensure that their pet is in a peaceful environment during the process.
Fill a hideout with bedding so that your guinea pig understands that it is a safe place for him or herself to sleep at night. This will assist you in maintaining the happiness of your guinea pig.
If you are unable to locate a suitable hiding place, there are numerous do-it-yourself options.
If you want to keep things as simple as possible, a guinea pig’s bedroom can be as simple as an upturned cardboard carton. Simply cutting holes in the box to allow the guinea pig to enter and exit are all that is required.
In order to ensure proper placement, place this carton in the corner of your guinea pig’s enclosure at the lowest possible level. As soon as your guinea pig arrives in this area, it will begin to snooze.
There are many reasons why a guinea pig wants a bedroom area in their enclosure.
- Guinea pigs are social creatures, but they require their own personal space as well. For their privacy, they only require a private bedroom.
- Guinea pigs sleep from mid-morning to early evening, depending on their age. If your guinea pig has a comfortable place to sleep, the bright light will not bother them.
- Guinea pigs are recognized as prey animals, and they are well aware of this. You will feel more secure knowing that your guinea pig is protected by a shielding layer because they will not realize that the cartoon will not protect them from a predator.
- Guinea pigs are clean animals, and they do not like to eliminate or urinate in their sleeping areas, which means that your guinea pig will remain fresh and odor-free while in your care.
When it comes to the bedding for the guinea pig’s enclosure, the owner has a wide variety of options. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the bedding is safe for consumption. It is possible that guinea pigs will accidentally ingest their bedding by accident.
The majority of the guinea pigs will be relieved to be able to sleep on the hay. You may, on the other hand, prefer to purchase a blanket.
A pet store will have the best and safest blankets for your guinea pigs on the market today. In addition, a guinea pig bed frame can be purchased by the owner.
Your guinea pig will have a great time arranging these blankets and will have even more fun tearing them apart.
Lots of toys for mental and physical stimulation
The owner will be responsible for stocking the guinea pig’s enclosure with toys and other amusements.
Due to the fact that guinea pigs are intelligent creatures, they are constantly seeking mental stimulation. No guinea pig will be content unless he or she has a large collection of toys.
A few of these items for guinea pigs should be purchased by the owner, and this is highly recommended.
Nevertheless, necessary household items can also serve as toys in certain situations. Consider the following to make sure you know what is included as a toy.
- Guinea pigs enjoy chewing because it helps to keep their teeth from becoming overgrown..
- Guinea pigs enjoy digging and constructing burrows. Due to the fact that it is a natural tendency. A guinea pig would dig a burrow in which to live in order to survive.
- Guinea pigs prefer to be surrounded by quiet sounds. Playing with toys that make crackling sounds when tossed around is one of their favorite pastimes.
- Guinea pig enjoys being mischievous. Because of this, your guinea pig will take pleasure in tearing apart and toppling delicate items like flowers.
Alternative toys
Your guinea pig will have many different options available to him, as you will notice when you read this. Makeshift toys for them to play with in their enclosure. A few examples of what you might want to include are as follows:
- Fill the box with papers, such as a phone book, and place them in the box. Your guinea pig rips this to shreds and burrows into it for protection.
- Small cat toys can be kept on hand for when the cat is bored. Your guinea pig flings these all over the place.
- In the same way that the owner can provide keys, the owner can also provide hard, plastic baby toys. In addition, these will satisfy your guinea pig’s desire to chew by discouraging it from chewing the wire of an enclosure door, which can be dangerous.
- Set out small balls and other similar items for your guinea pig to chase and push around the confines of their enclosure.
- A Guinea pig is capable of tracking down hidden treats, which may be found in your guinea pig’s hay. So just barely keep them from becoming fusty.
That is simply the icing on the cake. When your guinea pig is playing, pay attention to what he or she is interested in the most and emulate that behavior. You can then arrange the toys in the appropriate manner.
Guinea pigs have a short attention span. A toy may be able to hold your guinea pig’s attention for a few hours, but it will soon lose its appeal. Then it would be dismissed without a second thought. The owner will need to rotate the toys in his or her collection on a regular basis.
Cagemates to socialize
These tiny creatures are capable of surviving on their own. However, this is not appropriate for the majority of guinea pigs. When these animals are with their companions of the same species, they are always content and contented.
When you adopt or bring your guinea pig to the shelter, you will always be asked to consider two animals.
That was not an attempt by the shop to upsell you, nor was it an effort by the shelter to clear out their enclosures. It was done solely for the purpose of making the guinea pig happy.
If you have the option of adding another guinea pig to your enclosure, you should seriously consider doing so. There will be specific issues to deal with.
The guinea pig’s bonding should be excellent, and they should both be comfortable with each other, so the owner must take care to ensure this. It will, on the other hand, result in a happy life for both of them.
It is possible that the second guinea pig will not be an option for a variety of reasons, including ethical concerns. However, this does not imply the end of the world. However, it does imply that the proprietor will have to make adjustments.
In any situation, you should never leave your guinea pig alone for an extended period of time. The owner should be required to inspect them on a regular basis.
If you have to work all day, enlist the help of your neighbors or friends to look after them. Having you around will be appreciated by your guinea pig.
Also read: Can guinea pigs live alone?
Is it better to keep guinea pigs indoors or outdoors?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few things you should be aware of:
| Benefits of an indoor enclosure | Benefits of an outdoor enclosure |
|---|---|
| Guinea pigs are highly social creatures. The fact that your guinea pig is housed indoors means that he or she will be surrounded by members of the human family at all times of the day. | A guinea pig enclosure begins to smell after a few days or so of being in use. It is unlikely that you would notice much difference if your guinea pig lived outdoors. |
| Your guinea pig will gain confidence and interact more quickly as a result of this treatment. Your pet will become accustomed to the sights and sounds of a crowded house. | Natural light has an effect on the hormones of the guinea pig. Sleeping and shedding patterns are determined by genetics and environment. |
| Your guinea pig will be safe and secure inside the cage at all times. Your guinea pig will not be harmed by the predators that roam the neighborhood. This will make your guinea pig feel less anxious when kept in an enclosed space. | Guinea pigs require a climate that is moderate in order to survive. Living outside will keep you away from artificial heating and cooling sources, such as central heating and cooling.. |
| You can rest assured that your guinea pig will always be in our sights. This will make it easier to notice unusual behavior or signs of potential illness in the future. | For your guinea pig, the outside world will be deafeningly quiet. Your pet will not be alarmed by vacuums, voices, or the sound of doors closing around him. |
| The owner does not have to be concerned about the harsh weather. Your guinea pig will always be safe and warm, no matter what the weather conditions are. | Living outside is more natural for your guinea pig because it provides a more natural environment. The overall quality of their lives will improve. |
Also read: Can guinea pigs live outside? Pros and Cons!
Keeping guinea pigs outdoor
It is crucial to decide whether your guinea pig’s should be housed inside or outside.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods.
If you are trying to understand toward spotting your guinea pig’s enclosure out, consider the following:
- Temperature
- Safety
- Lighting
Temperature maintenance in outdoor enclosure
If your guinea pig lives outside, the owner would need to place a thermometer inside the enclosure to keep track of the temperature. Guinea pigs can survive in moderately cold temperatures, but their care must be provided by the owner if the weather is particularly severe.
The body temperature of a guinea pig should range between 100 and 103 degrees Celsius. Although it appears to be a lot, the guinea pig’s fur coat takes care of it. It is unlikely that your guinea pig will become too cold.
If the temperature drops to 16 degrees Celsius or lower, the guinea pig is at risk of becoming ill. This is a sign that your guinea pig needs to be relocated to a warmer environment. That will only be temporary until the cold weather begins to fade away completely.
Do not switch your guinea pig between outside and inside living at any point during the day or night. The guinea pigs are harmed by sudden changes in temperature. Your guinea pig only needs to get warm enough to avoid being in danger unexpectedly.
Unnecessary heat can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Maintaining a high temperature in an enclosed space will cause discomfort in your guinea pigs.
Any temperature above 24 degrees Celsius is uncomfortable, but it is tolerable. If the temperature rises above 28 degrees, the guinea pig will be in serious trouble.
The guinea pig could suffer from heatstroke in this situation if proper care is not given.
The owner is responsible for providing plenty of chilled water. Bring your guinea pig inside when the temperature of the sun becomes unbearable. Your guinea pig can relax on cold tiles to keep themselves cool during the summer months.
Safety of outdoor enclosure
There are a variety of predators who are interested in harming your guinea pig. The guinea pig’s enclosure must be protected with a firm, secure cover, which the owner must apply.
Predators are capable of consuming a thin element. Hardware fabric is the safest option because it is more durable than chicken wire and can withstand more abuse.
A bright, Perspex cover for your guinea pig’s enclosure might also be a good idea for the owner to consider. That would provide them with greater security. In addition, this will shield your guinea pig from any strong winds or rain that may occur.
If you do decide to cover the enclosure with a durable cover, keep in mind that your guinea pig will still require oxygen.
Do not include the entire enclosure in your submission. Allow enough space for your guinea pig to breathe so that he or she does not suffocate inside.
If you have serious concerns about your guinea pig’s safety, you should provide a safe haven for him or her inside your home.
Before bringing your guinea pig into your home, conduct some research into the most appropriate enclosure for your pet.
If you do not create a welcoming atmosphere in your home, stress and tension can result.
It is important for the owner to keep track of how much time the guinea pigs spend in their enclosure.
A guinea pig will wake up several hours before its owner and will continue to be active long after the owner has retired for the night, according to the owner.
A guinea pig wants to feel safe during this time, and it also needs to be entertained, so make sure to provide that.
Lighting of outdoor enclosure
Another factor to consider when housing outdoor guinea pigs is adequate lighting. When you retire for the night, your guinea pig will return to its enclosure.
Despite the fact that your guinea pig is unlikely to be sleepy, your guinea pig will keep themselves entertained before falling asleep.
You should have no concerns about your pet’s well-being. Guinea pigs are not frightened by the presence of darkness. They are unable to see in extreme darkness. The eyes of the guinea pig are arranged in such a way that they function best in the morning and at dusk.
As a result, your guinea pig will have a difficult time. Your guinea pig will be completely blind and unable to see anything. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, are capable of hearing and smelling predators, which can cause them to become stressed.
Fortunately, we have already discussed how the hideout area will be of assistance with this. Your guinea pig may sleep peacefully at night, unaware that other animals are watching from outside the confines of the enclosure.
If your guinea pig appears reluctant to return to its enclosure at night, it is likely that your guinea pig is afraid of something.
If you apply some light to your guinea pig, you can help to calm his nerves down. You have two options for doing so.
- Put a night light to your guinea pig’s enclosure. Torch or battery-operated lamp is best, as this will not contain dragging wires. Be sure that the lamp is dim.
- Establish a motion sensor light in your garden, which brightens your guinea pig’s enclosure. That will glow whenever something moves in your yard. Best to keep coyotes and foxes away.
