| The decision on where to place your guinea pig | | | | detailed instructions on how to create a safe, roomy |
| should be made before you choose a cage so you'll | | | | cage for your guinea pigs relatively easily and |
| know exactly how much space you will be working | | | | inexpensively. All of the pieces can be purchased in |
| with, particularly if you will be keeping your guinea pig | | | | local stores and would cost anywhere from $60 to |
| indoors. Ideally, your guinea pig's cage should be at | | | | $90 to create, including the table to sit the cage on. |
| least 2 square feet per guinea pig, but the more area | | | | While that may not seem like much of a savings |
| you provide for your pet, the happier he or she will | | | | over the pet store variety, you won't have to do |
| be. The height of the cage is not as important. | | | | any further modifications and you will be giving your |
| Guinea pigs don't really climb much because of their | | | | guinea pig more than 10 square feet of room to |
| size so 18 inch walls should be high enough to keep | | | | enjoy. For those guinea pigs who will be staying |
| them safely inside a cage. Many guinea pig owners | | | | outside, you will probably want to construct your |
| prefer to have multi-level cages for their pets. While | | | | own hutch as well. Most of the ones currently sold |
| the addition of ramps and other levels may be fun | | | | are either not of good quality, have interior exposed |
| and interesting for the guinea pig, it isn't necessary. | | | | wood, or both. Another option is to purchase a metal |
| When most people purchase their guinea pig cages, | | | | commerical cage, remove the wire bottom, and place |
| they usually go through a pet store. This can be a | | | | it on a table that is high enough off the ground to |
| mistake for several reasons: 1. You will pay too much! | | | | prevent other animals from having easy access to |
| A decent-size guinea pig cage in any pet store will | | | | the guinea pigs. If you do choose to build your own, |
| run you around $75 to $100 minimum, which is way | | | | avoid using chicken wire and instead opt for welded |
| too much to spend for what you are getting. 2. You | | | | wire because chicken wire can cause injuries to the |
| will have to do additional modifications on the cage to | | | | animal's mouth if he or she chews on it. However, |
| make it livable for your guinea pig. Your cage should | | | | you do not need to worry about the guinea pig |
| never have an exposed wood interior (it soaks up | | | | chewing its way through either type of wire. One |
| the smell of their urine) or an exposed wire bottom | | | | final word of caution on choosing a cage: Many pet |
| (it can hurt their sensitive feet). Many of the cages | | | | stores sell aquariums and fish tanks as ideal homes |
| you purchase in pet stores have these features. 3. | | | | for guinea pigs and other small pets, but this is a |
| You usually won't be able to find a large enough | | | | definite no-no. Guinea pigs need a well-ventilated cage |
| cage. Remember that for one guinea pig, you need | | | | because the ammonia fumes from their urine can |
| at least 2 square feet of cage space. Each additional | | | | cause them to become ill. Obviously, an aquarium is |
| guinea pig requires between 2 to 4 extra square feet | | | | not well-ventilated and, therefore, should never be |
| of space. Also, you need to figure in the room for | | | | used as a home for your guinea pig. Regardless of |
| toys, hiding places, and food dishes. Many cage | | | | the type of cage you buy or make, you'll want to be |
| manufactureres will try to fool you by quoting only | | | | sure that it is fairly easy to clean. At least once |
| the exterior size on the box but, because of how it | | | | every two weeks, you need to remove everything |
| is measured, that can be a foot or more different | | | | from the cage and give it a thorough cleaning so be |
| from the actual amount of room your guinea pig | | | | sure you can do that as conveniently as possible. |
| would have inside the cage. If you do decide to buy | | | | People, even loving pet owners, tend not to do |
| a pet store cage for the sake of convenience, be | | | | necessary things when they are too much of an |
| sure to also figure on giving them lots of time to run | | | | inconvenience. |
| around on the floor. The best option regarding guinea | | | | Florian Ross developed comprehensive guides to help |
| pig cages, particularly if you want to keep several | | | | people succeed with their guinea pigs. Find out more |
| together, is to build your own. This may sound | | | | about how to have your guinea pig live 2 times |
| difficult, but it truly isn't, especially if you find some | | | | longer with his popular free ecourse at => |
| helpful instructions to work with. for example, includes | | | | pets-lovers. |