Guinea pigs need a special area in the house where they can take shelter. Though they roam around in the house or even outside in the backyard or front garden they should have a place where their accessories like the bowl, toys, or food items. Keeping cages for the pet guinea pigs is also necessary when the weather outside is not comfortable and the guinea pig can get ensured by the proper shelter where it can be rested while not playing.
Contents
What kind of cage will be best for the guinea pigs?
Take the wide cage for the guinea pigs as they need lots of space in their habitat. The fully matured guinea pig may need at least a 10 square feet area within their shelter. Also, check if you can find the cage with the PVC bottom. This kind of floor will be comfortable when the guinea pigs will move over it. The PVC floor also ensures less attack of bacteria or fungus.
The 7 Best Outdoor Guinea Pig Cages
Now we can discuss a few commercially available outdoor cages fit for keeping your pet guinea pig safe and healthy.
1. PINVNBY pet playpen
This is a portable and small playpen that can also be used as the cage of your little guinea pig. This playpen is made from resin and that is why it will be highly useful for your pets and it will also be a weatherproof product. This playpen can be placed outdoor safely.
This one is built with 12 panels and the design of the playpen makes it easy for your pet to move around in the interior. This pen can be removed part by part and thus it is easy to be cleaned. The material used in this pen is clear so you will be able to see what the pets are doing inside this cage.
This pen does not have any sharp edge so your pet guinea pigs will not be harmed anyway. There are multi-edge connectors and cables which tie the whole thing together. This is an environment-friendly product and thus it will not affect nature by toxicity.
Pros:
- Environment friendly
- Wide
- Clean view of the pet
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Kind of flimsy for some owners
2. Trixie Natura rabbit hutch
This is a two-story hutch for the guinea pigs and yet it is quite attractive for pets. This one is made from pine wood and thus it is a pretty eco-friendly product. The roof of this hutch is hinged and thus this is a pretty safe product for your guinea pigs. The locking arms at different sides of the hutch will keep the guinea pigs safe inside this area. Pets of all stages can be fitted inside this cage and thus it will be a fit product for your matured guinea pigs.
The plastic tray inside the cage can be pulled out and thus cleaning the spots is not a problem for the owners. There is a ramp by which the pet can climb up or come down. The non-slip ramp will not let the guinea pig meet with an accident.
Pros:
- Nice design
- Pine made
- Guinea pigs enjoy playing inside this hutch
Cons:
- Some has got cracked products
3. Aoxun 2 Story Rabbit Hutch
This hutch can be used as an indoor or outdoor shelter for your guinea pigs. This one is made from fir wood and painted with non-toxic paint. Thus the color will not harm the pets. This one comes with an asphalt roof and thus it will not let the water leak through the roof and affect the health of the pets. No water penetration can take place as this material is fully waterproof. The wooden hutch is a strong and weather-resistant one so your guinea pig will be enjoying its playtime outside when staying at this hutch.
The bottom of the hutch is removable and thus you can slide it out after the tray gets dirty with poop. The wire fencing in this hutch is quite trustworthy. This wire actually makes the ventilation easy. Also, no big animal can harm the guinea pig as this wired fence will keep the creature protected inside the hutch.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Long-lasting
- Nontoxic paint
Cons:
- Assembling not easy
4. Tespo pet playpen
This metal wire-made playpen is just perfect for keeping your guinea pigs outdoor. The metal wires can make this playpen a nice place where your guinea pig will be safe from the outside dangers and all other animals that may come near it to hunt. There are anti-slip pieces added to that pen which makes sure that this structure does not slip and flop down. The product is available in a piece by piece form but the structure is easy to assemble as it will be just fixed within half an hour.
The pen is low and wide so your pet guinea pig will have ample space to roam inside the pen. The top is open so the pet can enjoy the warm sun but you can cover it with a waterproof sheet when you feel that it would rain. The visibility through the sides will be clear so you can keep an eye on the creatures from outside.
Pros:
- Expandable
- Easy assembly
- Anti-slip pieces
Cons:
- Some users complain about sharp metal points
5. Neocraft rabbit hutch
Though this product is mentioned for rabbits, it is equally useful for guinea pigs. The only problem with this product is it has multiple levels which are difficult for the guinea pigs to handle. But this wooden weatherproof outdoor cage will be an important thing if you wish to adopt guinea pigs and keep them outside. This one has raised bottom which means your pet guinea pig will not suffer from humidity from the ground. This brown-colored cage looks like a real house that can be placed indoor or outdoor as per your wish.
There are two separate stacked cages adjusted together. The anti-corrosion wood which is used to make this outdoor cage will be keeping your guinea pig safe in the scorching heat of the sun and yet it will not be worn out anytime soon. There is a ladder for climbing up and down but guinea pigs would not need it very much. Keep this product in a shaded place or the regular heat may create cracks in this cage.
Pros:
- Wide space
- Nice design
- Eco-friendly product
Cons:
- Difficult to assemble
6. Ogrmar Chicken coop large outdoor hutch
Yet another product in our list is mentioned to be used for some other creature, but we are sure that your guinea pig would also love this outdoor house. The eco-friendly paint is used to color this house so your pet will not suffer from any toxicity when living within this outdoor house. There is ample space inside this cage and that is sufficient for the guinea pig to get fresh air for breathing. There is a removable tray that can be put in or out when you need to clean the interior of the cage.
The product will be delivered to your doorstep by UPS or USPS so you do not have to bother about carrying it to your home. The grid fences of this product are high quality and will keep your guinea pig safe and secure within this territory. It is made from original and natural wood which will ensure that it will last longer and will not harm the environment anyway.
Pros:
- Natural wood made
- Long-lasting
- Eco-friendly color coating
Cons:
- Can be small for a matured guinea pig
7. Petsfit rabbit hutch indoor bunny cage
This cage can be used for keeping both guinea pigs and rabbits, so we have included this in our list. Here you can keep one or two guinea pigs and it has two levels inside it. The assembling is easy in this cage as there are pre-drilled holes in this cage. The metal meshes are firmly wired with the wooden walls of this product so this is a nice and sturdy product for your pet guinea pigs. Even if you have big animals like dogs and cats at home, they would not be able to harm the guinea pig staying inside this house.
You can put a litter box under this elevated house as that will be easy for collecting the poops. Also, there is a removable tray that can be taken out or put in when you need to keep the shelter clean. This product can be used both for indoor as well as outdoor, but before putting this to outdoor use; you need to paint it with some nontoxic paint. There are not any sharp edges around in this cage and thus your pet guinea pig will not have any issue in living here.
Pros:
- Easy assembly
- Easily cleaned
- Spacious
Cons:
- No wire rack above a sliding tray.
Faqs
Can you keep your guinea pig outside for long?
When buying outdoor cages for your guinea pig, you may be worried about keeping the pet outside for such a long part of the day. But guinea pigs have no problem with that. In fact, they love to stay outside and be in the natural light and sun. The only time you need to be cautious about the guinea pig is the season of winter. Cold is not suitable for this small pet and at that season you should take the creature inside.
Wait till the spring dawns and then you can again take the guinea pig outdoor with its cage.
Should you put a stop at the outdoor cage of the guinea pig?
The top is not much needed unless the area you are living in faces frequent showers. Also, another reason for covering the top of the guinea pigs shelter is preventing the kids to put their hands inside the cage of the little creature. The small kids often find it fun to invade into the cage of the small pet guinea pig. But this is not at all comfortable for the pet and that is why you should add a top to the shelter of the pet.
Is it not good for the guinea pigs to keep indoors without cages?
Guinea pigs do not mind staying indoors. They are quite flexible in this way. They can live indoors or outdoor provided the weather is comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold. Living indoor will not be a problem for the guinea pigs when they are accustomed that way. They need a good amount of space and that can be anywhere inside or outside the house.
How long should you put the guinea pig inside the cage?
Guinea pigs can be trained from a very young age to stay within the cage if the surrounding in the house is not adequate for them. So it will not be unhealthy for the guinea pigs if you keep them inside the cage for at least 10-12 hours at a stretch. In fact, longer periods are also fine with the guinea pigs.
However, the conditions like a wide space inside the cage and proper conditioning are needed inside the cage. at least one to two hours the guinea pigs need to be freed and roam outside the cage, as this much exercise will keep the creature healthy.
Why do guinea pigs need a bigger cage?
This is surprising for the owners that the guinea pigs need so much space inside their cage, but the reality is, guinea pigs are pretty large creatures when compared to other rodent pets. They also love to move around and thus they need large space.
They tend to gain weight fast, so bigger space is also required to let them move around with utmost flexibility, as that will also keep them stay well exercised.
Can you put the guinea pig in a playpen instead of the cage?
Playpens are much necessary for the fitness of the pet guinea pigs. Playpens are also good mood lifters and help the guinea pig to stay happy and content. They will be able to play in the swings or in the wheel that is set on the playpens and that is why you can put your guinea pig into a playpen if you cannot manage to get a cage for the creature. But if you have a spacious apartment then both the playpen and a cage will be great ideas for keeping the guinea pigs healthy.
Is it cruel to keep guinea pigs in cages?
For many owners, it becomes confusing that if they should keep their guinea pigs in the cage or not. They think the closed-door cages are no better placed for the guinea pigs and they should not keep them enclosed in this way.
But the cages are not for only keeping the guinea pigs enclosed but is also a good way of protecting them within the safe area. When there are various other pets like cats and dogs in the house, the guinea pigs should stay within the cage and do not roam around in the house. The bigger pets may get aggressive and the guinea pigs will not be safe when such pets will attack them.
Not only that, the little creature may get harmed by various household objects by getting stuck in an uncomfortable spot or colliding with some furniture. So you should always arrange for the cage for your guinea pig.
Can you keep one or more guinea pigs in a cage?
Guinea pigs are social creatures and they love to stay with many of their herds. So it is better if you adopt them in a pair or more. But keeping them all in the same cage is not a great idea. Guinea pigs may look small but they need large space to live in. A wide cage will be sufficient to keep one guinea pig and if you wish to keep more than one guinea pig, keep them in separate and equally big-sized cages.
What items are required for making the cage of the guinea pig?
If you are a person who loves DIY projects then you can easily make a cage for your pet guinea pig with some simple ingredients and minimal time. What you will need is coroplast and storage cube grids. Make sure to leave enough space within the cage of your piggy as it will be needed at least 10 sq feet area within the cage for moving and roaming.
In case you are not willing to use any commercial bedding for this cage, get some felt for the flooring of your guinea pig. It will be just perfect if you can keep the felt as you can pick the poop or the uneaten food pieces from the floor of felt easy and cleaning the cage will also be an easy thing.
What kind of outdoor cages will be suitable for guinea pigs?
The outdoor cages, if you wish to buy them from commercial stores, need to be made with wood or plastic. These two materials do not get worn out by the heat and humidity of the daily weather. So the cages that you buy for your pet guinea pig will last long and you will have your money’s worth.
Can you get asphalt or metal cage for the guinea pigs?
While buying outdoor cages, many guinea pig owners prefer to choose asphalt or metal-made cages but that are not suitable for the pets at all. Metals absorb heat in a great amount and the pet will be suffocated in the heat when the cage will be kept outdoor. Think of the hot sun in the afternoon when the tired pet of yours will reside in its shelter and will feel listless.
Do not compromise with the quality of the outdoor cages if you wish your guinea pig to live a long and healthy life.
Can you keep the guinea pig in a multi-level cage?
Guinea pigs do not enjoy climbing the stairs and floors, so multi-level cages will not be a good idea for the guinea pigs. They need open space with lots of areas, but on the same level. You cannot extend the area by adding floors to its cage.
What kinds of substrates are best for the guinea pigs’ outdoor cage?
Hay is the favorite item of the guinea pigs, and if you keep this thing for the flooring of their cage, they will be happily chewing the hay when they wish. You have to be very cautious about the substrate that you want to give to the guinea pig’s cage. there is no way you can use something like the shavings of the wood on the floor of the cage, as this rodent pet has the habit of chewing and consuming the flooring item often. Hay is safe on that aspect.
How will you clean the outdoor cage of your guinea pig?
Using a solution of distilled white vinegar and water to clean the outdoor cage of the guinea pig is a great idea. The odor, as well as the dirt and bacteria, will be vanished after you spray this solution to the cage of this rodent. You have to replace the guinea pig before you decide to clean its home.
Take a soft cloth to wipe the grids and the interior of the cage after you spray that solution from the spray bottle. After wiping it with this solution, use plain and clean water to wipe the cage interior, before you finally place the guinea pig back to its home.
How will you take care of the guinea pig’s outdoor house?
The house or the cage should be waterproof and the top cover should be water-resistant. Make sure that the top is covered with tarpaulin or any such synthetic material which would not allow the leaching or leakage of water inside the home of the guinea pig. if you wish to keep the top open for some sunny months, you can do that. But keep an eye on the weather and make sure to cover it when it rains or cold increases.
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