Choosing the right cage...
Size guide 120cm X 70cm
The size of a cage is very important when it comes to any animal, no less guinea pigs. The cage is where a guinea will realistically spend most of its time, so it is vital to choose the right one (see below for more on that). The very minimum recommended size for two piggies (piggies should always live in pairs) is 120cm X 70cm. This is the bare minimum! For sows, this is usually safe. For boars, it is really a game of chance - they like to have their own territories, and with a small space this can be difficult and result in fights.
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The cage should be a piggy's base, so to speak. It shouldn't be where they spend ALL of their time - they also need to get out and about - for example in a piggy safe room, or in a run indoors or outdoors. Its a place for them to spend the night safely, to have their food, hay, water and to poop and pee. Imagine living in one room for your whole life - that's no fun!
There is a misconception that guinea pigs can live in a small space. Wrong!
Would you keep a dog in a tiny crate? A horse in a tiny stable? A tiger in a tiny enclosure at the zoo? Of course not! There would be outrage, and calls for the RSPCA.
But when it comes to rabbits and guinea pigs, tiny cages are seen as the norm. Hutches where they can barely run, can't have space away from each other, can't play. Pet shops happily sell these as suitable and don't think to actually consider whether they are big enough? Of course customers and new pet owners trust the pet stores and take their advice, meaning they are dealt an unfair hand and the pigs get a bum deal.
Indoors or outdoors?
Merrypigs prefers indoors
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More regular interaction - pigs generally become tamer, quicker
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A more constant environment - humidity, temperature etc
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The pigs are more part of the family
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Usually illness or injury is spotted more quickly
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Safer from predators
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Easier to feed/water/clean out
But outdoors is ok too
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Remember to bring them indoors over winter!
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Easier access to grass and exercise
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Easier to provide larger accommodation if your indoor space is limited
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They get to naturally graze on fresh grass if they have a run attached
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Gets you outdoors and into the fresh air
Recommended
Unsuitable cages
Hot and cold weather
Hot weather
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Cover bottles with a sock to prevent algae growth
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Move hutches out of the sun
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Provide ice pods or pop bottles, 3/4 full of water, frozen and wrapped in towel
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Change bedding regularly and be aware of flystrike,
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Learn the signs of heatstroke - panting, drooling, lethargy, collapse - and apply a cool (not cold) damp towel - VET!
Cold weather
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Wrap bubble wrap or socks over bottles to help prevent freezing.
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Invest in heat pods which usually stay warm for about 10 hours.
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Remove wet bedding regularly.
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Add extra hay or fleecy items for warmth
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Bring them indoors (all Merrypigs adopters MUST do this)
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Invest in a hutch cover