Cages for guinea pigs: selection and arrangement

Guinea pig is considered the most favorite pet. This rodent is characterized by small size and the ability to give joy to children. Since the animal spends most of its life in a cage, before you start it in the house, you should seriously consider the choice and arrangement of fluffy housing, complementing it with all the necessary accessories.

It is not difficult to create comfortable conditions for keeping a guinea pig, for this it is only necessary to acquire an ideal house for her. In order for the rodent to feel safe in it and be provided with everything necessary, the cage must meet the following requirements.

• Have a size corresponding to the dimensions of the animal. It also does not have to be cramped. Experts recommend buying medium-sized designs, even if the pet is small. In the cage should be provided area not only for sleep, but also for active spending time. Not too suitable for the pet is too large a design, it is desirable that its area does not exceed 0.7 m2. If you plan to keep several individuals in a cage, it is best to purchase a rather spacious house so that its space is enough for each animal (each "inhabitant" will need at least 1 m2). It is also important to consider that males, unlike females, need more space, as they lead a more active lifestyle.
• Provide easy access to cleaning. In the case when an aviary without a roof is created for guinea pigs, then there are no problems with its cleaning. As for the cells, they must have a removable upper part.This will simplify the performance of high-quality cleaning and disinfection.
• Be safe for the life of the animal. It is advisable to give preference to structures made from environmentally friendly raw materials and place them in such a way that children and other pets do not pose a threat to the mumps.

Today, on sale you can find various types of cages for pets, each of which is different in design, size and price. The most popular option is a trellised cage equipped with a high plastic tray. It is easy to clean and the wire top provides good ventilation. To the rods you can additionally attach a drinker, a hammock.

A good option for keeping this type of rodent is also considered a container, which is a plastic container that resembles a terrarium. The designs of the Duna trademark have proven themselves perfectly, their upper part is made of transparent plastic and is attached to the pallet. Due to the presence of a lattice door, the house receives ventilation. The main advantages of such a cage include the absence of debris on the floor and the protection of pets from drafts. In addition, the transparent walls of the structure allow you to conveniently observe the animal.

Cages for guinea pigs may differ in the material of manufacture. Consider what they are.

• Wooden. Despite the fact that wood is a natural raw material, it is able to quickly absorb odors, liquids. Therefore, wooden models are not the best option for keeping such pussies. In addition, animals can quickly gnaw a cage and render it unusable. If the owners chose a tree, then it is recommended to cover the bottom of the structure with tarpaulin. If desired, a similar design can be made with your own hands from wood and corrugated cardboard.
• Metal. This is the best kind of cells since the material is durable. Pets and pest control do not spoil such cells. Metal rods are mainly made of durable stainless steel, which is highly resistant to detergents.
• Plastic. They wash quickly and easily and are not afraid of cleaning with household chemicals. The only drawback of these designs is that their walls, made of transparent material, lose their aesthetic appearance over time.

In addition, the cells differ in the type of construction, they can be either single-story or two-story, with a size of 55.5x37x64 cm.

Before you start a guinea pig, you must first purchase a cage for its maintenance. Since the market offers a chic assortment of pet houses, it will be difficult to make the right choice in favor of a particular model. When buying cells, specialists recommend paying attention to the following parameters.

• The size of the structure. Guinea pigs need horizontal space and there should be a lot of it. The larger the area of ​​the house, the freer the animal will be able to move. In cramped cages, the rodent will begin to yearn and hurt. Since on average it is necessary to allocate at least 70 cm2 per pig, the best option would be to purchase a cell measuring 75x90 cm. For two individuals, therefore, a large structure will be required.
• Free access to cleaning and ventilation. Since the fluffy house should be regularly cleaned and washed, its design should have removable elements.
• Quality. All locks, doors and bars must be secure.Metal cages are a good choice for keeping guinea pigs; they are the most durable. A combined structure made of plastic and metal rods is also suitable as comfortable housing.
• The form. For pigs, rectangular designs are best suited; it is not recommended to buy multi-level and tall models.
• The ability to fold and disassemble. Prefabricated models are universal because they are convenient to store and transport.
• The distance between the rods. They should be at such a distance from each other so that the animal could not stick its head in. The ideal option is 2.54x10.2 cm.
• Compliance with the design of the room. Today, manufacturers produce various cell models that differ in color and decor.

After the cage for the rodent is purchased, there will only be a question of its arrangement and selection of a place for installation. It should immediately be noted that the position of the cell is of great importance. For example, it is not recommended to put the house in or near the kitchen. This is due to hygiene standards. Therefore, in order to properly position the rodent's habitat, it is important to consider several factors.

• The microclimate of the room. Air temperature and humidity should always remain constant. The animal feels comfortable at a temperature range of 18 to +22 degrees, while at least 40% is considered the optimal humidity level. Since the temperature difference often arises in the rooms in winter, the cage cannot be placed on the floor; a bedside table or table is suitable for it. It is also not recommended to place houses with guinea pigs near doors and windows, as a draft is possible.
• Activity. This type of animal loves to be constantly with people and requires special attention and care from the owners. Therefore, in order not to leave the pet alone, it can be settled in the living room. But in this case, it is necessary to foresee the presence of shelter in the cage, where the rodent will be able to hide when tired.
• Noise. Guinea pigs have a keen ear, so their houses can not be placed near sources of loud sounds (TV, music center).
• Protect your pet from other animals and children. It is advisable to place the cage in such a way that you can observe how the kids play with the pet. If there are cats and dogs in the house, houses are best placed on a hill.

Some owners of guinea pigs equip their pets with housing not in the house, but on the street, under a special canopy. Such designs should be necessarily protected from the penetration of predators and bad weather. If the rodent lives in the apartment, then in the summer it is recommended to take it with you to the country. Fresh air and an assortment of green foods will give pussies a lot of pleasure and joy. In this case, the cage should be placed in a place where there is no strong heat, dampness, cold, and there is protection against direct sunlight and rain.

There are also certain restrictions on the placement of cells, so they can not be kept in the following places.

• On the windowsill from the sunny side and under the glass roof in the greenhouse. It will be very hot for the animals.
• In the garage. In this room, exhaust gases constantly accumulate, which are poisonous and dangerous not only for the health of the animal, but also for humans.
• In unheated rooms. This type of pet should not be too overheated and supercool. It is also not allowed to warm the room where the pig is located, with a kerogase or a kerosene lamp. These heat sources emit a lot of harmful gases.

After the cage for the pet is purchased, it should be well equipped. First of all, you need litter, while it is desirable to choose a filler from straw and paper (these are excellent heat insulators that will warm animals).It is not recommended to lay filler from sawdust of pine and cedar, as they contain a lot of phenol, which is dangerous for rodents. Since pigs like to dig deep tunnels and dig in, then the filler layer must be at least 7 cm.

In addition, the housing of the pet must be equipped with the following elements.

• A drinker. It is advisable to give preference to containers made of glass and ceramics, fresh water is constantly poured into them and set so that the liquid does not spill and does not get on the filler. As a drinking bowl, you can also use a plastic or glass bottle, it is suspended at a certain height so that the fluffy can freely reach. Such bottles must be washed thoroughly with a brush once a week while cleaning the cage.
• Feeding trough. It should be small and wide, as pets like to have a meal, putting their paws on its edges. No need to buy large bowls. As for the material of manufacture, the best option is ceramic containers, plastic is not recommended. Ceramic bowls last much longer and pets do not gnaw at them.

No less important for guinea pigs are considered and toys, in which most often they install cardboard boxes or wooden cubes. Since pets love to chew on everything, placing mineral stones in the house will also be a good solution. Do not buy paint-coated toys in specialized stores.

One of the main components of the cell should be a hammock. So that the animal does not injure itself, it is important to monitor how it uses the hammock. Additionally, the design can be equipped with a nook by making a small canopy or tunnel. Animals love to hide and are often embarrassed, secluded in their shelter. Elements for the corner can be either purchased ready-made in the store or made with your own hands.

Suitable for games and mazes. The tunnel, independently made of round bread cans or chips, is in no way inferior to store options. To do this, the sticker, all metal parts, are previously removed from the can. Such labyrinths are able to interest the animal for a long time, which will prevent its obesity in the future and positively affect the state of health.

See how to choose a cage for a guinea pig in the video below.