How To Set Up Guinea Pig Cage

Are you bringing a guinea hog home presently? How prepared are you for the big day? Your new trivial companion is going to demand a hutch, as well equally a whole lot of other essentials to arrive feel at abode.

To aid y'all, we have put together a guide on how to set up a guinea pig hutch From choosing the right cage, bedding and accessories, to where to put the hutch, we accept got you covered.

Let's jump straight in with how to choose the correct muzzle.

1. Choose a Republic of guinea Grunter Muzzle

Make sure the cage is the right size

Size definitely matters when it comes to choosing a muzzle for your guinea squealer. And the bigger, the better. Recall, cavies need lots of space to run effectually and explore, so brand certain the hutch is the recommended size.

Determine on the kind of cage

At that place are different types of cages, so yous need to decide which one will be best for your republic of guinea squealer.

Hutches – if you are keeping your guinea grunter outside, so a hutch is what you are later on. These provide guinea pigs with all the infinite they demand for running around, as well as separate areas where they can sleep, eat and relax. Our hutches are manufactured in the Uk using high-quality materials, and they are spacious and easy to clean.

Wired cages – wired cages are also a practiced option if you programme on keeping your guinea squealer indoors. Information technology is of import to remember, nonetheless, that the ready to purchase wired cages you lot oft see in pet stores are better suited to smaller pets, such as mice, hamsters and rats. Too, avert cages with wire bottoms. Guinea pigs have very sensitive feet, and a wire-lesser cage could result in pododermatitis or bumblefoot as it is more normally known.

Aquariums/glass tanks – although glass tanks and aquariums were once considered a expert cage option for guinea pigs, we now know this is no longer the example. Cavies are prone to overheat, and equally you lot can imagine, a drinking glass tank doesn't provide acceptable ventilation or circulation of air. They are also not big plenty.

2. Bedding Dos and Don'ts

The blazon of bedding you use can have a direct impact on your guinea pig's health. Take a look at our dos and don'ts for choosing the best bedding for your cavy.

Do use wood or hay bedding

If y'all desire to use wood bedding, the best options are aspen, softwood or hay. Brand sure that the production has been dust-extracted and that the wood you cull has no natural aromas. Hay is especially good equally it helps control odours, is absorbent and 100% natural.

Practise use fleece

You can also use fleece as bedding for your guinea grunter's cage. It absorbs moisture and will keep your guinea pig warm. Just bear in mind that this type of bedding will need to be cleaned more often, and could be a footling on the expensive side to continue replacing.

Do use paper bedding

Paper bedding is a keen option too. Information technology is gentle on your guinea squealer'southward sensitive feet, it absorbs liquid and is cost-effective. The only downside to this kind of bedding is that the absorbed urine tends to scent stronger, and lingers a lot longer than hay or wood.

Don't utilize pine or cedar wood shavings

Aromatic wood, such as pine and cedar, contain oils that can lead to respiratory problems in your guinea pigs. It is all-time to avoid these, and other fragranced woods to go on your cavy healthy.

Don't use corn cobs

Avoid using corn cob bedding for your guinea pig. Not only is this difficult on a cavy's feet, but it can also become mouldy and lead to respiratory illnesses.

Don't use sawdust

Never use sawdust near your republic of guinea sus scrofa. The dust tin cause allergic reactions or more serious respiratory issues.

Don't use straw

Straw is not suitable to use as bedding because it is likewise hard and often abrupt. Not only can this crusade your republic of guinea pig a lot of discomfort, but it tin also result in eye injuries. Unlike the recommended bedding types, straw is non every bit absorptive.

Don't only employ newspaper

Although newspaper tin can exist used to line the bottom of your guinea pig's cage, information technology should never exist used on its own as bedding. It doesn't effectively absorb liquid, and it isn't particularly comfortable.

3. Make Sure You Have All The Essentials

Making sure your guinea grunter is happy and salubrious requires more just a muzzle and bedding. Before your pet moves into its new home, in that location are a few essential items you need.

Go a food bowl

Depending on how many guinea pigs you have, you lot will probably need a few food bowls. And retrieve the extra containers for fruit and vegetable snacks.

Get a water bottle or a bowl

Make sure your cavy has access to plenty of h2o throughout the day. We recommend water bottles, every bit they tin't be knocked over and the water stays fresher and cleaner for longer. Bowls are handy, but they can get dirty rapidly, and in that location is a very proficient run a risk of liquid being spilt all over the hutch.

Place bridges and shelters effectually the hutch

Guinea pigs, past their very nature, are prey animals and need places where they can hide and feel safe. Providing your pet with little houses, lounging logs and huts is a dandy mode to proceed information technology mentally and physically stimulated, while besides giving it plenty of infinite to relax.

Toys are ever welcome

Toys are an affordable and fun mode to keep your guinea hog active and encourage more do. They also aid combat boredom, loneliness and low. Take a wait at our guidelines for choosing the best guinea pig toys and accessories that are safe and pet-friendly.

Chew toys don't just beat the boredom blues, merely they also go along your guinea pig's teeth short and healthy.
Activity tunnels, tubes and pop-up tents promote movement mental stimulation.
Avoid toys that can be dangerous. For example, wooden toys might splinter, while others could be a choking hazard.
Never buy do balls or wheels. These toys are designed for hamsters, rats and mice and can cause your guinea pigs serious spine injuries.

Stock upward on cleaning products

To keep your republic of guinea squealer healthy, yous need to make sure its cage is as clean as possible. Stock up on disinfectant sprays that are safe to utilize around guinea pigs, as well as bin bags, cloths, scoops and lots of hay.

Get grooming products

Some guinea pig breeds will need boosted grooming. Long-haired cavies, for case, will need to be brushed and clipped regularly. You lot volition too need to trim their toenails, and then clippers should be a part of your arsenal.

4. Setting Upwards the Hutch

Yous have the hutch, bedding besides as all the essential toys and accessories. Now it'southward time to set up upwardly your republic of guinea grunter'due south abode.

Find a suitable location

Make certain the hutch is out of direct sunlight. To go along your guinea pigs warm and dry, information technology should too have a waterproof and insulated embrace. Guinea pigs need plenty of ventilation, and their muzzle shouldn't be placed anywhere that is also hot or besides cold. To keep your cavy safe, check that the hutch is predator-proof and that information technology isn't put directly on the ground.

Line the hutch

We propose lining it with newspapers outset. This will protect the bottom of the hutch and makes cleaning the cage easier besides. Add the hay or wood shavings on top of the paper, making sure at that place is extra hay for your cavy to burrow and dig. Lots of hay in the sleeping areas volition help keep your guinea pigs warm at night.

Create a food and water station

Depending on how many guinea pigs you have, and how big the hutch is, y'all will demand to create one or more food and water stations. We like water bottles because they can be attached to the wire bars of the hutch, and yous don't need to worry about them being knocked over. If you opt for a water bowl, place information technology away from the food, and ensure pellets are kept in a separate container to fruit and veggie treats.

Place shelters around the hutch

Not only does your pet need plenty of space to run and play, only information technology also needs shelters and hidey holes where it tin can experience safe should something or someone affright it. These petty huts are also perfect for keeping your guinea pig cool in hot weather, and warm when the temperatures drib.

Provide plenty of hay

Guinea pigs don't only similar to eat hay, they likewise honey playing in it. Make sure the hutch is filled with plenty of it so that your guinea pigs tin can hide, burrow, pull information technology out and even slumber in it.

Don't forget a ramp

A ramp is pretty much your guinea hog'southward stairway to freedom, nutrient and independence. To keep your pet condom while using it, check that information technology isn't too steep and that it has a good grip. Ramps with juts are especially useful every bit they assist your cavy grip improve when running up and down.

v Tiptop Tips When it Comes to Setting Upward a Republic of guinea Pig's Hutch

While you lot are setting upwardly a hutch for your guinea pigs, keep these top tips handy.

1. Never put your republic of guinea pig's hutch in a garage, or shed

These buildings can apace become besides hot or also cold for your cavy, or exist too humid. Garages with cars or motorbikes in them volition produce fumes that are potentially toxic to your pet.

2. Do not put your republic of guinea pigs in an aquarium or a cage with a wire bottom

The best outdoor hutches for republic of guinea pigs are made from high-quality forest, with mesh for ventilation. Never house your pet in a glass enclosure or a cage with a wire bottom. Aquariums restrict airflow, while wire bottom cages can injure your guinea pig's feet.

3. Simply apply newspaper to line the lesser of the hutch

Nosotros recommend using newspaper to line the floor of the cage. Notwithstanding, you should never use information technology every bit bedding on its own. Information technology is not absorbent enough and gets wet quickly. Not merely will odours linger longer, but information technology could too cause all sorts of health bug for your republic of guinea squealer.

4. Brand sure the hutch is predator-proof

To proceed your republic of guinea pigs safe from predators, you lot demand to ensure the muzzle is made from strong, high-quality wood and mesh that will keep unwanted guests out.

5. Guinea pigs are not like other minor rodents

Guinea pigs might be small, merely they are not like hamsters, mice or rats. They shouldn't be housed in cages that are too minor, wire cages, or have practise wheels or balls.

Following these guidelines will assistance y'all gear up the perfect enclosure for your republic of guinea pigs. Merely, should you accept any questions at all related to this article, feel free to leave a annotate below, and we will exercise our best to answer it.

For more than advice and tips on keeping a happy cavy take a look at our guinea pig library.

Source: https://homeandroost.co.uk/blog/how-to-set-up-a-guinea-pig-hutch/