The 9 Best Guinea Pig Cages of 2024

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Guinea pig cages we recommend on a yellow background

The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley

When it comes to selecting a guinea pig's habitat, the amount of enclosed space they'll have to roam is key. “Size is one of the most important things to consider when selecting a guinea pig cage,” Catherine Alliss, author and writer for Guinea Pig Magazine, told The Spruce Pets.

The Humane Society of the United States recommends at least 7.5 square feet of uninterrupted space for one guinea pig, while a pair needs at least 10.5 square feet, but the majority of cages sold today don’t meet this criteria. Accessibility and the material the habitat is made from are also important to consider.

Our favorite guinea pig cage is the MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus, which includes a washable canvas bottom and a divider. It also folds flat for storage and travel. 

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus

Guinea Habitat Plus Guinea Pig Cage by MidWest

Amazon

What We Like
  • Simple to clean

  • Divider to separate spaces

  • Folds flat for painless travel and storage

What We Don't Like
  • The sides of the cage sometimes shake a little

With almost 8 square feet of space, this top-rated guinea pig cage requires no tools to assemble. The versatile wire mesh top folds and is removable so you’ll have clear access when you need it and security when you don’t. Two side doors make changing water and food convenient.

The cage also comes with a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC)-lined canvas bottom that is soft, leak-proof, and washable. It’s important to avoid cages with wire bottoms with spaces where tiny feet and legs can get trapped or broken. Extra bottoms are available as a separate purchase.

The Plus version includes a divider with a door that doubles as a ramp. This important feature keeps the cage cleaner by separating play and sleeping spaces. Compared to other cages, the MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat is both lightweight and affordable for the amount of space it provides.

It's also easy to double your guinea pigs' space with the purchase of two, since they can be linked together to provide extra play and living space.

Dimensions: 47 x 24 x 14 inches | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Materials: Wire mesh top, PVC-lined canvas bottom

Best Budget

AmazonBasics Small Animal Cage Habitat

AmazonBasics Small Animal Cage Habitat With Accessories

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Large top and front openings

  • Simple assembly

  • A cinch to clean

What We Don't Like
  • Some customers reported quality control issues

This sturdy, affordable guinea pig cage requires no tools to assemble and includes a non-drip water bottle, hay guard, balcony with access ramp, and tip-proof food dish. The jumbo size is about 9 square feet of space for your pig to explore. The hay holder mounts on the outside, leaving even more space inside for play.

The hiding space under the balcony means you don’t need to add hiding houses, leaving more space for your pigs to roam. Customers like the deep base because the height keeps bedding and droppings inside the cage for better hygiene and easier cleaning.

Dimensions: 48.6 x 26.6 x 20.6 inches | Weight: 18.7 pounds | Materials: Iron wire top, polypropylene plastic bottom

Best Open Top

Kaytee Open Living Guinea Pig Habitat

Kaytee 48" L X 24" W Open Pet Living Habitat

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Chew-proof construction

  • Simple to assemble without tools

  • Add on rooftop and replacement liners sold separately

  • 12.5 square feet of space

What We Don’t Like
  • Cannot be used in a home with other pets or children

In homes without other animals or small children, it's possible to house guinea pigs in a habitat without a roof. The Kaytee Open Living Small Pet Habitat makes easier to access your small pet for playing, cleaning, and feeding. The top-free cage is made with stable wire frame, uses chew-proof latches, and has two fold down doors. The habitat comes with a durable, waterproof liner that easily attaches with clips for smooth removal and cleaning.

Your guinea pigs will enjoy 12.5 square feet of room to wiggle, and you can easily expand their space buy connecting it with another Open Living Small Pet Habitat from Kaytee. If you later decide that your guinea pig could use a roof, the Kaytee Open Living Habitat Small Pet Rooftop Add-On, is sold separately and attaches easily.

Dimensions: 60 x 30 x 19 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Materials: Wire frame, waterproof liner

Best With Cave

Living World Deluxe Habitat

Living World Deluxe Habitat

Amazon

What We Like
  • Well built

  • Trouble-free assembly without tools

  • Well ventilated

What We Don’t Like
  • Water bottle designed poorly

A secure cave or den is exactly where a guinea pig feels most at ease. with this habitat, the fold-up wire top runs the length of the cage so you have plenty of access in addition to the front side door. A durable, high-sided plastic bottom tub keeps bedding and droppings inside the cage and is no problem to clean.

This cage includes a balcony with an access ramp. The tip-proof food dish is secured in place so your pet can eat with a view without making a mess. Below the balcony is an enclosed cave that your pig will love to sleep and hide in. Each cage comes with a drip-proof water bottle and hay guard attached outside the habitat. This makes daily changes easier and leaves more open space inside the habitat. At 7.8 square feet of space, the extra-large cage is the minimum size for a guinea pig.

Dimensions: 46.9 x 24 x 22.8 inches | Weight: 19 pounds | Materials: Wire frame, plastic bottom

Best Hutch

Aivituvin Indoor Outdoor Wheeled Rabbit & Guinea Pig Hutch

Aivituvin Indoor Outdoor Wheeled Rabbit & Guinea Pig Hutch

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Beautiful painted wood construction

  • Functional design

  • Eco-friendly paint

What We Don’t Like
  • Fir is a soft wood so care is needed during assembly

  • Guinea pigs sometimes chew wood enclosures

This attractive cage has a large first-floor play area surrounded by sturdy wire mesh. An anti-slip ramp leads to a second floor that’s perfect for sleeping and hiding. Altogether, that’s 9.6 square feet of space to roam. Three large front-facing doors and a fold-up top offer ample access. Since the wire mesh openings are only 0.5 x 0.5 inches, your piglets will be protected from predators including the household cat while still appreciating good air circulation.

But maybe the best feature of the Aivituvin Guinea Pig Hutch is its three no-leak, pull-out trays, which make cleaning really easy. The cage also has four casters so you can wheel it to different locations, indoors and out.

The one downside to the Aivituvin is its soft wood construction, which your guinea pig may be tempted to gnaw on. While gnawing on wood is safe for your pigs, it may make your hutch look a little ratty over time. The best solution is to pay more attention to your guinea pig or pigs, since one of the primary reasons they chew on the enclosure is because of boredom. You can also use a bitter-apple or similar spray on the wood to discourage them from gnawing.

Dimensions: 61.2 x 22.6 x 33.5 inches | Weight: 41 pounds | Materials: Fir wood, galvanized welded wire mesh, plastic floor trays, waterproof asphalt roof

Best for Two

Krolik Rabbit Cage with Wire Extension

Krolik 160 XXL Rabbit Cage with Wire Extension

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Holds up to three guinea pigs

  • 1-year manufacturer’s warranty

  • No tools required for assembly

What We Don’t Like
  • Hard to assemble for some

  • Plastic clips fail after prolonged use

Guinea pigs tend to prefer to live in pairs or groups. Designed with wide front doors for quick cleaning and access, this cage includes a 5.5-inch-deep sturdy plastic base that detaches for smooth cleaning. With more than 10.5 feet of space, your pets will have lots of room to play.

The habitat comes with two large water bottles, two hay feeders, a feeding bowl, and an elevated area for feeding and drinking. A wire divider is also included to create separate spaces as needed for cleaning and play. Read more in the FAQs about how to decide appropriate compatibility of sexes in pairs and groups.

Dimensions: 63.8 x 23.6 x 16.7 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Materials: Steel wire, plastic bottom

Best Acrylic

GuineaLoft Acrylic Small Animal Cage

GuineaLoft Acrylic Small Animal Cage

Amazon

What We Like
  • Spacious living area

  • Transparent encasement

  • Customizable and expandable

  • Disposable liners

What We Don't Like
  • Cannot be used without lid in home with other pets or children

  • Airflow openings enable some guinea pigs to scale the walls

The GuineaLoft Acrylic Cage offers eight square feet of living space for your guinea pig to romp around and play. Each transparent panel has small perforations allowing for airflow, and with no wire grids, you and your guinea pig will have an unimpeded view of each other.

The acrylic habitat comes with disposable liners for easy cleaning, and the cage can be customized in many different ways. Using connectors, dividers, flooring panels, and additional walls, more space can easily be added, but all of those pieces are sold separately. If you have a particularly adventurous guinea pig, they might figure out how to use the airflow openings to scale the walls, so always supervise your pet, or add the additional cage lid (strongly recommended for homes with other pets and children).

Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 10 inches | Weight: Not listed | Materials: Acrylic (plexiglass)

Best Rolling

PawHut Small Animal Cage

PawHut 35" L Small Animal Cage

Amazon

What We Like
  • Portable with wheels

  • Includes accessories for feeding

  • Two doors for easy access

What We Don't Like
  • Too small for larger guinea pigs

  • Plastic base is prone to cracks

The Pawhut Small Animal Cage has four wheels on the base so it can easily be moved from one room to another. Once the habitat has found its latest resting place, you can easily activate the security brake on two of the wheels to securely keep the guinea pig home in place.

This cage comes with essential accessories, including a food bowl, hay feeder, and water fountain, and also has a second-story platform with a slide for your guinea pig to to climb up and go down. The portable habitat is equipped with a large front door and a smaller top door which makes it easier to clean the cage and/or access your guinea pig. The plastic bottom can also be detached from the wireframe top for a thorough refresh of the space.

This cage from Pawhut is better suited for smaller guinea pigs, and the plastic base is fragile, so be sure to thoroughly inspect for any cracks after unboxing.

Dimensions: 35 x 17.3 x 17 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Materials: Nylon, polypropylene, alloy steel

Best Modular

Viscoo Panels Small Animal Playpen

VISCOO 24 Panels Small Animal Playpen

Amazon

What We Like
  • Customizable size and shape

  • Waterproof liner for containment and easy clean up

  • Rust-resistant coating on wire frame panels

What We Don't Like
  • Cannot be used in home with other pets or young children

  • Longer time commitment for assembly

The Viscoo Panels Small Animal Playpen can be customized to suit your needs, which may included adding a second level.

For use with a guinea pig, the modular habitat set includes 24 panels total—20 panels measuring 12 by 16 inches and four measuring 12 by 12 inches—along with 48 corner connecters and 50 zip ties to hold it all together. All the panels have rounded edges for safety and the metal grid pieces are covered with a rust-resistant coating. A small wooden hammer is also included to help you put it all together, and once assembled, you can add the included waterproof liner to help keep your guinea pig's pine shavings contained. The liner mat has sides that are close to five inches tall and can easily be cleaned with a damp towel.

There is no lid for the cage, so this playpen from Viscoo should not be used in a home with other pets or young children. This habitat also requires more assembly than others on our list, but it can be fun deciding how to set it up.

Dimensions: Varies; up to 72 x 24 x 16 inches | Weight: 13.73 pounds | Materials: Nylon, alloy steel

Final Verdict

We like the MidWest Homes for Pets Guinea Habitat Plus because it's spacious, accessible, simple to clean, and affordable. If your piglets go outside, you’ll appreciate the Aivituvin Indoor Outdoor Wheeled Rabbit & Guinea Pig Hutch, a beautiful and durable cage on casters that’s a cinch to clean.

What to Look for in Guinea Pig Cages

Size and Bar or Grid Spacing

“Here are some questions to ask yourself when you’re ready to choose a cage that’s right for your situation,” says Catherine Alliss, author of Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge and writer for Guinea Pig Magazine. “Does it meet at least the minimum size requirements on one level for the number of guinea pigs you plan to keep?”

The Humane Society of the United States recommends at least 7.5 square feet of uninterrupted space for one, and at least 10.5 square feet for a pair.

“Is the spacing between the bars or holes in the grids small enough that a young guinea pig will not be able to get stuck while trying to squeeze out?” asks Alliss. “Avoid cages with large spaces between the bars. It is easy for the curious guinea pig to stick their nose (and then head) through larger gaps and become stuck. They will struggle to get out and injure themselves.”

Bars spaced one inch or less apart are small enough to prevent juvenile guinea pigs from getting stuck or escaping. Grids larger than about 1.5 inches are considered unsafe because pigs could get their head or limbs stuck in the holes.

“Also avoid any cages with wire or bars on the base. These will cause harm to your guinea pig’s feet,” says Alliss.

Accessibility and Stability

“How easy is it for you to reach all areas to clean the cage and change the bedding?” asks Alliss. Look for cages that open on the top and sides for comfort and ease.

If you’ll be moving your cage regularly, you’ll want to consider the sturdiness and structure of the cage. Choose one with casters if you’ll be pushing it outside often on nice days. Those with flexible frames often work better when placed in a corner or against a wall. Consider whether the pieces hold their structure when lifted. No one style is best. Choose the one that fits the location and portability that’s best for your situation.

Materials and Accessories

Guinea pig cages are made from a variety of materials including powder-coated or galvanized wire bars, grids and frames, plastic, and wood (often fir).

“Is the cage going to be easy to keep clean and free from debris, mold, and odors?” asks Alliss. “For example, plastic is non-absorbent, easy to wipe and disinfect; wood will need to be treated or covered with something to make it waterproof. If not, it will absorb urine and quickly become stained, start to smell, and gradually rot.”

“Avoid small cages where the minimum floor space required is split over multiple levels,” adds Alliss. Guinea pigs don’t like great heights so won’t likely climb to the upper levels of tall, multi-level cages. Two-story cages should have a ramp that’s not too steep. Instinctually, guinea pigs often prefer their sleeping space on the bottom story and their eating space slightly elevated.

In the wild, guinea pigs are prey of raptors, wolves, coyotes, and snakes, so it’s in their nature to hide for a good part of the day. Consider the accessories that come with your cage. Is there a built-in cave or covered area for sleeping and hiding?

Feeding bowls should have a wide base and low sides to prevent tipping. The water bottle is important. If it leaks, your pigs could get dehydrated and die. Make sure it's large enough for the number of guineas you have. Each piglet drinks between 50 and 300 milliliters of water per day.

FAQ
  • How big do guinea pig cages need to be?

    “Ideally, a guinea pig cage should be as big as possible—most guinea pigs love to run (especially when they are young), so the more room they have to run and explore, the better,” Alliss told The Spruce Pets.

    “There are suggested cage sizes, but readers should note that these are the minimum cage requirements, and it is always best to consider having a cage that is the next size up (or even bigger if you have the room),” explains Alliss. “The sizes below are fine for female guinea pigs, or a mixed herd of a neutered boar plus one or more sows. But if you plan on keeping two boars, then ideally they require double the space to allow them to have their own space, so two boars would really need a floor size suitable for four guinea pigs.”

    Recommended cage sizes are as follows:

    • 1 or 2 guinea pigs: 0.7 square meters to 7.5 square feet, 2x3 grids
    • 3 guinea pigs: 0.98 square meters to 10.5 square feet, 2x4 grids
    • 4 guinea pigs: 1.21 square meters to 13 square feet, 2x5 grids
    • 5 guinea pigs: 1.49 square meters to 16 square feet, 2x6 or 3x4 grids
    • Each additional guinea pig requires an extra 0.28 square meters, 3 square feet, and 1 extra grid on the length


    “Remember,” adds Alliss. “Although the minimum cage sizes look quite generous when completely empty, once you start adding in hideys (at least one for each guinea pig), food dishes, hay piles, and other cute cage accessories, the amount of available floor space for the guinea pigs to use is reduced considerably.”

  • What is the best bedding for guinea pig cages?

    “There are many different options available for guinea pig bedding. They all have pros and cons, and it is really down to the individual personal preference on bedding choice,” says Alliss. Consider these factors when choosing bedding:

    Comfort: Bedding should be comfortable to walk and lie on. Anything harsh or abrasive will make your pigs' feet sore and potentially lead to a nasty infection.

    Location: The choice of bedding will depend on whether your guinea pigs will be inside or outdoors (this is common in the U.K., where the climate is temperate).

    Fabric bedding like fleece, vetbed, etc. is not recommended for use in hutches as it gets damp quickly and doesn’t provide much insulation and warmth for colder days.

    Absorbency: Bedding needs to be very absorbent, so that any urine is immediately absorbed and does not hang about to irritate the skin of the feet or the tummy.

    Non-toxic: Bedding should be non-toxic and have no adverse effects on contact with guinea pigs; and if it is a man-made product, it should be something that your guinea pigs are not tempted to nibble or chew on.

    Dust-free: Having dust-free bedding will reduce respiratory problems and allergies.

    Cost: Take into account not only the initial purchase costs, but also ongoing costs associated with it, for example laundering of reusable bedding.

    Environmental impact: All types of bedding have some impact on the environment.

  • Do guinea pig cages need tops?

    “It is a good idea to have a top on the cage, for a number of reasons,” says Alliss. “Some guinea pigs can jump, and some can climb, so by having a top you can prevent any nasty accidents with guinea pigs falling out of the cage (especially if the cage is raised off the ground). A top also provides protection against foreign objects falling into the cage and either injuring your guinea pig, or your guinea pig then chewing or eating something they shouldn’t. Check the Guinea Pig Forum for a lot of useful information on housing and bedding.”

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This piece was researched and written by Lorraine Wilde who has been a dedicated pet lover for the past 35 years. When researching each product and brand, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of each product, customer reviews, the company’s research and development, and its business ethics. Lorraine also holds a master’s degree in environmental science. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets and our planet.

 Catherine Alliss has more than 15 years’ experience keeping and breeding guinea pigs, and is one of the team of experts who regularly write for Guinea Pig Magazine. She is an administrator of an active Facebook group for guinea pigs (The Guinea Pig Room), and in 2021 she wrote and published a book, Dixon Arrives at Rainbow Bridge; all proceeds are donated to two U.K.-based guinea pig rescues (Gertie’s Lonely Guinea Pig Rescue and Oaklands Rodent Rescue).

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