How big a cage for two guinea pigs?

Adelyn

Adelyn

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Hello everyone,
I read that eight square feet was sufficient for two piggies, so I got a 4x2 Midwest cage. When I asked a rescue shelter if I could adopt one of their guinea pigs, they said my cage was too small and I needed to connect another 4x2 Midwest cage onto the current one. I'm confused. Getting the cage and supplies was expensive, and they tell me it's not good enough? Please explain!
 
Hi and welcome. The minimum for two sows is 120x60cm. Boars need minimum 150x60, although we recommend 180x60cm. As far as I know, Midwest cages are measured in inches. Is the one below what you got?
Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Cage by MidWest, 47L x 24W x 14H Inches https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NJ0DPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JVD869C6A17VGAXYPJXH

If that one then it barely meets the minimum for one, or even two sows or a sow/boar pairing.

Rescues can also have their own specifications for cage size so it’s always better to contact them first before you go shopping. Would it be possible to return the cage you have bought?

I notice you say adopt one of their guinea pigs. Do you have one to bond him/her to? If not, guinea pigs need companionship or their own kind. I'm afraid no amount of human company/contact is enough. Simply because we don’t speak their language.

Lastly, guinea pigs are (in general) expensive, especially when it comes to vet fees. So do start a vet fund now before you take any on.
 
That is the cage I have. Why is it too small?
I have a guinea pig to bond the new one to.
 
What sex are the piggies?

Guinea pigs require a lot of single level living space. The bigger the cage, the happier and healthier the piggies.
8 square feet is the minimum size however, it can often a bit tight for two piggies. We always recommend to go to 10 square feet for two sows.
A Midwest is too small for two boars (who need 12 square feet). There is no getting around that.
if you try to keep two piggies in a cage which isn’t large enough then you can run into problems with lack of space causing them to fall out.

As Siikibam has said though, the rescue centre have their own requirements and you need to abide by their requiirements if you want to rehome from them. They only want their best for their piggies and will want them to go into the biggest cage possible.
 
Two Midwests will provide 16 square feet and (while it is over the recommended amount - it is their prerogative to stipulate their own requirements for the welfare of the piggies they rehome) would be a lovely cage for them. Being asked to go above and beyond in the cage size is not a surprise when rescuing.
 
I would try and see that you work with them to get the required space. Then you can adopt a piggy to go with your current female. Will they be doing the bonding for you, or is it a case of doing it at home?
 
I will get the guinea pig and bond them at home. Would adding a loft to the cage please them?
 
Adelyn said:
I will get the guinea pig and bond them at home. Would adding a loft to the cage please them?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily - some like them and use them but others won’t. Piggies aren’t natural climbers, and sometimes a ramp can become a bit of a battleground

Just a side note, a loft does not count towards the cage size.

Do you have a back up plan if the bonding fails?
 
A 2x4 grid c&c cage would be ideal for two sows……from a little as £36.99 with “seconds“ correx ( new correx that’s dented or marked in some way but doesn’t affect the function of the cage )

LINK REMOVED BY MODERATOR
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Angela C&C cage said:
A 2x4 grid c&c cage would be ideal for two sows……from a little as £36.99 with “seconds“ correx ( new correx that’s dented or marked in some way but doesn’t affect the function of the cage ) 2 x 4 Grid Cage - C and C Guinea Pig Cages
Click to expand...
If a Midwest cage isn't big enough it's unlikely a 2x4 c&c will satisfy the rescues requirements but a 2x5 or 2x6 c&c would be great. I would still check with the rescue what their exact requirements are before getting a cage.
 
Sweet Potato said:
If a Midwest cage isn't big enough it's unlikely a 2x4 c&c will satisfy the rescues requirements but a 2x5 or 2x6 c&c would be great. I would still check with the rescue what their exact requirements are before getting a cage.
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The Midwest is quite small at 119cm x 60cm. Our 2x4 C&C cages internal dimensions are 142cm x 70cm.
 
The member is in US so she will have to look into options there, if that’s the cage she goes for in the end.
 
Kinda going with this thread so I donn’t have to make a separate one. If I put my Midwest cage to the wall, take out the 2 panels that are “touching” the wall and keep the cage secured to stay on the wall, and add those 2 panels around the cage to make it bigger, would that work?
 
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