Inadequate Cages Sold In Pet Stores

[sport_billy]

Seems to be an alarming rise in un-suitable cages been sold to guinea pig owners for pairs of Guinea Pigs. Lots of pet shops will happily sell a 100cm cage for a pair of piggies but these are not big enough for two piggies and don’t provide enough room. Not only this but stores like pets@home sell these cages for a higher price than 120cm cages online.

The RSPCA provide guidelines for cages here http://www.rspca-online.co.uk/guineas/needtoknow/accommodation/

120cm cages are suitable for pairs of piggies, here are a few links to online sellers and are much cheaper than stores.

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/120_cm_cages/14083

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/guinea_pig_cages/120_cm_cages/83034

 

[Deleted member 114675]

Thank you for posting this @sport_billy - a much needed thread.

I was wondering if we should have this as a sticky - including guidlines for larger groups of guinea pigs and guidelines for seperated boars.
If it is a sticky, it could include advice on sizes for C&C cages too.

I am very concious that this is a very sensitive issue with some newbie piggy owners. There have been a few times where people have taken it as a personal criticism when they have been advised by forum members that their cage is too small.
I am sure everyone is in agreement that noone is criticising anyone - we are just trying to make things better for guinea pigs. You can't blame anyone for acting on advice given by a pet shop - the pet shop should know.
When I 1st started keeping guinea pigs, my local pet shop sold me a cage - assuring me it was big enough for 2 guinea pigs. I wouldn't even keep one in it nowadays. I don't go in that pet shop any more.

 

[sport_billy]

Yeah, this in no way is meant as a criticism at anyone. We can only act on advice we are given this is especially true of those new to piggies and accept the advice off a pet store that you hope would work to recommended guidelines. Will pull something together over next few days and sticky it.

 

[Julesie]

This is a sad truth.

I know I purchased the largest cage when I went to a store and bought my first two guinea pigs, Ludwig and Gilbert. After the boys grew up into their adult size I realised with the pigloos, bowls and the piggies themselves in it that there was just no room for them to have a run around. I would never purchase these cages especially when I can make my own cages out of CC much bigger and cheaper plus my boys can run around and have fun now.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

I think it's a really important thread to have, it is very easy to be misguided by pet store cages. And they do cost a bomb compared to a large pig cage bought online/c&c.
However I think people shouldn't feel the minimum size is ok, the bigger the cage, then the happier the pig will be. Hopefully this notice will get across.

 

[MochaMoo]

Nevermind the 100cm cages, P@H colleagues are trained to tell customers that 80cm cages are suitable for a pair of guinea pigs. It makes my skin crawl! One of their last magazines showed a photo of a TINY hamster cage, stating that it was great for people who wanted a pet hamster but didn't want them to take up much space. Makes me so angry.