Cage help!

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Dm250719

Hi so I’m a first time guinea pig owner, I have wanted guinea pigs for many years and my parents have finally agreed! We should be getting them any time soon, we just need to get a cage. They’re going to be housed indoors in my room. At first I was thinking of a 4x2 c and c cage but I don’t know if my parents will agree to that. I’ve been looking at indoor hutches as well but I can’t seem to find one I like. Preferably I want a cage around 150-120cm long and 60-70cm wide. What do you all think about this cage?

Cozy Pet Rabbit/Guinea Pig 3 Tier Indoor Cage 120cm suitable for Rat, Chinchilla and other Small Animals Hutch Model: RB120-T. (We do not ship to NI, Scot Highlands & Isls CI, IOM or IOW): Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

I quite like the look of it, I just dont know if it’s big enough. (I forgot to mention but we’re getting 2 female guinea pigs).

I was also looking at this one

Liberta Indoor Small Pet Cages on sale | free uk delivery

The extra large one, I know I’ll have to fix the second level.
Which one do you think is going to be the best?
 
I wouldn't go for a multi storey one that is so small as not all piggies like using the ramp and you also lose considerable floor space from the ramps too. If you do go for the second cage then definitely the extra large one
 
Lady Kelly said:
I wouldn't go for a multi storey one that is so small as not all piggies like using the ramp and you also lose considerable floor space from the ramps too. If you do go for the second cage then definitely the extra large one
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Thanks for your reply. Would the first cage be suitable If they did use all the floors?
 
Bella1827 said:
Thanks for your reply. Would the first cage be suitable If they did use all the floors?
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Only just. 120cm is the smallest acceptable cage and with the loss of floor space due to the ramp I would personally say no as that would take it under the minimum
 
More space on one floor is probably best for when your pigs get the zoomies and want to go popcorning and running, instead of several smaller floors. Even though the stacked cages look neater and more fun to our human eyes! Also, by the time you put in the bowls, hides, tubes etc that you want to in there, you’ll find a lot of floor space evaporates (it’s like a magic trick really) and especially as has already been mentioned, with the ramps taking up extra space. So really the more floor space on one level the better I’d say 🙂
 
Okayyy. Do you know any other larger stacked cages? I just really like them. Obviously they’ll be coming out of the cage a lot since my room is pretty safe for them. I was just thinking stacked because the 150cm cage would only add 30cm on to the overall floorspace so I thought it would be better to get another 2 levels rather than 30cm of floorspace.
 
Piggies are ground roaming so it’s better they have lots of space on one floor rather than on two floors. Additional floors don’t count. So it’s better you go for a 150cm cage. You also have to think about the accessories (hides etc). Once you add them, there won’t be much space for them to run around.
 
Siikibam said:
Piggies are ground roaming so it’s better they have lots of space on one floor rather than on two floors. Additional floors don’t count. So it’s better you go for a 150cm cage. You also have to think about the accessories (hides etc). Once you add them, there won’t be much space for them to run around.
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Yeah I was originally going to order the 150x60cm cage, but my parents weren’t too happy with how large it is and cause they’re not animal lovers themselves they don’t seem to understand that guinea pigs need a large cage but I didn’t want to annoy them too much because it’s taken ages to persuade them to let me get guinea pigs. So I started looking at 120cm cages like the Midwest cage and they seemed to be okay with that size. I know it’s the bare minimum but wouldn’t it be okay as long as they’re let out a lot?
 
Totally understand your predicament. Best cage vs. upsetting your parents and not having pigs at all. Lots of floor time definitely helps your guineas get extra space, exercise, enrichment etc. so that’s always a really good thing.

Maybe once you get them and your parents see how darn cute they are, in time they’ll let you have an even bigger cage (because let’s be honest, pigs are pretty darn cute!)

Maybe you could show your parents some of the images from the pinned thread on commercial cages at the top of this forum, because once the fleece and toys are in, they look very nice and homey, plus it would give your parents an idea of how much room the hides/bowls etc take up. Then they can maybe see the issue about space and you can all pick out a cage together that works for all of you in terms of price and size?
 
Fantasimo said:
Totally understand your predicament. Best cage vs. upsetting your parents and not having pigs at all. Lots of floor time definitely helps your guineas get extra space, exercise, enrichment etc. so that’s always a really good thing.

Maybe once you get them and your parents see how darn cute they are, in time they’ll let you have an even bigger cage (because let’s be honest, pigs are pretty darn cute!)

Maybe you could show your parents some of the images from the pinned thread on commercial cages at the top of this forum, because once the fleece and toys are in, they look very nice and homey, plus it would give your parents an idea of how much room the hides/bowls etc take up. Then they can maybe see the issue about space and you can all pick out a cage together that works for all of you in terms of price and size?
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Yeah they really are adorable. I think I’m going to buy a 120x60cm cage for now and hopefully with time persuad my parents for a larger cage. Also I should hopefully be getting a job in a couple of weeks so I don’t think they’ll care what I order. Do you think attaching a playpen on the side of the cage is a good idea? That way they can use the cage for their basic needs and then use the outside of their cage for playing and running etc. I could easily do that with c and c grids around the cage and leave the cage door open so they have permanent access
 
If that works for you then absolutely (gives them floor time but keeps your wires etc. safe, which I learnt the hard way when one of my pigs chewed through the wire for my vacuum cleaner 🙄) they will definitely appreciate room for laps/zoomies and so will you when you see them doing it!

Good luck with the job, but beware, there are a LOT of cute guinea pig things/accessories out there which will tempt you to part with your hard earned money 😂

Best of luck!
 
Fantasimo said:
If that works for you then absolutely (gives them floor time but keeps your wires etc. safe, which I learnt the hard way when one of my pigs chewed through the wire for my vacuum cleaner 🙄) they will definitely appreciate room for laps/zoomies and so will you when you see them doing it!

Good luck with the job, but beware, there are a LOT of cute guinea pig things/accessories out there which will tempt you to part with your hard earned money 😂

Best of luck!
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Aww thank you hopefully they’ll like the set up and everything. How many toys and hides should you put in the cage? I don’t want to overcrowd it but then again I want to keep them entertained and happy
 
Well, in that case maybe start with one of each and see how much room it takes up, then order another/more if you feel there’s room. Try and find houses with two exits though as some pigs can be little devils and block the doorway if you only have one entrance (they’re worse than children!) If you get all the bits and bobs before you get the pigs, then you can experiment until you’ve got it just right!
 
hi,ive the liberta cage 150cm x 77cm,itn is very sturdy,mine is on a stand,the messane can be sorted with cat carpet covered s..cratcher on the ramp.thick fleece liner over the floor ive had mine 4 years at it is still going well.pet planet website sell this for a good price.20151121_181240.webp20151121_181301 (1).webp
 
I would say, having started off with a 120cm cage, that it's really not a lot of room once you get everything in, and that actually those few extra 20 or 30cm make a big difference. If you can't get a C&C, then something like the Plaza 140 or the Plaza 160 would be ideal (Zooplus is also a great site in general).

The general rule with guinea pigs is to have 2 of everything (2 hides, 2 water bottles, food bows, etc).
 
Caris said:
I would say, having started off with a 120cm cage, that it's really not a lot of room once you get everything in, and that actually those few extra 20 or 30cm make a big difference. If you can't get a C&C, then something like the Plaza 140 or the Plaza 160 would be ideal (Zooplus is also a great site in general).

The general rule with guinea pigs is to have 2 of everything (2 hides, 2 water bottles, food bows, etc).
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Yeah I understand what you’re saying, but I highly doubt my parents would agree to it, the Midwest cage looks quite big, at least for the time being and maybe I’ll be able to upgrade in the future
 
I have a Krolick/Plaza 160 for my boys Bill and Ted for their inside cage, they really like it. I also have an outdoor bunny ark that has a hay loft which combined with a run and connecting tunnel gives them lots of daytime outdoor space. My two have never had a problem with ramps, but not all piggies like them nor use them. I would definitely get the biggest cage you can fit, the more space the happier they are, especially boar pairs x
366C8C91-E69B-4723-8986-662C7D8FE613.jpegF8B83896-DEF9-4F0A-A9CA-C4672483E697.jpeg
 
Bill & Ted said:
I have a Krolick/Plaza 160 for my boys Bill and Ted for their inside cage, they really like it. I also have an outdoor bunny ark that has a hay loft which combined with a run and connecting tunnel gives them lots of daytime outdoor space. My two have never had a problem with ramps, but not all piggies like them nor use them. I would definitely get the biggest cage you can fit, the more space the happier they are, especially boar pairs x
View attachment 119093View attachment 119095
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It looks like a great cage. So you’ve never had any problems with them using ramps?
 
Bella1827 said:
It looks like a great cage. So you’ve never had any problems with them using ramps?
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No, but we have altered our ramp because it was far too steep, we added an extra piece of wood so it was longer but less steep. Some cages allow you to do this but not all. You can place a block of wood at the bottom of the ramp sometimes too to make it less steep. If you have no other pets a C&C cage would be good as you can make it to fit your space and add lofts too, you can make a good ramp using square guttering and carpet it and it has natural sides too. If you have cats, dogs or small children then a secure conventional cage would be better, I have small grandchildren so can’t have a C&C cage but would like one.
Guinea pigs are ground dwelling rodents, they are not natural climbers like rats and chins, I would think very carefully about a second storey cage, they really need 140 cm plus regardless of how many storeys you have, the ramps do impinge on the floor space x
 
Bill & Ted said:
No, but we have altered our ramp because it was far too steep, we added an extra piece of wood so it was longer but less steep. Some cages allow you to do this but not all. You can place a block of wood at the bottom of the ramp sometimes too to make it less steep. If you have no other pets a C&C cage would be good as you can make it to fit your space and add lofts too, you can make a good ramp using square guttering and carpet it and it has natural sides too. If you have cats, dogs or small children then a secure conventional cage would be better, I have small grandchildren so can’t have a C&C cage but would like one.
Guinea pigs are ground dwelling rodents, they are not natural climbers like rats and chins, I would think very carefully about a second storey cage, they really need 140 cm plus regardless of how many storeys you have, the ramps do impinge on the floor space x
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Yeah I know, but I am going to be adding a run/playpen outside the cage that they’ll have permanent access to x
 
Yes you could do that.

With the way they see animals, can you be 100% sure that they’ll help you take them to a vet if they fall ill?

Good luck and well done on being prepared.
 
Siikibam said:
Yes you could do that.

With the way they see animals, can you be 100% sure that they’ll help you take them to a vet if they fall ill?

Good luck and well done on being prepared.
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Yeah, they would take them to the vet if anything goes wrong, they would never leave an animal in pain or anything like that. I’ve also persuaded them to let me get a c&c cage, either 4x2 or 5x2, depending on how much room we have once we rearrange my bedroom. We should be ordering it today along with fleece liners and everything they will need.
 
Megan1827 said:
Yeah, they would take them to the vet if anything goes wrong, they would never leave an animal in pain or anything like that. I’ve also persuaded them to let me get a c&c cage, either 4x2 or 5x2, depending on how much room we have once we rearrange my bedroom. We should be ordering it today along with fleece liners and everything they will need.
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Thats good - I have 2 girls in a 5 x 2 C&C and its a good space even once their hay trays and 2 hides are in .. Good luck!
 
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