Midwest Guinea Pig Cage

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Jesse's pigs

Jesse's pigs

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi I'm thinking of getting my boar Mo a bigger cage for christmas- Midwest. I hear it is very good especially for the money. Originally I was going for a C and C cage but they are quite expensive. I was just wondering if any of you guys had/have this cage and could tell me what it's like nd if I should get it. At the minute Mo is alone due to a health scare in October- he still sneezes but it's believed to be a hay allergy. However,he is hopefully adopting a brother very soon so the larger cage would be handy once more. Also as he has a hay allergy,I thought a bigger cage would let him get away from it aswell. His cage at the minute isn't small but seeing as he's been such a good and brave boy (first vet visit and he had to take antibiotics) I think he deserves a treat.


Please don't get mad at the fact he is currently alone. He is loved very much and would have had a friend sooner had it not been his health scare- didn't want another pig to catch it. However as I said he will hopefully be getting a brother very soon so long as he can find the right one.
 
I have it, and I've found it great! Like you, I did look into C&C but it the Midwest did seem better value.

I've got the cage with the roof and divider, but you can buy it without those. The roof is a must if you have curious cats/dogs/small kids or are planning on putting anything of height in the cage that could be used as a step to escape! I'm glad I did because I have a carrot cottage that both can get on top of, plus one of my girls is an expert jumper!

The base is canvas fabric with a wipe clean coating, it velcros onto the bars. It's so much lighter and easier to clean and move than a solid base, very handy if the cage is in a corner or if you fancy moving it.

@Flutterby is right, you can attach another Midwest or, as the access panels open downwards, you can make a ramp into another area. Because the base is fabric, the cage is freestanding, and can be used as an outdoor run

I got mine from petplanet.co.uk and there was a deal that included a bowl, water bottle and some paper-based bedding pellets (which was great for the interim before I got my fleeces) for an extra couple of quid.

For what I need it for, it's brilliant! I don't currently have the divider in but it has come in handy for emergency quarantine/segregation!

IMG_2561.webp
 
Tiny said:
I have it, and I've found it great! Like you, I did look into C&C but it the Midwest did seem better value.

I've got the cage with the roof and divider, but you can buy it without those. The roof is a must if you have curious cats/dogs/small kids or are planning on putting anything of height in the cage that could be used as a step to escape! I'm glad I did because I have a carrot cottage that both can get on top of, plus one of my girls is an expert jumper!

The base is canvas fabric with a wipe clean coating, it velcros onto the bars. It's so much lighter and easier to clean and move than a solid base, very handy if the cage is in a corner or if you fancy moving it.

@Flutterby is right, you can attach another Midwest or, as the access panels open downwards, you can make a ramp into another area. Because the base is fabric, the cage is freestanding, and can be used as an outdoor run

I got mine from petplanet.co.uk and there was a deal that included a bowl, water bottle and some paper-based bedding pellets (which was great for the interim before I got my fleeces) for an extra couple of quid.

For what I need it for, it's brilliant! I don't currently have the divider in but it has come in handy for emergency quarantine/segregation!

View attachment 55201
Click to expand...

Thank you @Flutterby and @Tiny for such quick and helpful responses. I really want to give him as much space as I can so he can have more tunnels and toys to stimulate him. The divider sounds like a very useful thing aswell especially with me getting a second boar and I think I will get the lid also as Mo himself is quite an explorer and no doubt he'd figure out how to climb the top. The fact it's easier to clean is a bonus too because Mo loves to poo- a lot! Thanks for the image aswell on the website it isn't always clear as to what it could actually fit in it.
 
Tiny said:
I have it, and I've found it great! Like you, I did look into C&C but it the Midwest did seem better value.

I've got the cage with the roof and divider, but you can buy it without those. The roof is a must if you have curious cats/dogs/small kids or are planning on putting anything of height in the cage that could be used as a step to escape! I'm glad I did because I have a carrot cottage that both can get on top of, plus one of my girls is an expert jumper!

The base is canvas fabric with a wipe clean coating, it velcros onto the bars. It's so much lighter and easier to clean and move than a solid base, very handy if the cage is in a corner or if you fancy moving it.

@Flutterby is right, you can attach another Midwest or, as the access panels open downwards, you can make a ramp into another area. Because the base is fabric, the cage is freestanding, and can be used as an outdoor run

I got mine from petplanet.co.uk and there was a deal that included a bowl, water bottle and some paper-based bedding pellets (which was great for the interim before I got my fleeces) for an extra couple of quid.

For what I need it for, it's brilliant! I don't currently have the divider in but it has come in handy for emergency quarantine/segregation!

View attachment 55201
Click to expand...
You seem to know quite a bit about these cages @Tiny ! I was going to make a whole entire other thread, but I decided it would be easier to just put my questions on here.
1. Do you have to buy the dividers seperately?
2. Does the top come off easily in case I need to get them out?
3. Is it EASY to get them out?
4. How many Guinea Pigs could you fit in it?
5. Could it easily fall over, if the counter it was on, is just a few inches too narrow?

Thank You for all of your help! Sorry for all of the questions!
*If anyone else knows the answers to these questions, please answer them!*
:hug::clap::tu::woot::yahoo:
 
Hammy.Hamms said:
You seem to know quite a bit about these cages @Tiny ! I was going to make a whole entire other thread, but I decided it would be easier to just put my questions on here.
1. Do you have to buy the dividers seperately?
2. Does the top come off easily in case I need to get them out?
3. Is it EASY to get them out?
4. How many Guinea Pigs could you fit in it?
5. Could it easily fall over, if the counter it was on, is just a few inches too narrow?

Thank You for all of your help! Sorry for all of the questions!
*If anyone else knows the answers to these questions, please answer them!*
:hug::clap::tu::woot::yahoo:
Click to expand...

The divider comes with it if you get the Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat Plus option, otherwise you need to buy it seperately. I had my two in it over Xmas and they were fine - of course it will probably be one each this year because they now hate each other lol! I never had the top on it, so I can't answer that one. I would say it would collapse a bit if the counter was too short - i had it on my dressing table while we were decorating and had to pull the dresser out a bit and use grids to stabilise it if that makes sense. Like I just laid the grids at the back over the gap and taped them to the dressing table so they didn't move. It's easy to get them out as it isn't too high up.

Hope this helps! :D I really like it personally, it's easy to set up and clean.
 
Hi! If you want the dividers, as @helloitsbecca says, get the Plus version. The Plus version is also the only one that comes with the top, but I don't use it. Unless you have other pets (say cats, dogs etc) I wouldn't recommend using it. Guinea pigs aren't climbers and the sides are tall, it's highly unlikely they're going to climb out of it. I wouldn't recommend putting it on a counter that's too short or narrow, because there's no solid bottom to it as such. Only put it on something that all four sides will sit on, otherwise the pvc liner could be dangerous to piggy feet that could slip off the edge of the counter underneath it. Once I find my phone, I'll get a photo of what I mean. It's very easy to set up and to use, and again as said above very easy to clean. I currently have two boars in two joined Midwest cages, I wasn't happy with the two of them in one. Two sows would probably be much happier in one than my two eejits were.

Okay photo! You can see the canvas bottom here,attached to the outer grids. See what I mean about it not being solid? The grids might stay put but I wouldn't risk that canvas not all being on a level surface for the sake of the piggies and their feet.

DSC_0463.webp
 
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I use the Midwest Cage too. I personally think it's a pretty good cage for the price. But I'm not completely satisfied with it because the bottom isn't solid. The tabletop I keep it on is a tad bit smaller so it does droop around the edges. I've been a bit worried about the Velcro connectors popping open and a piggie falling out. I ended putting some cardboard underneath to help support it.

Also, one corners is getting a bit worn out already. I've had it for about three years now. It doesn't leak or anything, but has me a little bothered.

So personally, I would rather have a C&C cage, and I'm hoping to build one this summer. While it's been great for awhile I would like to try something new.
 
I have just seen some c and c grids on ebay for twenty five pounds (26 grids). No connectors but VERY good value, if you want an alternative to the midwest cage.
 
Lorcan said:
Hi! If you want the dividers, as @helloitsbecca says, get the Plus version. The Plus version is also the only one that comes with the top, but I don't use it. Unless you have other pets (say cats, dogs etc) I wouldn't recommend using it. Guinea pigs aren't climbers and the sides are tall, it's highly unlikely they're going to climb out of it. I wouldn't recommend putting it on a counter that's too short or narrow, because there's no solid bottom to it as such. Only put it on something that all four sides will sit on, otherwise the pvc liner could be dangerous to piggy feet that could slip off the edge of the counter underneath it. Once I find my phone, I'll get a photo of what I mean. It's very easy to set up and to use, and again as said above very easy to clean. I currently have two boars in two joined Midwest cages, I wasn't happy with the two of them in one. Two sows would probably be much happier in one than my two eejits were.

Okay photo! You can see the canvas bottom here,attached to the outer grids. See what I mean about it not being solid? The grids might stay put but I wouldn't risk that canvas not all being on a level surface for the sake of the piggies and their feet.

View attachment 62551
Click to expand...

@Lorcan My table is long enough, but it is just barely not wide enough. It would take off about 5 cm (2 in) off of each of the long sides. I don't have anywhere else to put It besides on that counter. Would that be a problem? I was going to order the cage today, but if it can't be like that, I'll either put a bit of cardboard underneath, or just not get it.
Thank You so much @Lorcan ! Much appreciated! :tu:
 
Hammy.Hamms said:
@Lorcan My table is long enough, but it is just barely not wide enough. It would take off about 5 cm (2 in) off of each of the long sides. I don't have anywhere else to put It besides on that counter. Would that be a problem? I was going to order the cage today, but if it can't be like that, I'll either put a bit of cardboard underneath, or just not get it.
Thank You so much @Lorcan ! Much appreciated! :tu:
Click to expand...

I would use the cardboard. As long as the flooring isn't uneven under their feet it shouldn't be too much of a problem, the sides are all linked together anyway in one piece so it's not like a bit could fall off the end. Having an even floor underfoot is the important thing. I have mine on the floor, would that be a possibility as well?

Okay I know I need to vacuum, as always, but you get the general idea. Comet's even kindly modelling for me.

DSC_0502.webp
 
Lorcan said:
I would use the cardboard. As long as the flooring isn't uneven under their feet it shouldn't be too much of a problem, the sides are all linked together anyway in one piece so it's not like a bit could fall off the end. Having an even floor underfoot is the important thing. I have mine on the floor, would that be a possibility as well?

Okay I know I need to vacuum, as always, but you get the general idea. Comet's even kindly modelling for me.

View attachment 62601
Click to expand...
It's just that my mom says that she doesn't want the guinea pigs to take up any more of the house, so that's the only place where the cage could go. She said that if a bigger cage won't fit, then don't get a bigger cage, but I just feel a little bit bad for Hammy, because of how small her cage is. We also have a dog, who isn't allowed upstairs, but sometimes, when she is feeling a little mischievous, she will go upstairs and bark at the guinea pig. (I only have 1 right now, but I really want to get another one, also another reason for a bigger cage.) The dog is a Shih Tzu, so she is not very big, so she cant reach the table and she can't get to the guinea pig.
I can't have a bigger space, and my mom won't let her on the floor. How would I attach the cardboard? Do you have any recommendations? Can I go ahead and buy the cage?
@Lorcan Thank you so much for all of your help!
 
Hammy.Hamms said:
It's just that my mom says that she doesn't want the guinea pigs to take up any more of the house, so that's the only place where the cage could go. She said that if a bigger cage won't fit, then don't get a bigger cage, but I just feel a little bit bad for Hammy, because of how small her cage is. We also have a dog, who isn't allowed upstairs, but sometimes, when she is feeling a little mischievous, she will go upstairs and bark at the guinea pig. (I only have 1 right now, but I really want to get another one, also another reason for a bigger cage.) The dog is a Shih Tzu, so she is not very big, so she cant reach the table and she can't get to the guinea pig.
I can't have a bigger space, and my mom won't let her on the floor. How would I attach the cardboard? Do you have any recommendations? Can I go ahead and buy the cage?
@Lorcan Thank you so much for all of your help!
Click to expand...

Do you think you could get a piece of cardboard that could fit over the entire counter? Obviously it would slightly overlap at each end, but assuming it's long enough and wide enough it would be easy enough to place the entire cage over it.
 
Lorcan said:
Do you think you could get a piece of cardboard that could fit over the entire counter? Obviously it would slightly overlap at each end, but assuming it's long enough and wide enough it would be easy enough to place the entire cage over it.
Click to expand...
Yes! That would work! Great Idea @Lorcan ! I might have to use 2 pieces, but I'll just tape them together. We actually have some new neighbors, so I can go over there and ask them if they have any extra cardboard boxes.
:yahoo:
 
Swissgreys said:
How exciting - don't forget to post pictures once it arrives and you get it set up.
Click to expand...
I will! But, I probably won't set it up for another month, until I get my other piggie, so that they can have a fresh start and not have TOO many dominance issues. But when I DO set it up, I'll make sure to post lots of pics! *I'll probably make a new thread, and tag you in them.*

Oh! and @Lorcan ! I decided that instead of cardboard, I would go to the shop and get a slab of wood instead. Seems like a good idea.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR HELPING ME OUT SO MUCH ON THIS FORUM!
 
DanielleMeyer said:
I have 3 of the Midwest joined together... It houses my 4 beautiful ladies... I love it because it's very easy to clean and move if need be.View attachment 62552
Click to expand...

I am wondering, when you have it joined that way do you really have to have the inner walls or can you remove them to make one giant open rectangle?
 
Squeakz said:
I am wondering, when you have it joined that way do you really have to have the inner walls or can you remove them to make one giant open rectangle?
Click to expand...

Because of the way the cage walls are designed, you can't have them that way without walls unless you made a much bigger square.
 
Squeakz said:
I am wondering, when you have it joined that way do you really have to have the inner walls or can you remove them to make one giant open rectangle?
Click to expand...

I don't think you can remove the walls because of the way the bottom is made.. I just don't think that the canvas would lay flat.
 
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