Here we can see, “How to Make a Guinea Pig Cage That Your Pet Will Enjoy”
Size
Guinea pigs prefer to be maintained in groups of two or more since they are social animals, but most commercial cages are too small to accommodate a pair of pigs. Many owners believe the “traditional” guideline of 2 square feet per guinea pig to be outdated and cramped. For a single guinea pig, Cavycages.com suggests 7.5 square feet for a pair, 10.5 square feet. Even so, your guinea pigs will benefit from the extra area if you can give them a larger cage. A DIY cage may often give adequate space for a low price, and you can create pretty unique cages. These are frequently preferable to a claustrophobic commercial guinea pig cage.
Cage Design
Cages with wire floors or ramps should be avoided, but otherwise, guinea pigs aren’t picky about the type of cage they require. Cages with ramps and low plastic shelves or ledges excite the guinea pig, but make sure they don’t take up valuable floor room for laps. For adults, the distance between the bars can be up to one inch. Some property owners have devised ingenious solutions to the problem of supplying adequate housing. Guinea pigs can be rather large and not particularly fond of climbing or chewing. Thus they are unlikely to climb or jump over a wall of reasonable height (18 inches should contain most pigs). If you have adequate space, a little creativity can go a long way toward creating great guinea pig enclosures, especially for groups of guinea pigs. Cages made of “Cubes and Coroplast” have grown highly popular. Avoid the majority of guinea pig cages on the market because they are quite small. Only a few commercial cages come close to being suitable for guinea pigs.
Bedding
Avoid cedar shavings and, ideally, pine shavings for bedding. Aspen shavings and hay are both suitable options (a layer of paper underneath will help with absorbency). Newer recycled paper beddings and a slew of other pet-safe bedding and litter options are excellent choices.
Nest Box
A nest box or hiding spot is required; an upturned plastic tub or pail and a cardboard box can suffice (the cardboard box can just be discarded if soiled and replaced). Tunnels and hides can also be made out of large diameter PVC pipes (with thick walls).
Toys
To enhance interest, toys should be included. Crumpled paper, cardboard boxes, balls, wood blocks, hard plastic cat and rabbit toys, fleece tunnels, little fleece blankets, willow rabbit toys, and hanging bird toys are all fantastic toys and hides for your guinea pigs. Make sure there aren’t any small pieces that could fall off or get chewed off and swallowed.
Many specialists say that guinea pig bodies are not intended for this type of activity and that the risk of injury is too large. So instead, attempt to give exercise through alternative means.
Water Bottle and Food Dishes
A sturdy ceramic bowl is a wonderful choice for a food bowl. Instead of a water bowl, use a water bottle with a steel spout and ball to provide a steady clean water supply. Keep in mind that guinea pigs drink a lot (and some like to “play” with the bottles), so monitor their water supply and replenish it. In addition, a tiny hay hopper can be installed to keep the guinea pigs supplied with clean hay.
The cage will most likely need to be cleaned once a week, if not more frequently.
Exercise Pens
Unless your guinea pigs enclosure has a lot of space for exercise, they should be allowed to run around. A portable wire pen can be used as a corral for the guinea pigs to keep them out of trouble (you can create your own or buy wire playpens intended expressly for small animals or dogs) (getting under furniture, chewing on wires, etc.). In the summer, your guinea pigs might enjoy vacation outside, where a wire pen (completely fenced for the guinea pigs’ safety) set up on the grass would provide a welcome change of scenery. This is the only option if you don’t use pesticides or fertilizer on your grass. When they’re outside, make sure they have access to drink and shade.
User Questions
What is the best way to break a bored guinea pig?
Boredom can be avoided by providing your guinea pigs with various toys and boredom busters. Balls, tunnels, chew toys and chew toys that serve as tunnels are all excellent additions to any hutch or run, providing your piggies with the stimulation they require for their physical and mental well-being.
Is it true that guinea pigs prefer to be in the dark?
For guinea pigs, darkness isn’t always a negative thing; they sometimes prefer it. Piggies should, however, be exposed to light (ideally indirect, natural sunlight) at all times of the day.
Are guinea pigs easily bored?
Guinea pigs are playful, curious, and interested pets. However, in a situation where they are bored and lonely, guinea pigs are vulnerable to depression-like symptoms. Therefore, it’s critical to supply your guinea pig with enrichment and mental stimulation to ensure a happy lifestyle.
What do guinea pigs get up to during the day?
Most guinea pig owners indicate that their pets only sleep four to six hours each day, with the remainder of their time spent awake, eating, chewing, or playing. Guinea pigs are diurnal, requiring less sleep than other pets. Guinea pigs, like humans, prefer to be awake during the day and sleep at night.
Do guinea pigs have good hearing?
Guinea pigs have acute hearing and excellent vision. Compared to humans, the guinea pig has a greater hearing at higher frequencies. The human hearing range is usually 20–20 000 Hz, whereas the guinea pig’s hearing range is 150–50 000 Hz.
Conclusion
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