Guinea pig cages: selection and arrangement

The most favorite pet is guinea pig. This rodent is characterized by small size and the ability to give joy to children. Since the animal spends most of its life in a cage, before you start it in the house, you should take seriously the choice and arrangement of housing for fluffy, complementing it with all necessary accessories.

It is easy to create comfortable conditions for keeping a guinea pig, for this it is only necessary to get her the perfect house. In order for the rodent to feel safe in it and was provided with everything necessary, the cage must meet the following requirements.

• Have a size corresponding to the dimensions of the animal. It also should not be close. Experts recommend buying designs of medium size, even if the pet is small. The cell must be provided with a zone not only for sleep, but also for active spending time. Not suitable for a pet and too large a structure, it is desirable that its area does not exceed 0.7 m2. If you plan to keep several individuals in a cage, then it is best to buy a fairly spacious house to have enough space for each animal (each “inhabitant” will need at least 1 m2). It is also important to take into account that males, unlike females, need more space, as they lead a more active lifestyle.
• Provide free access to cleaning. In the case when an aviary without a roof is created for guinea pigs, there are no problems with its cleaning. As for the cells, they must necessarily have a removable top. This will simplify the implementation of high-quality cleaning and disinfection.
• Be safe for the life of the animal. It is advisable to give preference to structures made from environmentally friendly raw materials and place them in such a way that children and other pets do not pose a threat to the mumps.

To date, on sale you can find different types of cages for pets, each of which is different design, size and price. The most popular option is the lattice cell, equipped with a high plastic tray. It is easy to clean, and the wire top provides good ventilation. To the bars you can additionally attach a drinking bowl, a hammock.

A good option for keeping rodents of this type is considered and the capacity, which is a plastic container that has similarities with the terrarium. The constructions of the Duna trademark proved to be excellent, their upper part is made of transparent plastic and attached to the pallet. Due to the presence of a lattice door, the house gets ventilation. The main advantages of such cells include the absence of debris on the floor and the protection of pets from drafts. In addition, the transparent walls of the structure make it convenient to observe the animal.

Guinea pig cages may differ in their material of manufacture. Consider what they are.

• Wood. Despite the fact that wood is a natural raw material, it is able to quickly absorb odors, liquid. Therefore, wooden models - not the best option for the content of such fluffy.In addition, animals can quickly chew on a cage and make it unusable. If the owners chose it on the tree, then the bottom of the structure is recommended to be covered with tarpaulin. If desired, a similar design can be made with wood and corrugated cardboard.
• Metallic. This is the best kind of cells, because the material is durable. Pets and disinsector do not spoil such cells. Metal rods are mainly made of durable stainless steel, which is highly resistant to detergents.
• Plastic. Wash quickly and easily and are not afraid of cleaning with household chemicals. The only disadvantage of these structures is that their walls, made of transparent material, eventually lose their aesthetic appearance.

In addition, the cells differ in the type of construction, they can be either single-storey or two-storeyed, with a size of 55.5x37x64 cm.

Before you get a guinea pig, you must first purchase a cage for its maintenance. Since the market offers a luxurious range of houses for pets, then make the right choice in favor of a particular model will be difficult. Experts when buying cells are recommended to pay attention to the following parameters.

• The size of the design. Guinea pigs need horizontal space and there should be a lot of it. The greater the area of ​​the house, the freer the animal will be able to move. In cramped cages, the rodent will begin to yearn and hurt. Since on average it is necessary to allocate at least 70 cm2 for one mumps, then the best option would be to acquire a cage measuring 75x90 cm. For two individuals, therefore, a large construction will be required.
• Free access to cleaning and ventilation. Since the fluffy house should be regularly cleaned and washed, its design should have removable elements.
• Quality. All locks, doors and rods must be secure. Metal cells are a good choice for keeping guinea pigs, they are the most durable. A comfortable structure made of plastic and metal rods is also suitable as a comfortable dwelling.
• The form. For pigs, rectangular constructions are best suited; it is not recommended to buy multi-level and high models.
• Ability to fold and disassemble. Prefabricated models are versatile because they are easy to store and transport.
• Spacing between the bars. They must be located at such a distance from each other, so that the animal could not stick its head. The ideal option is 2.54 x 10.2 cm.
• Compliance with the design of the room. Today, manufacturers produce various cell models that differ in color and decor.

After the cage for a rodent is purchased, there will be only a question of its arrangement and selection of a place for installation. It should immediately be noted that the position of the cell is of great importance. For example, a house is not recommended to put in the kitchen or near it. This is due to hygienic standards. Therefore, in order to properly locate the habitat of a rodent, it is important to consider several factors.

• Room microclimate. Air temperature and humidity should always remain constant. The animal feels comfortable at a temperature range from 18 to +22 degrees, with an optimal humidity level of at least 40%. Since in winter time there is often a temperature difference in the rooms, the cage cannot be put on the floor, a bedside table or table is suitable for it. It is not recommended to place houses with guinea pigs next to the doors and windows, because draft is possible.
• Activity. This type of animal loves to be constantly with people and requires special attention and care from the owners. Therefore, in order not to leave the pet alone, it can be lodged in the living room. But in this case it is necessary to foresee in the cage the presence of a shelter where the rodent can hide when it gets tired.
• Noise. Guinea pigs have a sharp ear, so their houses can not be placed near the sources of loud sounds (TV, music center).
• Protect your pet from other animals and children. It is desirable to place the cage in such a way that you can observe how the kids play with the pet. If there are cats and dogs in the house, it is best to put the houses on a hill.

Some guinea pig owners equip their pets with housing not in the house, but on the street, under a special shed. Such structures should be necessarily protected from the penetration of predators and the weather. If the rodent lives in an apartment, in the summer it is recommended to take it with you to the country. Fresh air and a range of green foods will give fluffy a lot of fun and joy. In this case, the cage should be placed in a place where there is no strong heat, damp, cold, and there is protection from direct sunlight and rain.

There are also certain restrictions on the placement of cells, so they can not be kept in the following places.

• On the windowsill on the sunny side and under the glass roof in the greenhouse. There the animals will be very hot.
• In the garage. In this room, exhaust gases are constantly accumulated, which are poisonous and dangerous not only for the health of the animal, but also for humans.
• In unheated rooms. This type of pets can not be too overheated and supercool. It is also not allowed to warm up the room where there is a pig, kerosene or kerosene lamp. These heat sources emit a lot of harmful gases.

After the pet cage is purchased, it should be well equipped. First of all, litter is needed, at the same time it is desirable to choose a filler from straw and paper (these are excellent heat insulators that will warm animals). It is not recommended to lay a filler from sawdust of pine and cedar, as they contain a lot of phenol, which is dangerous for rodents. Since pigs love to dig deep tunnels and dig in, the filler layer must be at least 7 cm.

In addition, the pet's housing must be equipped with the following elements.

• Drinking bowl. It is desirable to give preference to containers made of glass and ceramics, they are constantly poured fresh water in them and set in such a way that the liquid does not spill and does not fall on the filler. As a drinker, you can also use a plastic or glass bottle, it is suspended at a certain height so that the fluffy can freely reach. These bottles should be thoroughly cleaned with a brush once a week while cleaning the cage.
• The feeder. It should be small and wide, as pets like to eat, putting their paws on its edges. No need to buy large bowls. As for the material of manufacture, the best option are containers made of ceramics, plastic is not recommended. Ceramic bowls last much longer and pets do not gnaw them.

No less important for guinea pigs are considered and toys, as which most often set cardboard boxes or wooden cubes. Since pets love to gnaw, it is a good solution to place mineral stones in the house. You can not buy in specialized stores toys, covered with paint.

One of the main components of the cell should be a hammock. So that the animal does not injure itself, it is important to follow how it uses the hammock. Additionally, the design can be equipped with a nook, making a small canopy or tunnel. Animals love to hide and are often embarrassed, secluded in their shelter. Elements for the corner can be purchased as a finished product in the store, and make your own hands.

Suitable for games and labyrinths. The tunnel, independently made from a can of round loaves or chips, is in no way inferior to store options. To do this, a sticker is removed from the can, all metal parts are pre-removed. Such labyrinths can interest the animal for a long time, which will prevent its future obesity and have a positive effect on the state of health.

See the video below for how to choose a guinea pig cage.