Are you trying to choose between several different guinea pig cages? Whether you’re a new pet owner or an experienced pet parent, it can be tricky to know what type of cage to go for. It’s important to get a safe, comfortable cage that’s large enough for your guinea pig(s). Cages can be quite expensive, so you’ll want to make sure you’re picking something sturdy and durable, too.
Our vet advisor, Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, reviewed dozens of guinea pig cages to find the best of the best and chose the Living World Deluxe Habitat (Extra-Large) as her top pick. With a great range of features, including a balcony with an access ramp and small animal hideout, plus a food bowl and water bottle, it’s a great cage that provides everything your guinea pig needs. Plus, it’s simple to put together and easy to clean. Read how she chose the top 5.
Not sure where to buy your guinea pig? Check out our list of America’s best pet stores.
Our Vet’s Top 5 Guinea Pig Cages
Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and features of different models.
| Editor’s Picks | Model | Rating | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Material(s) | Easy to clean? | Extendable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Living World Deluxe Habitat (Extra-Large) | 46.9″ x 22.8″ x 24″ | Wire mesh, with plastic base | |||
| Best Budget | Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat Plus | 47″ x 24″ x 14″ | Wire mesh, with PVC canvas-lined bottom | |||
| Best Easy Clean | Krolik XXL Rabbit Cage | 63.8″ x 23.6″ x 19.7″ | Wire mesh, with plastic base | |||
| Best All-Inclusive | Ferplast Guinea Pig Cage with Accessories | 30.31″ x 18.9″ x 16.54″ | Wire mesh, with plastic base | |||
| Best Exercise Pen | Amakunft Transparent Play Pen | 47″ x 47″ x 15″ | Durable polyester fabric |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy a Guinea Pig Cage
- New guinea pig owners – If you’re bringing home a guinea pig for the first time, you’re going to need a cage. It’s often a good idea to opt for a cage that comes with the extras you’ll need straight away, such as a food bowl and water bottle.
- Pet owners with a small, broken, or otherwise inadequate cage – Guinea pigs need more space than you might realize. Perhaps you’ve housed your guinea pig in a cage that isn’t suitable or their cage has broken or become unsafe.
- Guinea pig breeders – If you’re planning to have lots of little guinea pigs, you’ll need extra cages to house them in until you sell them or find homes for them.
Who Should Not Buy a Guinea Pig Cage
- Owners of other types of pets – If you have a pet that isn’t a guinea pig, these cages may not be suitable. They might be too small (e.g. for some breeds of rabbit) or they might be too easy to escape from (for small rodents that can fit through the bars).
- Guinea pig owners whose pet is injured – Obviously, your pet will still need somewhere to live, but you may need a cage that doesn’t have features like ramps that your guinea pig could fall from. If your guinea pig is recovering from an injury, always consult your veterinarian about how best to care for them (including how to house them safely).
Research Tips (from a Veterinarian)
When considering what cage to buy, it’s important to choose something safe, comfortable, and entertaining to provide the best possible living experience for your new furry friend. If you’re not sure which cage to choose, talk to your veterinarian. Some vets specialize in exotic animals and pocket pets, including guinea pigs, and will have helpful suggestions about which cages work and which don’t. You can also get some advice from breeders or pet stores.
You can also ask friends or family with guinea pig experience and visit online communities devoted to guinea pigs. Be sure to read reviews on all products that you find online to get the opinions of real people that have tried or are using the product.
- Make sure the cage is big enough – Guinea pigs require quite a bit of space to accommodate beds, feeding and watering, accessories, and some run-around room. If you have the space and can afford it, bigger is always better.
- Choose a cage with a solid floor and mesh sides – The solid floor protects your guinea pig’s feet and contains their accessories and bedding, while the mesh provides visibility and ventilation. Aquariums, terrariums, and plastic tubs are not suitable for guinea pigs.
- Avoid plastic mesh – Some guinea pigs like to chew and see the bars of their cage as the ideal chew toy. You can use a cage with a solid plastic bottom, but the mesh should be metal to prevent destructive escapees. Also, make sure the mesh won’t let baby guinea pigs squeeze through. This is especially important if you’re considering a cage meant for another animal, such as a rabbit.
- Make sure the cage doesn’t include any toxic materials – For reputable brands, this won’t be a problem, but beware of discount cages at very low prices. They may contain toxic elements or coatings that can hurt your guinea pig.
- Check the ramps in multi-story cages aren’t too steep or slippery – Extra stories help give your guinea pig more play space, but the ramp(s) to reach them should have a footing aid to prevent your guinea pigs from slipping and falling. Additional stories should have solid flooring, too.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $70 and $150
Most guinea pig cages will cost somewhere between $70 and $150. Cages at the high end of the range tend to be larger, with more features and accessories included. If you find a cage that costs much less than $70, it may not be so durable, easy to assemble, or easy to clean. Exercise pens can be much cheaper, however, as they aren’t designed to house your guinea pig for long stretches of time. Of course, you could easily spend $200 or more if you want to create a truly impressive home for your guinea pig or if you want to house several guinea pigs together. If that’s your plan, opt for a cage that can be extended, so you can expand it over time.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Pet News Daily
As a veterinarian, I’ve spoken to lots of guinea pig owners and fellow veterinarians about the best guinea pig cages on the market. When making this list, I took into account the size of the cages, the materials that they were made from, and the overall layout. Guinea pigs need mental stimulation and exercise, so I also looked at extras, such as included accessories and multi-levels. I also considered safety, access, and ease of cleaning. – Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
The Best Guinea Pig Cages: Full Reviews
The Living World Deluxe Habitat (Extra-Large) is a fantastic guinea pig cage that your pet is sure to enjoy. It takes just minutes to assemble, using 8 plastic clips: no tools required. The wire top opens right up, in two parts, so you can easily access the cage and your pet. There’s also a front door you can open.
The balcony in this cage gives your pet extra space, plus there’s a hideaway beneath the balcony where they can rest or hide if they’re feeling scared. The included tip-proof food dish secures to the balcony floor, reducing mess, and you also get a water bottle. There are 3 different size options, though the X-Large is definitely the best choice for your guinea pig.
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Top opens fully for easy access
- Nice-looking and stylish cage
- A sturdy and durable cage that’s very solid once assembled
- Rounded top may get in the way if you position the cage against a wall
- Water bottle isn’t as good quality as you’d hope
The Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat Plus is a versatile guinea pig cage. It’s made of wire mesh, with a PVC canvas base that you can completely remove. This means you can use the cage as an exercise pen outside if you want to.
It’s easy to clean, as you can simply remove and wipe the PVC base. The dividing panel down the middle of the cage has a built-in ramp: you can raise this to keep your guinea pig contained on one side while you clean the other side. The PVC base is also comfortable for your guinea pig’s feet. Best of all, you can purchase multiple cages and join them together to create a huge play area for your guinea pigs, making this an ideal purchase if you have several guinea pigs or if you want a cage that you can extend over time.
- Durable guinea pig cage at a budget-friendly price
- PVC floor can be completely removed
- Can be extended by purchasing multiple units
- Guinea pigs may chew the PVC liner
- Bars are widely spaced; baby guinea pigs could potentially escape
The Krolik XXL Rabbit Cage is designed for rabbits, but it’s also suitable for adult guinea pigs. There’s plenty of space and the extension section (included) can be attached to make the cage even larger. You could even use the extension as a carrying cage, e.g. when taking your pet to the vet. Multiple doors give you easy access to the whole cage.
When it comes to cleaning, you can detach the whole base to change the sawdust or litter easily. The cage is supplied with 2 hay feeders, a feeding bowl, and an elevated feeding area (with a hideaway space beneath).
- Large, deep base with plenty of space to hold litter or sawdust
- Really big cage that gives your guinea pigs plenty of room to explore
- Wire extension section is included and can be detached if you want
- Some reviewers found it fiddly to assemble
- Quite heavy due to its size (23.9lbs)
If you’re looking for an easy starter guinea pig home, the Ferplast Guinea Pig Cage with Accessories checks all the boxes. The full-length front door opens fully for easy access and the deep 6-inch base can hold plenty of bedding or litter.
This cage comes with a food dish, water bottle, hay feeder, elevated platform, and large guinea pig hideout. However, it’s quite small compared with the other cages on our list, so you may want to use it mainly for travel rather than long-term use.
- Starter cage that comes with all the accessories you need
- Deep base to keep litter or other material contained
- Easy to access and clean
- Too small for long-term use
- Doesn’t open at the top, only at the front
The Amakunft Transparent Play Pen is a pop-up playpen for your guinea pig at a great price. It offers plenty of space for playing, and you can use it both indoors and outdoors. If you want to supervise safe play with a child and your guinea pig, it’s perfect, as a child can easily fit inside too.
The base is waterproof, protecting your carpet from urine or water spills. You could also use it to contain your guinea pigs while cleaning out their main cage.
- Pops up instantly, no assembly required
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Very light and easy to transport
- Only for temporary use: you’ll also need a proper cage
- A large guinea pig may be able to get out by leaning on the side
Frequently Asked Questions
Article Sources
Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Guinea pig housing. The Humane Society of the United States. Accessed February 1, 2022.
- How to introduce guinea pigs. PDSA. Acccessed February 1, 2022.
- A healthy diet for guinea pigs. RSPCA. Accessed February 1, 2022.
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.
