Do you find it challenging to accommodate your guinea pigs’ cage in a limited space? Whether you’ve downsized your living area or want to expand your guinea pig family, here are some innovative ideas for guinea pig cages in small spaces!
Lofts, unconventional cage shapes, additional storage options, and stacked cages are all effective ways to make space for a guinea pig cage in a small area. Elevating the cage using sturdy furniture is also a smart solution! Remember, guinea pig cages should have a minimum of 7.5 square feet, with 10.5 square feet or more being ideal.
In this post, we’ll explore six strategies for fitting a guinea pig cage into a small space without compromising on the minimum cage size.
1. Loft Spaces
Adding a loft area, or a second floor, to a guinea pig cage is a popular way to create extra space. This is commonly achieved with C&C cages.
Keep in mind that the loft space does not count towards the cage size requirement since guinea pigs need flat space to move around. For example, if your cage is 6 square feet and you add a 2 square feet loft, your cage still wouldn’t meet the minimum 7.5 square feet requirement because only the bottom level is counted.
If your cage already meets the minimum size requirements, the loft can serve as a fun additional space for your guinea pigs to enjoy!
While some guinea pigs may not use lofts, others may love them. They are especially beneficial for young piggies who enjoy climbing.
Ensure that all essential items for your guinea pigs are accessible on the ground floor. They should not have to climb to access hay or water, as this could lead to them consuming less than necessary.
2. L-Shaped Cages (And Other Shapes!)
L-shaped cages are ideal for tight or irregular spaces. You can also experiment with other shapes like U-shapes or bump-outs using C&C grids. Remember, your guinea pigs are not concerned about the aesthetics of their cage on social media – they just need it to meet their requirements!
Ensure that the cage is not too narrow in any direction and that there is ample open floor space. Beyond that, feel free to get creative!
3. Triangular Guinea Pig Cages for Corners
One innovative use of space is a triangular corner cage that I have personally come across. As long as you confirm that your cage meets the minimum requirements (as triangles can be a bit tricky to measure), these can be effective!
4. Adding Storage Beneath Your Guinea Pig Cage
Guinea pig supplies always spill beyond their cage. I used to struggle with storing my piggies’ hay, pellets, bedding, and other items. Some people have a collection of fleece to store, as it’s fun to have different patterns to decorate the cage!
C&C cages can be elevated using C&C grids, or you can use a table to create storage space underneath. This area can hold your guinea pigs’ essentials, your belongings, or a combination of both.
Elevating the cage with C&C grids typically allows for a few small storage bins, while using a table to elevate the cage provides much more space.
If you opt for C&C grids to elevate the cage, ensure they are stable – guinea pigs have been injured due to unstable C&C cages collapsing. Use zip ties to secure the grids, not just the connectors provided, and consider adding wooden dowels for additional support.
5. Placing Your Cage on Sturdy Furniture
I have often placed my guinea pigs’ cages on sturdy furniture, usually something that doubles as storage. I’ve used tables and a large dresser. I even placed them on the basement bar counters since they were unused – and it meant we had a sink nearby for water refills or cleaning.
Always ensure that the furniture is robust enough to support your guinea pigs without collapsing. Consider other pets and children as well – could they accidentally knock over the cage while playing nearby or trying to reach the guinea pigs?
6. Stacked Cages
If you have multiple guinea pig cages, stacking them can be a space-saving solution. While I have not tried this myself due to concerns about cleaning, some people swear by this method!
I’ve seen individuals stack cages using C&C grids, ensuring each grid is securely zip-tied together and often using a wooden dowel for additional stability. Some have also used tables to support the top cage while keeping the bottom one below.
While many stacked cages on social media are neat rectangles, yours can be more unique – you can create a larger cage on the bottom for a bigger herd or incorporate different shapes as discussed earlier.
I trust that this guide has sparked some inspiration for your next guinea pig cage setup! Remember, you can combine the above ideas – perhaps an L-shaped cage with storage underneath suits your space best, or stacked cages with a loft on the upper level. The possibilities are endless as long as you and your guinea pigs are content and have the space they need to thrive.