Many store bought guinea pig cages are either unsuitable or expensive. So because of this, I have put together a list of 5 great alternatives to store-bought cages!
Keep in mind that these cage alternatives should only be used indoors!
Here are the cage alternatives:
Let’s learn more!
Things to Look for in a Guinea Pig Cage
Here are some things that are important to have in a guinea pig habitat.
Space
Who wants to live in a closet all day? No one! Guinea pigs will say the same thing (you know, if they could talk). Your guinea pigs’ cage should have enough space for them to run around, play, and do all the other things they do!
Below are the minimum space requirements for guinea pigs:
| Number of Guinea Pigs | Min. Square Feet |
| One | 7.5 |
| Two | 7.5 |
| Three | 10.5 |
| Four | 13 |
Safety
Of course the habitat that your piggies will be living in should be safe! Ensure that the cage:
- Only has non-toxic stain, paint, etc. Or, if the paint, stain, etc, isn’t non-toxic, make sure that the guinea pigs can’t access it.
- Doesn’t have a wire bottom (these hurt their feet).
- Does not have any sharp edges.
- Doesn’t have any gaps wide enough for the guinea pigs to get their heads stuck in or escape through.
- Has sides that are tall enough to keep the piggies in.
- Provides enough ventilation.
Is There Something Wrong with Store Bought Cages?
No, there is nothing wrong with store bought cages, in fact, I use a store bought cage for my guinea pigs myself.
But the reason why you might not want to use a store bought guinea pig cage is because many of them are too small, and the ones that are big enough are often a bit pricey.
Do You Need a Lid on the Cage?
Generally, no, you don’t usually need a lid on a guinea pig cage, as guinea pigs don’t really climb or jump out unless the sides of the cage are very low.
However, if you have dogs, cats, or similar pets that may be able to access the room that your piggies’ cage is in, having a sturdy roof on the cage is an awesome idea!
Also, if you have very young kids, you might want to cover the cage.
Here are some other reasons for putting a lid on your guinea pig cage:
You Have Males Separated from Females
If you have male guinea pigs and female guinea pigs in the same cage, but separated by a divider, put a roof on the cage, as a male guinea pig, especially a young male, will climb or jump over the divider to get to the female.
You don’t have to cover the whole cage, however. Just at least cover the whole area above the male guinea pigs.
You Have Males Separated Because of Fighting
If you have male guinea pigs separated from each other in the same way I said earlier, because they fight when put together, at least cover the whole area on one side of the divider.
Now let’s talk about the cage alternatives!
C&C Cages
C&C cages are probably the most popular alternative to pet store cages. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros
- They are large.
- They’re cheap for the amount of space they provide.
- They are customizable. You can customize the size, shape, height of base, sometimes even the color of the grids and base, etc, to make the best cage for you and your piggies.
- They’re easy to make compared to other DIY cages.
- They provide you with easy access to your pets.
Cons
- Other animals may be able to get in the cage if they are allowed in the same room.
- They are not as sturdy as some other cages
How to Make C&C Cages
To make a c&c cage, you will need:
- Coroplast
- Grid Cubes (make sure there are at least 9 holes in the grids, otherwise, the guinea pigs may be able to get their heads stuck)
- Zip Ties (you may need more than you think)
- Scissors or another cutting tool
- A marker
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Duct tape (optional)
Alright, before you make your C&C cage, you should take some time to plan out your cage design.
How big do you want it? (Ensure that it is big enough for the number of guinea pigs you have). Will it fit in the space you want it to be in? (Make sure to double-check using a ruler or measuring tape).
What shape do you want it to be? Square? Rectangle? L-shape, etc? How tall do you want the coroplast base to be? Will it be a multi-level cage?
Okay, now let’s assemble the cage!
First, make the frame of the cage (only make the first level, as of right now). To assemble the frame, take two grids, and tightly zip tie them together, so that the cage is very sturdy, and repeat until it is done.
Now lay out your sheet of coroplast, (if you have several smaller sheets of coroplast, duct tape them together) and line up the cage with the lines on the coroplast.
After doing this, use a marker (and possibly a ruler to make the lines straight) to mark the sides about a half an inch inside of the cage frame.
Next, move the cage to the side, and cut the coroplast (all the way through) around the frame, so that it is the length around the marks that you want the height of the base to be. (The height of the base shouldn’t be higher than 10 inches all the way around).
Once that’s done, cut on the marked parts of the coroplast, but don’t cut all the way through it, only cut into it enough that it will fold into the shape of a base.
Now cut (all the way through) a straight (not diagonal) line from each marked corner to the end of the coroplast, and then cut (partway through the coroplast) another straight (not diagonal) line from the corner to the end of the coroplast.
After that, flip the coroplast over, so that the marked areas are on the bottom.
Now take one side of it and fold it so that it is like the side of a base, then fold up the other side right next to it, and take the part of the coroplast that sticks out and put it behind the other side, and tape it there. Now repeat this step until it looks like a cage base.
After the base is done, put it inside the cage frame. Next, cut small holes in the base and zip tie it firmly to the grids.
If you are going to have a multi-level cage, below is a video on how to make another level and a ramp on a C&C cage.
Alternatives for Coroplast
If you can’t find coroplast in your area, here are some alternatives for it:
- Linoleum
- Shower curtains
- Waterproof drop cloths
- Thick plastic tablecloths
- Waterproof mattress liners
- Tarps
Linoleum
Linoleum is a great alternative for coroplast, since it is cheaper and easier to find. However, you will have to make sure that your piggies don’t chew on it!
Shower Curtains
Shower curtains are very, very easy to find, (you may even find one lying around your house) and they also work as a substitute for coroplast! So, you can easily grab an old shower curtain, wash it, and use it for the base of your cage!
Waterproof Drop Cloths
Waterproof drop cloths can be found at most home improvement stores, and work well for the base of a C&C cage. Just remember to get the waterproof ones, not the paper ones, as these will get messy and expensive.
Thick Plastic Tablecloths
Very similar to shower curtains: Easy to find, cheap, and you can wash an old one you already have and use it.
Make sure to get a plastic one though, because it is waterproof.
Waterproof Mattress Liners
Mattress liners are easy to find, as they are at pretty much every home store, and work well as a coroplast substitute!
Tarps
Tarps are another great option! They are very large, strong, waterproof and easy to find! You can find great, decently priced tarps, which work well for a guinea pig cage!
Now let’s move on to the next cage alternative.
Bookshelf Cage
A guinea pig cage made from a bookshelf may not be the most popular idea, but it definitely is one to consider. Here are some pros and cons.
Pros
- They are often large enough (most three shelf bookcases are big enough for two guinea pigs).
- They are pretty easy to make, compared to most DIY (not C&C) cages.
- They can be pretty inexpensive.
- You can easily find them.
- They provide easy access to your piggies.
Cons
- You need to choose it carefully, to make sure that there aren’t any sharp edges, toxic paint or stain, or other safety hazards.
- They are not as customizable as other DIY cages.
How to Make a Guinea Pig Cage from a Bookshelf
To make one of these bookshelf guinea pig cages, you will need the following:
- A bookshelf
- Pond liner
- A large wooden board (the guinea pigs won’t come into direct contact with it, so you don’t have to worry about the board being non-toxic or anything)
- If needed, some tools to remove the bookcase shelves
First of all, set the bookshelf on the ground and tip it so that the open part of it is facing up. Now take out the shelves (you may need tools to do this, depending on the bookcase).
Also, if there are any metal (or other material) supports that are used to keep the shelves in place, remove those as well.
Now take the large wooden board; the board should be the right size, so that you can slide it inside of the base of the bookshelf and it covers the bottom (don’t slide it in yet).
Cover the board with pond liner (the liner will have to be big enough to cover the whole board and be an extra 2-3 inches around each side of it).
Now tuck the extra pond liner under the board and try to get all of the wrinkles out of it; then carefully flip over the board (with the pond liner on it) and use screws, staples, etc to secure the pond liner to the board on all four sides. After that, cut off any excess pond liner.
After doing this, put the board (the side completely covered with pond liner facing up) inside the bookcase. It is now a guinea pig cage!
Playpen
You can also use a playpen as a guinea pig cage. Here are some pros and a con of doing so.
Pros
- They are often larger than most pet store cages
- They are cheaper than most cages the same size
- They come in different varieties
Con
- They often don’t come with a base, so you may need to make your own
Tips for Using a Playpen as a Guinea Pig Cage
Consider using a playpen made for dogs over a playpen made for guinea pigs or other small pets, as these often provide more space. Just ensure that there aren’t any openings that your piggies can get their heads stuck in.
Also, there are lots of playpens that don’t come with a base, so if you will be using it as a cage, you may have to make your own.
To make it, you can use coroplast and make a base like you would for a C&C cage, or do something similar to this. You can also just get sheets, towels, or something similar, and use fleece liners on top of them.
Hard-Sided Wading Pool
A hard sided wading pool can work well as a guinea pig cage!
Pros
- They’re cheap
- They are easy to find
- They’re easy to clean
- No assembly
- They are easy to move around
Cons
- Guinea pigs may be able to jump out
- The guinea pigs may eat some of the plastic
More Info about using a Wading Pool as a Guinea Pig Cage
Don’t use an inflatable pool, as the piggies will probably pop it and maybe even eat it!
Make sure the sides of the pool are 10 inches tall (or shorter), so it will provide them with enough ventilation.
However, if the sides are shorter than this, or if you are really concerned about them escaping, you can buy a playpen and put it around the outside or inside of the pool (if you use it inside, they won’t be able to eat the plastic either, but it will cut down a little bit on floor space).
Also, here is a link to a calculator that will calculate the square feet of a circle (a.k.a. you won’t have to do the math yourself): https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/construction/square-footage-calculator.php
Dog Crates
Dog crates can be pretty expensive, but if you can find a large enough crate for a reasonable price, it is a great option!
Some Things to Think About
If you will be using a dog crate as a guinea pig cage, ensure that:
- It provides easy access to your piggies
- The gaps between the bars aren’t so big that your guinea pigs might get stuck in them or escape
Also, since dog crates almost never have large enough trays for your guinea pigs’ bedding and hay to stay in, you may need to make your own base using coroplast, or another similar material.
Unsuitable Cage Alternatives
Here are two somewhat common guinea pig cage alternatives that just aren’t great to use.
Glass Tanks
Although glass tanks can be used for other small pets, such as hamsters or gerbils, they should not be used for guinea pigs.
Glass tanks do not provide enough ventilation for guinea pigs, and this by itself makes them unsuitable. Also, unless you somehow manage to find a HUGE tank somewhere, they do not fit the minimum space requirements for guinea pigs.
So, just don’t use a glass tank as a cage for your furry friend.
Plastic Bins
Plastic bins, like glass tanks, really just don’t provide enough ventilation for your piggies. However, provided the sides are 10 inches tall (or shorter), you could probably use one as a temporary cage.
I hope this info has been very helpful!
