Indoor guinea pig cages, pens and hutches compared
Store-bought cages, playpens and indoor hutches: which indoor options give Australian guinea pigs enough space, and what to check before you buy.
If a DIY C&C cage isn’t for you, there are ready-made indoor options. Some are great, and some are far too small despite the “guinea pig” label. Here’s how the main types compare and what to check.
Store-bought cages (plastic base with a wire top)
The classic pet-shop cage is a deep plastic tray with a wire top that clips on.
Good points
- Easy to buy and quick to set up.
- Deep base keeps bedding inside.
- Lid included, useful with other pets.
Watch out for
- Most are well under 1 m². Many are around 0.5 m².
- Small doors make cleaning and handling awkward.
- Not expandable.
What to check: the internal floor dimensions. A cage around 120 × 60 cm gives about 0.72 m², which meets the bare minimum but not RSPCA Australia’s guidance of about 1 m² for a pair. Some owners join two identical cages together to double the space.
Modular pens (playpens with a floor)
Modular pens made from solid plastic panels, often with a waterproof floor mat, are increasingly available in Australia. A 140 × 70 cm pen gives about 0.98 m², close to the recommended size for a pair.
Good points
- Good floor space for the price.
- Solid walls keep bedding in and stop draughts.
- Can often be reshaped into an L or extended.
Watch out for
- Usually no lid, so not suitable where cats or dogs can reach.
- Lightweight panels can shift if they're not clipped well.
- Check the wall height is at least 30 cm.
Indoor hutches (furniture-style)
Timber indoor hutches look great in a living room, but they tend to trade floor space for style. A typical raised indoor hutch around 96 × 55 cm offers only about 0.53 m².
If you love the look, choose the largest single-level floor you can find, and treat any upper level as a bonus. Avoid hutches where most of the space is in stacked levels connected by steep ramps.
Quick buying checklist
- At least 1 m² of flat floor for a pair (use our size calculator for other group sizes)
- Solid floor, with no wire mesh underfoot
- Rectangular shape with room for a proper run
- Walls at least 30 cm high, and a lid if other pets are around
- Big openings for easy cleaning and gentle handling
- Room for two hides, a hay rack, water and a food bowl without crowding
See how specific products sold in Australia measure up in our researched picks, or compare every type in the comparison table.
Want a properly sized cage without the DIY?
We're looking at bringing welfare-sized cages and C&C kits to Australia. Join the waitlist and tell us what you'd want.
This guide is general information to help you compare housing options. It isn't veterinary advice. If your guinea pig seems unwell, contact a vet experienced with exotic pets.
