Setting up your first guinea pig cage: the step-by-step checklist
Everything you need to set up a safe, comfortable guinea pig cage in Australia, from choosing the spot to bedding, hides, hay, water and daily routines.
Bringing home guinea pigs is exciting. A little preparation means they settle in quickly and stay healthy. Set everything up before they arrive, so the first days are calm.
A good cage isn’t only somewhere to keep guinea pigs. It’s their whole world, so give them space to run, places to hide and hay to munch.
1. Pick the right spot
- A cool, draught-free room where the family spends time, because guinea pigs are social and enjoy the activity.
- Away from direct sun, heaters, air-conditioner vents and loud TVs or speakers.
- Off the floor in a room where cats and dogs can reach, or protected with a lid.
RSPCA Australia notes guinea pigs are most comfortable between 18°C and 23°C. In most Australian homes that rules out sunrooms and west-facing windows.
2. Get the size right
For a pair, aim for at least 1 m² of flat floor, such as a 2 × 4 grid C&C cage. Use our size calculator for other group sizes, and read why size matters.
Guinea pigs are herd animals. RSPCA Australia recommends keeping them in pairs or groups rather than alone, and they should not be housed with rabbits.
3. Lay the floor
Use a solid floor, with no wire, covered in absorbent, dust-free bedding. Popular choices are fleece liners over an absorbent layer, or paper-based bedding. Our bedding guide compares them.
4. Add the essentials
- Hides: at least one per guinea pig, ideally with two exits, so no one gets cornered
- Hay: unlimited fresh grass hay (such as meadow, timothy or oaten) in a rack or a big pile, available 24/7
- Water: a bottle or heavy bowl per pig, refreshed daily
- Food bowl: heavy ceramic, so it can't be tipped, for pellets and fresh veggies
- Enrichment: tunnels, cardboard boxes and chew-safe wooden toys
5. Arrange the space
- Put hides at opposite ends so each pig has its own retreat.
- Keep hay near a hide, because guinea pigs like to eat where they feel safe.
- Leave a clear run down the middle for zoomies and popcorning.
- Many owners set up a “kitchen” corner with hay, food and water. Guinea pigs tend to toilet near where they eat, which makes spot-cleaning easier.
6. The first few days
Give your guinea pigs a quiet couple of days to explore before lots of handling. Sit near the cage, talk softly and offer veggies by hand. Expect some hiding at first, which is completely normal.
Daily and weekly routine
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Daily | Refresh hay and water, serve fresh veggies, spot-clean wet patches and droppings, and do a quick health check (eyes, nose, bottom, eating normally) |
| Every 2–3 days | Change fleece liners or top up and replace soiled bedding in the toilet areas |
| Weekly | Full clean-out, wash bowls and bottles, and weigh your pigs |
See our cleaning guide for more detail.
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.
