Make a Guinea Pig Cage

Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are small rodents that are kept as pets. Although many owners use store-bought cages, these spaces are often smaller than what guinea pigs naturally need and crave. They will be much happier and healthier animals if they can enjoy a big, interesting environment and have plenty of room to explore. Whether you keep your cavy indoors or outdoors, there are a number of options for giving it a comfortable living space.

Steps

Making a Guinea Pig Hutch

  1. Plan the hutch. Guinea pig hutches are meant to be used outdoors and should be sturdy. Planning the layout is the first step. How big should the hutch be? Generally speaking, the bigger the better. Guinea pigs need at least 8 square feet of cage space or, for two, at least 10 square feet. For a hutch, aim to have a length of approximately four to five times that of your animal and a maximum length of about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.[1] It can also be designed to have two stories, one atop the other, to make more space. The hutch should be off the ground, otherwise it will be too cold for the animal and the wood may start to rot. You will therefore need it to be elevated, either on a table at about waist height or on its own legs.[2]
    • An old cupboard or small cabinet can often be converted into an effective hutch. This will save you from having to buy all new materials and construct the frame yourself.
    • Try drawing up a blueprint with your planned dimensions.
  2. Collect your materials. The best hutches are made from good solid wood, which will better protect your guinea pig from the elements as well as give it insulation. A well-designed hutch will also ward off potential predators. Avoid cheap and flimsy plywood. You will additionally need wire mesh, wood staples, screws or nails, galvanized latches, and tools like an electric drill, hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, wire-cutters, and saw, and work space for the assembly job.[2]
    • Readers who are less comfortable with do-it-yourself projects can buy guinea pig hutches at pet stores or online, pre-made or with easy to assemble parts, for between $100-$300. In the latter case, instructions will walk you through the construction process.
  3. Build the frame. Start by doing your measurements and cutting. Depending on how big you want the hutch, you will need to have three separate lengths for the wooden pieces: one for length, one for height, and one for width. Your dimensions, for example, might be something like 45 x 32 x 20 inches. You will need at least four pieces of each size, and more if you want to construct individual frames for each of the hutch's six sides and an opening door. Measure the wood and double-check your measurements before you cut. With the electric drill, drill the attachment holes with a slightly smaller bit than your screw size and then insert the screw with the drill. Assemble the pieces together.[3]
    • Assembly and construction can be challenging on your own. If you don't have experience with tools and design, pre-made frames can be purchased at pet stores or online.
  4. Install the floor, walls, and roof. The hutch must have a solid floor and roof, made from either wood or plastic. While some people recommend using mesh for the floor, this can be dangerous for the animal and can easily lead to a broken leg. The roof should meanwhile slope backward at a slight angle, so that water drains away, and should be covered with 2 to 3 layers of roofing felt to make it waterproof. Make the walls from wire mesh like chicken wire, cutting pieces to fit the frame and then affixing them with wood staples.[2]
    • Wooden floors unfortunately soak up urine. You will need to provide the animal with a deep floor cover and change it regularly.Timothy hay works great. Some guinea pigs may also gnaw at the floor, requiring repairs.[4]
  5. Weatherproof the structure. To protect the hutch from the elements, rot, and your animal's urine and droppings, weatherproof it with a wood sealant. You will need to choose carefully, so as not to make the animal sick accidentally. Find a sealant that is safe for animals. If you will keep the hutch in a semi-enclosed space, weatherproofing is not as important but can still extend the life of the structure.[2]

Making a Guinea Pig Run

  1. Sketch out blueprints. A guinea pig run is a more specialized structure for outdoor exercise, letting your animal roam about without the risk of it getting lost or escaping. It is basically a large mesh cage without a bottom, which you can place directly on the grass. Runs can be fairly large – four feet on each side and one foot in height are fairly typical dimensions. You can build yours as a separate structure, but it is also possible to incorporate it into an existing hutch. In fact, the structure will be a lot like the hutch in its design. In its most basic form the run is a wooden frame with wire mesh sides. Sketch out a blueprint and all of your planned measurements before getting started.[5]
  2. Gather materials. As with the hutch, you will need wood, screws, wire mesh, wood staples, a drill, and a saw. However, runs are designed to be lightweight, at least those that are portable, so that the wood will ideally be lighter and rather less solid than that used in the hutch.[5]
    • Like hutches, guinea pig runs can be found online or at some pet stores for between $50 and $100. Instructions will walk you through the assembly process.
  3. Build the frame. As with the hutch, again, start by measuring and cutting the frame. The run is slightly more simple in that you really only need to construct a simple frame. There does not need to be a roof, floor, or even a door. Measure the wood per your blueprint specifications, double check the measurements, and make your cuts. Then, with the drill, drill your attachment holes and assemble the pieces.[6]
  4. Install the wire mesh. Cut the wire mesh once you have finished the frame. The mesh will need to cover each side of the run frame, at the least, and be secured with wood staples. You can also put mesh over the top of the run, though this is not strictly necessary. Guinea pigs like to jump (called “popcorning”), but there should be little danger of them escaping if you have made the run at least one foot high.[5]

Making a Cube and Coroplast (C & C) Cage

  1. Get your materials. Cube and Coroplast cages are probably the most popular type of cages for indoor guinea pigs. They are also easy to construct. To make one you will need storage cube grids, corrugated plastic called coroplast, and a box-cutter. These materials can be easily found and purchased at big-box stores like Costco, Target, or Kmart.[7]
  2. Connect the storage cube grids. Assemble the cube grids in a rectangle of your desired dimensions. Then, take the plastic grid connectors (these are small plastic ties) and connect the grids so that they are tight. You can make the cage even more sturdy by using cable ties, which are available at most hardware stores.[8]
  3. Measure the inside of the enclosure. You will need these dimensions in order to cut the coroplast, which will sit inside of the storage cube grids. You can measure with string if you'd like. Then, add 6 inches to the length and width to find your “cutting dimensions.” When you cut and insert the coroplast, these extra inches will give you a six-inch internal wall all the way around the cage.
  4. Measure, mark, and cut the coroplast to size. Use a tape measure, yardstick or long straight-edge, and pen to measure and mark the coroplast. Then cut it with the box cutter. A pair of heavy duty or even regular scissors will work, as well. Remember, the piece of cut coroplast should be to the size of the enclosure plus 6 inches on all sides.
  5. Mark and score the coroplast. Now you can start to make your enclosure walls. Measure and mark 6 inches in on all sides to create the inner dimensions. Use a box cutter or razor blade to score the coroplast along the lines you made, but don't cut all the way through. You can practice on a scrap piece first. It is also much easier to score with the grain of the coroplast rather than against it.
  6. Make fitted corners. Cut in 6 inches each way at all four corners of the coroplast to create flaps. Doing so will allow you to snap up the edges and place the coroplast snugly inside of the enclosure. If you forget this step, it will not fit.
  7. Snap the edges away and tape the flaps. Snap the edges of the coroplast upward from where you scored your lines to create your cage box. Then, tape the edges to make them more sturdy and secure. Make sure that you tape the outside, using two or more large strips of tape for extra strength.
  8. Place the box inside the grid. You now have a basic C & C guinea pig cage. The next step is to find a suitable location for the cage and to finish the living space with bedding, a food bowl, and a water bottle. Choose a place where there is fairly high traffic. Guinea pigs are social animals and benefit from human contact. Find a place with natural light but one that is not in direct sunlight, and also avoid drafty areas.[8]

Warnings

  • Make sure you clean the cage properly every week, or even more frequently, or your guinea pig could become very ill or may even die of illness.
  • Do not use storage cube grids in which the space between the bars is more than 1.5 inches. The animals may get their heads stuck.
  • Always take your pigs to the vet at least once a year so they remain healthy.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.theanimalfiles.com/pets/guinea_pigs/guinea_pig_care/guinea_pig_equipment.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.guineapigcorner.com/hutches
  3. ↑ http://www.instructables.com/id/Guinea-Pig-HutchExtension/?ALLSTEPS
  4. ↑ http://www.theanimalfiles.com/pets/guinea_pigs/guinea_pig_care/guinea_pig_equipment.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.guineapigcorner.com/runs
  6. ↑ http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Cheap-Guinea-Pig-Run/
  7. ↑ http://petsupplies.about.com/od/pocketpets/tp/4-Types-Of-Guinea-Pig-Cages.htm
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.guineapigcorner.com/indoor-cages
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