How to House a Guinea Pig: Everything You Need to Create the Perfect Home

A happy guinea pig starts with the right home. Whether you're welcoming your first guinea pigs or upgrading their enclosure, providing enough space, fresh bedding, hiding places and unlimited hay will help keep them healthy, active and stress-free.

Guinea pigs are social animals that love to explore, forage and relax in safe hiding spots. By creating an environment that meets their natural needs, you'll encourage positive behaviours and improve their overall wellbeing.

Choose a Spacious Enclosure

One of the biggest mistakes new owners make is choosing a cage that's too small.

Guinea pigs are surprisingly active and need plenty of uninterrupted floor space to run, popcorn (their joyful hopping behaviour), explore and stretch out.

As a guide:

• Two guinea pigs should have a minimum enclosure size of 120cm x 60cm, although larger is always better.
• Larger groups require additional space.
• Single-level enclosures are ideal, as guinea pigs aren't natural climbers.

If possible, attach a secure exercise run so your guinea pigs can enjoy even more room to explore.

Guinea Pigs Should Live Together

Guinea pigs are highly social and are happiest when kept with at least one compatible companion.

Living with another guinea pig allows them to communicate, groom each other, play and feel more secure.

If you have multiple guinea pigs, make sure there are enough food bowls, water bottles, hay piles and hiding places to reduce competition.

Create a Comfortable Sleeping Area

Every guinea pig needs somewhere quiet to rest.

Include several hideaways throughout the enclosure, such as:

• Wooden houses
• Cardboard tunnels
• Willow shelters
• Fabric hideouts

Providing more shelters than guinea pigs helps ensure every pet has somewhere to retreat if they want some quiet time.

Provide Soft, Safe Bedding

Comfortable bedding helps keep guinea pigs warm, dry and healthy.

Suitable options include:

• Paper-based bedding
• Hemp bedding
• Fleece liners with absorbent layers
• Aspen bedding

Avoid dusty bedding materials, as guinea pigs have sensitive respiratory systems.

Spot clean wet bedding every day and carry out a full clean at least once a week to keep the enclosure hygienic. The exact cleaning frequency depends on the enclosure size and the number of guinea pigs living together.

Fresh Hay Should Always Be Available

Hay isn't just food—it's one of the most important parts of your guinea pig's home.

Unlimited fresh hay helps to:

• Support healthy digestion.
• Wear down continuously growing teeth.
• Encourage natural foraging.
• Provide enrichment.
• Create comfortable nesting and resting areas.

Premium Timothy Hay is ideal for adult guinea pigs, while Meadow Hay offers variety and encourages natural grazing behaviours.

Replace damp or soiled hay every day so your guinea pigs always have a fresh supply.

Add Enrichment and Toys

Guinea pigs are curious animals that enjoy exploring their surroundings.

Simple enrichment ideas include:

• Cardboard tubes
• Willow balls
• Hay-filled tunnels
• Untreated wooden chew toys
• Foraging boxes
• Paper bags stuffed with fresh hay

Changing toys occasionally helps keep their environment interesting and encourages natural behaviours.

Indoor or Outdoor Housing?

Guinea pigs can live indoors or outdoors, provided their needs are met.

Indoor Housing

Indoor guinea pigs should be kept:

• Away from radiators and direct sunlight.
• In a well-ventilated room.
• Away from draughts.
• Somewhere calm and quiet.

Outdoor Housing

Outdoor enclosures should be:

• Raised off the ground.
• Protected from predators.
• Sheltered from rain, wind and direct sunlight.
• Attached to a secure exercise run whenever possible.

Guinea pigs are sensitive to temperature extremes and should be protected from excessive heat or cold. The RSPCA advises that indoor temperatures of around 17–20°C are ideal and notes that temperatures above 26°C can lead to heatstroke, while temperatures below 15°C can leave guinea pigs dangerously cold.

Keep Food and Water Fresh

Every day your guinea pigs should have access to:

• Unlimited fresh hay.
• High-quality guinea pig pellets.
• Fresh vegetables.
• Clean drinking water.

Check water bottles daily to make sure they're working properly and refill them with fresh water every day.

Keep Their Home Clean

A clean enclosure helps prevent illness and keeps your guinea pigs comfortable.

A simple cleaning routine includes:

• Removing droppings and wet bedding daily.
• Replacing old hay with fresh hay.
• Washing food bowls and water bottles every day.
• Deep cleaning the enclosure at least once a week using pet-safe cleaning products.

Common Housing Mistakes to Avoid

When setting up a guinea pig home, avoid:

• Buying a cage that's too small.
• Keeping a guinea pig on its own.
• Using dusty or unsuitable bedding.
• Not providing enough hiding places.
• Allowing hay to become damp or mouldy.
• Forgetting to provide enrichment.

Small improvements to your guinea pigs' home can make a big difference to their health and happiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can guinea pigs live alone?

Guinea pigs are naturally social animals and are generally happiest living with another compatible guinea pig.

What is the best bedding for guinea pigs?

Paper-based bedding, hemp bedding and fleece systems are all popular choices because they're comfortable, absorbent and low in dust.

How often should I clean a guinea pig cage?

Spot clean every day and carry out a thorough clean at least once a week. Larger enclosures may require less frequent deep cleaning but should still be checked daily.

Why do guinea pigs need so much hay?

Hay supports healthy digestion, helps wear down continuously growing teeth and provides natural enrichment. It should make up the majority of your guinea pig's daily diet and should always be available.

Give Your Guinea Pigs the Home They Deserve

Creating the perfect guinea pig home doesn't have to be complicated. A spacious enclosure, unlimited fresh hay, comfortable bedding, plenty of hiding places and opportunities to forage will help your guinea pigs stay healthy, active and content.

At Newhay, our premium Timothy and Meadow Hay is grown on our Yorkshire farm, carefully harvested and packed fresh to provide guinea pigs with the high-quality forage they need every day. Explore our range of hay and natural forage to help create a home your guinea pigs will love.