Many people consider the guinea pig to be the perfect small pet. Since it is best to have at least two of these animals to prevent unhealthy loneliness, most cages that are sold are too small. Small plastic cages that are mass produced and sold at major retailers do not offer enough space for guinea pigs to live a healthy life.

In the past it was recommended that each guinea pig, or cavy, have two square feet of floor space. A pair would then require four square feet of floor space. This is now considered to be insufficient. Current recommendations vary but a safe bet would be to count on providing five square feet of floor area per pet guinea pig. Of course, if you have the budget and space, it is best to give your little friends more space than the minimum.

You will want to provide several things within your cavy's cage. Bedding, toys, food, and water are the basic accessories that are necessary. For bedding you can use aspen shavings, shredded paper, or pellet bedding found in some pet stores. Cedar shavings should not be used because it is known to cause respiratory problems in several small animals, including guinea pigs. Guinea pig toys can be many things. Small blocks of wood, hard plastic rabbit toys, cardboard boxes, ferret tunnels, hanging bird toys, and thick plastic pipes all make great toys. A place for your pets to hide is important. Cardboard boxes and PVC pipe work well for this. Large plastic bowls are another option.

To prevent wasted food and a mess to clean up, put your cavy's food in a ceramic dish or other heavy bowl. Water bowls will need to be refreshed at least twice per day. Because of this, most guinea pig owners opt to use a water bottle. Look for a bottle that has a steel sipper. Steel will prevent the sipper from being chewed up.

Exercise is important for guinea pigs, too. This doesn't just mean exercise inside of their cage. Daily time outside of their cage will help keep them in good health and high spirits. They should always be supervised during this time to prevent them from getting injured or lost.