Hi, im new :]

[jenny3195]

Hi im new here to this forum and my real name is Meredith (Jenny is my 13 year old dog) and I have a question about guinea pig cages. I see that most people build there own cages (C&C) instead of buying a cage...does anyone know why that is?

[Foggycreek]

Yes, it's because store bought cages are just too small for guinea pigs. Check out Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home to see the cage size standards. You'll see that pet store cages don't even fit the recommendations for even one pig.

Your dog is very cute. However, your avatar must be guinea pig related! Just a heads-up before a moderator tells you.

[jenny3195]

Thanks, ill have to change it, yeah she is slowing down a bit, but she is still spunky :] Some cages at the Petsmart near me seam to be standard or even more than that! Thanks for the reply!

[guinealuv93]

Welcome to the fourm! I agree your dog is very cute! Do you already have a guinea pig?

[jenny3195]

Oh, another question sorry. What food do you recomend for a Cavy? I know it should be made up of pellets and timothy hay, but not alfalfa becasue that is for babies and pregnant mothers....I just have had some troubel finding the right brand.

[jenny3195]

Noo I dont yet but I am planning to adopt one soon, so im trying to prepare :]

[emily111897]

Originally Posted by jenny3195

... Some cages at the Petsmart near me seam to be standard or even more than that ...

I bought a cage a while back from a pet store, the box said it was 2X4, but when I got home and measured it, it was 2X1.

[guinealuv93]

I don't have a guinea pig either. Yet. I would suggest Oxbow food. That is a very nutrtious type of pellet and I have had it recomended to me. Hope you get a piggie soon!

[emily111897]

I use Oxbow, and she eats all the hay and pellets up!

[Foggycreek]

If you get a pig under 1 year of age you can feed a pellet with alfalfa as the main ingredient.

Even though those pet store cages look big, sometimes the measurements are of the top part of the cage, but if you measure the actual tray where the guinea pig will be (the bottom of the tray area) they are much smaller.

Here's how you figure out square footage--measure the width and the length in inches and multiply them together. Then divide what you get by 144. This will give you square feet.

Take this cage for example-- Cages for rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets, and guinea pigs

The dimensions say the jumbo size is 47 x 22, which is a bit over 7 square feet. However, the guinea pig actually lives in the bottom of the tray, which is quite a bit smaller. I have two of these cages I use in my rescue in emergency situations when I need an extra cage--I would never let a guinea pig live in one for any length of time.