ACCOMMODATION

Guinea Pigs can live quite happily either indoors or out as long as they have adequate shelter from draughts and damp.

INDOORS

An airy cage makes a perfect indoor home. It should be as large as possible, especially if the cavies are going to spend most of their time in it. Either of the pictured styles of cage is quite acceptable or, alternatively, there are many variations on the theme available in good pet shops. Equally acceptable is a roomy hutch or other 'home-made' accommodation as long as it meets the basic requirements.

Whatever form it takes, the guinea pigs' accommodation should be:

The same bedding materials are used for indoor cages as for outdoor hutches.

Some people even allow their indoor cavies to 'free-range' around the house, or a room. This is fine as long as they are protected from all possible dangers - these could be other pets, electrical wiring, things falling on them, or visitors who don't know to watch where they tread! Free-rangers will need somewhere to call 'home' where they can seek sanctuary should they want or need to. This is usually a cage or contained area which includes a hideaway of some kind with bedding in it and a toilet area, as well as a supply of food and water.

As guinea pigs are rodents, they have a tendency to chew things so furniture, curtains, books etc. and especially electrical cables must be protected. This is particularly important for 'free-rangers' but applies to all indoor cavies - both in the vicinity of their cage and around areas where they might be allowed to exercise. this can be done either by ensuring that all wires etc are out of reach or by restricting the animals' range by use of boards or other barriers.