It probably goes as no surprise, but guinea pigs require certain aspects in their home so they can not only live a happy life, but a healthy one as well. I want to go over the basic requirements needed to house a guinea pig.
Cage
Guinea pigs need a large area to be able to run around in. This means their cage needs to be on the larger side. Typically, what you would find at the pet store that is "suitable" for guinea pigs is often much too small. For two guinea pigs, a minimum area of 7.5 square feet is required for their cage, while larger is always better. The first cage I had met those minimum requirements until I upgraded to a significantly larger cage size.
Why the requirement for two and not one? Because you should always have at least two guinea pigs! They are herd animals and require the company of the same species 24/7!
This is the first cage I had, it was All Living Things brand and not a bad starter cage. It was 7.5 square feet, and also included a hay rack, and a ramp which doubled as a hide. This cage cost about $80, which is somewhat reasonable.
A similar cage I recommend is the Midwest, which is approximately the same size, but is designed to connect with other Midwest's to make a larger cage.
This worked when I first had the girls since they were still small, but I had to upgrade the larger they became. This is definitely suitable but there are better and cheaper options out there.
Hay Rack
Besides a cage, which should be a given, you'll also need to provide your guinea pig with unlimited amounts of hay. This can get a little messy, so you'll need something to hold the hay in. My first cage came with a wire rack, but it was a little hard to pull the hay out and would constantly be knocked off by the piggies.
The replacement one I got is a little bit better. It screws on to the side of the cage which stops the piggies from knocking it over completely. My preferred one is called a Snak Shak, which is an edible log with large holes to stuff the hay in. It's also large enough for the piggies to fit inside. You can see it in the first image.
Water
Obviously, you'll want to provide your guinea pig with water. You'll want multiple depending on the number of piggies you have. Currently, I have three pigs and two bottles, but I intend on getting a third bottle in the future.
I like the Living World bottle not only for its size but for the floating carrot inside. It helps to quickly see how low the water level is so you can refill it as soon as needed.
Pellets
Another part of a complete diet. You'll need a place for your piggies to be able to access these within the cage.
A little bowl works perfectly. You could also use a small glass Tupperware bowl to save some money as well, if need be.
The pellets I use is Sherwood brand. They don't have any fillers and are fortified with vitamin c, which is a must for guinea pigs.
Hide
Being prey animals, piggies need a place to hide and feel safe if they get frightened. Make sure to have as many hiding places as you have piggies, plus a few extra in case your piggies are a bit picky. These can be wood or fabric houses, a cardboard box with an entrance cut out, or even a blanket covering a corner of the cage. As long as your pig can hide, it doesn't really matter which one you choose to use. This is a Pumpkin Fleece House I made, I also made a tutorial if you are interested in making your own.
This is the absolute basics you'll need to make a comfortable living situation for your piggies. Of course there are more aspects to consider, but if you at least use these you will be just fine. I hope this information helps!
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