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Guinea pig cage size calculator

Enter how many guinea pigs live together to see the minimum floor space, based on the guidelines of the German veterinary association for animal welfare (TVT).

How many guinea pigs live together?

Minimum floor space

22 sq ft (2 m²)

for example 2 × 1 m (about 7 × 3.5 ft)

Humane World for Animals’ minimum: 7.5 sq ft, better 10.5 sq ft.

Rabbit enclosure

Tall enough for them to stand up. Young guinea pigs jump about 30 cm (1 ft) high (RSPCA).

A cage (at least 120 × 60 × 50 cm, 47 × 24 × 20 in) only counts as a hideaway and must always stay open (TVT).

Outdoors, half of the space needs shade all day – all of it for guinea pigs with red eyes – plus a frost-free shelter (TVT).

Applies to guinea pigs up to about 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) (TVT).

Where do the numbers come from?

From leaflet no. 159 of the German veterinary association for animal welfare (TVT): at least 2 m² (22 sq ft) for two to four guinea pigs, and at least 0.5 m² (5 sq ft) more for each extra one. US recommendations are much smaller.

The short answer

Two to four guinea pigs need at least 2 m² (22 sq ft) of floor space, plus 0.5 m² (5 sq ft) for each extra one (TVT). Example: six guinea pigs – at least 3 m² (32 sq ft). US recommendations are much smaller: 7.5 sq ft as the minimum for two, better 10.5 sq ft (Humane World for Animals).

How we calculate: formulas and sources

Minimum space by number

AnimalsFloor space
222 sq ft (2 m²)
322 sq ft (2 m²)
422 sq ft (2 m²)
527 sq ft (2.5 m²)
632 sq ft (3 m²)
843 sq ft (4 m²)

Questions

How big should a cage for two guinea pigs be?

The German guideline says at least 2 m² (22 sq ft) for two to four guinea pigs (TVT). Humane World for Animals gives 7.5 sq ft as the minimum, better 10.5 sq ft.

How much space for each extra guinea pig?

From the fifth guinea pig on, at least 0.5 m² (5 sq ft) more each (TVT).

Is a cage enough?

Not by itself: a cage (at least 120 × 60 × 50 cm, 47 × 24 × 20 in) can be part of the enclosure, but only as an always-open hideaway (TVT).

Can a guinea pig live alone?

No. The TVT rejects keeping guinea pigs alone: at least two, better a group.

Why do other sites give less space?

US recommendations are smaller: Humane World for Animals gives 7.5 to 10.5 sq ft for two. We calculate with the German TVT guideline, which asks for more room.

Does this apply outdoors?

Yes, outdoors too: at least 2 m² (22 sq ft) for two to four, half of it in shade all day – all of it for guinea pigs with red eyes – plus a frost-free, well-insulated shelter (TVT).

Sources (4)