Picking a Good Guinea Pig Hutch
Did you understand that of all the guinea pig supplies you are going to need, the most important one to maintaining a guinea pig healthy and happy revolves around your guinea hutch?
That is correct and the hutch is by far the largest investment you will make in terms of money spent for your guinea pig so you should be certain you do this right so you will have a healthier and happier guinea pig for many years!
The first thing you should think about when choosing a hutch is the size. Think about your guinea pig for a moment here… guinea pigs are lively and enjoy running around. A little hutch means not much running and the running you are completing happens within your toilet. This isn’t a pleasant thought for anyone.
I am not saying that the guinea pig hutch has to be so big that it takes over a room, but do make sure you buy a cage big enough for your guinea pig to both take cover (use as a cave) and run around (to get some exercise).
If you have the space, a 4′ x 4′ guinea pig cage is fantasic… but do not buy one that is any smaller than 2′ x 2′. If you own more than one cavy, you need to go with a larger cage. Keep in mind, if your guinea pig (just as with other animals) does not have the capability to play and exercise, then you will have an obese pet which can lead to health problems and depression.
When looking to buy a hutch an additional part you want to keep in mind is that it has a solid bottom. This is much better than a wired floor. I’m sure you are able to come up with numerous reasons why a wired floor is not good for your pet or for you. The most widespread type of a bottom in a guinea pig hutch is a plastic floor. This solid bottom is a lot easier to wash and take care of. Additionally, if you can buy one that slides in and out with ease you will be much happier in the long run.
One thing that many of people don’t think about as they are looking at hutches is the door. You will want to take notice to this detail and be certain that you (or the person with the largest hand in the house) is able to get your hand inside the hutch and are able to move around in the cage easily. You do not want to be struggling when you are required to get in there!
Once your hutch is picked out, you will want to choose the type of bedding you are going to use. I have utilized pretty much all types of bedding offered and hands down I will always choose a product called Timothy Hay. This is extremely safe for your guinea pig and they love to play with the hay and will even eat it. In addition to the bedding you are going to need to to consider buying some toys for your guinea pig. These will be places for him/her to take cover and to play with. You will be able to aquire things such as rocks, spinning wheels, balls, large PVC pipes, etc. Get inventive and make your guinea pig hutch a fun place for your cavy to play and sleep!