How Much Floor Guinea Pigs Need
Guinea pigs run and popcorn (a happy little jump), so floor matters more than height. The MSD Veterinary Manual recommends at least 7.5 square feet (about 0.7 square metres) for one guinea pig, and about 2 to 4 square feet more for each extra one. That works out like this:
| Guinea pigs | Floor, square feet | Floor, square metres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7.5 | 0.70 |
| 2 | 9.5 to 11.5 | 0.88 to 1.07 |
| 3 | 11.5 to 15.5 | 1.07 to 1.44 |
| 4 | 13.5 to 19.5 | 1.25 to 1.81 |
Other guides are less generous. The Royal Veterinary College quotes 120 x 60 cm (0.72 square metres) as the RSPCA’s minimum for two, and our care guide uses it as the least you should offer. Treat it as the floor under the floor, and aim for the larger numbers when you can.
Height needs less thought. The RSPCA says the space should be high enough for a guinea pig to stand up fully on its back legs, and about 30 cm for youngsters to popcorn. The MSD manual says moderately tall sides and an open top are enough if no predators share the home.
Our Cages by Floor Size
Cages are sold by their size in inches. We have turned each into centimetres, square feet and square metres so you can compare. Prices are our shop prices of 31 October 2026.
| Cage | Floor | Sq ft | Sq m | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C&C Cage, 28 x 14 Inches, ₹2,500 | 71 x 36 cm | 2.7 | 0.25 | The cage in the starter kit, and a good first module. An extra kit adds 14 inches, sold separately: ask us. |
| C&C Playpen, 28 x 28 Inches, ₹3,500 | 71 x 71 cm | 5.4 | 0.51 | A base or a play area. |
| C&C Cage, 42 x 28 Inches, ₹4,500 | 107 x 71 cm | 8.2 | 0.76 | Room for one by the MSD number, and about the same floor as 120 x 60 cm for a pair. You can add panels as they grow. |
| Double Story C&C Cage, ₹7,500 | Base 107 x 71 cm, top floor 71 x 36 cm | 8.2, plus 2.7 above | 0.76, plus 0.25 above | Count the base. The guides do not say whether a second floor counts; with it, the total is about 1.0 square metre. |
| Small Pet and Bird Cage, 24 x 16 Inches, ₹2,000 | 61 x 41 cm | 2.7 | 0.25 | For a small bird, or a small pet for travel and short stays. |
| Small Cage, 16 x 14 Inches, ₹1,000 | 41 x 36 cm | 1.6 | 0.14 | For a vet visit or a short stay. |
So for a pair, start from the 42 x 28 inch cage and add panels, or choose a bigger one. If you take the starter kit, its cage is the first module: add to it as your guinea pigs settle in. See all our cages and habitats, and what a kit holds in our starter kit guide.
Solid Floor, Not Wire
The RSPCA says not to use grid floors, because they let litter through and can hurt guinea pigs’ feet, and the MSD manual says a solid floor is essential to avoid sore feet and limb injuries. A C&C cage is made of wire grids for the sides, with a tub or base tray for the floor, which is the right way round.
What Goes on the Floor
The MSD manual lists recycled paper products and fleece among suitable bedding, as long as there are no loose fibres or strings. The RSPCA warns against softwood such as pine, fluffy bedding such as cotton wool, and coarse straw, which can injure eyes. Dust-free hay is safe if it gets nibbled.
Our Washable Fleece Liner, 6 mm comes in 28 x 14, 28 x 28 and 28 x 42 inches, which match the cage bases above. Organic Bedding Hay is soft hay for the cage floor. Pets nibble it, so always give feeding hay as well. See bedding.
One More Hideout Than Pigs
The RSPCA says the number of refuges should exceed the number of animals by one, so a pair needs three. Our Wooden Hideout House is 9 x 9 x 7 inches, and our Cotton Hiding Den fits two adult guinea pigs.
Where to Put the Cage
- Indoors, well ventilated and dry, away from direct sun, radiators and draughts.
- In a cool room. The RSPCA says 17 to 20°C is ideal and above 26°C can cause heatstroke, so in Delhi summers choose the coolest room, with an AC or a cooler. See keeping cool in Delhi summers.
- In a quiet spot, away from dogs and cats that may frighten them.
Cage Size Questions
What size cage do two guinea pigs need?
At least 120 x 60 cm of solid floor, which the Royal Veterinary College quotes as the RSPCA minimum, and ideally 0.88 to 1.07 square metres, which is what the MSD Veterinary Manual’s figures give for a pair.
Is a 28 x 14 inch cage big enough?
As a start, yes. For the long term, plan on more: it gives about 0.25 square metres, and the MSD manual recommends about 0.7 square metres for one guinea pig. Add to it as a first module, or choose a larger cage.
Can I use a cage with a wire floor?
No. The RSPCA and the MSD manual both say guinea pigs need a solid floor, because wire hurts their feet.
How many hideouts does a pair need?
Three. The RSPCA says the number of hideouts should be one more than the number of guinea pigs, so they can get away from each other.
Does a guinea pig cage need a lid?
The MSD manual says an open top is enough if there are no predators in the home. If you have a cat or a dog, keep the cage in a room they cannot enter.
How many guinea pigs fit in a 42 x 28 inch cage?
Its floor is about 0.76 square metres. That fits one guinea pig by the MSD figures (0.70 square metres). For two it just meets the 120 x 60 cm minimum that the Royal Veterinary College quotes, and falls short of MSD’s 0.88 to 1.07, so add panels. Three would need about 1.07 to 1.44 square metres.
Sources
- MSD Veterinary Manual, housing and nutrition: 7.5 square feet for one guinea pig and 2 to 4 more for each extra, solid floors, suitable bedding.
- RSPCA, guinea pig housing: height, solid floors, refuges one more than the animals, 17 to 20°C, and what to keep off the floor.
- Royal Veterinary College, caring for your guinea pig: the RSPCA minimum of 120 x 60 cm for two.
In the shop Cages & Habitats