Cage Large Clean Living Playpen - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Dichotomy83** · #1 10-03-09, 02:54 pm

Hello all. Im new to the forum, with a quick question about cages. Im new to owning guinea pigs as well, and looking forward to all of your expert advice!

Im mom to two boars, Milo and Pepper. Milo is 4 months old, and although Im not completely sure on Pepper's age, Im guessing him to be around 7 weeks or so, based on how little he is compared to Milo.

Anyway, the boys are currently living in the Large Clean Living Playpen, which I bought at Pet Smart. See the link, here:
https://bunnyrabbit.com/equipmentpix/playpen_cover2.jpg
Assembled dimensions: 26" tall X 43" diameter. Includes 8 panels: 18" W X 29" H.

The cage sits on a table I have that is coincidentally the same size of the cage, so it works pretty well! It is uncovered, and the blue liner you see in the picture is covered with fleece to make it nice and cushioned for the piggies.

Ideally, once we have our own house in a couple of years I plan on building a bigger cage. But Im wondering, based on your experience with multiple cavies, does this space seem adequate for two boys? Also, do any of you use this specific "playpen" to house your cavies?

**Milkingit** · #2 10-03-09, 05:40 pm

Welcome to the forum, we all learn a lot on here.

More or less your playpen on your table is 1451.465 in² = 10.0796 ft²
that is equivalent to what we call a 2x4 C&C cage.

That is the recommended size for 2 guinea pigs. Some people say boars require a 2x5 (13 ft²)C&C cause boars are a little bit more territorial. But also alot of people house them in 2x4 just fine.

What are you using under the fleece? Fleece is great for a top layer, but their should be puppy pads, towels, anything absorbent underneath to trap the moisture. Fleece is meant to wick the pee down to the absorbent layer. To keep the piggies feet dry.

**Seonta** · #3 10-03-09, 05:56 pm

If the table is wooden you might want a waterproof tarp or plastic under an absorbent layer with fleece on top to add to what milkingit said.

**Dichotomy83** · #4 10-03-09, 06:25 pm

thank you for the replies. I have a waterproof canvas cover for underneath the fleece. And the pigs always have the cover on the bottom, topped with 2 layers of fleece. They also have folded up receiving blankets in their homes for added "fluff" where they like to sleep.

Does this seem sufficient enough a cage for 2 cavies?

**Dichotomy83** · #5 10-03-09, 06:32 pm

Photos of their cage:
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4181286_n.jpg (neighbors, in their houses)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._3181773_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...7_393537_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._2713124_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...1_534046_n.jpg

**Toadies** · #6 10-03-09, 07:48 pm

Given that it is 26" tall, you might be able to put a small loft in somewhere. That doesn't count toward the total floor space, but it would give them a little more "personal" space. If you do add a loft, you may want to put a grid or something of the sort on the top, over the grid area, just to discourage any escape attempts.

**akstrohm** · #7 10-03-09, 08:12 pm

It's on the small side. If you have problems with them getting along as they go through puberty, I would make it bigger. From your pictures it looks like you have plenty of space for a 2x4, 2x5, or 3x3 cage. I would move your hideys away from the edges so the pigs can run laps.

**JD In Van** · #8 10-03-09, 08:27 pm

If you don't want to move them away from your edges you can put the tunnels side ways then they can run right through them when they're doing laps and get out of either end if they have conflict. My boys like to dart through their pvc tubes when lapping.

**Dichotomy83** · #9 10-03-09, 08:28 pm

how far from the edge, do you suggest?

**Dichotomy83** · #10 10-03-09, 08:29 pm

thanks, JD. they were sideways before, i think i'll just turn them back that way!

**ferndalezoo** · #11 10-03-09, 08:34 pm

You want one layer of fleece, not two, and something absorbant (think towels, puppy pads, etc) under that, between the fleece and the waterproof bottom. Fleece itself is not absorbant. It wicks the moisture through to the absorbant layer you put underneath. Fleece alone will get stinky fast.

**barbanderson** · #12 10-03-09, 08:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dichotomy83

Hello all. Im new to the forum, with a quick question about cages. Im new to owning guinea pigs as well, and looking forward to all of your expert advice!

Im mom to two boars, Milo and Pepper. Milo is 4 months old, and although Im not completely sure on Pepper's age, Im guessing him to be around 7 weeks or so, based on how little he is compared to Milo.

Anyway, the boys are currently living in the Large Clean Living Playpen, which I bought at Pet Smart. See the link, here:
https://bunnyrabbit.com/equipmentpix/playpen_cover2.jpg
Assembled dimensions: 26" tall X 43" diameter. Includes 8 panels: 18" W X 29" H.

The cage sits on a table I have that is coincidentally the same size of the cage, so it works pretty well! It is uncovered, and the blue liner you see in the picture is covered with fleece to make it nice and cushioned for the piggies.

Ideally, once we have our own house in a couple of years I plan on building a bigger cage. But Im wondering, based on your experience with multiple cavies, does this space seem adequate for two boys? Also, do any of you use this specific "playpen" to house your cavies?

Welcome to this site as you WILL learn ALOT in even just a short period of time

I have this EXACT playpen but TWO of them joined together for an over six foot of play space. I think if your pigs are young it would work out for awhile in just the one pen but as I have heard here, just the one will be a tad small for a two year living arrangement. They are very nice pens and I never would have thought to USE one as a cage but if you could make the room, joining two together makes for a NICE cage and more than big enough for two pigs

Abit less costly then making a true cage of that size too til you CAN make a "regular" cage. But if space IS the issue, joining two of them together DOES take up least six FEET of space in your home. I do love this playpen for my six girls but like the one person already said, just the ONE pen will become too small for two pigs as they age. I do love my double one as a playpen even though I live in a SMALL apartment. I just have to give up alot of MY living space for my pigs LOL. So, I wish you well in using this pen for a cage (my six girls are in my double one for 10 hours a day til their 3x6 C&C cage is ready) and it is a good pen. Your pigs are beautiful too and I wish you all the best and you will learn ALOT here I can tell you THAT

"Thank you, Milkingit, for this useful post," says:
angiekay (10-03-09)