If you're planning to adopt or buy guinea pigs, you need to make sure you're prepared with all the necessary items to make them safe, happy and healthy.
We've compiled a STARTER KIT LIST which only lists items that we recommend. You can order all these items from Amazon online and have them delivered directly to your door. We've included links to all these products to make it easy for you to find them and purchase.
Please remember that guinea pigs should always be in pairs or more as they are social animals (unless there are special circumstances). A solitary guinea pig will become lonely and depressed.
Starter kit list - The basics you will need
- Cage: You will need an indoor cage in which to house your new guinea pigs. We don't recommend you house your guinea pigs outside unless you're in a climate which doesn't get very cold or very hot.
- Food: Pellets and fresh vegetables: It is extremely important that your guinea pigs get the right food. They need 3 types of food: hay, pellets and fresh vegetables, particularly green leafy veg and salad leaves
- Hay for bedding and to eat: Hay is required for both bedding and eating. The cage or hutch floor should have several layers of newspaper and then you can put the hay on top. They need to eat clean fresh hay so make sure you put it in a hay rack to prevent it from becoming soaked in urine. Find out more about the importance of hay for guinea pigs
- Guinea Pig Friendly Disinfectant Hutch Cleaner: Cleaning the hutch or cage on a regular basis is essential and you'll need to ensure the cleaning fluid you use is safe for your guinea pigs. You mustn't use standard household cleaner for this.
- Accessories: Food Bowls & Drinking Bottles: You will need to buy food bowls, water bottles and a hay rack (to keep the feeding hay clean)
- Care sheets: To help keep on top of all your guinea pig's needs.
Recommended starter kit items
Indoor cage
We like the Midwest Habitat cage as it is the right size for two guinea pigs and measures 120cm x 60cm. Anything smaller is not big enough as they need space to run and play. The Habitat Plus comes with a cage divider, ramp and cage top which is the one we recommend. You can also view our "best guinea pig cages" article for more information on this cage or check out what you need to know about keeping guinea pigs indoors
Timothy Hay
This 2nd cutting Timothy Hay from Small Pet Select is excellent quality and you can smell the freshness as you open the box. It went down extremely well with our 6 piggies!
Pellet Food (also called Nuggets)
The Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food is nutritionally balanced with its main ingredient being Timothy Hay. Check out our page which explains more about why guinea pig pellets are important and 3 options we recommend
Food bowls
Because guinea pigs like to put their feet on the side of the bowls, you need to buy solid, sturdy and weighty ceramic or stoneware bowls (not plastic or the smaller ceramic ones). These Kaytee food bowls also have a cute guinea pig design!
Water bottles
Water bottles are much better than putting water in a bowl. A bowl of water can become contaminated with urine and faeces. We like these 12oz glass water bottles as they won't need replacing as plastic ones do after a while. Even if there is water left the next day, you must clean the bottle and refresh with clean tap water. Find out more about feeding water to your guinea pigs.
Hay rack
You need a hay rack that will keep the hay clean. This metal hay rack is simple but perfect as a hay feeder as you can hang it on the side of the cage.
Pet-friendly cleaner
Johnson's Clean and Safe disinfectant is safe to use in the cages and housing of small animals. It disinfects, cleans and deodorizes, killing bacteria and viruses to make your pet's habitat safe.
Guinea Pig Care Sheets
A pack of 12 guinea pig care sheets - although not essential, these are great value and will be an immense help when it comes to organising your guinea pig's daily needs.
What else will my new guinea pigs need?
Your guinea pigs will also need toys to prevent boredom. Please check out our "Guinea Pig Toys" page to find the best toys for your new pets. These are toys we have tested out on our own guinea pigs so we will give you our honest opinion on each!