North East Guinea Pig Rescue
Outdoor Housing
Hutches
Guinea pigs can live outside during the spring and summer months, but will need to be kept inside during the winter, or be moved into an insulated shed or garage with natural light. Many people move hutches into sheds or inside during the winter. I will need to see that the hutch is going to be warm enough and protected in the winter. You can also buy small heaters for their hutches or snugglesafes, which are like hot water bottles that last for up to 10 hours.
Hutches should be placed off the ground and in a sheltered position out of direct sunlight.
The minimum size hutch/cage for a pair of guinea pigs is 48″ x 24 ” (120cm x 60 cm). Although guinea pigs are small, they spend most of their lives in their hutch so it’s important that they have space to run around and space to be away from each other if they choose. If the space is not big enough it can lead to fighting as the guinea pigs will feel claustrophobic. With hutches the bigger the better. Double decker hutches also give added interest and is good to offer your guinea pigs more that one bedding area so they can have time apart if they want.