Housing
There are multiple options for housing your cavy. Here I have listed the safest options, used by registered breeders, long-term cavy-carers and myself. All hutches should be large (the bigger the better) and have plenty for your cavy to see and do. Cavies are explorers rather than players. Toys aren’t necessary, but they do require things to chew (wood, hard root veggies safe for cavy consumption) and somewhere to hide (tunnels, igloos, domes, logs, wooden boxes, ramps). NOTE: Cavies should not be given running wheels. These can be very harmful and cause spinal injury. I find that a log in a hutch makes for some very happy cavies. They love to climb, chew, sniff and scratch on safe, cleaned wood (low stumps/segments with safe, flat bottoms so they don’t rock).
My favourite place to pick up cavy-safe homes and accessories is Living Jungle on Princes Highway (170 Princes Hwy, Dandenong VIC 3175, (03) 9794 7928) They don’t as of yet have a website, but they have excellent customer service, unbeatable prices and good quality feed/hay. Quote the eBay price for cheaper goods. Metal pet bowls can be purchased from the Reject Shop for $3 each. Remove the rubber ring before cleaning and offering to your pets – cavies will chew it and become ill. Most pet stores don’t educate their staff on pet care – so please don’t buy cavies from pet stores as most can’t guarantee gender, breed or age and some are all heaped in together which can result in unwanted pregnancy.
Too many times I’ve walked into a store to see a sickly, pregnant or even dead cavy in a hutch with multiple others. These pet store cavies also tend to come from backyard breeders – people who aren’t registered and just breed without knowledge or intent to uphold a high standard of health and appearance. There are plenty of safe breeders in Australia and most are happy to sell to anyone who will provide them with a safe home – registered or not.
Note: It is important that cavies get a period of time out of their hutch every now and then. Most breeders I know use a large outdoor run – closed off from predators and divided so genders don’t mix. I generally let all of my sows out to explore their room and socialise, then put them away and let boars out in groups that I know won’t fight.
My favourite place to pick up cavy-safe homes and accessories is Living Jungle on Princes Highway (170 Princes Hwy, Dandenong VIC 3175, (03) 9794 7928) They don’t as of yet have a website, but they have excellent customer service, unbeatable prices and good quality feed/hay. Quote the eBay price for cheaper goods. Metal pet bowls can be purchased from the Reject Shop for $3 each. Remove the rubber ring before cleaning and offering to your pets – cavies will chew it and become ill. Most pet stores don’t educate their staff on pet care – so please don’t buy cavies from pet stores as most can’t guarantee gender, breed or age and some are all heaped in together which can result in unwanted pregnancy.
Too many times I’ve walked into a store to see a sickly, pregnant or even dead cavy in a hutch with multiple others. These pet store cavies also tend to come from backyard breeders – people who aren’t registered and just breed without knowledge or intent to uphold a high standard of health and appearance. There are plenty of safe breeders in Australia and most are happy to sell to anyone who will provide them with a safe home – registered or not.
Note: It is important that cavies get a period of time out of their hutch every now and then. Most breeders I know use a large outdoor run – closed off from predators and divided so genders don’t mix. I generally let all of my sows out to explore their room and socialise, then put them away and let boars out in groups that I know won’t fight.
Outdoor Housing
In Australia, because of our sudden changing weather, predators (cats, dogs, large birds) and loud noises (traffic, animals, etc.) it is best to house your pets inside at all times. A shed/barn is also a great idea – as long as it is temperature controlled and won’t get too hot or too cold. If they are to be housed outside, they should be brought in on days over 30 degrees and days under 15 degrees.
Outdoor hutches must never have wire bottoms as this can cause a painful illness/injury called bumblefoot amongst other things. If bottomless and on grass, be sure there are no gaps where the cavies can crawl under and escape. Other appropriate outdoor bottoms include plastic and wood. Be sure there is no way water could enter the hutch as a damp floor can result in fungal infections, illness and death. A sheltered/closed off area for the cavies to hide in is a must. Move the hutch occasionally where possible to provide a different view/patch of grass for your pets.
Outdoor hutches must never have wire bottoms as this can cause a painful illness/injury called bumblefoot amongst other things. If bottomless and on grass, be sure there are no gaps where the cavies can crawl under and escape. Other appropriate outdoor bottoms include plastic and wood. Be sure there is no way water could enter the hutch as a damp floor can result in fungal infections, illness and death. A sheltered/closed off area for the cavies to hide in is a must. Move the hutch occasionally where possible to provide a different view/patch of grass for your pets.
Indoor Housing
I find that the best indoor hutches are plastic bottom with wire bars above. They can be bought at most pet supply stores (note – I do not approve of Pet’s Paradise as they are generally inexperienced, expensive and impractical.) I’ve listed my favourite store in the “Housing” tab. Here it is again for interest - (170 Princes Hwy, Dandenong VIC 3175, (03) 9794 7928) They have excellent customer service, unbeatable prices and good quality feed/hay. Quote the eBay price for cheaper goods.
C+C hutches are also a popular alternative. I don’t use them myself, but I know a lot of breeders who swear by them. They are very cheap, easy to assemble and can be bought at various locations across Australia. Most Bunning’s stock them as DIY shelving. If you have other indoor pets (cats, dogs) be sure that the cavies are safe and that the bars/tops aren’t open or wide enough to fit a cat’s paw. Also beware the hutches aren’t high off the ground (I keep all of mine on the ground in their own room in separate hutches) or they can be knocked and fall.
C+C hutches are also a popular alternative. I don’t use them myself, but I know a lot of breeders who swear by them. They are very cheap, easy to assemble and can be bought at various locations across Australia. Most Bunning’s stock them as DIY shelving. If you have other indoor pets (cats, dogs) be sure that the cavies are safe and that the bars/tops aren’t open or wide enough to fit a cat’s paw. Also beware the hutches aren’t high off the ground (I keep all of mine on the ground in their own room in separate hutches) or they can be knocked and fall.
