Cavy Homes

    There are many different types of houses out there for cavies. There are a few options when you're looking for a cavy house. A good size for a cavy house is 20" X 13" and at least 12" high so your cavy can't jump out (This is a size suggestion for one cavy. It will need to be larger for more than one). The bigger the house, the better.

     *The Aquarium Cavy Home: Many people put cavies in aquariums (even pet stores). I don't agree with putting cavies in them.
Pros: Easy to clean.
Cons: They can be stuffy and sometimes the air doesn't circulate well.

    *The Pet Store Cavy Home: If you get a cavy 'cage' from a pet store, make sure you get one that DOES NOT have wire mesh on the bottom. This may hurt a cavy's feet and they may get their feet stuck in the wire and hurt themselves.
     Most of the cages in pet stores have a solid, plastic bottom and a wire top. The top opens up so that you can reach in to the cavy's home and the wire top snaps off for easy cleaning.
Pros:They are well-made, sturdy cavy homes that are easy to come by and easy to clean.
Cons:They are only built for ONE cavy, can be small, and are expensive. They're also more like a cage than a home.

         *The Rubbermaidtm Cavy Home: These homes are available in every Ames, Wal*Mart, K-Mart, etc. They're large, clear plastic storage bins and they make wonderful homes for cavies.
Pros:They are easy to clean, inexpensive, see-through (so your cavy has a full 360-degree view of its world), and they come in many sizes.
Cons:It's more difficult to hook-up a water bottle (you must drill a hole in the plastic for the nozzle and for the hooks to hook it to the house--it's not that difficult) and they must be replaced every couple years because the urine odor penetrates the plastic.
---Click here to see some pictures---

        *The Wooden Cavy Home: Probably better known as a hutch. Most are made primarily of wood and have a 'window' of wire mesh in the front. When making one of these, keep in mind that wood rots. A covering of plastic on the bottom of the cavy house is recommended. And, make sure if you stain the cavy home, DO NOT stain the inside.
Pros:It looks nice and you can tailor-make it to your own dimensions.
Cons:Wood rots. The house may not stay together for long and you may have to make a new one. The cavies will likely chew on the plastic you put down to prevent wood rot creating holes in the 'protective barrier.' They'll also chew on the house. Wood can also be expensive.
---Click here to see some pictures---

        *The Custom Cavy Home: These vary from wood to plastic. There are many sites on the Web about Customized cavy homes. Many people make GIANT homes for their cavies using all sorts of materials. It's a way to be creative.
Pros:It's customized to you and your cavy and it satisfies your creative urges. It's interesting for both you and the cavy.
Cons:It can be time-consuming.