Recommended Enclosure Sizes for Small Animals

Guinea Pigs

Indoor or Outdoor Enclosure: Minimum of 5' x 2' for two guinea pigs, larger for more. Avoid using ramp or second level, if possible due to potential injuries. Boars require more space than sows. Sows (females) typically thrive in groups, while boars (males) can be territorial, especially with more than two males.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Guinea Piggles, Kavee UK, Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), Animallama, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Rabbits

Indoor or Outdoor Enclosure: Our recommended living area for two average sized rabbits (they should be kept at least in pairs) is a single enclosed area of at least 3m x 2m x 1m. This can include the sleeping quarters, and makes up a footprint (accessible area of the ground or floor) of 3m x 2m. Provide solid flooring, including vinyl, linoleum, anti-slip rubber mat (without holes), tiles or slabs (keep an eye on the rabbit for chewing them as it may cause gut stasis). Note that rabbits often slip on smooth floors, so carpet tiles or flooring runners are useful.

For those who prefer imperial measurements:

3m=9’ 10”
2m=6’ 7″
1m=3’ 3″

Information Sources - Rabbit Welfare Association & Funds (RWAF), Blue Cross, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Syrian, Chinese and Dwarf Hamsters

Provide a cage with a minimum floor space and height of 100cm x 50cm x 50cm, although larger is always better. Hamsters are solitary animals and should be housed alone.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Happy Hamsters UK, Hamster Welfare, Animallama, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Rats

Provide a spacious, multi-level cage with a minimum size of 90cm x 60cm x 120cm for two rats, although larger is always better. Rats are social animals and should be housed in pairs or groups of the same sex.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Isamu Rats, Animallama, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Mice

Provide a cage with a minimum floor space and height of 80cm x 50cm x 50cm, although larger is always better. Some will need additional mesh adding if the bar spacing is wide or if you are housing young mice. Single sex groups of females usually get on well together. However, keeping non-neutered adult males together can be a problem as they may be aggressive with one another, so male mice being kept together should be neutered.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Animallama, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Gerbils

Gerbils should live in tanks with deep substrate for digging and are free from any plastic accessories (wood or metal is safe for gerbils). The minimum tank size should be 100cm x 50cm x 50cm, although larger is always better. Females should be kept in pairs and males in pairs or small groups to an absolute maximum of four, but you still risk problems with a group of this size.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Tiny Paws MCR, Gerbil Care (co.uk) and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Chinchillas

Chinchillas need large cages that are free from any plastic shelving or accessories (wood or metal is safe for chinchillas). Minimum 3m x 1m x 1m space or even a specific chinchilla safe room. Chinchillas are social animals and should be housed in pairs or groups of the same sex.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Degus

The cage should be made of metal as they can chew through plastic, and a minimum of 90cm x 60cm x 120cm for two to five degus. Degus are social animals and should be housed in pairs or groups of the same sex.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Tiny Paws MCR and Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue

Ferrets

Indoor or Outdoor Enclosure: Provide a spacious, multi-level cage with a minimum size of 10' x 6' x 6', although larger is always better. Ferrets are social animals and should be housed in pairs or groups of the same sex.

Information Sources - Woodgreen, Blue Cross, Ferret World, Friendly Ferret and Marley's Ferret Rescue and Rehoming

Tortoises

Indoor Enclosure: Tortoise table - min. 6' x 4' x 1'. Avoid glass tanks or vivarium.

Outdoor Enclosure: Secure, predator-proof, insulated, heated shed/greenhouse (min. 6'x 4') with a large run (min. 12' x 6'). Provide shade and sunlight. Although there are exceptions, most tortoises are solitary and thrive best when housed individually.

Information Sources - Tortoise Protection Group, The Tortoise Table and Norfolk Tortoise Club