Use of cage space by guinea pigs (1989)

White, W. J., Balk, M. W., Lang, C. M.

Abstract

Guinea pigs do not evenly use the space of a barren cage, which contains neither bedding or any structure. The animals spent most of the time at the periphery, close the walls of such a cage rather than in the center [which offers no cover whatsoever]. The findings were used to draw the following conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that the current guidelines [AWA and Guide] for guineapig housing based on area allocation per guineapig, cannot be supported by behavioural characteristics of these animals or careful quantification of their patterns of cage space use. Additional studies must be conducted for guineapigs, as well as other laboratory animals, to develop more accurate cage space requirements for each species.