The best guinea pig runs and playpens provide ample space for your pets to exercise and roam. These enclosures must be secure and safe, allowing your small pets to play without hazards. Ideally, a run should measure five to six feet in length and two to three feet in width.
Best Outdoor Runs For Guinea Pigs
1. Best Overall: 6ft Canterbury Folding Run
The 6ft Canterbury Guinea Pig Outdoor Run is made in the UK from sustainable wood and measures 181 cm x 100 cm (approximately 6ft x 3.3ft). It features a pet-safe weatherproof coating. This run has two roof openings and two side doors allowing easy access. The roof can be detached, allowing the run to fold away for convenient storage. The enclosure is secured with galvanised wire mesh that is safe for small animals.
Tip For Easier Foldability: Screwing the roof to the run means you won’t be able to fold it away. Instead, use ball bungee cords to secure the roof. These can be easily removed, allowing you to fold the run away conveniently at the end of the day. This technique is also applicable to all the Trixie and Pawhut runs recommended in this guide.
2. Trixie Wooden Outdoor Folding Run
The Trixie Wooden Run, made from varnished pine wood, offers a slightly shorter but wider alternative to the Canterbury. It measures 174 cm x 109 cm (approximately 5.7ft x 3.6ft). With two openings in both the roof and sides, this run provides plenty of space for your guinea pigs to play.
3. Pawhut Outdoor Folding Run
The Pawhut Outdoor Folding Run matches the size of the Canterbury at 181 cm x 100 cm (approximately 6ft x 3.3ft). Unlike the Canterbury, it features openings only in the roof, with no side access. Constructed from fir wood, this run is also weatherproofed for durability outdoors.
4. C&C Grid Run
For a custom sized outdoor run, C&C grids and connectors can work well. If you make a roof that slightly overlaps the sides, you can secure it with ball bungee cords, making it easier to remove. Although the roof is necessary for safety, a base is not required. Although C&C grids create a sturdy run suitable for outdoor use, it is not collapsible so would need to be dismantled for storage at the end of the day or left out.
You can buy the C&C grids and connectors as a set and configure as you choose. For a guide on how to build this, see my article on How to Build a C&C Cage with Lid.
5. Hutch With Attached Run
If you plan to house your guinea pigs outdoors, I recommend the Kendal Hutch and Run Combination. It provides a reasonably sized hutch for two guinea pigs and includes an integral run that is also generously sized. This combination ensures that your guinea pigs have ample space to live and play.
Best Guinea Pig Playpens for Indoors
While most indoor guinea pig playpens are not large enough to use as runs, they can work well if you extend them.
1. Me & My Pets Playpen
The Me & My Pets Playpen consists of eight separate metal barred panels that easily hook together.
Combining two of these playpens creates a sufficiently large play area for your guinea pigs. You can adjust the configuration to fit your available space, whether as a large square, a long rectangle, or a more circular shape. A rectangular playpen with two panels at each end and six on each side gives a play area of 198 cm x 66 cm (6.5ft x 2.2ft).
Since these playpens do not have tops, ensure your guinea pigs are safe from other pets when using them.
Although panelled metal pens are less sturdy than outdoor wooden runs, they are quick and easy to assemble and function well for indoor use. To improve stability, place a hideout in each corner of the pen.
2. Foldable Wooden Run
There’s no reason why an outdoor run, such as the Canterbury Run, cannot be used as an indoor playpen. This option is particularly useful if you have other pets and need a roofed enclosure to ensure safety. This setup provides a large space for your guinea pigs to play. If you don’t have other pets, the run can be used without the roof for easier access.
Do Pop-Up Guinea Pig Playpens Make Good Indoor Runs?
Pop-up guinea pig pens are convenient as temporary enclosures, ideal for use when cleaning their main cage or in emergencies. However, these folding pens do not generally provide more space than what guinea pigs typically have in their regular housing, nor can they be extended to create larger play areas. Therefore, using a pop-up pen as a run offers no additional benefits.
Guinea Pig Run & Playpen Comparison Table
| Run/Playpen | Size | Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Folding Run | 181 cm x 100 cm (6ft x 3.3ft) | Sustainable wood, weatherproof coating, galvanised wire mesh, two roof and two side doors | Foldable, weatherproof, easy access, durable, use indoors or outdoors, made in UK | None in particular |
| Trixie Wooden Outdoor Folding Run | 174 cm x 109 cm (5.7ft x 3.6ft) | Varnished pine wood, two openings in roof and sides | Foldable, wider space, durable, use indoors or outdoors | Slightly shorter than others |
| Pawhut Outdoor Folding Run | 181 cm x 100 cm (6ft x 3.3ft) | Fir wood, weatherproofed, two roof openings | Matches Canterbury in size, foldable, durable, use indoors or outdoors | Only roof openings, less access |
| C&C Grid Run | Customisable | C&C grids and connectors | Highly customisable, sturdy, use indoors or outdoors | Not foldable, requires dismantling, more effort to set up |
| Kendal Hutch and Run | Run: 183 cm x 113 cm (6ft x 3.7ft) | Wooden hutch with attached run | Provides living and play space, good size, made in UK | Too big for indoor use |
| Me & My Pets Playpen | 198 cm x 66 cm (6.5ft x 2.2ft) if using 2 sets | Metal barred panels that slot together, no top, indoors only | Flexible configurations, easy to assemble, can be extended with two or more sets | Less sturdy, needs protection from other pets |
| Pop-Up Guinea Pig Playpen | 127cm x 127cm (4.2ft x 4.2ft) | Fabric with breathable mesh and top, indoors only | Convenient for temporary use | Not extendable, limited space, not big enough as regular playpen |
Protecting Your Floor
To protect your home’s flooring when using an indoor pen, place a large sheet of tarpaulin underneath to create a waterproof barrier. You must also add fleece liners or bath mats over the tarpaulin to absorb urine and for the comfort of your guinea pigs. Depending on your type of floor, the fleece liners and bath mats alone may offer sufficient protection without the need for tarpaulin.
Benefits of an Outdoor Run
Allowing your guinea pigs some time outdoors provides them with fresh air, and even on partially cloudy days, the sun helps their bodies produce vitamin D. This is essential for calcium absorption, which supports the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth.
How Much Time Can Guinea Pigs Spend in a Run?
Guinea pigs can safely spend all day outside during daylight hours in an outdoor run, as long as the conditions are safe, comfortable, and the weather is appropriate. It is advisable to be at home when they are using the run. Alternatively, provide a small shelter that is attached to or within the run for protection if the weather changes. This shelter should be positioned in the shade, not direct sunlight.
If your guinea pigs are likely to spend a significant amount of time in an outdoor run when you are not at home, it would be worth considering the Kendal Hutch & Run Combo, even if they have an indoor enclosure for night time. This provides them with additional safety and comfort.
What to Put in a Guinea Pig Run
When setting up your guinea pigs’ run, add a water bottle, plenty of hay, and various hiding spaces. Adding tunnels and toys will enhance their environment and increase their enjoyment.
Run Safety
Here are some guidelines to keep your guinea pigs safe while using an outdoor run:
- Use a Roof: While guinea pigs are unlikely to jump out, you must use a roof for an outdoor run to protect them from predators such as cats, dogs, foxes, rats, and predatory birds like hawks or seagulls.
- Weather Conditions: Don’t use the run in rain, cold, or very hot temperatures.
- Shade and Shelter: Cover part of the run to provide shade and shelter from the sun and rain.
- Poisonous Weeds and Plants: Check for and remove any poisonous vegetation within nibbling reach of your guinea pigs.
- Level Surface: Place the run on a level surface to prevent any gaps that guinea pigs could potentially escape through.
- Supervision: Never leave guinea pigs in an outdoor run overnight or after dark. Runs offer limited protection from weather and predators. Instead, house them in a suitable and secure outdoor hutch or indoor enclosure during these times.