Guinea pigs are prey animals, and they feel safest when they can duck out of sight. A good hideout lets them rest, sleep and feel secure, and it reduces stress. Every guinea pig should have at least one hideout, and a group needs more than one so that no pig is left out.
We have compared five guinea pig hideouts currently available on Amazon UK, covering wooden houses, a plastic igloo, a fleece tunnel and a seagrass tunnel. We explain who each is best for, what we like and what to watch out for.
Quick Comparison Table
Product | Best For | Price Range | Rating |
BeBeJoJo Wooden Houses (2 Pack) | Wooden hides with ramps | £19-£21 | 4.5/5 |
Iglo Plastic Guinea Pig House | Easy-clean plastic | £8-£10 | 4.4/5 |
Rosewood Carrot Snuggle Tunnel | Soft fleece bed | £14-£16 | 4.6/5 |
Rosewood Sea Grass Tunnel | Edible grass tunnel | £9-£11 | 4.6/5 |
Large Two-Exit Wooden House | Groups and larger cages | £28-£32 | 4.5/5 |
The Best Guinea Pig Hideouts Reviewed
Wooden Guinea Pig House (BeBeJoJo, with Ramp and Mats, 2 Houses)
Best for: a pair of wooden houses with ramps
Guinea pigs are prey animals, and they need somewhere to hide to feel safe. A wooden house is a classic choice, and the BeBeJoJo set includes two houses with ramps and mats, which gives your pigs a choice.
Wood is natural and gnawable, and the ramps give a place to climb and look out from. The houses are detachable, which makes cleaning easier.
The set costs around £20 and averages 4.5 out of 5 across more than 160 ratings.
What we like:
- Two houses in one set
- Ramps and mats
- Detachable for cleaning
Worth knowing:
- Wood can be chewed and soiled over time
- Fewer ratings
Specifications:
- Type: wooden house set
- Pack: 2
- Feature: ramps and mats
- Use: guinea pigs
Iglo Guinea Pig House (Plastic)
Best for: an easy-clean plastic igloo
A plastic igloo is the cheapest, easiest to clean hideout. The Iglo is a moulded plastic house measuring 30 x 20.5 x 16.5cm, with an arched entrance and a smooth interior.
It can be washed and disinfected easily, which is a big advantage. It is a good choice for one guinea pig or for a small pair with other hides.
It costs around £9 and averages 4.4 out of 5 across almost 1,300 ratings.
What we like:
- Very cheap
- Easy to clean
- Strong review record
Worth knowing:
- Small for larger pigs
- Plastic is less natural
Specifications:
- Type: plastic igloo
- Size: 30 x 20.5 x 16.5cm
- Cleaning: wipe or wash
- Use: guinea pigs
Rosewood Carrot Snuggle ‘n’ Sleep Tunnel
Best for: a soft fleece tunnel and bed
The Rosewood Carrot Snuggle ‘n’ Sleep Tunnel is a soft, carrot-shaped fabric tunnel that doubles as a bed. Guinea pigs love to snuggle, and a soft tunnel gives them warmth and security.
It is comfortable, and easy to move around the cage. The fabric can be washed.
It costs around £15 and averages 4.6 out of 5 across almost 1,000 ratings.
What we like:
- Soft and cosy
- Tunnel and bed in one
- Machine washable
Worth knowing:
- Fabric can be chewed
- Needs regular washing
Specifications:
- Type: fleece tunnel and bed
- Shape: carrot
- Brand: Rosewood
- Use: small animals
Rosewood Naturals Sea Grass Tunnel
Best for: an edible, natural grass tunnel
Seagrass is a natural, edible material that guinea pigs can safely chew. The Rosewood Naturals tunnel is woven from seagrass, and it works as a hide, a tunnel and a chew toy.
It is a good choice for owners who want something natural, and it is easy to replace when worn.
It costs around £10 and averages 4.6 out of 5 across 700 ratings.
What we like:
- Natural and safe to chew
- Hide and toy in one
- Well reviewed
Worth knowing:
- Wears out with chewing
- Not washable
Specifications:
- Type: seagrass tunnel
- Material: natural seagrass
- Brand: Rosewood
- Use: small animals
Wooden Guinea Pig House with Two Exits (105 x 25 x 20cm)
Best for: a long, multi-exit hide for groups
A long, two-exit hideout is a good option for a group of guinea pigs, since it gives them more space to hide and more ways to escape. This wooden house measures 105 x 25 x 20cm and comes with a detachable ramp.
The two exits mean that a guinea pig is not trapped inside, which helps a bonded pair or group to share.
It costs around £30 and averages 4.5 out of 5 across more than 160 ratings.
What we like:
- Long, roomy design
- Multiple exits
- Detachable ramp
Worth knowing:
- Large, so needs a big cage
- More expensive
Specifications:
- Type: large wooden house
- Size: 105 x 25 x 20cm
- Feature: multiple exits and ramp
- Use: guinea pigs
Guinea Pig Hideout Buying Guide
What to look for when buying a guinea pig hideout
Look for a hideout that is big enough for your guinea pig to enter comfortably and turn around, with a wide entrance and a solid roof. It should be made from safe, non-toxic materials, and be easy to clean.
Avoid hideouts with small holes where a foot could get trapped, and avoid dyes and glues that can harm.
Guinea pig hideout types explained
Wooden houses are natural and sturdy. Plastic igloos are cheap and easy to clean. Fleece tunnels and beds are soft and warm. Grass and seagrass hides are natural, edible and chewable. Large multi-exit houses suit groups.
Offer a mix of types to see what your pigs prefer.
Getting the size and number right
A hideout should be big enough for a full-grown guinea pig to enter easily. Provide one hideout for each pig, plus one extra, so that there is always space. Two exits are better than one.
A group of guinea pigs may need several hides scattered around the cage.
How much should you spend?
Hideouts cost £5 to £30. A plastic igloo is the cheapest option, and a large wooden house costs more. Natural hides are cheap, but need replacing.
Frequently asked questions
How many hideouts does a guinea pig need?
At least one per pig, plus one spare. Provide more than one entrance, so that a pig cannot be cornered.
What is the best material for a guinea pig hideout?
It depends. Wood and seagrass are natural, plastic is easy to clean and fleece is warm. A mixture works well.
How do I clean a guinea pig hideout?
Wipe plastic and wood with a pet-safe cleaner, and wash fleece regularly. Replace chewed or soiled natural hides.
Can guinea pigs chew their hideouts?
They often do. Choose safe, untreated materials, and replace hides that are worn or splintered.
My guinea pig will not use the hideout. What should I do?
Give it time, and place it in a quiet corner. Add some hay or a treat to encourage exploration, and try different types.
Conclusion
For most owners, the Iglo plastic house is the cheapest and easiest to keep clean, and the BeBeJoJo wooden set gives you two wooden hides for a low price. The Rosewood Carrot Snuggle tunnel is a soft, cosy choice, and the seagrass tunnel is a natural hide and chew toy.
If you have a group of guinea pigs in a large cage, the long two-exit wooden house is a good option. Whichever you choose, provide more than one, and your guinea pigs will feel safer.
This roundup is part of our Small Pet Equipment Guide.
