Cardboard house making for guinea pigs or other pets

It is hard to find the right guinea pig houses, tunnels, and hay holders in the market. It takes me a while to learn that simple cardboard boxes can be transformed into useful guinea pig houses and other furniture. I see a lot of inspiration on Pinterest with cardboard houses designed for little pets, usually cats.

Most people will ask if the cardboard house is safe for a guinea pig. After a little research, I learned that basic cardboard boxes are safe if we take out any tapes and labels. Guinea pigs will chew on them and destroy them in a few weeks but that is fine. After the cardboard houses get too dirty, we can simply replace them with new ones. It takes about 1-2 months before needing a replacement.

Advantages of the DIY cardboard houses for your little pet

• It is cheap to build. Most houses have some cardboard boxes around.
• It is easy to make and it is fun.
• Better than plastic igloo houses. It is better ventilation so less chance of having skin issues.
• Keep the cage clean. The hay holder is like a litter box. It is easier to clean when all dirty areas are contained.
• Creates a new environment to keep guinea pigs interested and excited.
• Good bonding with your piggies.

Watch our video of cardboard house building for guinea pigs

6 DIY cardboard projects

1. A hay holder

You can use any scissors or utility knife, but I find a gardening shear works very well with cutting cardboard boxes.

Always remove the tapes and labels as much as possible first to reduce any glue or chemical.

For the hay holder, I basically made a shallow box so I can place the hay inside. I connect the top with another piece of a cardboard box by cutting a slit and insert the cardboard. My goal is to not use any glue or tapes. Inserting is an easy way to connect pieces.

You can design and cut any shape you like. No rules here. I like the look of the animal ears. Just something cute.

2. Guinea pig house with animal ears

For this house, I leave the bottom open so I can clean easily. I have 2 animal face windows on each side for ventilation and fun.

I also cut the front entrance in an angle near the roof.

Cut the top fornt into the animal ear shape too.

3. Tunnel 1: triagle shape

This is a simple triangle tunnel with the roof connected by 2 pieces of moon shape cut out.

Cut 2 slits on each side.

Insert the moon shaped pieces.

You can adjust the top opening size.

4. Hay holder 2

Another simple hay holder. Just cut a shallow box and insert a piece of cardboard as a rooftop. It is a little hide out for guinea pigs.

5. Tunnel 2

Another triangle tunnel. Mark the folding line with the back of the scissor before folding.

Cut several smaller connecting pieces.

Cut slits on top the the triangles on both sides.

Insert the small connecting pieces.

Cut into any shape you like. I make all the straight angles curve here.

Finished tunnel.

6. Triangle tent with tubes

Mark and fold lines to make the cardboard into a triangle tunnel.

Roll 2 small square or rectangle pieces into tubes.

Cut 2 holes (or cut a cross shape first) on each side of the roof (top of the triangle).

Insert the tubes. Done. No glue required.

Guinea pig is curious about the new furniture.