How are cage floor space requirements determined for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits?

Cage floor space requirements for guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits are primarily determined by the body length of the animals. This approach ensures that each animal has enough space to move comfortably, engage in natural behaviors, and maintain their overall health.

By focusing on body length, the regulations account for the actual physical size of the animals, which directly influences how much space they need to thrive. Larger-bodied animals will naturally require more floor space than smaller ones to avoid overcrowding and to facilitate proper movement.

While factors such as age might influence other welfare considerations, such as special care for young or elderly animals, they don't play a central role in determining basic space requirements. Similarly, body weight and species type are not as directly related to the specific spatial needs of an individual animal compared to body length, which is a more suitable metric for establishing appropriate housing dimensions.