Animal Love

Basic Care For Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs make such wonderful pets. They are very gentle and somewhat skittish creatures. They are naturally shy animals, but they do loved to be petted and will squeak with delight. They make great starter pets for older children. I "adopted" my first one when I was about 12 years old.  Here is some basic information about these cute little critters.

Average Size:  8 to 11 inches

Life Span:  Up to 8 years with proper care

Housing

Guinea pigs are social animals and are happier with other guinea pigs. If it's possible it is good to get a pair of the same sex. Two or more females will become great friends. If you want two males, it's a good idea to get two from the same litter. I actually got my two guinea pigs (both males) at different times. I kept them in different boxes

A guinea pig's habitat can be a simple arrangement, but they need ample room to run around. You can use a big cardboard box or plastic tub cage available at most pet stores. With cardboxes, make sure the sides are high enough to prevent any escapes, and keep an eye out for any holes they may be creating. Don't use wire floors because it can irritate their feet. Never use an aquarium because it has poor ventilation. Always keep the cage indoors and away from any drafts and direct sunlight. They can handle the cold, but are very susceptible to heatstroke.

Line the bottom of your cage with aspen or hardwood shavings, or other safe bedding like grass hay, pelleted or recycled paper. You should not use cedar based products because they contain oils that can be dangerous and cause harm. You should clean the cage completely once a week.

Diet

A guinea pig's diet should consist primarily of commercially formulated guinea pig pellets. Unlike other animals, guinea pigs can't manufacture Vitamin C, so you will need to make sure they get enough of this essential nutrient every day. Grass hay will add fiber to their diet and help their digestive system and satisfy their need to gnaw on things. You can also offer your guinea pig fresh fruits and vegetables. Just make sure to get rid of any uneaten pieces before it spoils. Always have water available at all times, and replace it with fresh water every day.

General Care

When you get a guinea pig, it is important to get them used to you and being handled at a young age. They are shy and can be skittish so be patient with them. Talk to them gently and offer them treats to get them to come out of hiding. Once they are comfortable with you, you can pick them up. Always use two hands when handling them. Pick them up with one hand behind the front legs and the other hand supporting their hind legs. Hold your guinea pig close to you and sitting down to prevent any injuries from falls. You can let them run around the room for exercise, just make sure their are no openings for them to escape through or wires to chew on.

Guinea pigs stay clean so you don't have to give them a bath. Brushing them on a regular basis will help keep their coats clean, get any lose hairs, and for long hair pigs, get tangles and knots out.

Guinea pigs love to hide when they play, so you should provide them with containers or tubes they can run into and hide. This will also provide them with great place to rest and sleep. To help maintain the growth of their teeth, give them chew treats, untreated wood or cardboard tubes to chew on.