Guinea pigs make great pets as they are very friendly and easy to care for. They can be taught to come when called and even let you pet them without trying to escape. To ensure that your guinea pig is happy and healthy, it's essential to know how to take care of one properly. This includes giving it a clean cage, food, water, and proper exercise.
Large cages are needed for guinea pigs to live healthy lives. It is also essential to take your guinea pig for regular veterinary visits and make sure that you're giving them a safe environment free of stress.
A healthy guinea pig should have a round stomach, a well-furred coat, and clean eyes. The guinea pig will also be lively, friendly, and approach you when you pick it up.
Caring for guinea pigs can be very time-consuming. A healthy guinea pig will need to be fed a few times a day and have its cage cleaned at least twice a day. You will also need to ensure plenty of socialisation and exercise for your new best friend.
Housing
The guinea pig cage should be large enough for your pet to move around properly. The height of the cage should be at least twice the length of the animal. The cage should have a bottom made of metal or open floor, as wire floors will cut into the guinea pig's feet.
Also, be sure to get a secure top for your pet's enclosure so that it won't escape while you're out of the house. A guinea pig cage should have the following dimensions: at least 24"(L) x 30" (W) x 16" (H).
The guinea pig should be able to stand on their hind legs without touching the top of the cage. You can also get an outdoor cage and place it in a shady spot, so your guinea pig has room to run around. Guinea pigs should have a clean, dry place to sleep.
Food and water
To ensure your guinea pig is getting proper nutrition, feed them a guinea pig pellet-based diet. Follow the feeding instructions from the specific brand for the amount per guinea pig each day because it can vary. You should also provide your pet with plenty of freshwater, which can be given in a water bottle or bowl that has been cleaned daily.
Water bottle
A water bottle is the best way to give your guinea pig clean fresh water. You should hang the bottle on the side of your guinea pig's cage so it can't fall in and get dirty. A guinea pig should never run out of water, so you will need to refill the bottle regularly.
Exercise
To keep your pet healthy and in shape, be sure to let it run around in a safe area in your home at least three times per day. If you have time, give your guinea pig 30-minute exercise sessions per day.
Also, toys, tunnels etc. are a great addition to their enclosure to help with their exercise.
Diet
A guinea pig's diet should mainly consist of hay, grass hays, fruits, and vegetables. If you are having trouble getting your guinea pig to eat its vegetables, try mixing them in with the hay, so they are easier to find.
Hay
Hay is an essential part of your guinea pig's diet. Hay is a natural food that you can feed to your cavy any time of day. They should have an endless supply of clean hay.
Guinea pigs need hay because it provides the nutrients they would get from grazing in the wild. A guinea pig's diet should contain 80% hay with grass hays and 20% vegetables and fruits. When you give your guinea pig hay, it helps keep their teeth worn down. Long-haired guinea pigs should be kept on mostly Timothy hay to prevent them from having hairballs.
Hay cubes - these are compressed blocks of hay that can be bought at the pet store. They often contain just one type of hay and are a good option if you have a picky eater who won't eat any other form of hay. You can also buy a bag of timothy hay and break it up into cubes yourself.
Grooming
When a cavy eats too much fur, it can form hairballs which are very dangerous for the animal. Guinea pigs will groom off their fur, but they can't reach all areas themselves, so you need to brush them regularly.
If your guinea pig has long hair, you will need to get special grooming tools. A wet brush is the best thing for short-haired guinea pigs, and there are also special long hair combs. Make sure to brush your guinea pig at least once a week. A guinea pig should also have its nails trimmed once a month. Otherwise, the nails can get stuck somewhere and they could break or injure a leg.
If the guinea pig suffers from hairball issues, you should take them to their vet because they might have a problem with their pancreas.
Bathing
Guinea pigs should be bathed once a month in warm water and shampoo. Ensure that the shampoo you use is safe for Guinea Pigs as human products can be harmful. Make sure to dry them well and keep them in a warm environment after the bath.
Teeth
Cavy's teeth are constantly growing, so they need something to gnaw on to keep them worn down. A guinea pig should be kept on mostly Timothy hay to prevent hairballs. The best way to keep your guinea pig's teeth worn down is by feeding it a small portion of pellets and fresh fruits and veggies every day.
Final thoughts
Guinea pigs are also very social animals, so be sure to get them a best friend when possible. For more advice on how to properly take care of your guinea pig, reach out we’re here to help.
Guinea pigs are lovely animals to keep as pets, but there are many steps to take when caring for them.
If you have any questions or need more information, always contact your veterinarian.
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