Guinea Pig Care

Guinea pigs make wonderful pets that look to you for a home, food and companionship. Though they may be small and relatively easy to look after, guinea pigs still need tender loving care. While they are simple animals that are pretty low maintenance, you should definitely look into the amount of attention they do require before purchasing one. They do require a commitment and you should be sure that you are up to the task. However, if taken care of correctly, these cute, fuzzy animals are fun and easy, making them great for any pet owner.

Quick Facts

There are a few simple things you should know before purchasing a guinea pig. Here are a few helpful facts that you may not have known about them.

• They can live up to 9 years old, though the average life span is about 5-7 years old.
• They love company and can become lonely easily.
• Depending on the size of the cage, you may want to purchase more than one guinea pig. They easily bond with other guinea pigs and enjoy their company.
• They are good with other pets such as dogs, cats or rabbits as long as your cat or dog doesn't try to eat it. (Don't house them with other rodents besides rabbits--They tend not to get along with animals such as gerbils or hamsters)
• If you leave your guinea pig alone for too long it may become depressed, so if you're going to be gone a lot you should probably get it a companion.
• They grow to be around 10 inches long and weigh about 2-3 lbs
• They require a good amount of space, though generally live in a cage
• They don't bite, but they might nibble on your food-scented finger.
• Although generally quiet animals, guinea pigs will get noisy sometimes.
• A high pitch squeak is made whenever they are excited whether scared or happy.
• They make a purring sound for general enjoyment
• They are easily stressed and need to be handled carefully. Guinea pigs also get startled easily and may try to dart in several different directions if scared.

How to Care for your Guinea Pig

Caring for you guinea pig, although a pretty easy task, should not be taken lightly. They require attention daily and can easily become sick if you do not care for them properly. Neglect is not only cruel but leads to expensive veterinary trips, so read carefully to make sure you have all of the essentials.

Housing

Buying the right cage  for your guinea pig is very important and can help ensure the health and safety of your new pet. Here are some helpful hints you should look over before buying a cage. You should purchase the cage  before bringing it home in order to make its transition to its new home as smooth as possible. Though they may be small, they require space to move around in. Cages should be at least 18 x 25 inches. Remember, if your buying more than one guinea pig, you will probably need a slightly larger cage. Make sure everything is nontoxic. Guinea pigs are constantly chewing. Smooth, flat bottoms are essential. Guinea pigs can easily get their feet stuck in wire or mesh bottoms. Aquariums  are meant for fish. They are too small and isolating for a guinea pig to enjoy. Keep them in climate ranging from 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Guinea pigs have short, compact bodies that stay warm easily. Worry about excessive heat rather than them being too cold. Clean cage weekly, at least. Guinea pigs tend to be messy with their cages, so cleaning them out on a weekly basis is incredibly important to the health of your pet. Every 4 to 5 days is probably best. Older guinea pigs tend to create more waste, so cages may need to be cleaned more often. For bedding you should use aspen shavings,  or pine shavings  Avoid materials such as cedar chips that may cause respiratory problems. Other acceptable materials include paper towels,  processed paper products such as old newspaper  Cage extras include: Platforms  and tunnels  to climb through are great for exercise Provide plenty of hay  for them to snack on and use for nesting.  Cardboard boxes  make it easy for guinea pigs to create nests.

Diet

Guinea pig diets are pretty simple, but can cause serious health problems if not followed correctly. Take a look at these helpful tips to make sure you're not feeding your new pet the wrong food. Guinea pigs are herbivores, so they enjoy many types of vegetables such as cabbage. Don't be surprised if they eat grass from your lawn, but be sure its free from pesticides. Store bought, commercial guinea pig food  is best because its formulated especially for them. A diet of pellets mixed with some vegetables is very healthy. Don't subsitute other rodent food for guinea pig pellets. They require different nutrients. They need to be fed on a daily basis. Use a large, heavy, ceramic food bowl  that is too small to climb into. Get a water bottle  with a steel spout and keep it filled. They drink a lot, so be sure to change the water daily. Give them some quality hay  to snack on. They love fruit. Apples make a great treat, but be sure to remove the seeds. Don't overfeed them. Overweight guinea pigs are unhealthy. If they are gaining back cut back on the amoung of food you give them daily.

Grooming, Handling, Exercise and Toys

Grooming  Brushing often with a soft brush will reduce shedding and tangled hair. Long-haired guinea pigs need to be brushed daily. Guinea pigs rarely if ever need to be bathed. If you do decide to though, be sure to get safe shampoo  and use a shallow bowl with warm water. Guinea pig toenails need to be clipped monthly. As they grow older they will need to be clipped less, but you will need to get a toenail clipper  specialized for guinea pigs.	Exercising/ Toys Guinea pigs need daily exercise, even though they are not particularly active animals. You can let them run around in your yard as long as you keep an eye on them. You may want to look into getting an exercise pen  or a leash  in order to keep from losing them. Guinea pigs teeth are constantly growing, so definitely keep some gnawing toys  around. Paper bags,   cardboard,,   hard plastic rabbit/cat/baby toys,    and tunnels   are great. They aren't very agile, so hamster wheels and complicated toys are a bad idea.	Handling Guinea pigs are nervous animals so be very gentle. They generally won't squirm or try to get away, so there's no need to hold them too tightly. Approach them from the front so they know they are about to be picked up. To pick them up, place one hand under their stomach and use the other to support their back legs. Once they are picked up, you may gently place them in your lap, but be careful to make sure they don't fall off.

External Sites

• For more about the history and behavior of guinea pigs, check out this wikipedia article.
• For more specifics on how to care for your guinea pigs check out Guinea Lynx