Guinea pigs make great family pets. They are relatively easy to care for and have lots of personality. They also make lots of interesting sounds such as “purring” when they are happy, “wheeking” when they are excited and “whining” if they are being disturbed or bothered.
Guinea pigs require the right environment, a complete and balanced diet and plenty of love and attention to ensure they are happy and healthy. If you are thinking of adding a guinea pig to your family here are some important tips about being a responsible pet owner.
Find a local vet
When you get a new pet, its important to find a local vet and book a health check. Our vets will not only check your guinea pigs general health but will also discuss a preventative healthcare routine including de-sexing, parasite control, preventative medicine and nail trimming. It is also a great time to ask about nutrition, exercise, dental care and breeding if appropriate.
All pets require a minimum of one health check per year. Regular health checks are a great way to keep your pet in top shape. They also help your veterinarian to identify and treat any health concerns before they become serious.
Always be on the lookout for slight changes in appetite or habits as guinea pigs are good at hiding illness. It is also important that all guinea pigs are treated at the same time, as some illnesses will spread to other cage members. If you have any concerns about your guinea pigs health contact your local vet.
Suitable home
You will need a cage as large as possible for your guinea pig/s with a solid floor. They will appreciate all the space they can get to explore and run around. Line the cage with newspaper covered with soft grass or hay for bedding.
Ideal cage location
Guinea pigs need to feel safe and are susceptible to heat stress or sudden changes in temperature. Keep their enclosure out of reach from other animals and away from direct sunlight or draughts. Their cage should be placed somewhere that your family regularly visits throughout the day, such as a living room, bedroom or hallway. Be sure the cage it isn’t a tripping hazard to keep your pet safe.
Social needs
Guinea pigs are very social and are happiest when kept with other guinea pigs. If you are bringing more than one guinea pig home, ensure they are single sexed or de-sexed to help eliminate aggression and stop them reproducing. Guinea pigs should not be kept with rabbits.
Cleaning the cage
Whilst guinea pigs are relatively clean, you will need to clean their cage out regularly. This includes removing any droppings, uneaten vegetables from the day before, cleaning and refilling their water and adding fresh newspaper, hay or grass to the cage. A spot clean should be completed daily, followed by a more thorough clean twice a week.
Diet and nutrition
Guinea pigs are grazing animals so they need plenty of roughage to chew on. Their teeth are also constantly growing so regular eating helps to keep their teeth trim and healthy. They must have access to fresh food and water at all times. Your guinea pig will need:
Constant source of fresh hay or grass for food and bedding.
Daily supply of fresh vegetables & herbs high in vitamin C (as guinea pigs are unable to produce their own vitamin C). Great examples include leafy green lettuce, bok choy, mint, parsley and coriander. Other vegetables that are great to feed a couple of times a week include broccoli, brussel sprouts, celery, carrots and cabbage. If you are growing your own vegetables, make sure they are free from pesticides as these can be harmful to your pet.
Guinea pig pellets can be fed sparingly, however should only be given as supplement to their diet, not be the main part.
There are many foods that can be harmful to their health and cause digestive problems. DO NOT feed your guinea pig grains, cereals, nuts, lawn clippings, garden shrubs, daffodils, rhubarb leaves or human food such as chocolate, bread, biscuits or pasta.
Your guinea pig will need plenty of fresh, clean water. You can use a bowl, bottle or water dispenser. The water will need to be cleaned and changed daily.
Grooming
Brushing & grooming is an important part of guinea pig care. To remove excess hair, tangles, grass or straw, gently brush your guinea pig with a soft, bristled brush. Grooming is a great opportunity to check for cuts, lumps or bumps and is a perfect bonding activity between you and your pet. If their nails are too long, take your guinea pig to your local vet for a trim. They can teach you in person how to trim your pet’s nails in the future.
Exercise and socialisation
Guinea pigs thrive when given lots of love and attention and opportunities to exercise and play.
Make their cage interesting by providing space to run around, things to play with and areas to explore such as tunnels, toys, boxes and containers. This will help keep them entertained when you are not there. You can also give them chewing toys to help entertain them and wear their teeth down such as wooden branches (remove any smaller protruding branches that may poke into their eyes) and cardboard.
Frequent handling and attention is essential to your guinea pigs happiness. Enjoy spending time with them each day. Speak with them, play with them, cuddle them and pat them often.
Guinea pigs are quite smart creatures. Have some fun and teach them some cool tricks such as coming when called, turning in circles, standing up and jumping through hoops.
Let them loose by providing daily floor time in an enclosed space. A playpen is ideal which can be set-up indoors (on an easy to clean surface) or outdoors (if its not too hot or cold). If outdoors, keep an eye on your guinea pigs at all times as they can easily slip through small openings and escape. Predators such as foxes can get into even the most secure cages.
Taming your pet
Your guinea pig will need to get used to its new family. Help them become familiar with your voice and smell by sitting next to their cage and talking to them. Once they are familiar with you, place your hand in their cage and try feeding them by hand or gently patting them. Handle them carefully, securely and gently and spend time with them each day and they will become confident in your care and look forward to your company.