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 him 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 is very time-consuming. A healthy guinea pig will need to be fed a few
times a day and have his cage cleaned at least twice a day. You will also need to ensure plenty
of socialization and exercise for your new best friend.
Cage
The guinea pig’s 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, 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 pigs 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 his hind legs without touching the top of the cage.
You can also get an outdoor cage or set up fencing outdoors 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 him a guinea pig pellet-based diet. Be sure to get at least 1 cup of food per guinea pig each day. You should also provide your pet with
plenty of fresh water, 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 every day.
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.
Timothy 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. He 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 his 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.
You can also try making a hay cube out of alfalfa, so your guinea pig has the option to eat either
type of hay.
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 his nails trimmed
once a month. Otherwise, the nails can get stuck somewhere and he could break or injure a leg.
If the guinea pig suffers from hairball issues, you should take him to his vet because he might
have a problem with his pancreas.
Bathing
Guinea pigs should be bathed once a month in warm water and shampoo. Make sure to dry
them well and keep them in a warm environment after the bath.
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.
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 him a best friend when possible. For
more advice on how to properly take care of your guinea pig, reach out to your veterinarian.
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 for the
best advice.
