The guinea pig's endearing personality provides delightful companionship for both adults
and families. Once settled in their new home they are inquisitive, friendly and talkative. At
least one guinea pig friend of the same sex is recommended. With proper care and nutrition
guinea pigs can live up to 10 years, though the average is 4-8 years.
and families. Once settled in their new home they are inquisitive, friendly and talkative. At
least one guinea pig friend of the same sex is recommended. With proper care and nutrition
guinea pigs can live up to 10 years, though the average is 4-8 years.
Cavy (Guinea Pig) Care
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Regular exercise outside the cage is essential to your guinea pig's health and is great fun for the
whole family. A room can be made safe for guinea pigs by preventing access to electrical cords,
blocking gaps under appliances and furniture and removing hazardous items. Alternatively, a
playpen will allow your pets to romp in safety. Guinea pigs enjoy a variety of safe toys such as wide
tubes, cartons, and wood bird toys.
Most guinea pigs love being petted once they are on your lap, but are cautious about being picked
up. Children must be supervised when holding a guinea pig and taught not to hold it too tightly or
allow it to fall or jump. Guinea pigs are easily injured and may nip if not treated kindly. While your
guinea pig is on your lap, brush it gently to keep the coat sleek and trim the toenails too.
Guinea pigs should be kept indoors, safe from predators and climate extremes. Choose or make
as large a cage as possible, with plenty of room for exercise. Aquariums are not suitable, due to
poor ventilation. Look for a cage with a solid bottom, as wire floors and ramps can injure guinea
pigs' feet. Cover the floor with bedding such as Carefresh or Aspen shavings. Avoid pine and
cedar, which contain harmful oils, and sawdust. The cage is best in a room where your pets can
enjoy your company, out of drafts and direct sunlight. A temperature range of 65-75 deg. F is
ideal. Guinea pigs love a house or igloo to rest in and appreciate a few safe toys to play with, such
as untreated wood bird toys. Choose heavy food dishes, or those that clip onto the cage, so the
contents don't spill.
A healthy diet for adults is based on quality grass hay, e.g. Timothy, and guinea pig pellets, both
freely available at all times. Babies under 6 months and pregnant sows need alfalfa hay. A
constant supply of hay provides fiber, vital to keep the teeth and digestive system in good shape.
Guinea pigs must have adequate Vitamin C in their diet. Look for plain pellets containing vitamin C
but without seeds, nuts or colored treats. The bag should be date stamped to ensure freshness
and Vitamin C potency. Also provide each guinea pig a cupful of mixed fresh vegetables and fruit
daily. Choose produce with a high Vitamin C content, such as parsley, Romaine lettuce, bell
peppers and dandelions, with a piece of carrot added occasionally. Remember to supply fresh
water in a water bottle daily. Nutritional supplements are not necessary if a good, varied diet is
provided.
Spot clean soiled areas 2-3 times a week and add clean bedding. Scrub out the entire cage
weekly, as well as food dishes and water bottles. Always rinse and dry the cage well before adding
fresh bedding.
Male guinea pigs can be sexually mature at three weeks old. Make absolutely sure of your pet's
sex and keep males and females separate at all times to prevent unwanted babies. Due to the
health risks and pet overpopulation problem, breeding pet guinea pigs is STRONGLY discouraged.
Male guinea pigs should be neutered if a male and female are kept together, but only by a
veterinarian experienced in performing this procedure.
Find a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and experienced in treating guinea pigs before
you have an emergency. Guinea pigs try to hide signs of illness, so by the time you notice
something is wrong the illness is usually well-advanced. The following signs mean your pet needs
URGENT veterinary care: not eating or drinking, lethargy, sneezing, wheezing, crusty eyes, fluffed
up fur, diarrhea, blood in urine, loss of balance, tilted head, excessive scratching or hair loss.
Keeping a weekly record of your pet's weight will alert you to weight loss, which often indicates a
health problem.
Penicillin-based drugs, commonly prescribed for other pets, are TOXIC to guinea pigs.
Exercise wheels and balls can cause injury to guinea pigs and should never be used.
Never leave your guinea pigs unsupervised where a predator or other pet could harm them.
whole family. A room can be made safe for guinea pigs by preventing access to electrical cords,
blocking gaps under appliances and furniture and removing hazardous items. Alternatively, a
playpen will allow your pets to romp in safety. Guinea pigs enjoy a variety of safe toys such as wide
tubes, cartons, and wood bird toys.
Most guinea pigs love being petted once they are on your lap, but are cautious about being picked
up. Children must be supervised when holding a guinea pig and taught not to hold it too tightly or
allow it to fall or jump. Guinea pigs are easily injured and may nip if not treated kindly. While your
guinea pig is on your lap, brush it gently to keep the coat sleek and trim the toenails too.
Guinea pigs should be kept indoors, safe from predators and climate extremes. Choose or make
as large a cage as possible, with plenty of room for exercise. Aquariums are not suitable, due to
poor ventilation. Look for a cage with a solid bottom, as wire floors and ramps can injure guinea
pigs' feet. Cover the floor with bedding such as Carefresh or Aspen shavings. Avoid pine and
cedar, which contain harmful oils, and sawdust. The cage is best in a room where your pets can
enjoy your company, out of drafts and direct sunlight. A temperature range of 65-75 deg. F is
ideal. Guinea pigs love a house or igloo to rest in and appreciate a few safe toys to play with, such
as untreated wood bird toys. Choose heavy food dishes, or those that clip onto the cage, so the
contents don't spill.
A healthy diet for adults is based on quality grass hay, e.g. Timothy, and guinea pig pellets, both
freely available at all times. Babies under 6 months and pregnant sows need alfalfa hay. A
constant supply of hay provides fiber, vital to keep the teeth and digestive system in good shape.
Guinea pigs must have adequate Vitamin C in their diet. Look for plain pellets containing vitamin C
but without seeds, nuts or colored treats. The bag should be date stamped to ensure freshness
and Vitamin C potency. Also provide each guinea pig a cupful of mixed fresh vegetables and fruit
daily. Choose produce with a high Vitamin C content, such as parsley, Romaine lettuce, bell
peppers and dandelions, with a piece of carrot added occasionally. Remember to supply fresh
water in a water bottle daily. Nutritional supplements are not necessary if a good, varied diet is
provided.
Spot clean soiled areas 2-3 times a week and add clean bedding. Scrub out the entire cage
weekly, as well as food dishes and water bottles. Always rinse and dry the cage well before adding
fresh bedding.
Male guinea pigs can be sexually mature at three weeks old. Make absolutely sure of your pet's
sex and keep males and females separate at all times to prevent unwanted babies. Due to the
health risks and pet overpopulation problem, breeding pet guinea pigs is STRONGLY discouraged.
Male guinea pigs should be neutered if a male and female are kept together, but only by a
veterinarian experienced in performing this procedure.
Find a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and experienced in treating guinea pigs before
you have an emergency. Guinea pigs try to hide signs of illness, so by the time you notice
something is wrong the illness is usually well-advanced. The following signs mean your pet needs
URGENT veterinary care: not eating or drinking, lethargy, sneezing, wheezing, crusty eyes, fluffed
up fur, diarrhea, blood in urine, loss of balance, tilted head, excessive scratching or hair loss.
Keeping a weekly record of your pet's weight will alert you to weight loss, which often indicates a
health problem.
Penicillin-based drugs, commonly prescribed for other pets, are TOXIC to guinea pigs.
Exercise wheels and balls can cause injury to guinea pigs and should never be used.
Never leave your guinea pigs unsupervised where a predator or other pet could harm them.