How to Care For Your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are very peaceful animals, with quite distinct personalities. Your guinea pig will come to recognize you and will call to you with a series of whistles and grunts. They will make sure to remind you to give them a treat every time they see you.

Your guinea pig will need a large cage with room to move around. They may not appear athletic, but guinea pigs like to run around, and they are faster than you would think. He will need at least a 12"x24" cage. The bigger the cage, the better for your pet. The best cage is one that has a plastic tray underneath that can be emptied and cleaned. Do not keep a guinea pig in a wooden cage; he will chew through it. Line the bottom of the cage with pine shavings. You can mix in cat litter to help stop the urine odor.

Guinea pigs have no natural self defense, so protect him from other pets and predators. Your guinea pig will usually take the approach of ignoring the other animal. This could turn out badly for the guinea pig if he comes in contact with your cat or dog.

Give your pet a place to call his own. Provide him with a sleeping box or house to hide and sleep in. You will find these little wooden houses in the pet store. It will get chewed on, but maybe that's Guinea Pig Decor.

You will need to keep a constant supply of food and water in the cage. The best way to supply water is with a water bottle. These hang in the cage and will prevent spills and dirty water. Each time you refill the bottle, take the time to rinse it out and check to make sure it's working properly. You will also need a food bowl. Look for the heavy, ceramic, flat bottomed bowls. Guinea pigs do not like to eat off of the bottom of the cage and these heavy bowls will help prevents spills. Also available are bowls that clamp onto the side of the cage. Not only do these prevent spills, they provide an opportunity for exercise by placing them just high enough to require the guinea pig to stand on his hind legs to eat. Another good thing to have is a feeding rack that hangs in the cage and holds hay or green feed. You will be able to find a commercial mix of guinea pig food at your local grocery store. This will provide all of the necessary nutrients for your pet. You will also find a selection of treats available such as hay cubes, nibble sticks, compressed green feed and granola bar type patties. A fully grown guinea pig should eat 1 to 2 ounces of dry food a day. You can just keep the bowl full as a guinea pig will not overeat on just dry food. You can also give treats of fresh fruit or vegetables. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly to remove pesticides. Do not give your guinea pig cabbage or iceberg lettuce. These can cause digestive problems. You will also need to provide a salt licking stone. This will hang on the side of the cage to keep from getting dirty.

Long haired guinea pigs should be brushed at least once a week with a soft brush. This will keep the hair tangle free and give the coat a silky sheen. You shouldn't bathe your guinea pig unless it is absolutely necessary. For instance, when it has diarrhea and the fur becomes soiled, or it has become strongly soiled some other way. If it does become necessary to bathe the animal, use lukewarm water and make sure that his head does not go under water. Use a mild baby shampoo, but do not get any on the head and make sure to completely rinse it out. When the bath is over, gently rub with a towel. You can use a hair dryer on low for drying a long haired guinea pig. Make sure to keep him out of drafts and cold air to prevent illness.

You will need to keep the cage and bowls clean. At least once a week, completely empty the pan under the cage and disinfect it with soap and water. Let it dry completely and then cover the bottom with fresh shavings and cat litter. Also wash the food bowl and water bottle with soap and warm water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off all of the soap.

Use both hands to pick up or hold a guinea pig. Never pick him up by the scruff of the neck or by a leg. Guinea pigs have fragile limbs and they can break easily. When you are holding your guinea pig, keep one hand on the animal's back to prevent it from falling.

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