Caring for Your Guinea Pig
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Life expectancy: 5-7+ years
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Herbivore
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Community-oriented who does best with a friend
Cavies or guinea pigs, as they are most commonly called, are unique and very interesting animals. The guinea pig originated in South America, principally Peru. Males are called boars and females, sows.
They have an extremely long gestation period of 68 days, which is longer than dogs or cats! The piglets, when born, are duplicates of their parents. While most rodent babies are born pink, naked, and blind, guinea pigs are fully furred, wide-eyed and ready to run! Guinea pigs weigh approximately 0.9 kg (2 lbs) when full grown.
Their endearing habit of whistling is very appealing and they rarely bite, making them an ideal pet for children.
Skinny Pigs
The skinny pig’s hairless trait is a gene mutation that was first discovered in Montreal in 1978. Without fur, skinny pigs are more sensitive to cooler temperatures. Offering a cloth hiding place and more food to maintain body fat will help keep them warm.
Fur acts as a protective layer, and therefore the hairless skinny pig is more vulnerable to injuries and infections. Keep this in mind as you guinea-pig proof the out-of-cage time to ensure they are protected from sun rays or sharp edges.
In terms of behaviours and other care needs, skinny pigs are just like guinea pigs!
Housing Multiples
As guinea pigs are social animals, keeping more than one is recommended. If you intend to house two males or a male and female, we recommend neutering the males. Your pet counsellor can recommend a veterinarian who is familiar with altering small animals.
Handling
Like humans, every guinea pig has a distinct personality. Some enjoy being handled more than others. The proper way to hold a guinea pig is to support the chest and rump areas. Be mindful of their delicate backs.
Our pet counsellors are small animal lovers; because they are, they hold and play with all the small animals in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our small animal’s social skills. This is why Petland’s small animals are quick to bond with their new owner.
To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your guinea pig, Petland recommends the following necessary and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s 4 Basic Needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When you meet these needs and provide a loving environment, your guinea pig can live a long and happy life.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Enclosure – Your guinea pigs will need a place of their own where they can sleep, find security, and have quiet time. Your pet counsellor can show you a selection of guinea pig homes with high bottoms for less litter spills and large doors for easy access.
Guinea Pig Exercise Pen – No matter how large the living quarters, your guinea pig will need physical and social stimulation, which no cage can provide. Guinea-pig-proof the area or use an exercise pen for safe play. Never leave your guinea pig unattended, particularly if they are outdoors. It is recommended that you provide them with a hiding place for an added sense of security.
Hiding Place – Every creature needs an area to call their own. Hiding places are necessary to reduce stress and help them feel secure. Grass, wood, or pet-safe plastic hide outs are all popular choices.
BEHAVIOURAL
Chew Blocks – Your guinea pigs’ teeth will grow continuously, so provide safe chew toys to keep them worn down. Check regularly for malocclusion (an improper bite) that can affect eating, often seen when the lower teeth extend over the upper. If you notice this, consult your veterinarian.
Ladders and Platforms – Guinea pigs love to climb! Placing a piece of fruit or vegetable on top of a stable platform (not too high) will encourage your guinea pigs to climb up the ladder to get their reward.
NUTRITIONAL
When choosing what food to purchase for your new pet, keep in mind that small animals often get diarrhea when new foods are introduced too quickly or during stressful events like adoption. Stick to familiar foods, including the same pellet brand, to support digestion. When adding new items, especially fresh foods, introduce them one at a time and watch for changes in behavior, appetite, or stool.
Hay – Grass hay should make up most of your guinea pig’s diet and is essential for digestive health. It helps prevent obesity, dental disease, diarrhea, and boredom. Guinea pigs under six months can also have alfalfa hay for its extra calcium and protein, but after six months it should only be given as a treat.
All grass hays, timothy, orchard, oat, and botanical (timothy with herbs), are nutritionally similar, differing mainly in taste and texture. Offering a mix helps prevent picky eating, especially since flavor and texture can vary with the seasons.
Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to grass hay, and eat a pile about twice the size of their body every day.
Guinea Pig Pellets – Pellets are formulated to contain a correct balance of all the essential nutrients that your guinea pig needs each day, especially vitamin C as guinea pigs cannot produce this on their own. Young guinea pigs under six months old should eat alfalfa hay pellets (legume hay) because of their specific growing needs. Timothy hay pellets (grass hay), which are high in fibre and lower in protein and calcium, must be offered after six months of age.
Adult guinea pigs should be fed about ⅛ cup daily.
Mixed foods that combine pellets with nuts, seeds, and fruit should be offered as a treat only. Guinea pigs have a habit of selecting the more tempting, fattening morsels, and leaving the healthy pellets behind.
Fresh Foods – Dark leafy greens and vegetables are loaded with nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as water that provides essential hydration to your guinea pig. Dark leafy greens include romaine, kale, or green leaf lettuce. Vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and pea pods make good choices. Fruits should be offered as a treat only.
Guinea pigs should be fed 1 cup of fresh foods daily.
Treats – Only offer 1Tbsp of treats daily. Treats encourage interaction between you and your pet, and can be used to train basic tricks. Oats and oatmeal should be avoided, as they are high in carbohydrates.
Moss Hollow Adapt – Using Moss Hollow Adapt, while minimizing stress, can help your new pet adapt to their new home by promoting relaxation from stress caused by the environment (Echinacea), offering a prebiotic for building gut flora (Burdock Root), easing diarrhea (Psyllium Husk), increasing palatability (Wheatgrass), providing a natural dewormer (Diatomaceous Earth), and nutrient-rich clay (Bentonite). This veterinary health product uses natural ingredients which can aid all small animals before symptoms emerge.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplement – If a guinea pig’s diet is made up of pellets, fresh foods, and an unlimited supply of fresh grass hay, then a vitamin supplement is not necessary. If your guinea pig is not accepting the extra foods you offer, or not eating enough of them, then a vitamin supplement should be added to the water or food, according to packaging directions.
Mineral and Salt Stone – Your guinea pigs need a mineral and salt stone available at all times. Salt will encourage them to drink enough water and the water aids in digestion.
MAINTENANCE
Water Bottle – When your guinea pig is in their cage, use a large water bottle to keep their water clean and to conserve any liquid vitamins. Fresh water must be available at all times and replaced daily. When your guinea pig is outside of their cage, give them water from a ceramic dish.
Keep water bottles clean to prevent bacteria and sediment buildup from supplements. Use a bottle brush with dish soap and water to clean both the bottle and the inside of the stainless-steel drinking tube.
Ceramic Dishes and Hay Feeders – Ceramic dishes are easy to clean, cannot be chewed, and are difficult to tip over. You will need three: one for pellets, one for fresh foods, and one for water during playtime outside of the cage. Hay feeders, like a manger, allow your guinea pig easy access to their hay while keeping it clean.
Substrate – Aspen shavings, paper-based bedding and/or a pet mat is recommended for your guinea pig. Use a litter scoop to spot clean the cage regularly.
Cage Cleaner – Use a pet-safe cleaner, ideally one that is enzyme-based to break down stains and odours. Clean the cage weekly with the cleaner or hot water and mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and other household cleaners, as they can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or cause even worse problems.
Brush and Comb – Guinea pigs spend time everyday grooming, but they still need help from you. Depending on the breed that you have, a soft slicker brush will remove excess fur and a comb will be helpful for guinea pigs with longer fur. Don’t forget to offer them a treat after a grooming session!
Nail Clippers and Coagulant – Your guinea pig’s nails should be trimmed with a small animal nail clipper. Take care not to trim too short or cut into the blood vessels running through each nail. Keep a blood coagulant on hand in case this happens.
Cleanliness and Safety
All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their environments. Regular cleaning of your pet’s environment with a pet safe cleaner may help avoid the spread of contaminants.
Hygiene procedures, such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet or its habitat, are necessary. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.
CHECKLIST
- Enclosure
- (Optional) Exercise pen
- Hiding place
- Chew blocks
- Ladders and platforms
- Hay
- Pellets
- Treats
- Moss Hollow Adapt
- (Optional) Vitamin and mineral supplement
- Mineral and salt stone
- Water bottle
- Bottle brush
- Ceramic dishes and hay feeder
- Substrate
- Litter scoop
- Cage cleaner
- Brush and comb
- Nail clippers and coagulant