Guinea Pig Care Tips

Are you adopting a Guinea pig? A great cage, a proper diet, and regular veterinary care will go a long way towards keeping your buddy healthy. However, great Guinea pig care entails much more than that. A local Burlington, ON vet offers some basic care tips below.

Get At Least Two

While some pocket pets, such as Syrian hamsters, should live alone, Guinea pigs should always have roommates. These little guys are very sociable, and can get extremely lonely and depressed with no friends! You will need to choose your pets carefully. If you put a male and female together, well, you may soon find yourself with more pets than you planned for. Males that grew up together may be fine, but strangers may fight. 

Offer Lots Of Chew Toys

Guinea pigs have open-rooted teeth, which means they must chew continuously. You don’t have to break the bank here: you can make many toys out of things like cardboard, plain paper, and even wood items. Just play it safe: avoid anything with small parts, sharp edges, or strings. Ask your vet for more information.

Keep Them Clean

Guinea pigs aren’t the neatest roommates. Don’t be surprised if your little buddy makes a mess in his food bowl. We recommend spot cleaning and cleaning dishes daily, and following up with deep cleanings regularly.

Use The Right Bedding

Did you know that pine and cedar products are actually toxic to small animals? Wood shavings can also cause issues. Stick with safe options, like paper towels, washable fleece, or paper-based products.

Keep Them Cool

Cavies in general don’t do very well when it’s very hot or humid. Keep your pet at a comfortable room temperature, which would be below about 80.

Check On Grooming

Short-haired Guinea pigs don’t need much as far as grooming, but long-haired ones do need to be brushed and bathed. Read up on the specific type of cavy you have, and ask your vet for recommendations.

Love

Make sure your pint-sized pal feels loved and safe. It may take the little guy a while to warm up to you, but that’s okay. Talk to your Guinea pig, offer toys and (safe) yummy treats, and take time to play with them. One thing that is unique about Guinea pigs is the fact that they are quite affectionate. Some even enjoy snoozing on their humans’ laps!

Do you have questions about Guinea pig care? Contact us, your Burlington, ON pet hospital, today!