Guinea Pig Care Tips

Have you considered adopting a Guinea pig? These adorable tiny critters are more popular than most people believe. In fact, Guinea pigs—also known as cavies—are the third most popular pet in many countries. That’s not unexpected given all of these guys’ nice qualities. They’re cute, clean, fun, friendly, and relatively easy to care for. A local Burlington, ON veterinarian provides some advice on cavey care below.

Is a Guinea Pig Difficult To Care For?

Guinea pigs are very easy to care for, although they do need some TLC. While you will not need to walk or train your pet, you must offer fresh food and water every day. Waste and uneaten food must also be removed on a daily basis, but this should take little time. You’ll also need to keep an eye out for any signs of disease or injury.

Your vet can give you specific information about caring for your tiny buddy.

What Type of Habitat Do Guinea Pigs Require?

Because your cavy will spend so much time in his cage, ensuring that it is clean and comfortable is critical. Buying the cage and setting it up should only happen once, so it’s important to get it right.

Here are some suggestions for that:

• Size: The number of cavies you have determines their size. For starters, you’ll need a cage that’s at least 7.5 square feet. Of course, bigger is usually better. If you have additional cavies, they will require more cage area.
• Material: Material is also important. Avoid cages with wire or mesh floors. These will not hold substrate and may even cause paw and tail damage.
• Substrate: We recommend using aspen or paper-based materials. You can also choose a fleece blanket. Do not utilize substrates composed of pine, cedar, or other hard woods. Because of the oils, they can cause respiratory problems in tiny pets and should be considered toxic.
• Accessories: No home is complete without furniture. You’ll want to start by getting your pets a decent hide. Guinea pigs, like everyone else, need a peaceful area to retreat when they seek peace and quiet. A beautiful box, a little igloo, or a pet tent are all excellent choices. 

Your tiny furball will also require a water bottle, bowls, and toys. A litterbox is optional but could be quite useful.

Ask your veterinarian for particular advice on how to care for your new pets.

What Do Guinea Pigs Eat?

Guinea pig diets are simple, but you must understand the do’s and don’ts. Let us start with the basics.

Grass hay: Hay, such as Timothy hay, is essential for your pet’s oral health and digestion. To avoid mold, store the hay in a clean, dry place. Your tiny pal should always have an unlimited supply.

Pellets: Cavies can also eat pellets for their main feed. In general, you should offer breakfast and dinner. Ask your veterinarian for precise recommendations on portion sizes and serving times.

Produce: You will need to supplement your furry friend’s diet with fresh, safe fruits and vegetables. This is when things may become a little complicated. Not everything is safe for cavies, and some things are only safe on rare occasions.

Here are a few safe choices:

Vegetables

• Dandelion Leaves
• Chickweed
• Cucumber
• Peas & Peppers
• Green peppers
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Lettuce

Fruits

• Apples
• Pineapples
• Melons
• Pears
• Peaches
• Plums
• Mandarins
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Strawberries

Certain things are only safe once in a while. Too much broccoli, for example, can cause your pet to get gassy.

Here are a few things that should only be available once in a while:

• Bananas
• Beet Greens
• Cherries
• Eggplant
• Mandarin 
• Kumquat
• Peppermint
• Pumpkin
• Sweet Potato
• Tomato
• Kiwi 
• Radishes
• Spinach 

Always remove any seeds, pips, or thick rinds from fruits and vegetables. Additionally, you should properly wash or rinse the vegetables. Never give your pet anything without first researching it to ensure its safety. Ask your veterinarian for particular guidance.

Herbs

Guinea pigs can also eat fresh herbs. Just be sure to select organic options whenever feasible. Also, make sure to fully wash them.

• Cilantro Dill
• Basil
• Lemon Balm
• Thyme
• Parsley

What Foods Should I Avoid Giving To My Guinea Pig?

It’s also crucial to understand what’s not safe. Some may simply produce a minor stomach upset, while others can have catastrophic consequences! Avoid offering chocolate, caffeine, potato and tomato plant leaves, garlic, onion, scallions, alcohol, and fried or sugary foods. Always be cautious. As the saying goes, “If in doubt, leave it out.”

Do Guinea Pigs Need Vitamin C?

One thing you should know about Guinea pig diets is that they must have Vitamin C. Otherwise, they may suffer scurvy or other ailments. Your veterinarian may recommend a supplement or giving your pet chewable tablets. 

You’ll also need to provide lots in your pet’s diet. Romaine lettuce and delicious green or yellow peppers are two excellent sources. It may appear that serving a lot of citrus is the way to go, but you must be careful not to serve too much, since this might be overly acidic. Ask your veterinarian for specific advice, including as portion quantities and foods to avoid.

What Types of Toys Do Guinea Pigs Need?

Guinea pigs have open-rooted teeth that never stop growing. In the wild, they might wear down those choppers on roots and tough plants. Pets eat softer foods, so provide plenty of chew toys for them to gnaw on.

The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to buy your pint-sized pet toys. A wide range of typical home things will suffice! Many paper, cardboard, and wicker products make excellent Guinea pig toys. 

You can also provide some simple wooden items, such as children’s blocks. There are practically no limits to the adorable ideas you may find online. There are some ‘cavy-eats’ here, though. Use only woods that you know are safe, such as apple or blackberry wood. You may need to conduct some research on this, as many trees and flora are poisonous to pets. Even those that are normally safe can turn dangerous if they have been treated with pesticides or other poisons. Finally, make sure to wash and sanitize the branch before handing it out. Otherwise, you may unwittingly expose your pet to infection or disease.

Simply put your pet’s safety first. Avoid anything little or sharp. Items with dangling ropes or cords are likewise harmful.

Consult your veterinarian for more information on safe and unsafe toys.

What Are Your Other Entertainment Options?

Chew toys are not the only option in town. Cavies enjoy interacting with their humans and can learn some adorable tricks! Mazes are popular among tiny animals, and are simple to construct out of cardboard boxes, PVC pipe, or paper mache. Just make sure to utilize only safe materials.

Should I Cover The Guinea Pig Cage At Night?

This is not just unneeded; it may even cause problems. That cage cover will impede air flow, leaving your pet’s cage humid and stagnant. This can cause breathing troubles and possibly breeding problems. Only cover one if your veterinarian suggests it.

Keeping Guinea Pigs Happy.

Last but not least, we want to help you earn some wheeks, which are adorable Guinea pig noises. One thing that will make your pet happy? A housemate. These guys get extremely lonely when they’re alone. In fact, they are so sociable that having just one is forbidden in Sweden. We recommend buying at least two.

Book An Appointment At Our Pet Hospital!

Do you have any queries about Guinea Pig care? Please contact us today. We are pleased to meet all of your pet’s veterinary care needs.