Guinea Pigs

Caring for Guinea Pigs

FACTS

• Life Span: 5-8 years
• Average Weight: 2 lbs.
• Female: Sow
• Male: Boar
• Young: Pups
• Sexual Maturity: Females are able to reproduce at 21 days of age
• Diet: Herbivorous

GUINEA PIGS 101

Guinea pigs make great companions. They are docile, rarely bite and love humans. They make excellent starter pets for older children. Guinea pigs not only love to be around humans, they also prefer to have another pig living with them. Make sure your pigs have a large cage with plenty of room to move around. They should only live indoors, and do well with cool or even cold weather, but should not be subjected to dampness or drafts. Never play with them outdoors in warm or hot weather, as they are extremely heat-sensitive.

The three most common breeds of guinea pig are the Smooth-Coated, with short, glossy fur; the Abyssinian, whose hair grows in fluffy tufts all over the body; and the Peruvian, with long, silky hair that flows to the ground.

ENVIRONMENT

Guinea pigs prefer to live in small groups. Females get along best with each other. Since guinea pigs, like all rodents, multiply rapidly, keeping males and females together is not recommended.

The cage should be at least four square feet per guinea pig. A solid-bottom cage or a plastic-bottom “tub cage” work best. Line the bottom of the cage with animal-safe CareFRESH bedding. Do not use cedar or pine chips. Aromatic oils in pine and cedar bedding have been shown to have adverse health effects on small pets. Also, soft CareFRESH bedding is more comfortable for guinea pigs, which have sensitive feet.

Place lots of exercise playthings in the cage, such as cardboard tubes, empty coffee cans with smoothed edges, plastic pipes, bricks and rocks. Guinea pigs need an enclosed sleeping area. You can buy a covered sleeping box at a pet supply store, but a medium-sized flowerpot will work just as well.

DIET

Guinea pigs should have access to Timothy or other grass hay at all times – it is great for their digestive system and it satisfies their need to gnaw. They should also have about two tablespoons of Timothy hay pellets made specifically for guinea pigs each day. The diet should contain a stabilized form of Vitamin C, which is crucial to your guinea pig’s health. Guinea pigs cannot manufacture this vitamin on their own like most other mammals, so make sure you include 25mg of Vitamin C in tablet form in their diets every day. Try healthy treats like carrots and bits of orange, apples, pears, kale and dandelion greens. Give sweet treats only on occasion because they contain natural sugars that can cause diarrhea. Provide fresh water through an inverted bottle with a drinking tube and change the water every day.

CARE & HANDLING

Remove soiled bedding, droppings and stale food from the cage daily. Clean the cage completely once a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing the bottom of the cage with warm water.

Even though guinea pigs are very social animals, it might take a little time for them to get used to being handled. Start by feeding them small treats. When they’re more comfortable with you, carefully pick up one pig at a time, with one hand supporting the bottom and the other over the back.

Brushing your pig on a regular basis will help keep his coat clean and tangle free and remove any loose hairs.

Guinea pigs love to get out of the cage and exercise, so let them roam in a small room with no openings. Keep an eye on your pets so they don’t gnaw on furniture or electrical wires.

HEALTH & VETERINARY CARE

If you think your guinea pig is sick, don’t delay – seek medical attention immediately. Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, diarrhea and lethargy. Guinea pigs are also susceptible to external parasites such as mites and lice. Take your guinea to the vet for a new pet exam, and every six months for wellness exams.