If you happen to’re interested by adopting a guinea pig, right here’s what you could learn about guinea pig diet, housing and extra!
Cautious consideration earlier than adopting, together with analysis and planning, plus loads of love, endurance and a way of humour, will foster a powerful and loving relationship that can make it easier to uncover the enjoyment of guinea pigs, and make you mates for all times!
Diet
A whole every day guinea pig eating regimen consists of an infinite provide of Timothy hay, loads of recent greens, a small quantity of guinea pig pellets enriched with vitamin C, and a small portion of fruit. Guinea pigs develop particular person meals preferences, however some widespread favourites embrace:
- Snap peas
- Apple
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Cucumber
- Romaine lettuce
- Broccoli
- Grapes
Contemporary water ought to at all times be accessible and is greatest offered in a sipper bottle on the aspect of their enclosure.
Well being
Along with good diet, guinea pigs profit significantly from supervised train exterior of their major enclosure. This house needs to be in a secure, well-secured room with no entry to cords, wires, stairs or open vents. Present your pet with toys to play with and a particular place to cover.
The tooth of guinea pigs continually develop, which signifies that chewing objects are important for his or her dental well being. Hay, agency greens and non-toxic wooden chews are nice additions to their enclosures for this goal.
Males might be neutered by veterinarians who’re very acquainted with guinea pig surgical procedure. By neutering males, they are often paired with females whereas stopping undesirable pregnancies. Different pairings that work effectively are females collectively and males who have been raised collectively.
Dealing with
Permit your guinea pig to smell your hand and use his or her favorite meals to realize their belief. As soon as they’re comfy, choose them up gently and slowly. Gently place one hand behind their entrance legs, cupping their chest, whereas utilizing the opposite hand to help their hind finish and again ft always. Guinea pigs are most comfy when horizontal and near your physique or in your lap.
Leaping down may cause critical damage to guinea pigs, so dealing with them whereas sitting on the ground is most secure. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be picked up or carried by younger kids, as they’ll simply free themselves from a baby’s grasp.
Grooming
Manicure needs to be achieved month-to-month and might be simply demonstrated by a veterinarian or an RVT. Each lengthy and short-haired guinea pigs may also want common brushing, with a smooth child brush.
Housing
Cages needs to be as giant as you’ll be able to accommodate. The minimal measurement for a cage for one or two guinea pigs is 7.5 sq. ft, however the bigger you’ll be able to accommodate the higher. One of the best location to your guinea pig’s enclosure is in a shared a part of your own home the place your guinea pig might be a part of the household and monitored carefully, out of direct daylight, off the ground shielded from different household pets.
Enclosures ought to have strong bottoms to forestall foot accidents and be lined with shredded newspaper, grass hay, aspen or hardwood shavings. Take away dirty shavings every day and provides the enclosure a radical cleansing every week.
As guinea pigs are startled simply, a hiding place have to be offered. They need to have entry to a hiding place always, for after they want some quiet time. To advertise the well being of your guinea pig, objects akin to toys, hammocks and platforms with ramps needs to be added to their enclosure. The listing of toys is countless, however some very inexpensive objects embrace:
- Paper luggage filled with hay
- Ping pong balls
- Paper towel rolls (lower lengthwise)
- Shoeboxes
Behaviour
Guinea pigs are very social animals and are happiest after they have one other guinea pig companion, and a focus from their human members of the family. Even well-socialized guinea pigs might nip if startled, which is why it’s beneficial that they be dealt with by adults and older kids.
Guinea pigs have good color imaginative and prescient and nice listening to, enabling them to study to reply to particular sounds. With some endurance and persistence, they’ll even be skilled to make use of litter packing containers!
Issues to keep away from
Keep away from the next potential hazards to supply your pet guinea pig with a secure atmosphere:
- Sawdust, cedar, pine and corn-cob bedding may cause sickness and toxicity
- Train balls and operating wheels that aren’t designed for guinea pigs can lead to critical accidents
- Entry to handled or painted wooden
- Unsupervised time with younger kids, outdoor or free-roaming in the home
- Toxic meals akin to rhubarb, chocolate, potato, seeds and nuts
- Putting the cage in fixed direct daylight, a storage or a laundry room
- Offering grass, clover or dandelions from a yard handled with pesticides or fertilizers
Undertake
Guinea pigs stay, on common, 4 to eight years so make sure you’re prepared for the dedication earlier than adopting. Some guinea pigs might stay so long as 10 years!
If you happen to’re thinking about adopting a guinea pig, maintain your eye on the Ontario SPCA adoption web site to observe for guinea pigs on the lookout for a loving house.
