GUINEA PIGS
CARING FOR YOUR GUINEA PIG
Guinea pigs have been kept in captivity for hundreds of years, originating from the forests and grasslands of South America where their wild relatives still roam. Their scientific name is ‘Cavia Asperea’ so they are also known as Cavies. There are quite a few different breeds of guinea pigs with their coat and colour defining the difference between the breeds. They come in Standard Shorthair, Abyssinian, Crested, Sheltie, Peruvian, Texel and Rex to name a few. A female guinea pig is called a ‘sow’ and a male guinea pig is called a ‘boar’, with their average lifespan being between 5-8 years. Guinea pigs are a relatively low cost and low maintenance pet who prefer to be housed with at least one or two other guinea pig friends. Guinea Pigs are an ideal pet for kids.
HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT
While guinea pigs aren’t exactly active little creatures, they still need to be provided with a decent sized hutch where they can stretch out lazily for a snooze and are able to have an igloo or two to hide in. Your hutch can be indoor or outdoor, made of wood, metal or plastic, and should be at least 3 feet long for two or three piglets, and longer for more. Straw is the best bedding for wire-based hutches and wood shavings are good if the hutch has a solid base. The hutch needs to be sturdy to protect your guinea pig from dogs, cats and other potential predators. The more you handle your guinea pigs, the quicker they settle and the friendlier they become. Your hutch should be cleaned out at least once a week, depending on how many guinea pigs are housed together. Remove all bedding, clean with hutch cleaner, scrub igloos and bowls and then replace with fresh bedding, clean igloos, a clean food bowl and fresh water.
DIET
Your guinea pigs should have access to a bowl of specially formulated Guinea Pig mix, as they are grazers and tend to eat on and off all day long. This should be offered in a ceramic bowl, so it is not easy to tip over. Guinea pigs also need access to fresh Oaten Hay or Timothy Hay as this takes up 80% of their diet. Guinea pigs do not make or store their own Vitamin C so it is essential that they be given to them in the form of fruit, vegetables or supplements each day. Some of their favourite fruit and vegetables are Apples, Bananas, Berries, Carrot, Corn, Spinach, Orange, Kale, Parsley, Capsicum, Bok Choy, Silver beet, Asian Greens and Broccoli. Do not feed lettuce, Celery, Rhubarb, Potato, Garlic or Onions to your Guinea Pigs. A handful of vegetables or fruit each day is adequate as this is only 5-10% of their diet. Throw away any uneaten food daily – don’t feed any spoiled or rotten food. Fresh, clean water should always be available and is best offered in a water bottle as it is easy to refill and much more hygienic as your pigs can’t dirty it.
CHEW TOYS & HEALTHCARE
Guinea Pigs need chew toys as their teeth continually grow. It is essential that they gnaw on hard, safe objects in order to keep their teeth at a manageable length. In store we have many wood chews that are safe for your Guinea Pig to chew on, it is best to choose toys which have different textures to ensure the best results. Overgrown teeth can cause serious health problems and need to be assessed by your vet. Guinea Pigs also need an element of salt in their diet so it is important to provide a salt lick stone and mineral chew.
Worming and Flea Prevention- While guinea pigs don’t require any vaccinations, they do need to be wormed every three months with a small animal wormer which can be added to their water. Parasites such as lice, mites and fleas are easily treated with a small animal parasite powder or avian insect sprays.
Grooming If you decide to bath your pigs, be sure to bath them in a shampoo specially formulated for guinea pigs or small animals. Ears should be checked regularly and cleaned as necessary, and nails should be trimmed when needed, being sure not to cut the quick. All breeds of guinea pig can be given a weekly brush if desired but long coated breeds need more regular attention to prevent knots and matting.
Guinea pigs are extremely susceptible to the heat or cooler weather. Make sure their hutch is not in direct sunlight and provide your Guinea Pigs with frozen water bottles to keep them cool in summer and thick bedding for winter nights.