Guinea pigs are great companions and the more you interact with them, the more interactive they will be with you. We’ve provided a few overall tips to help adjust to your new pet.
Cages – The more space a guinea pig has the better off they are and the happier they will be. Store-bought cages marketed for guinea pigs are traditionally too small once you get their goodies (hidey house, food dish, etc.) inside. With a large cage, you’ll also be happier because you won’t have to change the bedding as often. :) A great option is a Cubes & Coroplast cage, which can be bought or made at home. They can be customized and are not too difficult to create or keep clean. Google “Cubes and Coroplast cage” to see examples, or visit www.guineapigcages.com. If you can’t have a large cage, providing daily “floor time” is a great alternative. Just remember piggies should always be supervised during floor time and not left alone (especially in the presence of children and/or other pets).
Bedding – Recycled paper bedding is a great option, because it has less dust than wood-shavings. There are many kinds (Carefresh, Kaytee, etc.). If you prefer wood-shavings, avoid cedar and pine as they cause respiratory and kidney issues (scented bedding can, too). Aspen is the only safe option for bedding made from wood! A layer of newspaper underneath the bedding allows for easier cleanup, and will avoid urine buildup. As an alternative to traditional bedding, fleece is often used because it can be washed and reused. There are many resources that give tips for using fleece online.
Food – Adult Guinea Pigs (6 months +) need raw Timothy Hay and pellets made from Timothy Hay, both of which can be purchased in most pet supply stores (Petco and PetSmart). Always look for pellets with no added color or with dried fruit, nuts or seeds. It’s not healthy for piggies, because of high sugar and fat content. Oxbow, Mazuri and Kaytee make a good, simple, timothy-hay based pellet, as well as timothy hay. The hay is important because it keeps their teeth from overgrowing, and loose hay (not cubes) should be used. Young Guinea Pigs (birth-6 months) need Alfalfa-based pellets and hay, because it has calcium that is good for growing piggies (but it’s too much for adults). Oxbow has a Young Guinea Pig pellet.
In addition to hay and pellets, guinea pigs can have many different kinds of veggies and fruits for snacks, including apples, carrots, leaf lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, oranges, strawberry tops, tomatoes and much more. Celery, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes and a few other things should be avoided. The website, http://www.guinealynx.info/, has a great overview of acceptable fruits and veggies (in addition to other health and care advice for piggy parents).
Vitamin C – Guinea pigs need to be given Vitamin C to maintain their health. They should have between 10 – 30 mg per day. One of the best ways to give it to them is to buy the adult (not children’s), chewable tablets (the less sugar the better) and break them down into smaller portions (size depends on overall mg of the tablet), giving them approximately the dosage they need. Avoid Vitamin C drops that go in the water because there is no way to ensure they get an adequate amount and changes the flavor of the water, causing them to drink less. The drops also cause a slimy buildup in their water bottle. Oxbow also sells a Vitamin C tablet for small animals
General Care – With proper diet and cage cleaning, the likelihood of illness is decreased. They will need the occasional nail trim (every 1-2 months), but there are many resources online for tips on how to do this. You can even do it with human nail clippers. Cornstarch can be used to stop the bleeding if you get too close. Male guinea pigs may require some routine cleaning of their genital area as they age. There are resources online to guide you. If you’re ever concerned about the health of your pet, visit http://www.guinealynx.info/ and plan to visit your vet!
Outside Time – Guinea pigs can go outside for short periods of time, BUT should not be left unsupervised! Also ensure your grass IS NOT treated with pesticides because they WILL eat it. Consider a covered play area (perhaps the top of your cage) so predators from the sky don’t make them a snack.
Introductions – Guinea pigs thrive socially and prefer to have a companion. If you plan to add another pig to the mix, please remember Safe Haven guinea pigs (and most others) are NOT fixed and are capable of reproducing. The contract you sign states you will not place opposite sex guinea pigs together. There are far too many unwanted guinea pigs to bring more into the world. Feel free to place females with other females and males with other males. Before introducing two guinea pigs it is wise to wait for a quarantine period (2 weeks) to ensure neither is sick. When you start introductions, begin with small, 15-20 minute sessions outside of a cage in a neutral space (perhaps on the floor or outside). Gradually increase their time together until you are confident they’ll get along and avoid leaving them alone until you’re certain they’re friendly to one another. For more tips on introductions, visit: http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm.