How to Care for a Pet Guinea Pig
Like 5 Dislike 0 Published on 19 Aug 2010
Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLALQuK1NDrg7dCdyZSIxqrXQtbCzLYCx
-
-
Cool Top Rated Products for any Small Pet Owner:
Super Pet CritterTrail Extreme Challenge Habitat: http://amzn.to/1LLtA3C
WARE Small Willow Barbell Chew Toy: http://amzn.to/1JNJRBj
United Pet Group Salt Wheel Pet Treat: http://amzn.to/1KrY913
Lixit Assorted Critter Brites Deluxe Water Bottle: http://amzn.to/1EBD5mv
Watch more How to Care for Small Pets videos: http://www.howcast.com/videos/130206-How-to-Care-for-a-Pet-Guinea-Pig
Guinea pigs often squeak with joy when their owners enter a room. How can you resist such welcoming pets?
Step 1: Do research
Before you actually bring your guinea pig home, do a little research online and in magazines and books. Guinea pigs need more care and attention than you might expect.
Step 2: Get company
Guinea pigs are social animals—they’d much rather live with another guinea pig or two than by themselves. If you want your little squeaker to be the happiest, get her a friend.
Step 3: Consider roommates
Female guinea pigs can usually live comfortably together. Male guinea pigs should be from the same litter to reduce grumpiness and fighting. And since guinea pig neutering isn’t widely available, don’t keep males and females in the same pen.
Step 4: Give them room
Guinea pigs need plenty of space to run around. One guinea pig needs at least four square feet of space—but the roomier, the better.
Step 5: Line the cage
Guinea pigs’ feet are delicate. Don’t keep them in wire-bottomed cages. Instead, use cages with solid bottoms, and line the cage or pen with newspaper topped with plenty of hay, shredded paper, or recycled pellet-type bedding.
Tip
A hard-sided children’s wading pool makes a good guinea pig pen.
Step 6: Provide lots of hay
A guinea pig’s main food source should be fresh, high-quality timothy hay. Feed your piggies as much hay as they’ll eat—they need the fiber, and munching on hay is the best way to keep their teeth from growing too long.
Step 7: Give them vitamin C
Guinea pigs depend on their owners to provide them with vitamin C. Commercial guinea pig pellets contain the necessary amount of C. Generally, one adult guinea pig needs a ¼ cup of pellets per day. Use fresh pellets, as vitamin C breaks down, and don’t substitute rabbit pellets, which aren’t the same thing.
Tip
Many guinea pigs think Vitamin C tablets are a treat. Give your piggies a quarter of a tablet once a week, or sprinkle a crushed tablet over their food.
Step 8: Give them greens
Guinea pigs should also have a handful of varied greens and vegetables each day. Provide those high in vitamin C like kale, dandelion greens, and strips of red pepper.
Step 9: Give them water
Guinea pigs drink tons of water. Make sure yours have clean, fresh water available at all times.
Step 10: Provide hiding places
Guinea pigs love having hiding places to play and sleep in. Try empty coffee cans, shoeboxes with holes cut in them, and overturned flowerpots. While guinea pigs like to play, they’re not particularly nimble—offer them balls and low ramps for exercise.
Step 11: Let them run free
Give your guinea pigs plenty of 'floor time' each day. Let them run around in a space that’s free of wires and other dangers—you don’t want them nibbling on your computer cords!
Step 12: Groom your piggies
Many guinea pigs love to be brushed. Longhaired guinea pigs should be brushed every day.
Step 13: Watch their health
Call a small-animal veterinarian if your guinea pigs are sneezing or coughing, have diarrhea, or seem lethargic. A happy, healthy guinea pig can live for up to 10 years, so with good care your little friend will be around for a nice long time.
Did You Know?
Excited guinea pigs sometimes jump up and down—a behavior called 'popcorning.'