by Alexandra Logsdon

Before you take any pets into your life it is important to learn about their proper care and special needs. Not every pet is suitable for every person, and because it is only fair to consider their needs and whether or not we can properly provide for them , we ask that you please consider the following information before making the decision to adopt a Guinea Pig.

• Guinea pigs, also called cavies (cave-ies), make wonderful pets for the whole family. They are easy for an adult to care for (or an older child with adult supervision) and with proper diet, exercise and care generally live to be 7-8 years old.
• Guinea pigs must live inside the home where they are safe from predators, extremes of weather and loneliness.
• Piggys are very social and at least one same-sex or spayed or neutered pal is recommended
• Guinea pigs need lots of exercise, so a large cage, appropriate pen or tub/pool is recommended. Small cages, wire flooring and aquariums are all unhealthy and inappropriate.
• Not all vets are trained or experienced in the care of guinea pigs, considered “exotics” in the vet world, and it is important to locate an experienced guinea pig before an emergency occurs.
• Most guinea pigs love being petted once they are on your lap, but can be uncomfortable being lifted or carried. Learning how to appropriately pick up and carry your pig(s) from a vet, vet tech or rescuer is very useful. Children must be supervised when holding a guinea pig and taught not to hold it too tightly or allow it to fall or jump. Pigs are easily injured and may nip when frightened or injured.

Housing

Guinea pigs can be very active and need large, roomy enclosures to keep them healthy and happy. Small cages, wire flooring and aquariums are all inappropriate. Small cages are too confining, wire flooring can injure delicate toes that were not ‘made’ for such footing and aquariums are badly ventilated which can lead to a number of chronic respiratory and eye infections.

While you can go to a pet store and purchase a large cage with solid flooring, there are other cheaper and easier ways to make your piggie a wonderful enclosure. Some people keep their piggies in large hard plastic children’s pools, which gives them lots of play space. The pool can be divided into parts using shallow plywood partitions, so one part can be full of piggie-safe litter and the other covered with a rug, with a solid/covered ramp enabling pigs to get back and forth. Ramps to climb, boxes and tunnels to hide in and run through (or climb upon) are all fun additions for the enclosure. Many people make their own enclosures from “Neat Ideas Cubes” and “Coroplast”. These are easy to make, can be designed however your architectural senses see fit, and they are generally less expensive (and easier to clean) than smaller store-bought cages. A water bottle and pellet crock should also be provided. Water should be changed daily and the bottle should be checked for proper flow each time it is re-filled.

Toys and Exercise

Guinea pigs are very curious and most have a rather silly sense of humor. It is important to find toys that they like (houses, ramps and tunnels included).

Chew toys are fun and they are also necessary for your guinea pig’s dental health. It is important to provide safe things to chew upon, fruit tree branches, hay blocks or cubes.  teeth) and various safe twigs and chew wreaths to chew (back teeth).

Hay, the most important ingredient in a healthy pig’s diet, is also a terrific way to keep your pig’s teeth in good condition, which brings us to our next topic, diet.

Diet

Guinea pigs must have adequate Vitamin C in their diet every day or they can develop a disease called scurvy. Signs of vitamin C deficiency may include swollen joints, bleeding from the gums, painful “scrunched up” posturing (which can indicate joint or muscle problems). Vitamin C deficiency can be fatal. A good diet including plenty of vitamin C containing veggies every day is the best way to avoid this.

Grass hays such as timothy, orchard and oat mixes are the most important item in your guinea pigs diet (piggy's under 6 months of age and pregnant sows may have alfalfa hay). Your pig's) should have access to fresh, varied grass hays 24 hours a day. The fiber and nutrition provided by grass hays is key to good health.

Pellets are another part of the healthy guinea pig diet. Look for plain pellets containing vitamin C (no seeds, nuts or colored treats). The bag should be date stamped to ensure freshness and Vitamin C potency. Young pigs (under a year old) may be offered an unlimited amount of pellets, but once they turn a year old and the nutritional needs are no longer that of a growing baby, the pellets should be tapered down to about 1 or 2 tablespoons per day. Oxbow Hay Company offers a guinea pig pellet that is high fiber and nutritionally balanced. Not all pet stores sell Oxbows products, but many local exotics vets do, or you can order on-line (www.oxbowhay.com ) and also check out their list of local retailers.

**It is important to note that your average pet store is not always the best place to buy pellets and hay. Many pet stores do not carry the proper type of pellets for pigs or rabbits, and their pellets and hay have often been in storage or on shelves for a while and they can tend to be a bit stale. Good places to buy hay and pellets: local rescues often sell fresh hays in good sized quantities at good prices to help fund their rescues; local feed stores carry (grass) hays and may be willing to sell partial bales at good prices. Pellets can be purchased on-line at OxBow.com, from some rescues, and often your own exotics vet will carry them.

Veggies & Fruit

Offer your pig a cupful of mixed fresh vegetables and a small amount of fruit every day. It is important to incorporate veggies with a high Vitamin C content, such as parsley, kale (occasionally), romaine lettuce, bell peppers and dandelion greens. Nutritional supplements are not necessary if a good, varied diet is provided.

NOTE: Guinea pigs are herbivores (vegetarians). You should never give them any products containing milk, such as yogurt drops, nor should you give them any sorts of seeds or cereals.

Guinea Pig Proofing - Making Your Home Safe for Your Pig

Guinea Pigs enjoy out-of-enclosure play time, but they are small and they can move fast and get into things, so when safety proofing your home several things must be taken into consideration:

• Electrical cords (within pig reach) must be covered. Plastic tubing can be slit lengthwise and the cords stuck inside, or you can purchase commercial cord protectors.
• Piggy's are small and can squeeze into all sorts of dangerous places (behind the oven or fridge, behind the wall unit…): Plexiglas and plywood barricades can help keep them out, and for some ground level areas bricks can be used. Keep in mind that some pigs are very adventurous and clever and may climb or hop on top of things.
• Make sure your pig does not have access to poisonous plants and that he cannot get into any cupboards.

Handling and spending time with your guinea pig will help assure that he is friendly and easy to handle and catch. When first letting your pig out for playtime it is a good idea to do so in a small enclosed place, maybe a bathroom (be sure the toilet is closed). Once you are sure that you can catch him, begin allowing him out into whatever safety proofed rooms you have chosen. His first trips out should be brief and frequent. This will allow you to discover what mischief he tends to get into so that you can safety proof (or remove) further and will help him realize that he can go back to his own cage for food, water, rest and bathroom breaks.

Be sure that all doors and windows to the outside are properly closed and latched. It is very likely that if your guinea pig got loose outside that you would never catch him!

Vet Care

Not all vets are trained to care for guinea pigs, which are considered “exotics” in the vet world. It is best to locate a good, qualified guinea pig vet before you get your guinea pig, then make an appointment for a “well piggy” exam within the first week or two, so you can begin to establish a working relationship with your vet. It is also helpful a useful guideline for your vet to know how your pet is when healthy, for comparative reasons. It is good to do this early on in your new pet ownership, so if there is ever an emergency, your vet will be familiar with your pet and better able to treat him or her.

Guinea pigs (all animals) should see a vet at least once a year for a check-up, and then as-needed for special concerns and emergencies.