Unlike some other animals, guinea pigs need floor space, not vertical space. Since they cannot use running wheels, they need ample room to move around and exercise in order to stay healthy. A cage that is too small for a guinea pig (under 7. 5 square feet) can cause the animal to become bored and depressed. Imagine if you had to spend your entire life living in a closet with little room for activity and stimulation. Guinea pig cages that are too small have also been linked to the development of certain medical conditions. They are more likely to get pododermatitis (the equivalent of bed sores, but on their hocks) as a result of sitting still on soiled bedding. Larger cages are also better if you have more than one guinea pig so that each pet can have its own personal space. Larger cages also have benefits for you as well! They’re easier to clean because they enable guinea pigs to separate their “bathroom” space from their other living areas.
1 guinea pig - 7. 5 square feet (0. 75m2) minimum size. More is advised. Aim for a cage that is 30" x 36" (75cm x 100cm) 2 guinea pigs - 7. 5 square feet (0. 75m2) cage (minimum). However, 10. 5 square feet (1m2) is advised. Aim for a cage that is 30" x 60” (75cm x 150cm). 3 guinea pigs - 10. 5 square feet (1m2) cage (minimum). However, 13 square feet (1. 25m2) feet is advised. Look for a cage that is 30" x 76” (75cm x 190cm). 4 guinea pigs - 13 square feet (1. 25m2) cage (minimum). However, more space is advisable and you should look for a cage about 30" x 90” (75cm x 225cm).
Temperature - Make sure to keep your guinea pig cage away from extreme temperatures because the animals don’t like very cold, warm and humid temperatures and can become ill. The ideal temperature for a guinea pig cage is about 65-75℉ (18-24℃). Keep the cage away from drafty spaces like doors and windows and place it on an elevated surface. [4] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Activity - Guinea pigs enjoy being near family activity and benefit from more attention when they’re easy to see and hear. A family room or living room works well, but make sure your pigs have a place to retreat if they need some quiet time. [5] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Noise - Guinea pigs have very sensitive hearing and their cages should not be placed next to stereos, televisions or other loud noises. [6] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
In addition, guinea pigs are social animals and thrive when they are able to interact with humans. Keeping them outdoors limits opportunities for daily socialization.
Change bedding weekly and spot clean daily if it becomes wet or sodden. Guinea pigs prefer clean, dry bedding.
Look for a 32 ounce glass water bottle. You can also purchase a plastic bottle, which is more easily available in most pet stores. Place the bottle so that it hangs off the side of the cage and it easily in reach of your guinea pig. Provide your guinea pig with fresh water every day (even if the bottle hasn’t been drained). Wash the bottle each week when you clean the cage. You might want to use a bottle brush to scrub the bottle in case there are any hard-to-remove particles or substances. You can also use a Q-Tip to clean the nozzle of the water bottle to make sure that the sipper works properly and is not blocked.
Choose a wide and shallow bowl that will allow the guinea pig to put its front feet on the rim of the bowl. This is typically how guinea pigs like to eat. Make sure the food bowl is placed far away from its bathroom area for sanitary reasons. Clean the bowl as needed if your pet kicks bedding or droppings into it.
Hay - Hay is key to your guinea pig’s diet. Hay provides a key source of fiber and serves both serves as food and bedding. It also aids the digestive systems of guinea pigs. Choose fresh bags of timothy hay, although orchard hay is also an option. [15] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Pellets - To make sure that your guinea pig gets all of the nutrients it needs, provide it with a commercial feed specifically for guinea pigs. Give a small amount of extruded pellets (all the nuggets look the same) about a teaspoon a day. Pellets should come second to hay, which they need to chew to keep their teeth from growing out of control. Getting all of their calories from pellets will lead to overgrown teeth, or cause them to become obese. Purchase pellets made from timothy hay, rather than alfalfa hay. These pellets will be fortified with vitamin C, but since it degrades once the package is opened, it’s important to supplement with vegetables high in vitamin C. [16] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Vegetables - Veggies are a key source of vitamin C for guinea pigs and give them additional nutrients. They also help vary your pet’s meal choices and make eating more exciting. Try to choose leafy greens like kale, mustard greens, spinach, and romaine lettuce, because these are high in vitamin C. Other fresh veggie options include bell peppers, brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, peas, and tomatoes, among others. Try experimenting and seeing what your guinea pig likes! Note that some vegetables can cause gas build-up guinea pigs’ digestive system and should be fed only in small quantities and from time to time. These include bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and collard greens. [17] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Fruits - Guinea pigs love fruit! Try to choose fruits high in vitamin C, like cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, and papaya. However, because fruit is high in sugar, provide it only in limited quantities and just a few times per week. Fruit should never amount to more than 10% of your guinea pig’s diet. [18] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Use caution when feeding your guinea pig apples as the acid in apples can sometimes cause allergic reactions (look for sores and scabs around your pig’s mouth).
Be sure to supplement the pellets with produce high in vitamin C. Once the bag of food is opened the vitamin C starts to degrade, so it’s important not to rely solely on formulated food to provide vitamin C. Similarly, make sure to check the milling date of guinea pig pellets. Dispose of any remaining pellets after three months past this date.
Avoid chewy and sticky foods, such as peanut butter, which can cause your guinea pig to choke. Other choking hazards include nuts and seeds. Avoid foods with sharp edges, like crackers or chips, because these can puncture your guinea pig’s mouth. Avoid feeding your guinea pig all processed and junk foods, including chocolate and candy. Commercial treats aren’t needed if you’re feeding your guinea pig the right mix of pellets, hay, and fruits and vegetables. If you want to give your pig a special treat, you could mix some rolled oats into the pellets. [21] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Everyday make sure your remove any uneaten food and provide fresh water. Clean out any food pellets or droppings that aren’t where they should be. Once a week you should replace the dirty bedding and thoroughly clean out the cage. Remove everything inside and scrub the bottom of the cage with warm water. Make sure to dry everything before adding fresh bedding. Clean the cage completely once a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing the bottom of the cage with warm water. Be sure everything’s dry before adding fresh bedding.
Owning more than one guinea pig means that your guinea pig will not become as bored when you are unavailable to socialize with them. Two guinea pigs require the same amount of space as one (7. 5 square feet). Having a companion can make your guinea pigs become more confident and trusting. It is generally easier to handle a guinea pig when they feel safe and more confident.
You can also make homemade toys using items around the house, including paper bags, boxes, toilet rolls, etc. Make sure to only add large toys into the cage. Small toys can be choking hazards if swallowed by your animal. Add a hammock. Another bonus addition to outfit a guinea pig cage is a hammock, which can be found at stores like Petsmart. Though hammocks are mainly for ferrets, they can also be used for guinea pigs. However, be sure to observe your guinea pig once you install the hammock to make sure it is safe.
For example, you could buy a tube/tunnel from a pet store, but for a lot less money, you can make your at home using an empty Quaker Oats container. Be sure to remove the plastic and metal lips from both ends and all labels. To make a little “house” where your pig can hide, use an old, plain (i. e. , no dyes) shoe box. Your pig will love the little house and it’s totally safe for chewing.
Interact with your guinea pig several times every day. It’s important that you handle your guinea pig daily, touching and cuddling him as often as you can. You can also let him out of the cage and let him get additional exercise by running around a small room or other enclosed space; this is also something you should try to incorporate into your pig’s daily routine. Make sure to only let your guinea pig out in rooms that have no small openings through which the guinea pig could escape or become lost. You’ll also need to keep a close eye on your pig because guinea pigs will chew on anything they can, including dangerous items like electrical wires and cords. [24] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Because of their social nature, guinea pigs are happier when living with another guinea pig (or more). So if you want your pig to have even more companionship, consider getting another one!
