caring for guinea pigs
Housing
Ideal housing for guinea pigs are hutches approximately 0.9 sq metre per adult guinea pig, although they need plenty of exercise outside their hutch. Hutches and runs should ideally be placed out of the sun and sheltered from the rain and ideally hutches should be raised off the ground. In the winter, the hutch will have to be moved into a garage or outhouse.
Bedding
Straw or wood shavings are ideal for guinea pigs in outdoor hutches and wet bedding should be removed on a daily basis. Hutches should be completely stripped out and scrubbed, ideally once a week during the summer and more regularly during the winter when guinea pigs spend more time inside. In the winter it’s also advisable to put plenty of hay in the hutch for your guinea pig to burrow in.
Nutrition
Guinea pigs need fibre rich diets, such as hay or grass, to help digest food and maintain healthy teeth. Hay and grass should be supplemented with a complete food for guinea pigs, which is different to the food given to rabbits as guinea pigs can’t produce their own Vitamin C and they also require high levels of Vitamin A. Guinea pigs can also be given fresh vegetables, in moderation. Water must be accessible at all times and bottles are often easier to keep clean.
Dental
Dental problems are a major health issue for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs need to eat fibre to wear down their continuously growing teeth. If teeth don’t get worn down enough this can cause drooling and lack of appetite. Your vet will be able to advise you on your pet’s teeth.
Claw clipping
It’s advisable to clip the claws approximately once a month, however the more a guinea pig walks or runs on a hard surface the less frequently they will need clipping as they will wear down themselves. Guinea pigs that spend a lot of time in their hutch or on grass will need their claws clipping more frequently.
Ideal housing for guinea pigs are hutches approximately 0.9 sq metre per adult guinea pig, although they need plenty of exercise outside their hutch. Hutches and runs should ideally be placed out of the sun and sheltered from the rain and ideally hutches should be raised off the ground. In the winter, the hutch will have to be moved into a garage or outhouse.
Bedding
Straw or wood shavings are ideal for guinea pigs in outdoor hutches and wet bedding should be removed on a daily basis. Hutches should be completely stripped out and scrubbed, ideally once a week during the summer and more regularly during the winter when guinea pigs spend more time inside. In the winter it’s also advisable to put plenty of hay in the hutch for your guinea pig to burrow in.
Nutrition
Guinea pigs need fibre rich diets, such as hay or grass, to help digest food and maintain healthy teeth. Hay and grass should be supplemented with a complete food for guinea pigs, which is different to the food given to rabbits as guinea pigs can’t produce their own Vitamin C and they also require high levels of Vitamin A. Guinea pigs can also be given fresh vegetables, in moderation. Water must be accessible at all times and bottles are often easier to keep clean.
Dental
Dental problems are a major health issue for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs need to eat fibre to wear down their continuously growing teeth. If teeth don’t get worn down enough this can cause drooling and lack of appetite. Your vet will be able to advise you on your pet’s teeth.
Claw clipping
It’s advisable to clip the claws approximately once a month, however the more a guinea pig walks or runs on a hard surface the less frequently they will need clipping as they will wear down themselves. Guinea pigs that spend a lot of time in their hutch or on grass will need their claws clipping more frequently.