Pet Haven

Guinea Pigs are small, fury and cute. They are one of the most harmless of pets, and as a result are often kept and given to children as presents. They make good starter pets for kids too, as they are low maintenance, and they can do next to no damage to the kids. However, having said all of this it is important to understand that when buying a Guinea pig, you have the same level of responsibility towards it as you would were you buying a cat, dog or even a horse.
Guinea pigs require care and attention, and taking one on is a commitment. They can live anything from four to seven years, and once you have the animal you must look after it for the period of its life. That means that if you have bought it for your kids, they will have grown up before your pet passes on from this world. It is a good exercise in teaching your children responsibility too, as their continued care of the creature as they grow up will give them a sense of what their due attention can mean to another living being.

Be prepared to cover the costs of the animal is important. Guinea pigs aren’t the most expensive animal you can keep, in fact the running costs are very low, but they are there. If you can’t afford the food, a proper home and the pet insurance then you should think twice before taking one on. They can be kept indoors or outdoors, so again think about where you are going to keep your animal before buying or building its home.

Most of all, make sure that you really want a Guinea Pig before buying one. You are going to have to look after this animal for years, so please don’t get one if you think that six months later you are going to end up ignoring it, and the animal will end up in a state of neglect.

Guinea Pig Personality

Guinea pigs are very social animals that love to be petted and handled. Happy guinea pigs gurgle and grunt loudly with pleasure and jump and buck like a little colt.

Guinea love routine and should be fed and handled at the same time each day.

Guinea Pig Cages

Each guinea pig requires a minimum of 2 square feet. Guinea pigs should never be housed in cages with wire bottoms, as they easily break legs after getting their feet trapped in the wire mesh. Cages should be lined with appropriate guinea pig approved bedding materials, such as aspen shavings, corn cob bedding, straw, Timothy hay or commercial alternatives.

Feeding your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are vegetarians that will require many types of fruits, vegetables and greens. The main food of the guinea pig is hay, which should be fed to your pet several times daily. “Timothy” hay is the most nutritious choice for this animal, but any type of hay grass can be fed.

Specially formulated pellets, which give your pet a proper balance of vitamins and minerals, should also be given each day. Grass, dandelion greens, and fruits and vegetables are yummy treats. Guinea pigs should never be fed iceberg lettuce, raw beans, rhubarb or dairy products.

Guinea pigs should also be provided with fresh water daily. Water should be administered through a water bottle, which easily attaches to the side of the cage.

Guinea pigs living environment temperatures should be maintained at a consistent 65-degrees. This animal is incapable of tolerating temperatures which fluctuate to the extreme. There should never be a draft to your pig’s cage.

Guinea pigs nails should be clipped regularly. This can be done at home with special clippers or in any veterinarian’s office.

Your new pet should be groomed weekly. Guinea pigs happily sit through brushings. Hard, stiff brushes work well to condition your animal’s hair and free it from dirt and debris.