Photos courtesy of Stacy Vogel
Basic Guinea Pig Care by Angel Martin
Simple guidelines to ensure that your Guinea Pig stays happy and healthy!
Selecting your Guinea Pig
When purchasing / adopting your Guinea Pig, there are a few things to look out for:
1. There should be no crustiness on the eyes, nose, ears or genitals.
2. No redness or swelling anywhere.
3. No hair loss or flaky red skin.
4. The piggy should be at a good weight (not too fat, not too thin).
5. Eyes should be big and bright.
6. The Guinea Pig should be awake and alert.
7. The feet should not be swollen, flaky or red.
8. All in all, it should look healthy…
Selecting your Guinea Pig
When purchasing / adopting your Guinea Pig, there are a few things to look out for:
1. There should be no crustiness on the eyes, nose, ears or genitals.
2. No redness or swelling anywhere.
3. No hair loss or flaky red skin.
4. The piggy should be at a good weight (not too fat, not too thin).
5. Eyes should be big and bright.
6. The Guinea Pig should be awake and alert.
7. The feet should not be swollen, flaky or red.
8. All in all, it should look healthy…
Your Guinea Pig`s new home
When it comes to homing a Guinea Pig, there are quite a few debates…
These are OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES:
1. Guinea Pigs are social creatures and do need the company of another piggy…So, make sure you get a same sex friend or have one of them neutered /spayed. Do not keep a male and female together as they will breed continually until one is removed.
2. Guinea Pigs love to run, jump and play, so make sure you have a cage at least 1m X 1m for one or two piggies (No more than 2 piggies per metre square).
3. Make sure that each Guinea Pig in the cage has his/her own hiding place…I warm dark place to hide and sleep in.
4. To line cages, it is best to use a more natural bedding like hay. Fleece & towels are ok BUT need to be changed daily as the amonia in their urine does get trapped in the material and can make them very ill. We are currently using wood chips (NOT sawdust) as a thin layer under a thick layer of hay just to absorb the urine and keep the cage dry. Just be mindful of Mite infested hays and beedings.
5. NO sawdust should ever be used as it is bad for their Respiratory systems. Try not to use newspaper or shredded paper as your piggy will chew on and eat it, and it may cause lethal blockages.
6. Guinea Pigs really should be kept indoors as they aren`t able to regulate their own body temperature. However, if given proper warm housing inside their cages, it should be fine to have them outdoors.
7. If your piggy is kept indoors, remember to give him/her lots of outside grass time.
8. Do not use cages with wire bottoms as this will irritate the Guinea Pigs feet and cause a condition known as “Bumble Foot” which is very painful. Wire mesh cages are only considered "OK" if monitored very closely, and thick layers of hay are topped up daily to ensure your Guinea Pig`s feet never touch the wire.
9. Guinea Pigs should have something to chew on as their teeth grow continually throughout their lives. Empty toilet paper rolls, untreated wooden blocks, etc. make wonderful toys.
When it comes to homing a Guinea Pig, there are quite a few debates…
These are OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES:
1. Guinea Pigs are social creatures and do need the company of another piggy…So, make sure you get a same sex friend or have one of them neutered /spayed. Do not keep a male and female together as they will breed continually until one is removed.
2. Guinea Pigs love to run, jump and play, so make sure you have a cage at least 1m X 1m for one or two piggies (No more than 2 piggies per metre square).
3. Make sure that each Guinea Pig in the cage has his/her own hiding place…I warm dark place to hide and sleep in.
4. To line cages, it is best to use a more natural bedding like hay. Fleece & towels are ok BUT need to be changed daily as the amonia in their urine does get trapped in the material and can make them very ill. We are currently using wood chips (NOT sawdust) as a thin layer under a thick layer of hay just to absorb the urine and keep the cage dry. Just be mindful of Mite infested hays and beedings.
5. NO sawdust should ever be used as it is bad for their Respiratory systems. Try not to use newspaper or shredded paper as your piggy will chew on and eat it, and it may cause lethal blockages.
6. Guinea Pigs really should be kept indoors as they aren`t able to regulate their own body temperature. However, if given proper warm housing inside their cages, it should be fine to have them outdoors.
7. If your piggy is kept indoors, remember to give him/her lots of outside grass time.
8. Do not use cages with wire bottoms as this will irritate the Guinea Pigs feet and cause a condition known as “Bumble Foot” which is very painful. Wire mesh cages are only considered "OK" if monitored very closely, and thick layers of hay are topped up daily to ensure your Guinea Pig`s feet never touch the wire.
9. Guinea Pigs should have something to chew on as their teeth grow continually throughout their lives. Empty toilet paper rolls, untreated wooden blocks, etc. make wonderful toys.
What your piggies should be eating
1. 80% of a Guinea Pig`s diet should consist of lush green hay (Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, Mountain Hay, BUT never Lucerne Hay as it is too high in Calcium). Hay should be available 24/7.
2. A proper Guinea Pig specific pellet should be fed in moderation – No Rabbit pellets should be fed unless mixed with a proper Guinea Pig pellet every now and again.
3. Guinea Pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C so it must be added into their diet via the means of fresh veggies (and limited fruit). Veggies such as: Cucumber, Lettuce (excluding Iceberg lettuce), green, yellow & red bell peppers, carrots (limited), spinach, cherry tomato, parsley, celery, etc. are great options.
4. Pet store bought treats should not be fed as they are processed and contain many ingredients that are not suitable for Guinea Pigs (Honey, nuts, seeds etc.).
5. Fresh water should be available 24/7 too.
6. Make sure to not over feed your piggy as they are prone to becoming overweight.
1. 80% of a Guinea Pig`s diet should consist of lush green hay (Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, Mountain Hay, BUT never Lucerne Hay as it is too high in Calcium). Hay should be available 24/7.
2. A proper Guinea Pig specific pellet should be fed in moderation – No Rabbit pellets should be fed unless mixed with a proper Guinea Pig pellet every now and again.
3. Guinea Pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C so it must be added into their diet via the means of fresh veggies (and limited fruit). Veggies such as: Cucumber, Lettuce (excluding Iceberg lettuce), green, yellow & red bell peppers, carrots (limited), spinach, cherry tomato, parsley, celery, etc. are great options.
4. Pet store bought treats should not be fed as they are processed and contain many ingredients that are not suitable for Guinea Pigs (Honey, nuts, seeds etc.).
5. Fresh water should be available 24/7 too.
6. Make sure to not over feed your piggy as they are prone to becoming overweight.
Veggies a Guinea Pig may eat EVERYDAY: by Angel Martin
· Cucumber – Low nutritional value but high water content
· Bell Peppers – Green, Yellow & Red (remove all seeds)
· Carrots – Both the root & green tops (take note of the high sugar content though)
· Green leaf lettuce (NO ICEBURG LETTUCE)
· Butterhead Lettuce
· Romaine Lettuce
· Red leaf Lettuce
· Cilantro
· Escarole
· Swiss Chard
· Curly Endive
· Sweet Potato Leaves
· Chicory Greens
· Choriander
· Dill
· Zucchini
· Arugula
· Radicchio
· Artichoke
Veggies Guinea Pigs can eat OCCASIONALLY (A few times a week):
· Asparagus
· Turnip Greens
· Basil
· Green leek tops
· Thyme
· Pumpkin (without the seeds)
· Watercress
· Romaine
· Spinach
· Corn silks & husks
· Parsley greens & root
· Tomato
· Beetroot
FRUITS:
· Apple (remove all seeds – contains Cyanide compounds)
· Pear (no seeds)
· Dried Apricot
· Banana (very low quantities)
· Blueberries
· Blackberries
· Cantaloupe
· Seedless Grapes or Raisens (but not both)
· Orange
· Strawberries
· Watermelon (in very low quantities)
· Cranberries (low quantities)
· Grapefruit
· Kiwi
· Mango
· Raspberries
· Cherries (without pips)
· Peach
· Nectarine
· Plums
· Figs
· Dates
· Dried Fruits (in small quantities)
Fruits & Veggies Guinea Pigs should NEVER EAT:
· Grapes (Can cause Kidney desease)
· Altered foods such as canned or cooked foods
· Pickled veggies
· Potatoes
· Nuts, seeds, lentils, beans (exceptions are green beans)
· Rhubarb
· Mushrooms
· Red hot chilli peppers
· Collard greens
· Bok Choy
· Dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, bread, chocolates
· Alcohol, teas, coffee, carbonated drinks
· Iceberg lettuce
· Corn kernels (popcorn)
· Seeds (choke hazard)
· Tomato leaves and stalks
· Avocado, coconut (too high in fat)
· Jams, jellys and fruit preservatives
· Garlic
· Onions
· Horseradish root
· Commercially grown flowers
Along with these fruit and veggies, Guinea Pigs require unlimited fresh, lush, green hay (Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, Mountain Hay). NO LUCERNE HAY – Too high in Calcium.
They also require limitless fresh, clean water and limited Guinea Pig specific pellets.
· Cucumber – Low nutritional value but high water content
· Bell Peppers – Green, Yellow & Red (remove all seeds)
· Carrots – Both the root & green tops (take note of the high sugar content though)
· Green leaf lettuce (NO ICEBURG LETTUCE)
· Butterhead Lettuce
· Romaine Lettuce
· Red leaf Lettuce
· Cilantro
· Escarole
· Swiss Chard
· Curly Endive
· Sweet Potato Leaves
· Chicory Greens
· Choriander
· Dill
· Zucchini
· Arugula
· Radicchio
· Artichoke
Veggies Guinea Pigs can eat OCCASIONALLY (A few times a week):
· Asparagus
· Turnip Greens
· Basil
· Green leek tops
· Thyme
· Pumpkin (without the seeds)
· Watercress
· Romaine
· Spinach
· Corn silks & husks
· Parsley greens & root
· Tomato
· Beetroot
FRUITS:
· Apple (remove all seeds – contains Cyanide compounds)
· Pear (no seeds)
· Dried Apricot
· Banana (very low quantities)
· Blueberries
· Blackberries
· Cantaloupe
· Seedless Grapes or Raisens (but not both)
· Orange
· Strawberries
· Watermelon (in very low quantities)
· Cranberries (low quantities)
· Grapefruit
· Kiwi
· Mango
· Raspberries
· Cherries (without pips)
· Peach
· Nectarine
· Plums
· Figs
· Dates
· Dried Fruits (in small quantities)
Fruits & Veggies Guinea Pigs should NEVER EAT:
· Grapes (Can cause Kidney desease)
· Altered foods such as canned or cooked foods
· Pickled veggies
· Potatoes
· Nuts, seeds, lentils, beans (exceptions are green beans)
· Rhubarb
· Mushrooms
· Red hot chilli peppers
· Collard greens
· Bok Choy
· Dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, bread, chocolates
· Alcohol, teas, coffee, carbonated drinks
· Iceberg lettuce
· Corn kernels (popcorn)
· Seeds (choke hazard)
· Tomato leaves and stalks
· Avocado, coconut (too high in fat)
· Jams, jellys and fruit preservatives
· Garlic
· Onions
· Horseradish root
· Commercially grown flowers
Along with these fruit and veggies, Guinea Pigs require unlimited fresh, lush, green hay (Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, Mountain Hay). NO LUCERNE HAY – Too high in Calcium.
They also require limitless fresh, clean water and limited Guinea Pig specific pellets.
Guinea Pigs the SA way is a site discussing various different Guinea Pig issues in South Africa.