Cavia porcellus
Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are tail-less rodents with long, short, or sometimes wild hair that ranges in color. When full grown, they weigh around 1-2 pounds and are 8-10 inches long. Guinea pigs typically live for 5-8 years.
Described as cuddly and comical, guinea pigs love to vocalize with squeals, chirps, squeaks, and whistles. They make wonderful pets for children and can be very social animals.
Guinea pigs are hardy little animals, and their easy care makes them especially affordable pets!
Biological Facts
· Guinea pig, cavy, or cuy: Cavia porcellus
· Native to grasslands, forests, swamps, and mountains of South America
· Life span: 4 to 8 years
· Weight: 1.65 to 2.65 lb. (750 to 1200 gm) (males larger than females)
· Unable to naturally produce vitamin C in their bodies and must receive it through diet or supplements
Behavior
· Docile; rarely bite or scratch
· Easily stressed: when frightened, will run around at high speed
· Highly social; live in small groups in the wild
· Vocalize often, using a variety of squeaks, “wheeks,” purrs, growls, and squeals
· Are happier in same sex pairs to meet social needs
Housing and temperature
Housing requirements
The best guinea pig cages are usually wire cages with a solid bottom (metal or plastic) that are easily removed for cleaning. Wire cage bottoms are not recommended as they can easily injure your pet’s toes/feet. A cage for a single guinea pig should be at least 24” wide x 24” long and at minimum 15” high. For two or more guinea pigs, a minimum 24” x 36” floor size is recommended. Add a small house inside the cage so the guinea pig has a private refuge when stressed or tired. This can be a small cardboard box or a commercially produced house available at your local pet store.
Aquariums and plastic tubs are NOT recommended. They are usually not large enough, do not offer proper ventilation, and isolate the guinea pig from its surroundings by inhibiting sight, sound, and smell. If you are not finding suitable cages at your local pet store, you can alternatively easily build one out of metal grid shelving units from Walmart and some corrugated plastic sheeting from your local hardware store.
Bedding
To ensure the good health of your guinea pig, bedding must be kept clean. Aspen or kiln-dried pine shavings are good, inexpensive bedding with a high absorbency rating. Hay/straw can be used but is messier to clean and not as absorbent. The recycled pelleted bedding can be used in litter pans for litter training but is not a bedding we recommend for the cage floor due to a low absorbency rating. Cedar bedding and pine bedding NOT kiln-dried is not acceptable, as the oils in the wood pose health risks to guinea pigs. A few other commonly used but NOT recommended beddings are fleece, other material, and old clothing as these all have a very poor absorbency rating as well.
The reason a high absorbency rating bedding is so important is because it makes less work for you and above all is much better for your pet’s respiratory tract to have the highest possible absorption of waste.
Temperature
A guinea pig must be an indoor pet except in tropical climates. When providing housing for guinea pigs, keep the cage clean, keep the area dry and free from drafts, and maintain a temperature between 65-79 degrees. A guinea pigs cage should be in an environment that is well lit (but not exposed to direct sunlight) and offers the guinea pig access to daily human activities.
Social needs
Guinea pigs are very social creatures and require daily attention from their human friends and/or other guinea pig buddies. If you live in a household where everybody is gone much of the day, please consider having two guinea pigs to keep each other company. Your buddy guinea pigs will be happier and more entertaining pets. However, introductions on neutral ground for a few weeks is recommended to avoid stress and fighting between your guinea pigs both guinea pigs will need lots of treats love and a few weeks’ time to get used to each other’s smells before being housed together unattended. Placing a towel in your bathtub and letting them hangout in there with some fresh fruits and veggie treats may make the process easier and faster,
Diet
Guinea pigs require unlimited amounts of fresh green grass hay. Timothy hay should be the staple fresh hay diet for your guinea pig. Alfalfa hay/alfalfa treats are okay for young guinea pigs and pregnant or malnourished adults, but otherwise should not be given on a regular basis. Most guinea pig pellets are alfalfa based, which is fairly high in calcium. Feeding additional alfalfa hay/alfalfa treats may provide too much calcium and lead to bladder stone problems in some guinea pigs so its best to feed other items as treats and avoid extra alfalfa.
Feed pellets made specifically for guinea pigs; we recommend “Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food” as a staple food for your guinea pig. Some other commercial foods are good, but we find the ingredients and guaranteed analysis of oxbow products to be of a better quality than most others. Use a heavy bowl that cannot be tipped. Feed approximately ¼ - ½ c. of fresh pellets per animal daily. Avoid brands that contain lots of seeds and nuts, because the fat content of these foods is often too high for adult guinea pigs and they make choke on large or whole seeds. Fresh water must always be available, preferably in an easy-to-reach water bottle. Food bowls and water bottles should be cleaned and refilled with fresh food and water at minimum of every other day.
Guinea pigs require vitamin C on a daily basis. Since the vitamin C in pellets can dissipate over time, vitamin C can be supplemented by adding the proper dose of powdered or liquid vitamin C to the guinea pig's food or water, by giving it orally or by supplementing the diet with high C fruits and veggies (although it is more difficult to supplement the correct amount). The recommended dosage is 30 mg/day per average adult. Liquid C, a human supplement sold at most health/nutrition stores is a pleasant tasting liquid and is easy to administer.
Fresh greens and vegetables can be fed in moderation. Too large a quantity or variety can cause diarrhea or other digestive or nutritional problems. Guinea pigs can be given: parsley, bell peppers, romaine lettuce, live wheat grass (sold at some pet stores), carrot tops, celery leaves, clover, spinach, green alfalfa, chemical-free dandelion leaves and fresh grass, carrots, grapes, apple, cranberry (also dried cranberry), and a little citrus fruit. Vegetables belonging to the cabbage family (kale, broccoli, cauliflower) should also be very limited (or avoided) as they can cause bloat, a serious condition. Fresh foods should always be thoroughly rinsed. Introduce any new food item in small amounts to allow a guinea pig's system to adjust to it gradually.
Medical needs and grooming
While guinea pigs do not require routine vaccinations, an annual exam and parasite check is recommended. Seek out a veterinarian who is experienced in treating guinea pigs and is familiar with medical conditions such as: vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), overgrown teeth, colds and pneumonia, bladder stones, infections, parasites, etc. If a guinea pig seems droopy, has a dull coat and/or is losing hair, eats very little or nothing, has soft droppings or is otherwise acting abnormally, consult a veterinarian immediately. Refrain from using any medications intended for dogs or cats.
Common Medical Disorders
· Dental problems
· Gastrointestinal stasis
· Hair loss or itching due to mites, lice, fungal infections, or hormonal problems
· Respiratory infections
· Urinary tract problems such as bladder stones
Spaying and neutering
Spaying/neutering guinea pigs carries risks and must only be done by a veterinarian with much guinea pig knowledge and experience. If you choose not to sterilize your pet, we discourage pairing male and female guinea pigs together.
Grooming
Guinea pig grooming involves regular toenail trimming, ear cleaning, combing, and bathing.
Playtime, exercise, and handling
Playtime and exercise
A suitably sized cage and play time with you every day will meet your guinea pigs exercise needs. Exercise wheels or balls are not recommended, as guinea pigs usually don't enjoy them, and they may even injure your pet's spine, legs or feet.
Handling
When picking up your guinea pig, be sure to support his entire body with two hands. Guinea pigs are easily injured if dropped and may nip or bite if not properly handled. Children should always be supervised when handling guinea pigs.
Meeting new animal friends
Interactions with dogs, cats, and other pets are NOT recommended Never leave a guinea pig unattended in the presence of a dog, cat, ferret or any other predatory animal. Guinea pigs often do not enjoy interactions with other animals and let’s face it all animals can be unpredictable sometimes so interactions with other animals should be as limited as possible if ever to avoid injury to you and both animals.
Care sheet provided by Fantastic Beast’s Exotic Rescue
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