Guinea Pig
How to Care For Your Guinea Pig
Introduction
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), sometimes referred to as Cavy, are rodents originating from the Andes. They are interesting animals that make wonderful companions, especially as a child’s first pet. These curious critters are interactive and fun to watch.
If you are considering adopting a guinea pig, you need to first understand the importance of providing your new pet with the right diet, exercise and housing.
Behaviour
Guinea pigs are intelligent and inquisitive. If their trust is gained through gentle handling, they form a unique bond with their owner. They enjoy being held by children provided they feel secure and that their body is supported when picked up, though it is important to supervise young children to avoid any distress to the guinea pig. They can even be taught to come when called, especially if there are treats involved! Daily grooming not only strengthens bonding, prevents matting and hairballs, but also provides a perfect opportunity to check for any unwanted mites or dirty bottoms!
Guinea pigs are happiest when kept in groups, and housed in a combination of both indoor and large outdoor enclosures.
They should have access to outdoors where they can graze and spend time in the sun. Provide them with sheltered areas that are dry and draught-free, so that they can be safe from predators like cats and dogs. Shelters are important for shade in summer and for warmth in winter. Guinea pigs can suffer heatstroke if it gets hotter than 27°C. They are most comfortable when it is between 12°C and 20°C.
If you decide to keep your guinea pigs indoor, ensure they get plenty of out of cage time to exercise. Taking your pets out of their cage also gives you a chance to interact with them. They would need sunlight to stay healthy, for about 20 minutes at least a few times every week. Guinea pig hutches with wire bottoms allow them to graze while getting some sun. Hutches should not be made from treated pine, and keep in mind that your pets will gnaw.
Diet
Guinea pigs need hay. A good diet would consist of 80% good quality hay and grass, providing the fibre important for a guinea pig’s health.
They need access to fresh green pasture, and oaten, meadow or another suitable hay. Baby guinea pigs should only be fed lucerne hay, which is higher in protein and calcium, and lower in fibre. An appropriate amount to feed would be about the size of the guinea pig.
Fibre keeps the digestive system healthy. Eating hay wears down teeth and prevents them from becoming overgrown. Allowing your guinea pigs to graze on grass encourages exercise which helps prevent obesity.
The remaining 20% of the diet should consist of up to 1/8 cup of pellets designed for guinea pigs. If these do not contain stabilised Vitamin C you can give a small amount of citrus, kiwifruit or tomato. You should also provide daily 1 cup of vegetables, such as spinach, celery and Asian greens. Do not feed toxic plants like oleander, lily of the valley and rhubarb leaves.
Purchasing
When choosing a guinea pig, it is important to give them a thorough examination. Things to check for include a clean shiny coat with no patches of fur missing, and whether she is too thin or overweight. Are the eyes bright and clear, does she walk well and is she interested and curious about her environment?
Check the teeth to ensure that they are not overgrown, and check for any evidence of drooling of saliva. And don’t forget to check the other end as well for signs of faecal staining.
Sexing guinea pigs is hard, so if the breeder is not experienced or if you’re at all worried about potential problems a vet check is recommended. Ask the breeder what they feed and how they care for the guinea pigs, and they might have a few tips that could smooth the transition into a new home.
Disease Prevention
Some common causes of diseases can be prevented with a good diet. As guinea pig teeth continue to grow, a poor diet can result in overgrown teeth, root impaction and painful abscesses. Poor diets which consist of grains, pelleted mixes and carrots, are high in energy and low in fibre, and can also increase the incidence of gastrointestinal disease and urinary stones. Urine and faecal soiling may indicate a problem and they can even become flyblown so it is important to frequently check this area.
Providing soft bedding and towels on hard floors can help prevent foot problems, which can be especially common in pregnant and obese guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are prolific breeders so desexing those in mixed sex households can stop unwanted pregnancies and aid in inter-group relations! Five to six weeks old is a great time to get this done.
A yearly health check with the Avian and Exotic Pet Service is recommended to catch any potential problems early, and older animals or those with dental problems may require more frequent visits.