Guinea pigs are fantastic, sociable pets that will provide many years of joy to your family if they are healthy and happy. This article explains what a guinea pig needs to stay physically and mentally healthy.
Guinea Pigs are a popular pet especially for young children due to their small size and sociable nature. They are easy to look after and will not hurt children.
Guinea pigs are social animals and will get lonely without some guinea pig friends. Ideally, you should always have at least 2 guinea pigs.
They only sleep for short periods at a time and can be awake and active for up to 20 hours a day so there will be plenty of opportunity for your children to play with them.
Be aware, that they only live for around 5-6 years.
Guinea pigs are native to South America and originated in the Andes region.
It is important to feed your guinea pigs a healthy diet to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible. Their diet should consist of 85-90% fresh hay and the remaining 10-15% should consists of fresh vegetables and a few treats.
Premium, fresh hay is important for their guts and to keep their gnashers at a good length. The best type of hay to choose for your guinea pig, will depend on their weight, age and health. Timothy Hay is sweet and coarse and a perfect all-rounder whereas Oat Hay is packed with protein and fibre.
Adult guinea pigs will love Timothy Hay as it has a fantastic balance of low protein and calcium and high fibre.
Meadow Hay is another great choice of adult guinea pigs. It is a fibrous hay that encourages your pet to forage and burrow. Like Timothy Hay it is low in protein and calcium and high in fibre, however, Meadow Hay has a little less protein at 7% rather than 8-10%.
Other choices for an adult guinea pig are Oat Hay and Green Wheat Hay.
Rye Grass Hay has slightly higher fibre and protein than Timothy and Meadow Hay which makes it particularly good for young growing pets, poorly or pregnant pets. It is sweet tasting and bursting with tasty seed heads. Healthy adult pets may also enjoy small amounts of this hay to add variety to their diet.
Packed with protein and calcium, Alfalfa Hay is idea for underweight or growing guinea pigs. It is perfect for young pets up to 7 months old, pregnant guinea pigs or even older guinea pigs that need a nutrition boost. This hay can be too fattening for healthy adult guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs enjoy kale, parsley and romaine lettuce. If you would like to give them a treat, ensure it is a healthy treat suitable for small animals and only give them small amounts. Popular treats include Chamomile flowers which are calming and have anti-inflammatory benefits, dried banana chips which are packed with essential vitamins and dandelion roots which are rich in natural fibre and great for your pet’s teeth health.
As guinea pigs are awake much of the day and are social creatures, they need lots of space to play and move around. The more spacious the cage, the better. You should also provide toys, hiding places, tunnels and climbing structures for a very happy guinea pig. If possible, let them out of their cage often in a safe place to run about and explore.
Their cage should also have a water bottle and a warm and cosy place to sleep. Keep their cage away from draughts and direct sunlight.
Ensure your guinea pigs looks healthy. It shouldn’t become overweight or underweight and there should be no discharge from their eyes, ears or nose. Any changes that last for more than a couple of days, may require professional advice from a Vet.
Make sure your guinea pig has plenty of hay and wooden toys to chew as this wears down their teeth naturally. If they become too large, they could have difficulty eating.
You also need to trim their nails regularly to prevent them from becoming overgrown.
A guinea pig is a great pet which will provide lots of enjoyment for your family. All you need to do is make sure it is fed properly with healthy food and provide it with stimulation and a comfortable home.
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