So you have just brought your new guinea pig home from the shelter or petshop. And now, you’re not entirely sure what to do. Let us help you to get off to a great start with this quick-start guinea pig owners ‘ guide.
Firstly, if you’ve just come back from the shelter or pet shop with only a single pig, we strongly advise that you turn right around and go back. Guinea pigs are social creatures and have a tendency to do better when there are at least a couple pigs living together. Two females are a good combination. Two males can live together in harmony so long as they have been raised together. And while it is actually possible to introduce two grown males to one another, it requires patience and care. A male and a female are the absolute best combination, but of course one of them must be “fixed” so as to avoid a future in-cage population explosion.
Your first task is to select a cage. Petshop cages have a tendency to be too little to adequately house a single pig “not to mention multiple pigs. Use the following sizing recommendations when selecting guinea pigs cages:
- One guinea pig: 6-7 sq. Ft.
- Two guinea pigs: 7.5 sq. Ft.
- Three guinea pigs: 10.5 sq. Ft.
If you can’t find one roomy enough at the pet shop, you can always build your very own cage or buy one online from a credible cage seller. Recently, C&C (Cubes and Coroplast) cages have become fairly popular because they provide a lot of cage for the money. Try the resource area and the end of this article for links to some online C&C guinea pig cage stores.
Place a nest box, a chunk of PVC pipe or other enclosure within the cage. Pigs like to hide out in cozy tiny places and providing a hiding place inside the cage will make your pigs feel happier and safer.
Never place your pigs in an aquarium. Yes, some people do house their pigs in an aquarium, nonetheless it is extraordinarily unhealthy for their respiratory system. Harmful ammonia gas forms as your pigs urinate within the enclosure. In a wire cage, there is acceptable ventilation to carry this gas away. But in an aquarium the ammonia gas is contained by the glass walls forcing your pigs to breathe it in all day.
Fill the cage with bedding or litter. Avoid cedar chips and cat litter made from clay. Both are awfully bad for your guinea pig’s respiratory system. A litter made from recycled newspaper works quite well. Also, many of us have started to line their cages with an absorbent material covered in fleece. The fleece permits liquids to wick right through into the absorbent layer.
Generally, Timothy hay is very good for your pigs. Your pigs can have it in virtually unlimited amounts. Alfalfa hay should be given much more carefully. Alfalfa hay is richer and will cause your pigs to gain excessive weight.
While, commercial pellets are fine for your guinea pigs nevertheless , they also are extremely rich and should only be given in small quantities as a supplement to the main diet which should consist typically of fresh fruits and vegetables. Only plants with rich dark colors should be selected. Iceberg lettuce should never be fed to your pigs; it is generally empty calories with very little nutritional value.
Don’t forget to install a water bottle in your pig’s cage. Water dishes don’t work very well “as pigs have a tendency to tip them over.
Above all, don’t panic. Guinea pigs are terrific animals and do not require an excessive amount of care. Remember that guinea pigs do better in pairs or groups than living alone. Be sure to provide adequate living space. C&C cages are a popular choice these days because they do provide a lot of room for a reasonable price. Supply a comfy hiding place for your pigs – many nest boxes are available for guinea pigs. An inverted little cardboard box works very well too (though guinea pigs like to nibble so you could have to replace it often). Feed your pig generally deep-colored fresh veggies and supply a water bottle. That’s all you will need to know to get started.
To learn more, pick up a good guinea pig reference guide – see the left sidebar on our guinea pigs cages default page for links to a couple authoritative guinea pig care guides. Also, for an unadvertized discount special on quality C&C guinea pigs cages <–CLICK on this LINK.
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