What do guinea pigs need?
- Companionship - to be with other guinea pigs. The widespread practice of keeping guinea pigs and rabbits together is not permitted by Becklen Guinea Pig Rescue.
- Feeding twice a day, with a mixture of good quality hay, complete dry food and washed fruit and vegetables.
- A constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water in a drip feed bottle with a metal spout.
- If living outside a large weatherproof home kept off the ground, out of direct sunlight and strong winds. It should be moved to an indoor area or porch in cold weather.
- If living indoors a suitably sized cage. See the Link Section for some handy info on inside cages.
- A separate sleeping area for each animal inside the home.
- A clean layer of wood shavings on the floor of their home and plenty of soft hay for bedding and burrowing or they are also happy on fleece.
- Daily exercise in a grassy area safe from predators and an indoor run in cold weather.
- Their home to be cleaned every day and bedding changed weekly.
- To be brushed every day if they have a long or rough-haired coat.
- Some quiet time alone or with other guinea pigs every day.
- To be taken to a vet if they are ill or injured.
- To be looked after when you are on holiday.
Guinea pigs can live for up to seven years.
Behaviour
In the wild, guinea pigs live in close family groups, and it is unkind to keep one guinea pig. Companionship is essential, but two adult guinea pigs that don't know each other may fight, so choose two young littermates of the same sex, a father and son, or mother and daughter. Guinea pigs have a basic need to graze and should have regular access to a grassy area. Guinea pigs also need to have their own sleeping area.
Handling
Approach the guinea pig from the front and on its level. Pick it up using both hands, one around the hindquarters,the other around its shoulders (for a young guinea pig) or around its chest (for an adult). Guinea pigs may become upset by too much handling.
Breeding
Becklen Guinea Pig Rescue does not rehome guinea pigs for the intention of breeding.
Health
Guinea pigs should be checked regularly for overgrown claws and teeth. Both can be trimmed by a vet.
Too much scratching results from skin problems and is often caused by mites or lice. Your vet can provide suitable treatment for these.
Long-haired guinea pigs in particular may suffer from the potentially fatal disease flystrike, caused by flies laying eggs in soiled fur. Make sure the guinea pigs' home is cleaned every day and bedding changed regularly. Groom guinea pigs every day, checking their fur all over for any dirt.
Guinea pigs can suffer from vitamin C deficiency, which causes weight loss, general weakness and swollen joints. Ask your vet for advice on how to provide your guinea pigs with an adequate supply of this vitamin.
If you have any concerns about your guinea pigs' health, ask your vet for advice.
With kind permission of the RSPCA
