A dozen steps to a happy, healthy guinea pig... Cavia porcellus
1. Always have a warm, dry, comfortable hutch or cage for your guinea pig with
fresh hay or straw and clean water available. Sometimes you will need to provide shade too.
2. Boredom is a major issue with any pet, although it can be easily avoided
with a little planning and some help from a caring pet owner. Provide
little huts to play in, a log, some bark or a mate.
3. Guinea pigs love the company of other guinea pigs. It is best to keep
females together for company, rather than two or more males. Remember
that males tend to fight and they can injure themselves and each other quite easily.
4. You should always make sure you hold your guinea pig properly and
carefully. If it is dropped it could hurt itself causing internal injuries, which often leads to death.
5. Always support your guinea pig properly. Never pick your guinea
pig up by the front legs only or just by the upper half, because you will tear muscles and ligaments in the
middle of the body. Too much handling of pregnant females could lead to miscarriages.
6. It is best not to disturb your female guinea pig when she gives birth.
You should not disturb the babies until they are at least a few days old.
7. Spend at least 20 minutes or more a day with a guinea pig if you want to tame
it. It is easier to tame a young pig than an older one.
8. There are many healthy fruits and vegetables a guinea pig can eat. Fresh
grass and dry hay are also excellent for a well balanced diet. With all things... moderation is best.
9. Don't feed a guinea pig flowers, roots, vegetables or anything else unless you
know they aren’t poisonous. It is always a good policy to check up
which plants are suitable and which ones aren’t.
10. It is not recommended to interbreed... this means breeding brothers, sisters, mums
and dads with each other. If you decide to breed some guinea pigs, try
breeding with different families instead. You will get stronger and healthier guinea pigs that way.
11. Check the guinea pig’s health on a daily basis and check the teeth regularly
to make sure they are not over-grown.
12. Keep guinea pigs active.
Playing with them is one way to keep a guinea pig happy and active.
