As you probably already know, guinea pigs can be one of the most rewarding and lovable pets. Caring for them is fairly straightforward, but it nowhere near as simple as some pet store salesmen will lead you to believe. Cavies are complex creatures with considerable intelligence and charm, and they take a caregiver and loving and devoted as they are.
Even if you already have a set-up and supplies for your guinea pigs, take a moment to read over these pages. Sometimes what we don't know can hurt the critters we love.
So what exactly does a guinea pig need?
1. A large enough cage. Pet store cages are too small. Period. Just like humans, guinea pigs want enough space to go to the bathroom in a different place from where they eat, to have to room to sleep, run around, "popcorn" (a happy leaping) and interact with each other. A cage that is too small can cause stress and depression and even health problems. See Your Pig's Cage and the Links page for more info.
2. A proper diet. Make sure your pig is getting a proper combination of pellets, hay, and fresh veggies. Warning: many brands of pellets sold in pet stores contain dangerous items like seeds that pose a choking hazard for guinea pigs. They are also often high in sugar and low in nutrition value. Also, remember that young or pregnant/nursing and critically ill pigs will have different nutritional requirements. Check out the Guinea Lynx page on diet on the Links page for specific pellet info.
Veggies are an important component of any guinea pig's diet, especially when it comes to vitamin C. Make sure you are offering a variety of veggies; while Romaine lettuce is good, for example, your pig doesn't want to eat nothing but Romaine day in and day out. A variety of veggies and some fresh fruits will offer both a better array of vitamins and nutrients as well as offer some "dietary stimulation" for your pet.
3. Unlimited hay. Unlimited quantities of Timothy hay are very important to your pigs' health. Timothy both helps your pigs' digestive systems and keeps their teeth ground down and healthy. You may know that rodents' teeth keep growing continuously, so having something to wear them down on is critical to their health. Note: most pet stores sell alfalfa hay, not timothy, but alfalfa is only appropriate for young pigs and pregnant mothers. It contains too much calcium for adult pigs which can cause bladder stones and other problems.
4. Access to a vet. I can't stress how important this is. As a responsible pet owner, make sure you prepared to cover any medical costs your pig may incur. If you don't think you can afford these costs, please don't take in any more pigs. Don't wait until your pig is sick to find a vet. Make sure you find one in your area now who is familiar with small animals. And don't hesitate to bring your pigs to the vet when they're sick. Guinea pigs are prey animals and often hide their illnesses and ailments until it's too late.
5. Proper grooming. Make sure you know about nail clipping and brushing, especially for longer-haired breeds like Abyssinians and Peruvians. See the Links page for more info on how to do this.
6. Piggy companionship. You may think you are the only friend your pig needs. But the truth is guinea pigs are much more active, happier and healthier in pairs or more. Get your pig a friend if possible.
