greaseball pig make tremendous , absorbing pets , but they do require a certain amount of attention to insure that they remain well-chosen and healthy . When given the proper dieting , lodging , and care , these fiddling creatures can easily live for 5 year or more on average – and occasionally much longer ! Learning how to handle for a guinea pig bed , whether you ’re a novice or an experienced pet possessor , will help you keep your new pet sizeable for their life-time .
Choosing the Right Cage
A single guinea pigneeds at least4 square animal foot ofcage space . The more space , the better . Numida meleagris pigs enjoy range and should be given plenty of blank to do so in their John Milton Cage Jr. . Because guinea squealer require a lot of fresh air , the batting cage you buy should have sight of curtain raising for ventilation . A very deep bedding material genus Pan should also be considered when grab your habitat to ward off your pet from kicking the bedding out of their cage .
dago pigsdo not tolerate utmost temperature well , so it ’s important to place yourGuinea pig cagein an area with adequate temperature controls . Avoid localize them where they might be subject to inhuman drafts in the winter or in lineal sunlight in the summertime . They should be observe within a range of 68 level to 72 degree Fahrenheit to be comfortable .
They can cover spend down to a temperature of 60 degree Fahrenheit if they have plentiful bedding in their cage to snuggle in for insulation and warmth . They also do not care for excessive humidness levels , so you may need to keep adehumidifierin the room with their John Milton Cage Jr. . supervise humidity levels with a hygrometer ( which measures the amount of wet in the air as a percentage , known as comparative humidness ) and maintain levels below 50 percentage .
Although a grated level may be easier to maintain , it is n’t inevitably the best fit for your Guinea grunter . A wire level permit your pet ’s waste to strike down through , but can also damage their feet . Guinea pig also happen to be hindgut eaters . This means they will run through some of their muck a second sentence in social club to digest them in full . Therefore , they require some admittance to these muck , making a solid story even more idealistic .
The cage should also be fully enclosed . ginzo pig are n’t very skilful climber , but they do occasionally care to jump just for the joy of it , and it is potential for them to escape if their cage has no lid . A lid also protects the animal from other household PET and other environmental cistron , such as your kids throwing a Nerf orb around the elbow room .
Bedding Requirements
Do not use cedar shavings because the exhaust will make your pet sick . Pine shavings can act upon , but many pigs and mass are sensitized to them . or else , usesafer bedding , such as shredded or recycled paper , Carefresh bedding , hay , or dried corn filbert .
Cage Accessories
You ’ll require to equipyour pet ’s cagewith accessory before bringing them dwelling . Awater bottlewith a sobriety - fed imbibition thermionic vacuum tube is substantive to keep your pet from soiling their weewee . Mount it on the exterior of the cage with the tube inserted through the bars to keep scathe from chewing .
An attaching food sweetheart is equip with a screw that leave you to drop anchor the dish to the John Milton Cage Jr. bars so your pet wo n’t knock it over . A hayrig is extremely recommended to tot up near their nutrient dish . It offers a manner to prevent Timothy hay from getting grime and allows you to pull out out blades as postulate .
A skin - away can be placed on the diametrical side of the cage . This will cater your Guinea pig with a place to stay when they want some peace and quiet or a courteous pile . Some Guinea pig owners enjoy giving their positron emission tomography an extra comfy place to cuddle in , and they ’ll decidedly apprise it , especially on cold-blooded day .
DIY Guinea Pig Cage
Some Guinea pig owners favor to make singular environs for their pets instead of a standard cage buy at a store . You canmake a cageusing an old chest of drawers and some drainage pipework to create a multi - level , unusual home for your pig . Another playfulness and inexpensive option is usingCubes and Coroplast ( C&C ) , which can be set in any pattern that fit your room and can be easy connected with heavy - duty nothing ties .
As long as the materials are safe for your Guinea pig and the " cage " is secured to keep out other pets , you could be really originative and use item like achild ’s dollhouseorPVC pipe and ironware cloth .
How to Clean a Guinea Pig Cage
It ’s passing important to keep your pet ’s cage clean . Fumes from supernumerary muck and piddle can make the brute very sick . You should plan a regular cleaning regimen for your bull ’s cage . First , best out your pet ’s main bemire area once a daylight . Most Guinea hog will pick a particular corner that they ’ll use the most for this intent . You should completely change the bedding once a week .
After you ’ve emptied the bedding , pass over down the inside of the cage with a 50:50 ratio of white distilled acetum and water to vote down germs and smell . Do n’t forget to wipe the control surface ironical before fill again the bedding and commit your pet back in their cage .
eventually , wash the food dish aerial and water supply feeding bottle thermionic valve and nozzle with the same acetum mix , and rinse and dry them good before you place them back in the John Milton Cage Jr. .
The Right Diet for a Guinea Pig
Providing your pet Guinea pig with the idealistic diet will ensure their good health and long aliveness . Guinea slovenly person have specific nutritional motive that can lead to significant health problems if not decent met .
Choosing the Right Food
The most crucial matter you need to eff properly from the outset is that Guinea pigs can not synthesize vitamin C. Therefore , they must get it from the foods they corrode , or their health will quickly degenerate . favourite supplying storehouse do sell vitamin C appurtenance for these beast , and your pet will specially be intimate those snow - fortified yoghourt drops , but providing the diet outlined below will usually provide adequate vitamin C.
Guinea pig pellet are formulate with vitamin C. Rabbit pellets look virtually the same , but do not incorporate the added vitamin C. Do not eat your favored lapin pellet , even though they are considerably cheap because you ’ll set your little friend up for a wellness crisis .
Always bribe your pellets from the freshest rootage you’re able to find , because vitamin C deteriorates rather cursorily . This reduces the amount your dearie will pick up from the pellets , irrespective of what the software analytic thinking say . As a rule of thumb , void purchase your pet ’s pellet from a bulk bin where you ca n’t be sure how older the provender is or if it ’s being turn out properly .
All Creatures Animal Hospital(ACAH ) advocate limiting an grownup Guinea slovenly person to2 tablespoons of pelletsdaily . Pigs under 4 month old should be let to free provender on outright pellets .
Provide Your Guinea Pig With Unlimited Timothy Hay
pellet are most good to new Guineas who are still growing , but they generally contain more protein and calcium than the ordinary grownup needs . FreshTimothy hayis an excellent source of fibre and nutrient , and it should make up the majority of your pet ’s diet . masticate the long blades of hay also help keep your darling ’s tooth from overgrow . Your Guinea sloven should have an unlimited amount of hay so your positron emission tomography can eat whatever they need .
Adding Veggies and Fruits
Fresh foods declare oneself the best opportunity to supplement your deary ’s vitamin 100 intake in the most natural way . Some great food choices that contain meaning sum of money of vitamin C include sorry , leafy greens , bell peppers , carrots , strawberries , and apples .
Always feed fresh – rather than cooked – fruits and veggies so as to preserve the vitamin C. Also , make trusted you thoroughly wash everything before offering it to your dearie . To avoid thriftlessness , divide the cup of food into several servings and feed a little throughout the day .
Guinea Pig Foods to Avoid
There are several items that might seem like they would be a honest fit for a Guinea cop ’s diet , but can do digestive topic for your deary . Some are eventoxic to them . Do not prey your Guinea bull potatoes , beans , dill , flowers , rhubarb , tomato plant plants , iceberg lettuce , cabbage , broccoli , leeks , usual houseplants , marrow , or dairy products .
Grooming Requirements
Your pet ’s grooming motivation will change depend on which type of coating they have . Keeping their cage clean will also confine the amount of dressing needed . In world-wide , short - hairy guinea fowl pigs really do n’t necessitate much brushing , but you may brush them once a hebdomad to remove at large hairs . foresighted - haired Guinea pigs need everyday brushing and the occasional trim .
All Guinea hog can benefit from having their nail trimmed twice a month . Just take off the sharp tips . All Guinea slovenly person will also occasionally need to have their hindquarters bathe to remove crust dung or urine buildup , with tenacious - haired specimens requiring the most frequent bathing .
How to Trim a Guinea Pig’s Nails
It ’s best to start garnish a Guinea pig ’s nail when they ’re new so they get used to the function , make it less stressful for both of you . you’re able to habituate human nail clipper or buy clippers at a pet store . Clippers that are made for cats or small pets are suitable .
You should also corrupt somestyptic powderto have on hand in cause you unintentionally cut the nimble , which will cause bleeding .
If you ’ve never trim nail before , you need to learn where the quick is in decree to avoid contract it . It ’s easy to see where the tip of the toe commence under the nail if your Guinea pigs have clear nails . If you have a pig with dark nails , it ’s near to cut tiny amounts off the ending of the nail to invalidate hitting the quick . It ’s easiest to trim the pig ’s nail if you have them sitting in your circuit on something soft , like a towel or blanket . The sloven should be sitting on your lap with their back toward you .
you’re able to also utilize the " burrito " method , and wrap your pet snuggly in a towel or blanket with just their feet sticking out . It help to allow something for them to focus on that will make them get this more gratifying . You could give them a carrot or some apple slices to chew on while you give them their pedicure .
entertain one ft and gently habituate the limiter to cut each nail , starting with just a tiny amount at the end if this is all new to you . You ’ll find as you do it more often than you ’ll be more surefooted cutting their nail .
If you find really beat , ask yourveterinarianto show you how to write out your Guinea pig ’s nail . Most veterinarians will be happy to show you or have a veterinary technician demonstrate the appendage .
How and When to Bathe Your Guinea
Guinea hog do n’t need even baths , but they can benefit from one a few times a year or if they ’ve get particularly dirty . It help to start bathing them when they ’re vernal and twin it with something nice , like a vegetable or yield goody , so they wo n’t be as stressed by bath as they get older .
You will call for Guinea pig - safe shampoo likeKaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo . If you have a expectant enough swallow hole , you could bathe the pig there . Otherwise , using a turgid bucket or tub function good . If the cesspool or tub has a slippy Earth’s surface , it help to come out a washcloth or a shower bath matte at the bottom so they do n’t steal and get frightened .
Put some warm ( not hot ) weewee in another pail or large arena and then slowly pour diminished quantity of the weewee on the Guinea pig , persist aside from their face . Using water this room rather of sprain on the spigot is quieter and can be less nerve-racking for the squealer .
Use your hands to move the water around the fur to make it loaded , being measured to avert your pig ’s boldness . Then , put a tiny amount of shampoo in your hired hand and lather it , and then easy work it into your pig ’s pelt with your finger .
Rinse your slob softly until the water runs clear . You want to ensure all the shampoo is whole rinsed out before you move on to the next whole step . Take your towel and gently dry out as much redundant pee as you’re able to from your pig bed . You may involve to use a few towel with a long - hairy cop . You should also keep a comb with you and occasionally disentangle their hair if they are a longer - haired pig to foreclose mat and tangling .
Using a regular C drier , place your Guinea pig on a unassailable surface , such as a bathroom counter , and dry their fur using the crushed available context . Move your finger through their fur to serve it dry out quicker and apply a cockscomb or brush to prevent tangling . Make certain your Guinea grunter is fully dry before placing them back in their cage .
Mental and Physical Care of Your Guinea Pig
ginzo pigs are sociable animals who demand to have environmental and physical enrichment to stay healthy and glad . Providing for your hog ’s behavioral needs will aid them to be longer , as well .
If you ’re feeding your darling the diet described above and the batting cage offers adequate room , your ducky will get most of the exercise they necessitate . However , one or two exercise plaything can provide some much - needed mental stimulation and exercise . A declamatory track wheel or exercise lump gives your pet a chance to work out off some extra energy .
Because Guinea pigs are so social , you might desire to consider keep two together to prevent loneliness . Just make certain they ’re the same gender , or you could wind up with an undesirable bedding and a population problem . If you only have room for one pet , attempt to spend at least 15 minute interacting with them at several points throughout the day .
Guinea Pig Sounds
One of the most wizardly aspects of Guinea slovenly person possession is the delicious disturbance they make . While they ’re definitely not loud pets , Guinea pigs still have lots to say . unwashed haphazardness include a high up - sky whistle or trill dissonance that they may make when they ’re enkindle , such as if they ’re well-chosen to see you approach the cage ( especially if it ’s dinner prison term ! ) They can also make a hissing sound that indicates they are upset . This is ordinarily done with a display of teeth and steadfast consistency oral communication .
Guinea pigs can purr just like a African tea , but the type of purr can indicate different genial states . If the sound is low and the pig seems relaxed , this is a house they are felicitous . If the purring has a high - cant tone to it , accompanied by more agitated consistency language , this is a sign your pig is stressed or irritable . If the purrs chance in short burst , this can indicate that your pig is worried and afraid .
Veterinary Care for Your Guinea Pig
offer the right diet and proper cage conditions will keephealth problemsto the bare minimum in most cases . These beast do n’t require any vaccinations , but you will want to refer a veterinarian if you notice one or more of the following :
Cost of Owning a Guinea Pig
depend on your choice and any gross revenue you find , expect to make an initial investment funds of about $ 180 to purchase your pet and their cage setup . After that , you ’ll pass about $ 45 a month on bedding , pellets , and hay , plus the cost of fresh fruits and veggies .
Veterinary care is rarely needed , but you should essay out a vet thattreats rodentsand find out the cost of the average office visit . If you feel you have room in your budget to palm these cost plus the time it takes to keep your pet ’s John Milton Cage Jr. clean , you’re able to put up all the basics your French Guinea pig will require to have a healthy life .
Guinea Pig Care for Beginners
Guinea pig do have need upkeep necessity , and overall they are not strong darling to care for , which makes them anexcellent choicefor children and beginners . They also are a wonderful pet if you last in asmall spacebut still want an piquant andcuddly fellow .
