So you have just brought your new guinea pig home from the shelter or pet shop. 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 have just come back from the shelter or petshop with only a single pig, we strongly recommend that you turn around and go back. Guinea pigs are social creatures and tend to do better when there are at least a couple pigs living together. Two females are a good combination. Two males can live together harmoniously as long as they've been raised together. And while it is actually possible to introduce two grown males to one another, it does require patience and care. A male and a female are the very best combination, but naturally one of them absolutely must be "fixed" in order to avoid a future in-cage population explosion.
Your first task is to pick out a cage. Pet store cages are too small to adequately house a single pig "not to mention multiple pigs. Use the following sizing guidelines when choosing 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 big enough at the petshop, you can always build your own cage or buy one online from a reputable cage seller. Recently, C&C (Cubes and Coroplast) cages have become fairly popular because they provide a lot of cage for the money. Take a look at the resource box and the end of this article for links to some online C&C guinea pig cage stores.
Place a nest box, a bit of PVC pipe or other enclosure inside 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 uninformed people do house their pigs in an aquarium, nonetheless it is extraordinarily bad for their respiratory system. Poisonous ammonia gas forms as your pigs urinate within the enclosure. In a wire cage, there's acceptable ventilation to carry this gas away. Nevertheless 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 really bad for your guinea pig's lungs. A litter made of recycled newspaper works quite well. Also, many people 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 nearly 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 , however , they're also terribly rich and will be given in low amounts as a supplement to the primary diet which should consist mainly of fresh fruits and vegetables. Only vegetables with rich dark colors should be chosen. Iceberg lettuce shouldn't be fed to your pigs; it is generally empty calories with only tiny calorific value.
Remember to install a water bottle in your pig's cage. Water dishes do not work very well "as pigs have a tendency to tip them over.
Above all, don't panic. Guinea pigs are wonderful animals and do not need an excessive amount of attention. Remember that guinea pigs do better in pairs or groups than living alone. Be absolutely sure to provide satisfactory living space. C&C cages are a popular choice today because they do provide a lot of room for a reasonable price. Provide a comfy hiding place for your pigs - many nest boxes are available for guinea pigs. An inverted little cardboard box works very well too (although guinea pigs like to nibble so you could have to replace it regularly). Feed your pig generally deep-colored fresh vegetables and supply a water bottle. That's all you will need to begin.
Firstly, if you have just come back from the shelter or petshop with only a single pig, we strongly recommend that you turn around and go back. Guinea pigs are social creatures and tend to do better when there are at least a couple pigs living together. Two females are a good combination. Two males can live together harmoniously as long as they've been raised together. And while it is actually possible to introduce two grown males to one another, it does require patience and care. A male and a female are the very best combination, but naturally one of them absolutely must be "fixed" in order to avoid a future in-cage population explosion.
Your first task is to pick out a cage. Pet store cages are too small to adequately house a single pig "not to mention multiple pigs. Use the following sizing guidelines when choosing 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 big enough at the petshop, you can always build your own cage or buy one online from a reputable cage seller. Recently, C&C (Cubes and Coroplast) cages have become fairly popular because they provide a lot of cage for the money. Take a look at the resource box and the end of this article for links to some online C&C guinea pig cage stores.
Place a nest box, a bit of PVC pipe or other enclosure inside 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 uninformed people do house their pigs in an aquarium, nonetheless it is extraordinarily bad for their respiratory system. Poisonous ammonia gas forms as your pigs urinate within the enclosure. In a wire cage, there's acceptable ventilation to carry this gas away. Nevertheless 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 really bad for your guinea pig's lungs. A litter made of recycled newspaper works quite well. Also, many people 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 nearly 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 , however , they're also terribly rich and will be given in low amounts as a supplement to the primary diet which should consist mainly of fresh fruits and vegetables. Only vegetables with rich dark colors should be chosen. Iceberg lettuce shouldn't be fed to your pigs; it is generally empty calories with only tiny calorific value.
Remember to install a water bottle in your pig's cage. Water dishes do not work very well "as pigs have a tendency to tip them over.
Above all, don't panic. Guinea pigs are wonderful animals and do not need an excessive amount of attention. Remember that guinea pigs do better in pairs or groups than living alone. Be absolutely sure to provide satisfactory living space. C&C cages are a popular choice today because they do provide a lot of room for a reasonable price. Provide a comfy hiding place for your pigs - many nest boxes are available for guinea pigs. An inverted little cardboard box works very well too (although guinea pigs like to nibble so you could have to replace it regularly). Feed your pig generally deep-colored fresh vegetables and supply a water bottle. That's all you will need to begin.
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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 pair 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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