How to Care For Your Guinea Pig

Guinea Pigs are wonderful pets for both young and old. They do not require much maintenance and are very tame animals. If cared for properly, your pet guinea pig will be around for many years to come.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guinea Pig
• Cage
• Food
• Water

1. Choose the proper cage for your guinea pig. Pick one with enough room for them to move around in comfortably. Do not put them in an aquarium where there is no air and do not put them in a wire-mesh cage. This can hurt them.

2. 
   Toxic free guinea pig bedding

   Use only non-toxic materials to line the bottom of their cage. Guinea pigs love to chew and will chew anything in their cage. Putting anything non-toxic in their cage will prevent them from getting sick.

3. 
   Guinea pig food

   Feed your guinea pig daily. There are commercial guinea pig foods that you can buy but also it is important to compliment this food with leafy greens such as kale and romaine lettuce. Feed your guinea pig fresh fruits such as apple slices or grapes as a treat.

4. 
   Timothy Hay

   Supply your guinea pig with Timothy Hay daily. They love to use it for nesting and snacking.

5. 
   Guinea pig water bottle

   Keep fresh water available for your guinea pig. The best thing to do is get a water bottle that attaches to its cage. Periodically check the water bottle to make sure it is not dripping in the cage.

6. Keep your guinea pigs cage clean. Guinea pigs try to keep clean but they need help.

7. Brush your guinea pig with a small brush. Short haired guinea pigs really do not need to be brushed like the long haired ones but they sure do enjoy it! Grooming your guinea pig will also give you time to bond with it.

Tips & Warnings

• Guinea Pigs need Vitamin C-make sure they get enough of it.
• Do a search on what to feed and what not to feed your guinea pig. Some foods can make them very sick. For instance-they can eat romaine lettuce but eating iceberg lettuce can make them sick.
• Do not leave your guinea pig alone with other animals including the family cat or dog.

Resources

• Humane Society of the United States

[missval7]

on 7/28/2009 Great article!

[gahazeleyes]

on 6/18/2009 Nice article, thanks for sharing.

[Andy72]

on 6/1/2009 Thanks-that's our little guinea pig. She's the newest member of our family. :)

[starlet67]

on 5/31/2009 Cute title pic and great tips on caring for your Guinea Pig! 5*