How to Take Care of Your New Pet Guinea Pigs
2022-09-09 2022-09-21 18:22How to Take Care of Your New Pet Guinea Pigs
Conkote 
How to Take Care of Your New Pet Guinea Pigs
If you’re looking to add new pets to your family, guinea pigs may be just the right animals for you. These social and playful little critters have tons of personality and are easy to care for when you know what to do. If you’re interested in learning more about how to take care of your new pet guinea pigs, read on!
What is a Guinea Pig？
Guinea Pig(Cavia porcellus)is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia; they live in the mountains of South America and are closely related to other members of the family Caviidae, including the domestic guinea pig, another species commonly kept as an exotic pet. Guinea pigs are the perfect pets if you want to get into the hobby of keeping rodents as pets or if you’re just looking for an easy-to-maintain pet to add to your family. They don’t require that much space, are quite friendly with humans and other animals, and are affectionate, playful, and cuddly once they get used to their owners. However, since they’re not as common as cats or dogs, there’s always some confusion about what guinea pigs are and aren’t like as pets.
What to Feed Your Guinea Pigs?
Despite their adorable appearance, Guinea pigs are hardy animals that require a diet rich in fresh vegetables and other healthy foods. These must-have foods will help you to provide the best for your little friend.
- Baby Spinach
With leaves so crisp and tender you might even have trouble picking them off your guinea pig’s mouth, spinach is a great source of nutritional energy (try whisking it into a smoothie). It also provides some antioxidant power to fight free radicals and iron and vitamins A & C.
- Cranberries
These tart fruits are packed with vitamin C and have long been used to treat bladder infections. They’ll also help tighten your guinea pigs’ stool, making cleanup a breeze.
- Carrots
Carrots are a great treat for your guinea pig to chew on. Carrots are rich in beta carotene, which is converted by the pig’s body into Vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in eyesight, reproductive health, and healthy skin and teeth. Other nutrients present in carrots include vitamin K, potassium, and manganese.
- High-Protein Greens
High-protein greens, such as kale, are an excellent source of vitamins A & C and are particularly good for skin and hair health. They also contain antioxidants that protect against free radicals. Adequate intakes of these nutrients will help your guinea pig to get the best from their environment and immune system.
- Corn
Sweetcorn is rich in iron and other trace minerals that are needed by the pigs’ intestinal tract to absorb other nutrients. It is also a great source of dietary fiber for the rodents’ digestive system.
- Nuts
Nuts are a yummy snack that your guinea pig will love to munch on. They’re also a great source of healthy fats, which help to keep your guinea pig’s skin and hair in tip-top condition.
- Watermelon
Watermelon is a great food for guinea pigs because it contains both vitamin C and water, making it an excellent thirst quencher for your little friend! It also contains lycopene, an antioxidant that can help to protect against cancers and cardiovascular disease.
- Cantaloupe
The flavor of Cantaloupe melon is very appealing to guinea pigs, and they’ll love running around your garden to track it down. It’s also a great source of dietary fiber and vitamins A & C.
- Natural Hay
Hays should form the staple diet of your guinea pigs. They are high in fiber and essential minerals and keep your guinea pig’s teeth healthy as they chew them.
- Water
Ensure you always provide a clean water supply for your pet to keep them hydrated.
What Supplies You Should Prepare for Your Guinea Pigs?
You should always prepare for your guinea pigs. Those little guys are cheap and adorable but require much maintenance. That means you need to be ready with water and food, treats to entice them, and the proper housing. Here are several supplies that your guinea pigs will probably love if you have them. These would make it easy to care for your furry friends while playing in their cage or hotel room.
- A water bottle with a nipple
Always keep fresh water around for your guinea pig, especially during long visits where they can’t get out too often (such as when you travel). You can use your regular kitchen water dispenser bottle, but getting a bottle designed specifically for guinea pigs is better. It will have a nipple that they’ll be able to suck through, and you don’t have to worry about spilling water when filling it up.
- Hay
Guinea pigs love hay, so you should always keep some on hand. Their teeth never stop growing, so they chew on hay to keep their teeth worn down and because they love the grassy taste. They need it for digestion and eat it if they’re bored or need entertainment.
- A can of compressed hay
It’s never easy to get fresh hay, especially in the city where you’re more likely to need it. That’s why you should have a can around for your guinea pig. You can just open it and store the hay inside when needed. Canned food is also great for outdoor pets since nobody likes rain-soaked hay. The only worries about hay are mold and dust, so buy a high-quality brand if possible. This way, you’ll be sure your guinea pig’s getting the best nutrition from their food.
- Cleaning supplies
If your guinea pigs make a mess, they’ll need cleaning supplies. Ask an experienced caretaker if you’re unsure what to buy, but you should always have some dishwashing detergent and a squirt bottle handy if you need to wash out their food dishes. There are also general cleaning supplies like disinfectant and soap that will be helpful in case they need a bath or get dirty while exploring their home.
- Hay nets and bags
Guinea pigs love to chew the wood in their cages, so you’ll want to keep some hay nets around for them. You can use hay bags with or without the net holes if your guinea pigs prefer them. If they ever get into a fight, one or both of your animals could injure themselves on these winds.
- A rumpled newspaper
Guinea pigs love to shred paper. They’ll happily eat it, which is their way of helping eliminate hairballs. It’s much more fun than picking up a stool at the vet’s office and cleaning up messy poop.
- A toy
Guinea pigs are very playful animals, and they like to come up with new games all the time. They’re much smarter than you realize, but they’re just as cute as buttons. That’s why you should have some corrugated cardboard boxes set aside for your guinea pig to hide in if he needs some time out of his cage.
- A rubber band
Guinea pigs are great climbers; they’ll get their teeth on things if they can, so always keep a rubber band nearby when you want them to stay in their pens. You can use the rubber band to secure a toy too big for your guinea pig or tie it around the cage bars to keep them from getting out.
This guinea pig cage liner is a washable, reusable, absorbent ‘pad’, designed for use inside any cages or above any liners. Made of soft, very short fleece on top layer, a super absorbent layer in the middle, and a waterproof and anti-slip bottom, these pads are designed to absorb liquids from the top down to keep the surface dry and comfortable, and prevent any liquids from leaking through the bottom.
How to Make Guinea Pig House Comfortable?
Guinea pigs are social animals, and they need companionship to stay happy. If you have one or more guinea pigs, it’s important to make sure they have an adequate place to live that’s safe and comfortable. Here are some tips for making your guinea pig’s house comfortable so they will be happy living there.
1. Know what materials your cage should be made of
If you want your guinea pig to be happy and healthy, the cage mustn’t be just made of cardboard, plastic, and wire. When starting with the cage, you should use styrofoam boxes as a basis for your cage, providing a safer environment for your guinea pig.
2. Space for exercise
When building your guinea pig house, it’s important to provide an area for them to move around and exercise. You should make a hammock inside their cage made of thick and durable material. Next, you should also put two holes in their cage so they can have a way out to run around the room.
3. Make sure your cage is safe from predators
If you have a predator such as a cat or a rat, it’s important to ensure the cage is well-fenced. It is also important to ensure that there are no holes in the fence, so they won’t be able to slip through. You can use wire mesh to keep them out of your guinea pig’s cage and put it in an area where they can’t reach the inside.
4. Provide additional hiding places
When building your guinea pig house, you should make sure that there are different areas for them to hide when leaving their house; this will give them a sense of security and safety when they leave their home. You should make a small hidey hole disguised as a box or pipe. You can also leave an area where they can sleep behind the cage. Aside from that, you should also make a small space where they can dig and have fun with their favorite toys.
5. Make sure your cage has enough floor space
One of the most common problems with guinea pigs is their lack of space. If you’re planning to build a guinea pig house, you should ensure enough floor space for them to move around. If there is not enough floor space, it can cause stress and can lead to health problems for them. You should ensure the cage is large enough so they can move around easily and be happy.
Conclusion
In summary, taking care of your guinea pig is not easy, but it can be a lot more rewarding when you know how to take care of them. If you are planning to buy one and want to make sure that you’re going to do the best thing for their safety, comfort, and health, then remember these tips and make sure your cage is properly equipped.
