Basics
Native to South America, Guinea pigs have been popular pets for over 400 years! These little mammals are very gentle, but they do make quite a few sounds, all of which are adorable. Cavies are very sociable, and really do best if they have a buddy to room with, someone who speaks their ‘language.’
Habitat
Cavies are very active and curious, and love to run and play. Therefore, making sure your pet has plenty of room is very important. Each Guinea pig will need about 7.5 square feet of room. Once you have the cage, you’ll need to add bedding. You can use a substrate, or try soft towels. Avoid using pine or cedar substrates, since these materials can be dangerous to little animals. Your pet will also need at least one home or hidey-hole. You can buy one, or make your own out of a cardboard, a wooden box, or even a plant pot.
Diet
Guinea pigs can have a commercial pellet food for their basic diet, but you’ll need to supplement this with fruits, veggies, and treats. It’s very important that you feed your piggy foods with adequate vitamin C, as they cannot make their own and can develop scurvy if their diet does not provide enough of it. There are lots of fruits and veggies you can give your Guinea pig, but there are also many types of foods which are dangerous for them, so always do thorough research before feeding your furball a new food. Parsley, carrots, and strawberries are a few of the things your little furball can eat.
Toys
Cavies love to play! Make sure to keep your pet’s life fun and interesting by giving him lots of entertainment options. Change them out frequently to keep the little one from getting bored. Luckily, keeping your pet entertained doesn’t necessarily have to cost much. You can use store-bought toys, such as willow balls, or make your own out of things you have at home, such as paper toilet rolls and cardboard boxes.
Please click here for more articles from your veterinary clinic North Park.
