Guinea Pig Advice

As with all pets, Guinea Pigs should be checked daily for signs of illness. Regular handling will help you get to know your pet; you should become aware of what is normal for him or her.   

Guinea Pigs can develop health issues like other pets but are good at hiding them. Vigilant owners can spot a change in their pets.  We are here to help so contact us for help and advice.

Dental and digestive disorders are common in Guinea Pigs, and a poor diet is almost always to blame. 

 Guinea Pigs need a diet rich in vitamin C, as unlike rabbits they cannot make it themselves. Diets high in sugar and calcium can be harmful for your Guinea Pigs. 

Pellets should be used only as a complementary diet and not the sole food source.  Hay & grass should make up around 70% of their diet.

Guinea Pigs fed on a colourful commercial mixture tend to selectively feed.  Instead choose all-in-one pellets that are one colour. They are rich in fibre and a source of vitamin C.

Your guinea pig should be weighed regularly, and you should use the feeding guide on the food bag but adjust this as necessary if you see weight changes.

They need to eat a large amount of fibre. The best sources of fibre are grass and good quality fresh hay. Check your pets hay source daily to keep it fresh as it will be trodden on and soiled.  We don't recommend hay racks as these can be dangerous. 

Actively encourage foraging, a hutch full of hay can be a great source of enrichment and warmth.  

 

Guinea Pigs love weeds such as dandelion, groundsel, chickweed and clover.

Avoid fruits as these are high in sugar. 

Bell Peppers (doesn't matter what colour!) are a good source of vitamin C and should be fed daily.  Other added daily extras can include Romaine or little Gem lettuce and fresh greens. But be careful not to overfeed these as this may cause diarrhoea. 

You can offer the following foods in moderation - twice weekly treats: carrots (they love carrot tops with full greenery!); herbs such as mint, coriander and basil); kale; broccoli; courgette; raw corn on the cob; celery and cauliflower.  

It is wise to avoid commercially prepared treats, as these are often high in sugars and fat, so try branches from apple and willow trees as a healthy treat and a great source of fibre! All these extras should only be given in small amounts. These are likely to be tastier than hay and grass but it's important the Guinea Pig is still hungry enough to eat their hay and grass. 

Like all animals they need fresh water each day.

Guinea Pigs can be kept outdoors or indoors.  Feeling safe is number one priority, they are prey animals after all.  

They need a hutch/cage which is draft, weather and vermin/predator proof. 

Guinea Pigs are susceptible to temperature changes. During the colder months they require extra bedding and a protective cover over the hutch at night. In hot weather guinea pigs can suffer from heat stroke. They will mouth breath when they are overheated if this happens contact us for advice. Heat stroke can be prevented by keeping the hutch in a shaded area and filling a plastic bottle with water, freezing it, and placing it in their hutch so they can lean on it if they need to! 

Their hutch/cage should be checked every day and should be cleaned out at least 1-2 times a week, especially during the warmer months. Space is important for any animal, so always get the biggest hutch you can afford.   Pets kept in hutches need environmental stimulus and exercise is important. Try hiding their food and give them boltholes to hide and play in. Give your Guinea Pig a secure run, or enclosure so they can graze. This should be portable enough to be moved frequently onto fresh areas of grass.

Guinea Pigs are very sociable animals, and most will become unhappy if living on their own. It is important for them to have a companion.

The best pairing is usually a neutered male and 1 or 2 females. It is possible to keep 2 males together but requires a careful bonding process if they are not siblings. Multiple males (more than two) very rarely works and neutering them does not improve this. 

Guinea Pigs will live happily in groups, but it is important to keep only one male, regardless of whether they have been neutered.

 Introducing adult Guinea Pigs should be done slowly and under supervision whilst they get to know each other. 

You should never pair a Guinea Pig with a rabbit, as they are different species and require different care, and diet. The likelihood of injury is high mixing species.

Male Guinea Pigs can be castrated and for most pet owners wanting to keep male and female Guinea Pigs together this is the best advice. This is generally carried out at 4 months of age.  Guinea Pigs have a life expectancy of 4-7 years, sometimes more.

Parasites such as mites, lice, fleas and flies can affect your guinea pig. They can be transferred between Guinea Pigs and through their bedding. If you notice your Guinea Pig has a poor coat condition, is scratching or biting its fur and causing sore patches then this could indicate parasites. 

Apart from being very uncomfortable, if left untreated your pet can become unwell. It is important you contact us for advice if you see any of these signs. Treatment is available by administering an insecticide or insect repellent specifically for rodents. We can advise you of the best and safest product and if used as a preventative measure, can keep your Guinea Pig free from parasites.