How to Care for a Guinea Pig

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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.

There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 83,764 times.

Despite their small size, guinea pigs are pets that require a lot of space, time, care and interaction with their owners. If you are willing to provide your guinea pig with a warm home, play space, food, attention, grooming, and appropriate veterinary care, your reward will be a baby guinea pig. healthy, happy, funny and adorable.

Table of Contents

Prepare for the guinea pig

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Build a barn. You should reserve a space of at least 0.7 square meters for a guinea pig, and if you have two, about 1 square meter is enough. ^{[1] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source} However, bigger is always better – if you have enough room, don’t hesitate to make the barn bigger! Your guinea pigs will be delighted with the ample space.

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Buy a coop with a flat bottom. Do not buy a cage with a net bottom, as guinea pigs’ legs are very fragile and need to be protected. Mesh floors can cause guinea pigs to develop foot ulcers and dermatitis. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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There is no need to cover the cage if the barn wall is at least 30-35 cm high. When there is such a high fence, the cage cover is not really necessary. However, if you are afraid of something falling into the cage, it is still a good idea to cover the lid to prevent problems.

You need to cover the cage if you place the cage outdoors, if there are children or other pets that are dangerous to guinea pigs.

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Be careful with multi-tiered barns. A fall more than 15cm from height can break a guinea pig’s leg or foot, and older guinea pigs need to be kept in a single-story cage. Remember that your mouse may not be able to climb high. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Spread a layer of paper a few centimeters thick on the bottom of the cage. Remember that paper will retain odors, so you need to change the lining at least twice a week, or more if you live in a humid climate. Do not use cedar or pine shavings as they can cause breathing problems. The bark of the poplar tree can usually be used, but you need to take it out to air-dry when it stinks. You’re better off using paper. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source} Alternatively, you can use fleece mats with UHaul pads or other absorbent material spread underneath to absorb anything without having to remove the lining. Every day you need to clean the dirt on the fleece.

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Find a suitable location to place the cage. A place where everyone in the house usually gathers for long periods of time is ideal. Living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways are good choices, as these are often frequented by people. Your guinea pigs will get to know everyone in the house. ^{[5] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Make sure to place the cage where no one can trip over or tip it over. Such accidents can kill guinea pigs.
Do not put the cage in the garage, as the exhaust from the car will harm or even kill the guinea pig. Moreover, the temperature in the garage is also unstable.

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Note that guinea pigs are very sensitive to temperature. Many veterinarians recommend placing guinea pigs indoors, where the added advantage of guinea pigs is more interaction. However, some experts recommend regularly exposing your guinea pig to the sun.

Avoid placing outdoor cages if there are cats! The balance between time spent outdoors and indoors depends on many factors, including climate. Talk to your veterinarian to make the best decision for your guinea pig.

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Raise 2 or more guinea pigs so they don’t get lonely. Guinea pigs need company, as they are herd animals. Try to raise the mice as siblings to avoid possible fights. Remember that male and female mice will mate. Every day you should spend time with your pet mice. Social animals can become depressed when left alone. You can also keep a cage of 2 female mice, or 2 neutered male rats or 2 male mice that have been living together since childhood and have never been separated.

You can keep 1 male and 1 female mouse, but keep in mind that they will mate and breed. It is best to take male mice to be spayed. If you suspect a female rat is pregnant, separate them and call your veterinarian for care instructions.
Guinea pigs can live in groups of 2 females and 1 neutered male, similar to the herd life of guinea pigs in the wild. You will find your guinea pigs living happily, but don’t forget that you must have enough space!
You need to let the mice get to know each other properly to avoid a fight scene.

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Taming the guinea pig. Sit next to the cage and talk to your guinea pig to get them used to your smell and voice. Once the guinea pigs get used to your presence, reach into the cage. If they come close, you can pet them, but don’t chase them around the cage.

Encourage your guinea pig to associate you with food. Start by bringing food to them, and try hand-feeding as your guinea pig gets used to you.

Feed the guinea pig

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Provide clean water for guinea pigs. One of the most important factors in caring for any pet is to always provide them with clean water. You can use a bowl or pitcher of water for your guinea pig to drink. ^{[6] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

Water bottles are less messy but leak, and water bowls are leak-free and more natural for guinea pigs. However, if you use shavings as a base, the shavings may fall into the bowl of water.
The most suitable guinea pig watering device is a rabbit/guinea pig water bottle with a marble on the spout.

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Keep the guinea pig’s water tank/bowl clean and change the water every day. You can clean the water tank by putting rice and a little water in it and shaking it vigorously. The rice will dislodge the moss in the water tank.

Regularly clean the faucet faucet with a cotton swab to remove dirt and food particles that can cause harmful bacteria to grow and clog the faucet.
If the guinea pig’s cage is placed in the sun for a few hours a day, algae can develop in the water tank. You should cover a piece of cloth over the water tank to prevent algae.

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Continually provide hay for the guinea pig. Guinea pigs are rodents, so they need something to chew on throughout the day (such as timothy grass or orchard grass), or their digestive system can stop working. However, hay can poke your guinea pig’s eyes, so you’ll need to check to make sure there aren’t any sharp grass tips sticking out!

Alfalfa hay is only for guinea pigs 6 months of age or younger and pregnant or lactating female rats, as it contains a lot of calcium that healthy adult guinea pigs do not need.
Guinea pigs 6 months and older should be fed timothy hay, orchard or bluegrass. You should feed your mice these grasses “freely,” which means there should be grass in the cage at all times.
A lack of hay can cause guinea pig teeth to stagger, a misalignment of the teeth that can require surgery to correct teeth, and a gastrointestinal stagnation that can lead to death.

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Feed your guinea pig fresh vegetables every day. Green leafy vegetables should make up 20% of your guinea pig’s diet. Be careful with vegetables high in phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin A, as too much of these can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, which can be fatal. You should get a list of guinea pig-safe fruits and vegetables on reputable websites or ask your veterinarian. ^{[7] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Your guinea pig’s diet should include plenty of vegetables rich in vitamin C (since guinea pigs are not able to produce vitamin C on their own, and a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to a number of diseases, such as scurvy).
Vegetables that are good for guinea pigs include lettuce, celery, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, kale, some broccoli, small amounts of spinach, and peas. Remember to limit certain vegetables to avoid serious damage to your guinea pig’s digestive system. You can also give your guinea pig some fruit as a reward, such as strawberries and a few pieces of apple, but remember to only offer it occasionally, as some of the acids in fruit can be harmful. Guinea.
If your guinea pig doesn’t seem to be eating vegetables, try cutting them into slices or pieces. In addition, you should also be aware that guinea pigs also have their own tastes or preferences, they may or may not like different vegetables.
Avoid feeding your guinea pigs American lettuce, roket lettuce, cauliflower, beets, potatoes, and beets.
Each guinea pig will need to eat 1 cup of vegetables per day. You should divide the amount of vegetables into 2 meals, because guinea pigs are rodents that like to nibble throughout the day instead of eating a large meal.

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Feed your guinea pig pellets in moderation. Healthy guinea pigs do not need nutrient-rich pellets. However, if your guinea pig is used to pellets, you need to gradually introduce him to healthier foods. Consult your veterinarian for details.

Choose a good quality pellet food if you must feed your guinea pig with pellets. Alfalfa pellets should be given to pregnant or lactating female rats and pups 6 months of age or younger. Guinea pigs over 6 months old need a feed made from timothy grass. Oxbow and Kleenmama are good brands.
Do not give your guinea pig pellets from rabbits or other small pets – the vitamin content is not the same as guinea pig food and can be harmful to guinea pigs.
If you decide to feed your guinea pig with pellets, make sure it doesn’t contain seeds to prevent choking. Choose one that does not contain corn, colored grains or dried fruit, etc., but only pellets.

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Do not give your guinea pig other foods. Feed pellets, hay, organic fresh grass (wheat grass or standard lawn grass) and fresh vegetables are all foods your guinea pig needs. Other foods can be harmful to your guinea pig’s health.

Let the guinea pig move and communicate

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Give your guinea pig some floor play time each day. Let your guinea pig run in a enclosed area and make sure no one steps on it. You can set up a fence in your room (in an easy-to-clean area) or outdoors if the weather isn’t too hot or cold.

You need to give your guinea pig plenty of space so they can run around comfortably. Exercise time is very important for your guinea pig to have a happy life.
Be sure to place some toys and pipes in your guinea pig’s playground.
Be careful if you let your guinea pig play outdoors. Guinea pigs should always be watched outdoors: they can squeeze through small openings out of the yard, and predators like foxes and hawks can break into the safest areas of the outdoors. .

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Provide a variety of toys and accessories in the barn. You can make your own guinea pig toys out of boxes, paper bags, cereal boxes, folders, and more. Get creative and use whatever materials you can find around the house.

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Interact and bond with your guinea pig several times a day. Guinea pigs are inherently social animals and live in groups in the wild. Your guinea pig will be happy to interact with people every day. Talk to them, pet them, hold them in your arms, and cuddle them whenever you can. Spend a lot of time each day playing with them. ^{[8] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Some countries have laws that do not allow the purchase of a single guinea pig: you must purchase each pair. The guinea pig lives happily when there is another mouse as company.
Guinea pigs can exhibit symptoms like depression (loss of appetite, inactivity, etc.) if they don’t have the right attachment.
The guinea pig is a cute little animal. You can teach them to stand on their hind legs, spin, jump and more!

Keep your guinea pig clean and healthy

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Clean up the dirty spots in the barn. Guinea pigs love to be clean, so you should try to clean the cage at least twice a week, remove the manure and leftovers from the previous day, wash the water tank and add hay to the cage. It is also a good idea to schedule a cleaning of the cage twice a week. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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General cleaning of the guinea pig’s cage at least once a week. The frequency of general cleaning depends on the type of bottom liner and the number of guinea pigs in the cage.

Remove any debris, litter, food, and toys, then dispose of or clean with a guinea pig-safe disinfectant spray, but be sure to remove any cleaners before placing them back in the cage. Do not use cleaning products intended for humans.
You can clean the inside of the cage with a guinea pig-safe disinfectant spray, but you can also use water and sunlight to kill bacteria naturally. Perhaps you should also take the barn outside to dry for a short time.
Re-spread the liner after cleaning the coop. You can spread newspaper under another bedding material to prevent urine stains. Don’t just line the newspaper and don’t let the guinea pig come into contact with the newspaper, as they may ingest the ink that is harmful to them.
CareFresh is a moisture-wicking guinea pig liner that you can spread over cotton towels or poplar shavings.
Do not use wood chips or sawdust as a lining. You should also not use shavings of cedar or pine, as these types of wood contain toxic phenps.
Cotton towels under the fleece cut to fit the bottom of the barn can also be used as liners – just remember to shake off the crumbs, wash and reuse. Carefully remove the threads, as they can get tangled in the guinea pig’s legs.
Remember to set aside an area for your guinea pig to sleep in – you can buy a guinea pig tent at pet stores or spread out loose hay, but remember that the hay can get in your guinea pig’s eyes if you let them snuggle.

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Trim your guinea pig’s toenails every few weeks. If the mouse has black nails, you can shine a flashlight behind the nail to see the nail pulp. A guinea pig’s claw can bleed if cut too close to a blood vessel. You can stop bleeding with styptic powder or cornstarch. ^{[10] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

If you don’t know how to clip your guinea pig’s toenails, you should see your veterinarian for a nail clipper. Your veterinarian or veterinary technician can trim your guinea pig’s nails and show you how.

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Avoid bathing your guinea pig regularly. You may be tempted to bathe your guinea pig, but doing so can disrupt the body’s natural processes, so you should only bathe your guinea pig a few times a year. Long-haired guinea pigs may need a bath 2-3 times a year. ^{[11] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Watch for signs of disease in your guinea pig. You need to know what signs of a sick guinea pig to look out for. ^{[12] X Research Source} Take your guinea pig to the vet for proper treatment. Always keep an eye out for even the smallest changes in your guinea pig’s behavior or eating habits, as they hide diseases extremely well.

Be sure to treat all guinea pigs at the same time, as some diseases will spread from one animal to another in the same cage.

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Examine the male guinea pig’s genitals. Male rat genitals can be clogged, but you only need a little massage. If you see a soft substance like stool, gently wipe it off with a cotton swab. You also need to make sure that there is no feces blocking the guinea pig’s anus.

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Do not allow rabbits near guinea pigs. Rabbits often carry bacteria that can make guinea pigs very sick. Moreover, rabbits are larger and stronger than guinea pigs. A playful kick from a rabbit can kill a guinea pig.

Advice

Never bathe your guinea pig with regular soap, as it can dry out your guinea pig’s skin. You should go to the pet store and buy soap made for guinea pigs.
Some guinea pigs may gnaw at you for exploration. They will stop when they realize you are not food.
Use a heavy bowl to feed your guinea pig. They can gnaw on plastic bowls or topple over lightly.
Guinea pigs need a warm area to sleep, a place where they feel safe.
Do not put guinea pigs in your bed or place them on elevated surfaces. They can fall and get injured. You should also be careful not to drop your guinea pig.
To potty train your guinea pig, you can spread some shredded paper in the corner of the cage.
Guinea pigs will bite when startled, so you should be careful and gentle when handling them.
To give your guinea pig daily exercise, release your guinea pig on a secure fenced-in lawn. Guinea pigs love to run.
Always check your guinea pig in the morning and afternoon.
It will take 3-5 days for your guinea pig to get used to you and their new home. Don’t get upset if they don’t come to you the first day you bring them home.
Guinea pigs gnaw everything , so you need to make sure they don’t have access to paper, books, etc.
If you only have one guinea pig for a long time, don’t keep another. Guinea pigs can become aggressive if used to being alone, .

Warning

Be very careful when buying guinea pigs at a pet store to make sure they don’t get sick. Check around the guinea pig’s nose, eyes, and ears.
Guinea pigs often hide their symptoms until they are very sick. Once there are signs of disease, guinea pigs will get sicker and even die very quickly. You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Never use exercise balls or hamster wheels. Even when labeled for guinea pigs, such items are unsafe and can injure your guinea pig’s feet, nails, and spine.
If you feed your guinea pig, you need to make sure the grass is free of chemicals. And the fresher the grass, the better!
Guinea pigs run very fast and can outrun you if you get out of the cage, so be careful! Make sure the “playground” is closed so they don’t slip out or get into dangerous situations.
Avoid over-the-counter toys and rewards. Many products are not good for guinea pigs, so you should replace them with healthier options like fruits or vegetables, 1-2 times a week in small amounts.
Do not feed guinea pigs American lettuce, potatoes, onions, leeks, tomato leaves, chocolate, corn, wheat, dairy products, meat, mushrooms, fast food, alcoholic beverages.
If your guinea pig has discharge around its eyes or nose, it may have an upper respiratory tract infection and needs to be rushed to the vet for treatment.
Be wary of advice from pet store employees. Very few of them are trained and know what is best for guinea pigs.
Always clean the coop every 3 days if you use straw to line the bottom of the coop, as maggots can breed in the straw. Make sure the straw is not too stiff, as the sharp fibers can hurt your guinea pig’s eyes.
Never leave a guinea pig unattended. They can fall and break their legs.
Never place a guinea pig cage in direct sunlight outdoors.

Steps