7 Basic Things You Should Do For Your Guinea Pigs

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Some fundamentals for a healthy and happy guinea pig (and pet owner):

1) Choose The Right Cage Size and Type

Ideally, you should get a cage that's at least 0.7sqm for one guinea pig and 1sqm for two guinea pigs. Flooring is crucial. Cages with solid floors are better than wire meshes so they don't get sores on their feet.

Soft bedding is essential and materials like shredded paper-based bedding will work. Wood chips are not recommended as the smaller bits may get stuck under their eyelids. 

“Substrate or bedding is an important consideration. Always try to purchase products that have very little powder or labelled "powder-less". Fine powders from bedding coupled with inadequate ventilation is a common cause of respiratory problems we see in small pets. This is true from guinea pigs to chinchillas.” - Dr Arman Chen, , Veterinary Surgeon & Practice Manager, Gaia Vets

2) Provide Toys and Hiding Spaces

These items will stimulate your guinea pigs mentally and make cage-living more interesting. 

Tubes, tunnels and guinea pig houses make fun hiding spots. Just make sure the diameter fits your guinea pig as she grows. You won't want her to get stuck and be in distress when she gets larger.

For toys, get those that are made of chewable materials but will not chip off into parts that your pet can swallow by accident. Get a variety of toys, for them to push around and also hanging ones that they can stretch to reach. In fact, large toilet paper rolls or sheets of paper (unbleached) can become simple and fun toys. 

Be careful not to clutter the cage with too much accessories so they get ample space to scamper about. 

Illustration Credit: Piggie Parodies

3) Design A Healthy Diet

Similar to rabbits, a balanced diet for guinea pigs is 

• 80% hay e.g. Timothy Hay or Orchard Hay

• 10 to 15% vegetables

• 5 to 10% fruits or pellets

• Plenty of water

  Vitamin C deficiency is a common problem for guinea pigs. To avoid this, you can 

• Get pellets that are supplemented with Vitamin C

• Choose fresh vegetables and fruits which are high in Vitamin C as supplements

• Get Vitamin C drops and spike it in their water or feed them chewable tablets

Comic Credit: Liz Climo

Small pets like guinea pigs and hamsters need lots of fresh water.

Low calcium leafy greens e.g. romaine lettuce leaves are better than spinach & kale, which are higher in calcium. Too much calcium in your guinea pig's diet may lead to bladder stone formation. 

Want to know what you can give them as treats? Carrots, bananas, blueberries, watermelon are great fruit options.

*Note: Fresh veggies and fruits are great as supplements or treats. They do not replace fresh hay which ought to form the bulk of your guinea pig's diet. Hay is important to help them file down those teeth which never stop growing and provide fibre in their diet.

Provide plenty of fresh water and if possible, at multiple points, e.g. in a drinking bottle, in a water bowl especially if you have more than one guinea pig. 

4) Regular Maintenance

Scoop out soiled bedding or poo daily. Check the corners because guinea pigs tend to relieve themselves in corners. 

Guinea pigs graze frequently, so give them fresh water and top up with clean and fresh hay every day.  

Remove and discard any uneaten food, especially fresh veggies or fruits.

Do a thorough cleaning of the cage every week if possible. You can wipe the cage down using a natural cleaner i.e. white vinegar diluted with water in a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio should work fine. 

5) Schedule Playtime

Let them out of their cages every day to freely roam about in a larger but *secure space. You can also choose to bust out the toys and play with them during this time for better bonding.

*A secure space is one which is:

• Free from wires and cables so your pet can't chew on them and accidentally swallow wires or get electrocuted.

• Fenced up or properly enclosed so they don't escape or get stepped on accidentally by other family members. 

• Devoid of other pets which may freak them out. You can introduce other pets to your guinea pigs slowly, but ensure they don't get chased or stressed.

6) Schedule grooming/bonding time

Not just because it is therapeutic for you as a pet owner. We recommend spending time with your guinea pigs by brushing their fur or trimming their nails. 

This builds your confidence to handle them as pet owner and allows your guinea pigs to get used to being handled. This also means trips to the vet will be less stressful and your guinea pigs will be less likely to be aggressive. 

Brushing your guinea pig regularly also keeps you more vigilant to any skin problems which are common for these pocket pets. 

7) Regular Health Checks

Bringing your guinea pig for a health check will give you assurance that he is doing well as your vet will be experienced in picking up any subtle signs or symptoms. How regular? A general health check every 6 months is ideal. 

Sterilising guinea pigs are not necessary if you only have one guinea pig or intend to have multiple guinea pigs of the same gender. 

If you are bringing guinea pigs home for the first time and need advice to handle them, do book a consult with us! Our highly experienced team can show you how to handle and care for these furry friends.