The Wonderful World Of Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs make for fabulous pets, in so many ways. Being less fragile than rabbits or hamsters, while not being nearly as skittish as other kinds of rodents– they can be a perfect fit for many households. Today we’re going to get into everything you need to know about guinea pigs, and how to choose the right one for you.
5 things that make guinea pigs one endlessly cool pet to have:
- In comparison to most animals, guinea pigs are by far one of the easiest to care for household pets.
- Guinea pigs are social animals, so having multiple at one time is a fairly easy thing to do. Once warmed up to their owners, they love to be held and shown affection. Making them great pets for kids!
- When a guinea pig is nice and healthy, they have a typically long life span. Most of which living 5-7 years, and on occasion making it into their teen years!
- “ Popping” Some guinea pigs have a funny little quirk where they jump up in the air and squeal while shocking the first few times you see it– this is something most guinea owners find absolutely adorable.
- Guinea pigs genuinely love humans and interacting with them. Unlike other rodents, they are very well suited for individuals who love frequent one-on-one time with their pets.
Guinea pig dietary needs:
Guinea pigs are herbivores, this means that their diet is made up of plants, fruits, and vegetables. They eat in the morning and evening, and the base of their diet is hay and or food pellets. A diet of hay or pellets and fruits/vegetables here
and there is a great way to keep your guinea pig their most happy and healthy self.
Tip– Keeping in mind the sugar content in fruits, feeding your guinea pig fewer fruits and more vegetables is ideal. It’s very important for the happiness of their tummy, that you find a balance regarding the number of fruits, vegetables, and treats you give your guinea pig.
For more information, check out this link to Petco.com’s page on guinea pig care.
Top 10 musts on how to care for a guinea pig:
- Your guinea pig will need a spacious cage, big enough to give them and any other guinea’s you have the room they need. This can be fairly large, depending on how many you intend to home in one cage.
- A well-balanced diet,before adding a guinea pig to your family– doing research on the best ways to feed them/what to feed them is a must. Like any other animal, they have a very specific set of needs, but once you get the hang of those needs, owning one is a breeze.
- Playtime, guinea pigs are very social animals. Especially if they don’t have a brother or sister guinea to keep them company, make sure that you or a family member can carve a little time out of each day to love them up.
- Toy selection. Buying your pet’s toys can be a very fun process, and every guinea owner should keep in mind a few things: -Getting a little crafty, can go a long way when making pet toys. And although guinea pigs do enjoy chewing on cardboard, it is recommended that you not give your guinea used toilet paper rolls to chew. As glues used on the rolls can be harmful, and the cardboard can cause digestive issues. For a great alternative, click here.
-When buying your guinea pig wood toys/ structures, be sure to check for splinters in the wood before giving them to your pet. And if you see any, just go ahead and tug them off for an easy fix!
-Guinea’s love to hide, so consider buying them an edible house to scurry into. It makes for both a lovely place to nap and a tasty snack.
– Felt based beds and blankets make for super cozy places to cuddle up in, and endless fun for a hide-n-seek loving guinea. As fabrics of any kind + pets often = STINKY. Just be sure to use pet-friendly cleaners when washing, and to air dry those bad boys.
How to pick the right guinea pig for you:
For a pet lover or family looking into a guinea pig, it can be very important to find the one that fits best with your family and to know your options when buying. Here are a few tips on how to find the best one for you.
- Look into local shelters, a surprising amount of shelters have lovely guinea pigs just looking for the perfect home. So give your local shelter a call, and ask about their availability!
- Take some time to sit with a guinea pig that you are meeting, so you can get to know their personality. It’s a bit scary meeting a new person, so some guinea pigs will be scared or timid. A little one-on-one time goes a long way towards seeing an animal’s true personality.
- Keep the possibility of an allergy in mind. Before purchasing a guinea, go meet and hold a guinea pig at a shelter/pet store if you (or any family members) can. This can be a great way to make sure there’s no itchy bumps or watering eyes to come!
- Find a place in your home suited to house a guinea pig cage, as they’re larger than a hamster cage you want to make sure you have enough room to suit their needs.
- Trust your instincts, you know better than anyone what you or your family is looking for in the perfect pet! Every animal has its own unique personality. Go with your gut, and don’t be afraid to take a chance and hold a potential new guinea friend. Odds are they’re just as nervous as you are, and could turn out to be your very best friend :)
How to find a vet that will see your guinea pig:
As guinea pigs are considered exotic animals, not every vet will accept them as a patient. There are a few ways you can go about doing this, we highly recommend the following.
- Do a quick google search of local vets in your area that takes guinea pigs
- Ask around and see if any guinea owners have a favorite vet to visit, or know of any good locations
- When all else fails, look into a couple of vets nearest to you and don’t be shy! Call to ask them directly about whether or not they see guinea pigs.
For additional info check out the links below for more information on Guinea pigs:
Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Make Great Pets
How To Know If A Guinea Pig Is The Right Pet For You
Things To Know Before Adopting A Guinea Pig
And if you’re interested in capturing the bond you share with your pet, feel free to take a look at our website by Clicking Here