3 Key Points of Great Guinea Pig Care

Are you looking for a cute pet that is small in size but big in personality? You may find a Guinea pig is a great match for you! These tiny furballs, also known as cavies, are extremely adorable, lots of fun, and quite easy to take care of. Of course, just like all of our other animal companions, Guinea pigs do have some specific care needs. A local Omaha, NE goes over a few basic aspects of great cavy care in this article.

Home Sweet Home

Your Guinea pig will spend a lot of time in his cage, so make sure it’s nice and comfy. If you get one cavy, your pet will need about 7.5 square feet of space. You can house more than one of these adorable furballs together, but if you get two or more cavies, you’ll need a larger cage. Cavies also require a suitable substrate, such as aspen; at least one hidey-hole; food dishes; a water bottle, and lots of fun toys. One way to increase your pet’s living space without taking up more room in your home is to get a cage with a second floor. Choose one that offers an enclosed ramp for access to the ‘pethouse’ suite.

Chewing

Cavies need to chew to keep their teeth from overgrowing. Offer your furry buddy lots of suitable chew toys. (Tip: the cardboard tubes from toilet paper rolls can be upcycled into great chew toys.) You can also give your cavy items made of safe wood, cardboard, and paper. Just be sure to avoid anything with sharp edges or small parts that could choke or cut your little pal, as well as items coated with potentially toxic varnish or paint.

Diet

A proper diet is crucial to your little furball’s health. We recommend giving your cavy plenty of fresh grass hay, such as Timothy hay. Hay is great for Guinea pigs’ teeth and digestion! Your furry pal can have commercial food for lunch and dinner. You’ll also want to offer your cute pet fresh produce each day. Include plenty of foods that contain Vitamin C, as this nutrient is essential for your Guinea pig’s health. Ask your vet for specific nutritional recommendations, including portion sizes and feeding frequency.

Do you have any questions about Guinea pig care? We can help! Call us, your Omaha, NE animal clinic, today!