A particularly widespread pet, each within the UK and overseas, guinea pigs are appropriate pets for each adults and youngsters – though it is strongly recommended that younger youngsters are supervised with these pets. As well as, guinea pig care is comparatively easy and they are often pleasant and inquisitive animals which might be extraordinarily rewarding to maintain.
Are guinea pigs for everybody?
There are two preliminary points of interest for individuals who are contemplating a guinea pig as a pet. Firstly, they’re cute, comparatively lively and fascinating animals that may present their inquisitive nature if allowed. Secondly, they’re comparatively low cost to purchase and, though they require a good quantity of apparatus, the preliminary outlay is comparatively small.Nonetheless, a guinea pig gained’t be appropriate for everybody. They’ll survive on their very own, however would require some consideration in the course of the day, which is why many individuals purchase them in pairs.
Additionally they get pleasure from mild human interplay, so you need to ensure you have time to offer to them every day.It’s additionally price noting that, not like different small animals equivalent to hamsters, guinea pigs even have an extended lifespan of round 5 – 7 years so you will have to be ready to take care of them for that period of time.
What dwelling situations do guinea pigs require?
This is a vital a part of guinea pig care as, whereas they are often sociable with individuals they know, they are often fairly skittish and nervous if offered with a scenario they’re unfamiliar with. For that purpose, your guinea pig must be stored in a quiet, peaceable room the place there isn’t a number of noise.
These pets may be stored indoors or exterior, relying on the quantity of house you may have accessible. Whereas they’re fairly small, the more room you’ll be able to present the higher for them. There must be an area the place they will cover and really feel protected, in addition to a bigger open house for them to maneuver about in.
Guinea pig cages are available, as are appropriate outside hutches. If you’re holding your pet open air, be certain the hutch is sheltered from the solar, wind and rain, and it might even be essential to convey them indoors in the course of the chilly winter months.
Most significantly, a safe outside run is a good way of offering interplay and house on your guinea pig!
What ought to I feed my guinea pig?
A necessary a part of guinea pig care is ensuring they’re fed correctly, receiving all the mandatory nutritional vitamins and minerals they should stay an extended and wholesome life. As an alternative of being fed at intervals in the course of the day, your pet will most certainly eat recurrently so make meals and contemporary water available whereas being cautious to not over-feed them.
There are various varieties of guinea pig meals accessible, together with muesli and nugget-style choices. Nonetheless, it’s advisable that you just select the latter because it contains every little thing a guinea pig will want; with muesli they will choose and select their favorite bits, not guaranteeing they’ll get all of the vitamins they want.
Guinea pigs can also eat the hay you present, and so they significantly get pleasure from contemporary greens, significantly greens. Nonetheless, please do examine along with your vet first to find out which of them are appropriate.
Do I must groom my guinea pig?
Whereas they aren’t too intensive on this space, your guinea pig care regime ought to embody a level of grooming. If dealt with from a younger age they need to be receptive to this and truly fairly get pleasure from it. All they may want is a small quantity of brushing and the occasional tub, whereas their claws and tooth might have trimming sometimes.
As with all animal, it’s advisable that you just take out pet insurance coverage to cowl any surprising issues which may be extremely pricey. They’re usually wholesome animals however maintain an eye fixed out for any issues and go to your vet in case you are involved.
Final Guinea Pig Purchasing Checklist:
- Hutch or cage – offering a protected place on your pet to sleep and spend the day is step one in holding them blissful. Purchase it right here.
- Bedding – use wooden shavings for the bottom of the cage as they’re absorbent, after which complement with hay when required. Purchase it right here.
- Outside run – when the climate is good, your guinea pig will admire with the ability to transfer round open air. Purchase it right here.
- Meals dish – select an acceptable dish for his or her dwelling surroundings and ensure it’s cleaned and topped up recurrently. Purchase it right here.
- Water bottle – these are available and must be cleaned usually and topped up with clear, contemporary water. Purchase it right here.
- Meals – specialist guinea pigs are advisable, however you should use muesli if you want. Purchase it right here.
- Toys – to maintain your guinea pig entertained, you’ll be able to present specialist toys, issues for them to gnaw on or different belongings you suppose they might get pleasure from. Purchase it right here.