Cavies or guinea pigs, as they are most commonly called, are unique and very interesting animals. The guinea pig originated in South America, principally Peru. Males are called boars and females, sows. They have an extremely long gestation period of 68 days, which is longer than dogs or cats! The piglets, when born, are duplicates of their parents. While most rodent babies are born pink, naked and blind, guinea pigs are fully furred, wide-eyed and ready to run! Guinea pigs weigh on average 0.9 kg (2 lbs) full grown. Their endearing habit of whistling is very appealing and they rarely bite, making them an ideal pet for children.

Our pet counsellors are small animal lovers and because they are, they hold and play with all the small animals in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our small animal’s social skills. This is why Petland small animals are quick to bond with their new owner.

There are many different breeds of guinea pigs. The most common is the Smooth Hair, which has short, smooth and evenly flat fur. The English and American Crested, have a hair whorl, or rosette on the forehead. The Abyssinian has a long fancy coat made up of swirling rosettes and cowlicks, (looks like a bad hair day!) The Peruvian has long, dense, shiny hair that grows in whorls all over his body. The Peruvian Silky has an elegant coat that grows all the way to the floor giving them the look of a miniature Shih Tzu puppy and making it difficult to tell one end from the other. The Teddy Bear’s coat is the texture of a short bristle brush, while the Rex has short, fine hair that is wavy or curly. The Texel guinea pig (a cross between the Rex and Peruvian), has short, fizzy hair around the head, and long hair all over the body, which curls in corkscrews.

One Piggy or Two?

Guinea pigs are social animals that live in family groups in their natural setting. This should be sufficient reason to keep more than one guinea pig. We recommend neutering before sexual maturity; this will help with keeping males together. You can house two immature males or two males that have had no contact with females, together in one cage. Two females usually get along with each other.

To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your guinea pigs, Petland recommends the following necessary and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s four basic needs: Nutritional, Environmental, Maintenance and Behavioural. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your guinea pigs can live a long and happy life. Typically, a healthy guinea pig may live 8 to 10 years.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Your Guinea Pig’s New Home – Your guinea pigs will need a place of their own where they can sleep, and find security and quiet time. Your pet counsellor can show you a selection of guinea pig homes with high bottoms for less litter spills and large doors for easy access.

Guinea Pig Exercise Pen - No matter how large the living quarters, your pigs will need physical and social stimulation, which no cage can provide. Exercise pens come in a variety of sizes with(or without) open tops and high sides. Never leave your guinea pigs unattended in their playpen, in particular if they are outdoors. As well, ensure that the area you place their playpen is free from hazards, such as grass treated with pesticides. It is recommended that you provide with a hideaway when they are in their pen which will give them a sense of security.

Hiding Place – A guinea pig’s natural response to danger or an unusual situation is to flee. If there is nowhere to flee to, they will become very anxious and in turn will become stressed, which may lead to health problems. Petland has many hiding places to choose from.

NUTRITIONAL

Hay – Your guinea pig is a herbivore, which means he eats only plant food. Grass hay is absolutely vital to the digestive health of your guinea pig, and will make up the majority of your pet’s daily diet. It helps prevent obesity, dental disease, diarrhea and boredom. The bonus is that they also love it. Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to grass hay, and eat a pile of hay twice the size of his body every day. In addition, guinea pigs less than six months old can benefit from eating alfalfa hay, as it has additional calcium and protein. After six months, alfalfa hay should be used only as a treat. All grass hays, timothy, orchard grass, oat and botanical (timothy blended with herbs) are exactly the same nutritionally; they are just different in taste and texture. Resist offering the same type of hay, thus ensuring that your pet won’t refuse hay if the colour or texture changes, which does happen naturally.

Guinea Pig Pellets – Vitamin C supplementation is vital to the health of your guinea pig. Just like you, they cannot produce their own vitamin C, so it must be supplemented in their diet. Select a guinea pig pellet that is made from hay and fortified with vitamin C. Alfalfa hay pellets (legume hay), are used for young guinea pigs because of their specific growing needs and must be offered free choice until your guinea pig is approximately six month of age. Mature guinea pigs, over six months, require 1/8 cup daily of timothy hay pellets (grass hay), which are high in fibre and lower in protein and calcium in addition to unlimited grass hay. Provide mixes with nuts, corn, seeds and fruits as a treat only. Guinea pigs have a habit of selecting these tempting morsels and leaving the healthy pellets.

Many small animals are susceptible to diarrhea, especially when new foods are introduced too quickly or they encounter a stressful situation (i.e. being adopted). By providing food that is familiar to them, their digestive systems will prevent this type of health problem.

Fresh Foods – Guinea pigs are herbivores, and as such need fresh greens and foods rich in cellulose. The total amount of fresh foods daily is about 1 cup. Carrot and beet tops, dandelion greens and flowers (that have not been subjected to spraying), kale, collard greens, romaine and leaf lettuce (not iceberg lettuce), parsley, carrots and pea pods are some good choices. As with any new food, be sure to introduce new vegetables slowly to avoid upsetting your pet’s stomach and causing diarrhea.

Moss Hollow Adapt – Using Moss Hollow Adapt, while minimizing stress, can help your new pet adapt to their new home by promoting relaxation from stress caused by the environment (Echinacea), offering a prebiotic for building gut flora (Burdock Root), easing diarrhea (Psyllium Husk), increasing palatability (Wheatgrass), providing a natural dewormer (Diatomaceous Earth), and nutrient rich clay (Bentonite). This veterinary health product uses natural ingredients which can aid all small animals before symptoms emerge.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement – Your guinea pigs may not accept the extra foods you offer, nor eat enough of them. To make sure your guinea pigs are getting the vitamins their body requires, we recommend adding a vitamin supplement made for guinea pigs, which has added vitamin C. Provide daily according to bottle directions.

Mineral and Salt Stone – Your guinea pigs need a salt and mineral stone available at all times. Salt will encourage them to drink enough water and the water aids in digestion.

Treat Foods – Treat foods are relished, but offer only small amounts, about 1 Tbsp daily. Offer treats to encourage interaction between you and your pet, and only after your pet eats his basic diet. Boxed crunchies, mixed seeds without shells, treat sticks and fresh fruits, such as strawberries, pineapple and apples are all treats, and should be offered as such. Oats/oatmeal should be avoided, as they are high in carbohydrates.

MAINTENANCE

Water Bottle – Use a large water bottle, not a dish, to keep their water clean and to conserve the liquid vitamins. Fresh de-chlorinated water must be available at all times and replaced daily. Water bottles need to be kept clean of not only any bacterial growth, but also of sediment that may be caused by using nutritional supplements. Use a bottle brush set to clean both the inside of the bottle and the inner surface of the stainless steel drinking tube. Brushes may be used with dish soap. Be sure to rinse bottles and tubes well and to wash and rinse brushes themselves following use.

Crock Dishes and Hoppers/Mangers – Crock dishes are easy to clean, cannot be chewed and are difficult to tip over. Food hoppers allow your guinea pigs easy access to their food and prevent them from dumping dishes and soiling their food. Either way, you will need three feeding stations, one for food, one for hay and one for fruits and vegetables.

Pine, aspen shavings, soft bedding made from natural fibres (e.g. carefresh®) or corn cob litter is recommended for your guinea pigs. Cedar or other aromatic litters may cause respiratory problems or skin irritation.

Cage/habitat Cleaner – A clean home helps to keep your pet happy and healthy. Use a pet safe stain and odour remover(designed with small pets in mind) to clean their environment once to twice a week. Small animal/pet safe cleaners are enzyme-based formulas that work naturally, permanently breaking down stains and odours. Bleach or other household cleaners are not to be used as they may cause serious health problems or even death. If you have a pet safe cleaner available, then hot water with a mild soap solution may be used. Rinse and dry well.

Brush and Comb – Guinea pigs spend time everyday grooming, but they still need help from you. Depending on the breed that you have, a soft slicker brush and a stainless steel comb will aid in the removal of excess fur.

Nail Clippers and Coagulant – Your guinea pig’s nails should be trimmed with a small animal nail clipper. Take care not to over trim or cut into the blood vessels running through each nail. Should this happen, have a blood coagulant waiting and ready for use.

BEHAVIOURAL

Chew Blocks – Your guinea pigs’ teeth will grow throughout their life. It is important that you give them a variety of safe chewing aids to help keep their teeth trimmed. Ask your pet counsellor for recommended products for guinea pigs to chew. Check their teeth regularly to be certain they are not suffering from a condition called malocclusion (improper bite), which prevents them from eating normally. In this condition the lower teeth slide over the top teeth creating an under bite. If you suspect your guinea pig to have this problem, please see your small animal veterinarian.

Ladders and Platforms – Guinea pigs love to climb! Placing a piece of fruit or vegetable on top of a stable platform (not too high), will encourage your guinea pigs to climb up the ladder to get their reward.
Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your particular pet’s needs.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their environments. Regular cleaning of your pet’s environment with a pet safe cleaner may help avoid the spread of contaminants.

Hygiene procedures such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet and/or after having any contact with their habitat, is a necessary routine. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.

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