how to care for guinea pigs

Ad Clare Balding Takes Your Pet Care Questions To Expert Vets Groomers Pet Care Advisors. According to the American Cavy Breeders Association there are thirteen species of guinea pig.

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Try to determine the sex of your pups as early as possible then separate the males from the females when they reach 3-4 weeks of age to.

. Guinea pigs make sociable and lovable pets but despite their size they can be a lot of work. Put the cage inside the house. Ad Clare Balding Takes Your Pet Care Questions To Expert Vets Groomers Pet Care Advisors. You must fly-proof the enclosure using flyscreen wire or mosquito netting as this will help reduce the risk.

Were Covering Everything From Diet And Nutrition. First rule of correct guinea pig care. Guinea Pig Care and Grooming. So if youre getting a guinea pig for the family its important that a responsible adult.

Bathe them in a shallow container. Also aim to clip your guinea pigs nails once every two weeks or they can become overgrown and affect the animals ability to walk. Your guinea pigs enclosure should be at least one metre by 07 metres and 07 metres high. Guinea pigs are also known as cavies which is derived from the scientific name Cavia porcellus.

A healthy guinea pig diet is about 20 vegetables and 5 fruit. Provide your guinea pig grass hay Timothy or orchard brome is best all the time in unlimited amounts. While they can swim they are panicked and frightened when doing so. Feed the pups twice a day provide a constant supply of fresh water and handle them often so they can get comfortable with human interaction.

Guinea pigs dont need lots of bathing but in hot weather a cool bath can make your pet feel a lot more comfortable. Guinea pig care guide. Guinea pigs as pets are an absolute delight. Guinea pigs are most often purchased at a pet store or a breeder but you can also consider rescuing one from a shelter.

Twice a week let them nibble on raisins and alfalfa. Your vet can show you how to do a nail trim if necessary. Here are some things to. Choosing your guinea pig is not a process to rush.

Brush out any mats and loose fur. If you have two guinea pigs they will need double this space. When you are feeding for example feed her at the same time every day. Then wrap the wet cavy in a warm towel.

As you probably know though they can be scared quite easily and often dont like to be pestered so giving them plenty of places to hide and. They can be good with humans but your friendship wont be enough for them. There are eight species but only one the domestic cavy is kept as a pet. Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day and only sleep for short periods.

Caring For A Guinea Pig. Pigs must be exercised regularly to avoid obesity constipation and prevent their feet from becoming overgrown. Theyre inquisitive animals and require some entertainment usually in the form of another guinea pig. Learn from our best advice on how to be a responsible guinea pig owner.

Below is a comprehensive guide with lots of tips on how to take care of your guinea pigs for beginners as well as for more experienced piggy owners. If you are willing to give your guinea pig a good home with proper food attention living space grooming and veterinary care you will be rewarded with a happy healthy cute and fun guinea pig. Is a guinea pig right for you. Typically guinea pigs live for 5-6 years but some may live longer.

Pet pigs are prone to some specific health problems including. Guinea pigs cannot store or. Guinea pigs are small pets but they require plenty of space time effort and human interaction. Every day fill your guinea pigs food bowl with fresh hay.

Guinea pigs can make great pets for families but will need a lot of time and care. Care and maintenance. Provide your pet with optimal or larger sized cage. They will also need their own separate sleeping areas which must be covered.

How to Care for Guinea Pigs. While you read over the care guidelines know that guinea pigs thrive on routine. Furthermore as part of their care guinea pigs need regular grooming at least weekly or more often for longhaired guinea pigs. To care for baby guinea pigs get a roomy cage and make sure they cant slip through the spaces between the bars.

Pigs must have regular checks from a vet to make sure they are in good health. A disruption in routine might stress your guinea pig out. Most guinea pigs will live from five to nine years but if kept in optimum conditions and in good health some are known to live up to 10 years. Guinea pigs are very sociable and.

Take her out of her cage about the same time every day for play. Guinea pigs make wonderful pets but it is vital they get proper care to ensure they are happy and healthy. Guinea pigs or cavies originate from South America. Providing a companion for your guinea pig is guinea pig care 101.

Be prepared to hold onto your pet while it kicks and splashes in the waterthey dont like baths. What to Know Before Getting a. Caring For A Guinea Pig. Guinea pigs are highly social - in the wild they live in close family groups of 5-10 guinea pigs though several groups may live in close proximity to form a colony.

Feeding the right food. Once a week treat them to a fruity snack papaya banana or mango. Veterinarian care very rarely needed Guinea pigs can also live around 5-8 years although some can reach into the double digits. Purchasing Your Guinea Pig.

It should reside in a high traffic area. Keeping their environment clean. Were Covering Everything From Diet And Nutrition. Every other day add some salad to their meal with kale collard greens zucchini or shredded carrots pigs.

Choosing Your Guinea Pig. Arthritis and lameness particularly in older animals. You can read additional info about cages on Guinea Pig Cages Page.

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