Guinea Pig – General Advice

The guinea pig is a small rodent of the Cavidae family and cousin of the chinchilla, the degu and the porcupine! With a calm and discreet temperament, it is very popular as a pet. Since guinea pigs are social animals, it is possible to keep more than one individual in captivity. Two or more females usually get along very well. Mature males sometimes fight, especially if there is a female nearby. The guinea pig is not a very active animal and spends a lot of its time resting and eating. They are very fond of hiding in tunnels and other hiding places. Through controlled crossbreeding, breeders have succeeded in producing several varieties of guinea pig.

Housing

A standard cage purchased from a pet store will do the job just fine. Since the guinea pig is not able to jump, it can be kept in a large enclosure or a children's pool. This option offers much more space than traditional cages.

Avoid:

• Wire cage bottom.
• Wood chips made from cedar or pine. As an alternative, you can use aspen or maple wood shavings, recycled paper litter, paper towels, or even small towels.
• Sudden temperature change or ambient temperature too warm. It is good to allow your pet to go out daily. Watch him carefully! He could poison himself with the plants or electrocute himself trying to cut the electrical wires.
• We also recommend that you purchase an accurate scale (to the nearest gram) to take weigh your guinea pig weekly.

Nutrition

Unlike other rodents, guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C, which can lead to scurvy (hypovitaminosis C). Therefore, it is vital for them to receive it daily through their food. Since vitamin C is very unstable, relying solely on vegetables or fruits is not enough to meet their needs. A daily vitamin C supplement mixed with water is necessary. Additionally, since vitamin C in water can degrade due to exposure to light, air, or the metal of the bottle, you can also add the supplement directly to their food (such as feed or fruits/vegetables) or in the form of a chewable tablet. A balanced diet for a guinea pig therefore consists of:

• Timothy-based guinea pig food (Oxbow brand, also for hay)
• vegetables and fruits in good quantity
• dry hay at will (timothy is highly preferable, also called timothy)
• vitamin C supplement (Redoxon, 1000 mg tablets, orange flavor, purchased at the pharmacy) added to water (1/4 tablet per 250 ml, remix once a day) and to food every day
• apple branches (pesticide-free) which are optional

Guinea pigs have difficulty adapting to changes in food and environment. Therefore, it is important that any changes are made gradually.

Common Health Problems

• Parasites (mites or lice)
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Malocclusion (excessive growth of incisors and/or molars)
• Digestive disorders (gastrointestinal stasis)
• Ovarian cysts causing symmetrical hair loss
• Respiratory infections

As with all other animals, a pre-purchase examination carried out by an AnimaPlus veterinarian and then an annual examination is recommended.

Consult your veterinarian promptly for any health problem. The guinea pig is fragile and its chances of recovery decrease considerably over time.

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In short, the guinea pig's endearing personality makes it an ideal companion for adults and young children alike. He quickly recognizes his master, whom he loves unconditionally. If you love to pamper an animal, the guinea pig is an excellent choice!