Guinea pig guide

Hay! Feed them the right diet

A general rule-of-thumb is to provide your pig with a diet of 75% hay and 25% pellets or other snacks.

Good old grass hay is the way to go, as it’s high in fibre and helps prevent any dental issues. As guinea pigs are rodents, this is an important step to keep those gnashers in good nick.

Keep hay in plentiful supply, and supplement your guinea pig’s diet with protein-rich pellets for a boost of vitamins. Don’t overdo it on these though, no matter how nicely they ask you – double check the packet to work out how much to feed your guinea pig.

Guinea pigs also love their veggies! Feel free to treat them to raw vegetables like broccoli, kale, sprouts or lettuce every now and again for a hit of vitamin C.

They’re also into their fruit, though the high sugar content means these should be reserved for once a week or so. Give them a grape for good behaviour. Or some apple – they like those too.

Give the guinea pigs a home they’ll love

Guinea pigs are energetic, inquisitive little creatures. The more room you can give your pig to run around, the happier it’ll be.

Grab a good quality hutch or cage that’s at least 2 x 3ft and fill it with fun features like tunnels, toys, and hidey-holes for them to lay low in. Make sure they have access to a water bottle which is kept full and fresh. You’ll also want to include bedding and food bowls.

Keep your guinea pig’s enclosure away from direct sunlight (they can’t sweat and are prone to overheating) or draughts – because no one likes a draught.

Unless you’re using some sort of animal chips, a foam mat on the base of your enclosure will make for a comfier and happier guinea pig as it’ll protect their feet.

Spot clean your guinea pig’s enclosure daily, getting rid of any mess, and replacing any bedding that’s saturated. Give the enclosure a deep clean at least once a week – it’s better for the guinea pigs as well as the smell in your home!

Make friends with your guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are highly sociable animals, and usually fare better if they have a fellow pig in their enclosure with them. Regardless, it’s an equally fun and rewarding task to give your guinea pig a little enrichment every day by letting them out of their cage!

Whether you’ve got a purpose-built run in the garden, or risk it by letting them loose in the living room, it’s important to socialise with your pets to give them exercise and enrichment.

This is a great chance to get the kids involved – have them play with the guinea pigs and, if the kids are old enough, encourage them to pick them up. Not all guinea pigs want to be held, so double check first, and try not to take your pet by surprise by sneaking up on them from behind.

Grooming guinea pigs

Guinea pigs’ nails naturally wear down in the wild as they wander over rough terrain, but when they’re kept as pets, they need a helping hand to keep their nails trimmed. Use pet nail clippers every 2-3 weeks once they reach the age of 2 months, and be careful not to trim them too short which can cause your pigs pain.

If your guinea pig is a long-haired variety, frequent brushing is important to avoid matting and will remove any nasties from your pet’s fur. It’s also a great bonding experience between you and your pet! They’ll also benefit from a good bath every few months, especially as they get older.