How to Care for a Pet Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs make ideal pets because they are low-maintenance and the most social of the rodents. They thrive on human contact and make a variety of sounds to express pleasure, displeasure or need---whether for food or attention. They can live indoors or outdoors, alone or in pairs, and their diet is simple and fairly inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

  • Cage Water bottle Food dish (ceramic is best) Bedding Hay (for food, not bedding) Food pellets with vitamin C Optional: fresh produce, chew toys (natural materials only), pen or box for outdoor play
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Instructions

  1. Basic Needs

    • 1

      Check on local shelters or guinea pig rescue organizations before heading to the pet store. If you decide to have one guinea pig rather than two, pick a male. If you want two, get two males who are either from the same litter or who are established cage mates. Two females might be a better choice. Do not get one of each gender unless one of them is spayed or neutered; also, to ensure harmony, ensure they are from the same litter or have been cage mates.

    • 2

      Choose a cage based on the number of guinea pigs you adopt. A smaller cage is fine for one pet. Besides the cage, you will need a food dish, bedding (recycled materials, such as wood chips or reclaimed pulp, are best), a water bottle and a hideaway, such as a tube or hut made of wood, straw, or other natural materials.

    • 3

      Feed your guinea pig(s) a steady diet of pellets, fresh produce (watch the seeds) and timothy hay. Unlike rabbits and hamsters, guinea pigs need vitamin C, so be sure a supplement has been added to the food you buy. Favorite snacks include carrots, spinach, lettuce and apples. They have a healthy appetite and drink quite a bit, so monitor their supply two to three times per week.

    • 4

      Check the bedding once a week and change it every other week. The odor of guinea pig urine is stronger than that of their feces. If you keep your guinea pig(s) indoors, you may want to change the bedding every week. It's also a good idea to line the bottom of the cage with newspaper before spreading out the two inches of bedding.

    Social Needs

    • 5

      Set aside time each day to interact with them. Most guinea pigs appreciate being held on your lap; simply use a towel or cat bed to protect yourself and your furniture. They also enjoy chew toys. When you pet them, they purr like a cat, and their whole body vibrates (to hear their other sounds, go to www.mgpr.org/MGPR/Guinea Pig Sounds.htm). They respond to noises that indicate food is coming, such as chopping vegetables on a cutting board, so don't be surprised if you hear them squeaking and chirping while you're in the kitchen.

    • 6

      Guinea pigs have short, fairly weak legs, but they still need exercise. Do not buy the balls that hamsters and mice use, as they can hurt their legs. It is preferable to take them outside in a pen or other enclosed area, so they can enjoy the sunshine and nibble on some grass. If they leave their enclosure, do not panic. They don't run quickly, so they are easy to catch.

    • 7

      If you have just one guinea pig, it is a good idea to arrange supervised guinea-pig play dates. Put the new friends in a neutral area, such an outdoor pen or balcony, where they can explore and chase each other. Don't worry if males start to "hump" each other during playtime; it's their way of establishing dominance and is pretty harmless. If the guinea pigs appear frightened or begin to chatter their teeth, end the play date immediately. It is best to introduce new friends in a neutral area outside of their respective cages.