This means guinea pigs require a long-term commitment on your part. Fresh food: As with any living creature, providing your guinea pig with fresh food is one of the best ways to increase life expectancy. Purchase a comfortable cage: Just like humans, guinea pigs like to be comfortable, too! A good recommendation is to provide at least 7. The more space you provide the happier your guinea pigs will be.
Absorbent guinea pig bedding: Kiln-dried pine shavings, paper bedding, or fleece are a few suitable options to choose from. It is recommended that you change guinea pig bedding at least once a week but every three to four days is better. Provide materials to chew on: In order to stay healthy, guinea pigs need to keep their teeth ground down.
Therefore, make sure that you buy your guinea pig chew toys or pet-safe wood blocks. Do you have young children? What's your budget? The initial purchase of equipment and supplies is likely to include: Large cage or modular enclosure. Bedding material. Paper bedding is better than wood, as wood shavings can give off volatile compounds—especially when overly dirty—which can cause respiratory and foot problems. A small box for hiding.
Food dish. Water bottle. High-quality pellets. Timothy hay. Are you willing to hire a pet sitter or board your pig when you go on vacation? Are you willing to adopt a second guinea pig? Guinea pigs live an average of five to seven years, according to the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Veterinary Medicine. Average means some guinea pigs live longer lives and some live shorter lives. For example, the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology points out that guinea pigs can live up to 14 years.
Which type of guinea pig you have at home determines how long he can live. Hairless guinea pigs, for example, have a higher life span average -- seven to eight years -- than other types. Long-haired guinea pigs, on the other hand, live less, with average life spans of five to six years.
Guinea pigs need a lot of floor space, and most cages marketed as guinea pig cages are much too small, especially for a pair. Making a homemade cage is very easy, though, and since guinea pigs are a good size and not escape artists, a homemade cage is a great option. Guinea pigs make a distinctive wheeking or whistling type sound, often in anticipation of getting a favorite treat or when in need of some attention. Though generally not loud enough to annoy the neighbors, a wheeking guinea pig can be surprisingly loud.
If you're looking for an animal whose vocals will never interrupt a dinner party or afternoon nap, a guinea pig might not be for you. While guinea pigs may be nervous or skittish at first, with consistent gentle handling, they usually become tame very easily. Careful handling is a must, and children should be supervised with them, but they are unlikely to bite even when stressed.
Guinea pigs are one of the few animals humans are another that cannot manufacture their own vitamin C , so they need to get it from their diet.
Choosing a good quality diet and providing a variety of fresh foods and roughage is important, but most owners choose to also give their animals a vitamin C supplement. Vitamin C tablets are considered a better way to supplement than adding vitamin C to your pet's water. Before heading out to buy a guinea pig, check with your local shelters or rescues for guinea pigs in need of a new home.
Many guinea pigs end up at shelters and are in need of a second chance at a forever home.
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