These are a few tips on caring for a guinea pig. If you're new caring for cavies, then there are many things you need to learn about proper guinea pig care. So, click here now to pick up even more tips to ensure excellent guinea pig health.
Guinea pigs, or cavies, are cut, fun-loving, and clean animals. They make great pets. However, they aren't as easy to care for as many others. This article will teach you how to take care of a guinea pig.
Food
First, you need to learn what to feed your pet guinea pig. Pellets made specifically for cavies should be the staple of your pig's diet. Make sure he has access to pellets throughout the day. It's also important that you feed him fresh fruits and vegetables. You can feed him kale, collards, apples, lettuce, tomatoes and others.
He will also need a constant supply of fresh hay. Hay helps them grind down their constantly growing teeth. If the teeth are allowed to grow excessively, it will be too painful for him to eat other types of food.
Supplements
Guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from their diet. It's very important that your pig gets this important vitamin, or he will develop scurvy. The brand of pellets you feed him may contain additional vitamin C, but this is often not enough. Give him either liquid or tablet supplements of vitamin C to be safe.
Nails
When learning how to take care of a guinea pig, it's important that you know you need to trim his nails regularly. If they aren't cut, they will keep growing and start cutting into your pig's pad. This may cause an infection. At the very least, it will be very painful for your cavy. Therefore, try to trim his nails about once a month.
Housing
You need to buy your guinea pig a cage large enough to give him ample room to move around. As a minimum, try to provide about four or six square feet of space. Make sure that the floor of the cage isn't raised. Cavies have very sensitive feet.
Bedding
You will also need bedding for your pig's cage. Some of the most common bedding options include wood shavings, hay, and paper products. Make sure that you don't use bedding that's too hard on your pig's feet.
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