Adopting a brand new pet may be each tense and thrilling! There’s a lot to do to arrange to your furry buddies.
I’m hoping to take away the tense half altogether by offering a whole record of every little thing it’s possible you’ll want—or need!—earlier than bringing your guinea pigs house.
The essential provides for guinea pigs embody a big sufficient cage, bedding, water bottles, hides, and someplace to place their hay. Your guinea pigs can even want timothy hay, recent veggies, and plain, hay-based guinea pig pellets. A primary-aid package, provider, and grooming provides are only a few different necessities.
Hold studying to study extra about which provides guinea pigs want, and methods to spoil your new furry buddies!
(Wish to see our guinea pig purchasing record on Amazon? See it here!)
A Good friend
One of many first stuff you’ll want to your guinea pig is a pal. Guinea pigs may be adopted in bonded pairs or teams, or adopted one after the other and bonded collectively.
When you’re a first-time proprietor, studying what bonding appears to be like like is significant. Many regular behaviors may be intimidating to people, however they’re wanted for guinea pigs to get to know each other and set up a hierarchy. Separating your guinea pigs with out want can harm their bond.
Do not forget that guinea pigs having not less than one pal shouldn’t be non-compulsory—it’s very important to their wellbeing as social creatures!
A Massive Cage / Enclosure
A cage of seven.5 sq. ft is the minimum size for two guinea pigs to dwell collectively—and a guinea pig ought to virtually by no means dwell on their very own!
After all, that is the naked minimal, and we propose buying the biggest cage you may that can match along with your house and funds. We choose to see pair of piggies given 10.5 sq. ft or extra, as they thrive in bigger set-ups.
As well as, males want extra space than females, and usually tend to combat if not given sufficient room.
| No. of Guinea Pigs | Minimal Measurement | Most popular Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 7.5 sq. ft. | 10.5 sq. ft. |
| 3 | 10.5 sq. ft. | 13 sq. ft. |
| 4 | 13 sq. ft. | 16 sq. ft. |
| 5 | 16 sq. ft. | 19 sq. ft. |
Sadly, nearly all of pet retailer cages don’t match this minimal requirement.
A Midwest cage is a superb place to begin, particularly as a result of two may be joined collectively to provide your piggies double the minimal house.
C&C Cages
Nevertheless, we choose C&C cages—which may both be purchased or handmade. C&C stands for storage cubes and Coroplast, which is a sort of corrugated plastic that’s used to line the underside of the cage.
Do-it-yourself, these cages may be fairly low cost. Even higher, they are often formed nevertheless you want and expanded indefinitely. That is superior for newbies who later discover that they need to give their guinea pigs extra space.
A Playpen (Non-compulsory)
Many individuals use pop-up playpens lined with fleece to provide their guinea pigs ground time outdoors of the cage. That is non-compulsory, and never all guinea pigs will take pleasure in it—particularly as they’re first settling into their new house.
You may give your piggies ground time and not using a playpen so long as you piggy-proof the house and supervise them continually. Nevertheless, playpens make it simpler to maintain your guinea pigs contained and protected.
Disposable or Reusable Bedding
You’ll want both disposable or reusable bedding to line your guinea pig’s cage. Guinea pigs poop and pee continually as a consequence of their quick metabolisms, and having one thing to soak up the wetness is a should.
Bedding choices to select from embody:
- Fleece liners
- Fleece material or blankets with an absorbent layer beneath (the home made model of a fleece liner)
- Noodle tub mats
- Paper bedding
- Aspen shavings
- Kiln-dried pine shavings
- Hemp bedding
It’s essential to keep away from dangerous supplies like cedar and non kiln-dried pine. Disposable pet pads as your absorbent layer are additionally dangerous, as your guinea pig can eat them in the event that they crawl beneath the fleece.
When you select reusable fleece bedding, it’s essential to wick the fleece correctly in order that liquid soaks by the fleece and into the absorbent layer. This could possibly be towels or reusable pet pee pads.
Reusable bedding is extra eco-friendly and prices much less within the lengthy haul. Nevertheless, it’s extra of an funding when first shopping for and requires doing further laundry.
Disposable bedding should be not less than 2-3 inches deep in order that liquid can take in into the underside layer, leaving the highest dry. It’s essential that the highest of your bedding is dry in order that your guinea pigs aren’t sitting in their very own urine.
Disposable bedding can higher disguise guinea pig poops as they combine in with the bedding, reasonably than at all times sitting proper on high. It’s additionally cheaper to start out with, however the price shortly provides up over time. Some folks choose disposable bedding as a result of they don’t must do as a lot guinea pig laundry.
Hides and Tunnels (At Least One Per Pig)
Every guinea pig wants not less than one disguise. This could possibly be a hidey home, tunnel, fleece forest, or perhaps a cardboard field with a door lower out! I additionally advocate offering one further disguise to be protected. Having sufficient sources may also help to stop squabbling, particularly in case you have two boars.
One other technique, particularly when introducing new pigs, is to use solely hides with a number of entrances. This fashion, they will’t block one another inside and it’s simpler to flee if they start to combat for the house.
Tunnels and different multiple-entrance hides are additionally nice for the center of the cage, the place they are often put with out taking on worthwhile operating house. It’s finest to maintain single-entrance hides to the edges or corners of the cage in order that they’re out of the best way.
Toys (Non-compulsory)
For guinea pigs, toys are non-compulsory. Some will chew on toys, whereas others received’t even have a look at them!
Guinea pig toys ought to at all times be made from pure supplies that may be safely ingested. Toys made from wooden or compressed hay are my favorites!
One Water Bottle or Bowl Per Pig
Some pairs do okay with one water bottle, nevertheless it’s at all times finest to have not less than one per guinea pig. This fashion, they will’t cease each other from consuming or get territorial over the water.
You may as well use water bowls to your cage, however I personally dislike them as they must be continually refilled. Your guinea pigs will doubtless kick their poop, pellets, hay, and bedding into the water dish often.
Meals Bowls (Non-compulsory)
Meals bowls are non-compulsory for guinea pigs. Some folks select to scatter feed pellets and veggies, which is nice for enrichment!
When you go for meals bowls, ensure every piggy has their very own. Like with water bottles and hides, this helps to stop territorial habits and guarding of sources.
A number of Hay Feeders (Non-compulsory)
There are lots of methods to feed your guinea pigs hay. Hay feeders, hay baggage, litter bins, and easily piling hay within the cage are all nice choices.
When you use a hay feeder or bag, ensure the holes are massive sufficient to your guinea pig’s complete physique to suit inside simply. It will forestall them from getting their heads caught, which may injure and even kill them!
Like scatter feeding, giving your guinea pig piles of hay to burrow by is a superb enrichment exercise for them. Simply do not forget that you’ll undergo extra hay this fashion; guinea pigs received’t eat hay that’s been trampled or peed on.
A Litterbox or “Kitchen” (Non-compulsory)
Some folks select to arrange a litterbox or “kitchen” house for his or her guinea pigs’ hay. Many individuals who use fleece will use disposable bedding within the litterbox space, although not at all times.
As a result of guinea pigs have quick metabolisms, they do most of their pooping and peeing the place they eat. Hay is 80% of their eating regimen, so they need to be consuming it continually all through the day.
Having a kitchen or litterbox house incorporates a great portion of the mess, making spot cleanings simpler. A very good addition to that is so as to add smaller fleece pads beneath your guinea pigs’ hides, so that you just don’t have to alter the whole liner when these areas develop into saturated.
Timothy or Different Grass Hay
A high-quality timothy hay or different protected grass hay is a should for guinea pigs. Hay is over 80% of a guinea pig’s eating regimen, and so they will need to have a big quantity of their cage always.
Most individuals go for timothy hay until they’ve allergic reactions. On this case, orchard grass can be nice for piggies—although usually extra expensive. You may as well combine protected hays to offer some enjoyable selection in your guinea pigs’ eating regimen.
Keep away from alfalfa hay for grown guinea pigs, because it incorporates an excessive amount of calcium and protein.
Along with consuming, guinea pigs love burrowing by their hay and can doubtless pee on it as effectively, if it’s on the ground of the cage.
Hay-Based mostly Guinea Pig Pellets
A high-quality guinea pig pellet will complement your guinea pig with further vitamins, type of like human nutritional vitamins. Nevertheless, they’re by no means a substitute for every day greens.
Pellets ought to encompass solely plain, brown pellets—no seeds, dyes, or different components. Whereas these blends look boring to the human eye, they comprise every little thing your piggy must thrive.
Every guinea pig must be fed not more than 1/8 of a cup of pellets a day until you’re instructed in any other case by your veterinarian.
Recent Greens
Guinea pigs want one cup of every day recent greens every day. That is the place they get a lot of their vitamins, together with vitamin C, which guinea pigs don’t produce on their very own.
Your guinea pig’s veggies ought to primarily encompass darkish, leafy greens similar to romaine lettuce, parsley, kale, and cilantro. Your pets additionally want veggies wealthy in vitamin C similar to bell peppers each day.
Keep away from feeding an excessive amount of sugar or calcium. Though piggies can have occasional fruits, carrots, and veggies which might be extra calcium-rich, they shouldn’t be fed every day.
Treats (Non-compulsory)
Treats for guinea pigs are non-compulsory, however enjoyable to feed! Treats may be recent or dried fruit (with out added sugar or further components), forage mixes made for guinea pigs, or different pig-safe meals.
Guinea pigs don’t want further salt, so keep away from salt licks. Dairy can be unhealthy for them, so any yogurt-based treats are a no-go. Many merchandise are marketed towards guinea pigs, however aren’t truly protected for them—so it’s essential to analysis components your self earlier than buying something new.
A Provider or Small Cage for Journey
Guinea pigs aren’t the type of pets you carry on trip, however they do have to journey occasionally. This contains whenever you carry your piggies house, transfer home, or go to the veterinarian.
A small pet provider, a cat provider, or perhaps a small pet retailer cage all work for touring along with your guinea pig. Remember to fill the provider with hay earlier than taking your guinea pig wherever, as they want entry to it continually.
To maintain your piggies protected within the automobile, strap their provider in with a seat belt. I’ve personally wrapped the seatbelt round a big cat provider with my guineas inside, and likewise hooked the seatbelt by the strap of smaller carriers.
Keep away from placing your guinea pig within the passenger seat, as they could possibly be injured or killed if the airbags go off within the automobile.
Although it’s not one thing everybody thinks about, we at all times need our pets to be secured in case of an accident, too!
Nail Trimmers
I personally have at all times used cat nail trimmers on my guinea pigs. Nevertheless, some folks swear by human nail clippers.
It comes all the way down to choice, so I like to recommend attempting every to see what’s best for you. Additionally, you should definitely learn to clip your guinea pigs’ nails safely so that you just don’t lower into the fast of the nail, which can bleed and trigger your piggy ache.
Guinea Pig Shampoo
Assuming you may have a guinea pig with hair, it’s a good suggestion to have guinea pig shampoo readily available.
I personally choose utilizing an anti-fungal shampoo such because the Davis Miconazole Pet Shampoo, which can be utilized as a preventative to cease your guinea pigs from creating fungal infections. It additionally helps to clear an an infection if they’ve one already—although if you happen to suspect a well being downside, it’s at all times finest to go to a vet.
Bear in mind to solely bathe your guinea pigs as-needed, and by no means quite a lot of occasions a yr.
Coconut Oil
When you have a thin pig, or a hairless guinea pig, it’s not really helpful that you just bathe them usually. As an alternative, most individuals use coconut oil recurrently to moisturize and clear their pores and skin.
Coconut oil can be nice to have round for furry guinea pigs. It may be used to softly take away particles and as a moisturizer.
Scissors or Pet Clippers (for Lengthy-Haired Piggies)
Lengthy-haired piggies usually require trimming, both for sanitary causes, to make grooming simpler, or to take away matted fur.
You may as well use pet clippers with a guard to shorten your piggy’s hair when wanted.
Comb (for Lengthy-Haired Piggies)
In case your guinea pig has lengthy hair, a steel comb is a must have. Comb by their fur not less than as soon as each few days to make sure they don’t develop tangles or painful mats.
Kitchen Scale
A kitchen scale that measures in grams is among the most essential components of a guinea pig first-aid package. It’s really helpful that you just carry out well being checks not less than as soon as a month on every guinea pig, and one step is to file their weight.
In case your piggy loses greater than 50 grams in a single week, see a veterinarian as weight reduction is usually the primary signal of a well being downside.
First-Assist Package
Guinea pigs are typically protected as a result of they’re saved in our houses. Nevertheless, they do face some dangers, together with accidents by their cage mate, hay pokes, and parasites carried indoors by hay or different pets.
Listed here are some issues to maintain in your first-aid package:
- Vital care – Guinea pigs can go into GI stasis, a life-threatening situation, in the event that they don’t eat for 12 or extra hours. Vital care may be force-fed through syringe to maintain their metabolism going.
- Liquid vitamin C – By no means put this in your guinea pig’s water, however it may be syringe-fed if they’ve a deficiency
- Styptic powder or flour – Stops bleeds, significantly if you happen to lower into the fast when trimming nails
- Syringes – For medicines or essential care feeding
- Saline – To scrub wounds
- Bandages
- Q-tips – For cleansing eyes, ears, or wounds
Vet Clinic Numbers
Earlier than you undertake guinea pigs, please analysis unique pet veterinarians in your space and name to make sure they’re taking new sufferers. New pets ought to at all times have a check-up upon adoption.
Hold one to 2 trusted veterinarians in your telephone contacts alongside any emergency clinics within the space that take guinea pigs. You’ll have to name first to test, as many emergency vets sadly received’t take unique pets.
Having these numbers on-hand can save much-needed time in an emergency.
Emergency Financial savings or Pet Insurance coverage
Veterinary prices are a significant a part of having guinea pigs. They need to obtain a check-up not less than as soon as yearly, and may have further care if they fall ill.
As an example, one in every of my guinea pigs ended up seeing the vet each few months towards the tip of his life as a consequence of sickness.
Having both an emergency financial savings account to your piggies or pet insurance coverage will guarantee you may carry them to the vet when essential.
Cleansing Provides for Guinea Pigs’ Cage
Your guinea pigs’ cage will must be spot-cleaned as soon as every day and cleaned out totally one to 2 occasions per week. Listed here are the provides you’ll want:
- Diluted vinegar (can be utilized to wipe the cage clear recurrently or left for 30 minutes to take away cussed stains)
- Paper towels
- A small sweeper and dustpan or vacuum
- Unscented laundry detergent
- Mesh laundry baggage for laundry fleece
- A brush to take away fur and hay from fleece supplies
- A bottle brush and q-tips to wash water bottles
That concludes our record of probably the most important provides for guinea pigs. There are such a lot of methods to look after piggies, so although a few of these objects are non-compulsory, we hope they’ve given you an thought of what you’ll have to maintain your piggies completely satisfied and wholesome!
Bear in mind to put money into the fundamentals first – piggies will love any fancy disguise you give them, however they’d even be pleased with a cardboard field if it meant investing in additional cage house, a buddy, or high-quality hay as an alternative.
