Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are friendly and curious animals. But, they require dedication and regular attention to ensure they remain healthy and delighted. Continue reading to discover simple tips to take care of your pocketful of sunshine.
Guinea pigs are sociable ukrainian mail order bride pocket animals, can be tamed, and may live for approximately a decade. Their friendly nature means they are great animals. They’re also extremely smart.
1. Companionship
Guinea pigs are happiest whenever kept along with other guinea pigs. Nevertheless, should you keep women and men together, make certain both pets would be the exact same intercourse or at minimum one sex happens to be desexed.
RSPCA NSW will not suggest guinea that is keeping and rabbits together. Rabbits can give conditions to guinea pigs, plus they might bully one another.
2. Meals
Guinea pigs are herbivores. To help keep them happy and healthy, they require:
- a consistent supply of high quality grass that is fresh lawn hay, such as for example Meadow, Oaten, Pasture, Ryegrass, Timothy or Wheaten hays. This is really important for using down their constantly growing teeth.
- fresh, leafy greens and herbs each and every day, such as for instance broccoli, cabbage (in smaller amounts), celery, endives, Brussel sprouts, bok choy as well as other Asian greens, and lettuce that is dark-leafed; and herbs such as for example basil, coriander, dandelion, dill, mint and parsley. Understand that carrot tops should simply be provided as a periodic treat.
- little degrees of top-quality guinea pig pellets. These must have a minimal fibre content of 16 %.
- A source that is daily of C, such as for instance smaller amounts of citrus and kiwi fruits
- a consistent way to obtain clean, fresh water
Usually do not feed your guinea pig:
- beans
- beetroot
- biscuits
- bread
- morning meal cereals
- buttercups
- cereals
- chocolate
- Clover or Lucerne (Alfalfa) hays
- corn
- yard bushes
- grains
- lily associated with valley
- pea nuts
- onion lawn
- onions
- peas
- potato tops
- raw beans
- rhubarb leaves
- seeds
- spinich leaves
- sugar
- sweets
3. Enrichment
Guinea pigs require plenty of room to work out – the greater the greater. She should work out each and every day in a sizable, grassy area, free and safe from predators.
You might like to offer your guinea pig with a chewing log made from untreated timber to wear her teeth down, and overturned bins to cover in.
4. Grooming
Everyday grooming is important for long-haired guinea pigs, and ensures their coats stay static in good shape. Regular managing will help build her also self- self- self- confidence, and encourage her to be friendly and sociable.
It’s also advisable to check out the amount of your guinea pig’s teeth and toenails. When they are a long time, get the veterinarian to trim them.
5. Wellness
Good cleansing and feeding techniques may help avoid many health that is common, including breathing infections and epidermis issues.
It is vital to pay for a flyscreen to your guinea pig’s hutch. Achieving this, in addition to maintaining her hutch clean, may help avoid flystrike. Long-haired guinea pigs are especially prone to this disorder, and that can be deadly.
Guinea pigs, like the majority of animals, may also be vunerable to fleas. Confer with your veterinarian about a flea that is appropriate if required. They could additionally suffer with mite infestations, that could cause disquiet, locks itchiness and loss.
This could be a sign of the fungal disease ringworm, so seek help from a veterinarian immediately if your guinea pig develops bald batches.
To learn more about typical health issues, click on this link.
6. Housing
Your guinea pig’s enclosure should always be one or more metre by 0.7 metres, and 0.7 metres high. When you have two guinea pigs, they’re going to require twice this area. They are going to likewise require their very own, separate resting areas, which should be covered. You have to fly-proof the enclosure using flyscreen wire or mosquito netting, since this may help lessen the chance of flystrike.
Line the hutch with newspaper and soft lawn hay to deliver padding and steer clear of foot accidents. Don’t use sawdust, straw or lumber shavings. Understand that your guinea pig requires a soft, clean, dry area all the time, or she will quickly develop base dilemmas. Clean her whole enclosure frequently, and her bedding whenever required – frequently as soon as every day.
Keep carefully the hutch in a sheltered area that is well ventilated, between 18-26°C, and kept away from sunlight and strong winds. She must always get access to shade that is adequate.
Just click here to learn more about preventing heatstroke.