» Guinea Pig Care and Feeding http://bluestonecages.com Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Are our guinea pigs spoiled? http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/are-our-guinea-pigs-spoiled http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/are-our-guinea-pigs-spoiled#comments Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:35:47 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=977 I stumble down the stairs still sleepy at 7:00 AM. Our five guinea pigs can hear my footsteps on the stairs. Usually Apple is the pig who begins the cacophony of wheeking from the large C&C cavy cage.
 
They demand food. All five of them wheeking and calling for food. Like young, spoiled children – give me food! Give it to me now!
 
Are they spoiled? Are they like little children throwing a tantrum? I don’t think so. They’re just hungry little guinea pigs and they’re excited.
 
Actually, I love waking up to the sound of their wheeking. I think I’m the one that’s spoiled.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/are-our-guinea-pigs-spoiled/feed 0 BlueStoneCommerce Guinea Pig Supplies Video Links http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/bluestonecommerce-guinea-pig-supplies-video-links http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/bluestonecommerce-guinea-pig-supplies-video-links#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 05:10:12 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=728 We Have Informational Videos!!!

Just a short note to let you know that BlueStoneCommerce has produced a few informational videos on Guinea Pig Supplies (and we are in the process of producing more). Here are links to the videos – you can choose your favorite video website to view them on…

TITLE: Guinea Pig Supplies – The Essentials You Need to Start
CLICK THE LINK to watch on: YouTube, Yahoo, MySpace and DailyMotion

TITLE: Guinea Pig Supplies – What You Need to Get Started
CLICK THE LINK to watch on: YouTube, Yahoo, Metacafe and DailyMotion

TITLE: Guinea Pig Supplies – Guinea Pig Hay Types Explained
CLICK THE LINK to watch on: YouTube, Yahoo, MySpace, Metacafe and DailyMotion

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/bluestonecommerce-guinea-pig-supplies-video-links/feed 0 Guinea Pig Supplies—Why a Nest Box is Absolutely Necessary http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94why-a-nest-box-is-absolutely-necessary http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94why-a-nest-box-is-absolutely-necessary#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 18:26:58 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=675 Want to read more? ...
  • Guinea Pig Supplies – Which Bedding Do You Choose?
    Guinea pigs poop every six seconds. Okay, maybe that’s not entirely accurate. But if you’ve ever owned a guinea pig or two, you know what I mean. It seems like, for every pound of food you feed them, ...
  • BlueStoneCommerce Guinea Pig Supplies Video Links
    Just a short note to let you know that BlueStoneCommerce has produced a few informational videos on Guinea Pig Supplies (and we are in the process of producing more). Here are links to the videos - yo...
  • Guinea Pig Supplies – Selecting a Water Bottle
    There’s one thing to remember when purchasing guinea pig supplies: a water dish is fine for a dog or a cat—but highly inadvisable for a guinea pig for at least two reasons. 1) Cavies tend to knock dis...
  • PETCO 16 Ounce Plastic Water Bottle for Small Animals
    PETCO 16 Ounce Plastic Water Bottle for Small Animals (16 oz.; 8" Height; Assorted) Durable, practical plastic water bottles come with a wire holder to attach to cage. Choose the size most ...
  • Guinea Pig Supplies—Hey! Hay for Cavies Explained
    When we got our first guinea pig, we knew that we also needed a few guinea pig supplies—especially food. We grabbed a bag of hay because we had heard that pigs liked hay. As we looked through the huge...
]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94why-a-nest-box-is-absolutely-necessary/feed 1 Guinea Pig Supplies—Hey! Hay for Cavies Explained http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94hey-hay-for-cavies-explained http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94hey-hay-for-cavies-explained#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 18:17:29 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=663
PETCO 64 oz. Natural Premium Timothy Hay (64 oz.) PETCO 64 oz. Natural Premium Timothy Hay (64 oz.)

PETCO Natural Premium Timothy hay is the healthy choice, providing your small animal with the proper nutrition.

When we got our first guinea pig, we knew that we also needed a few guinea pig supplies—especially food. We grabbed a bag of hay because we had heard that pigs liked hay. As we looked through the huge offering of guinea pig supplies at the pet store, we noticed that there were many varieties of hay. But the most popular seemed to be alfalfa hay—so we grabbed some of that and headed home—content, dumb and happy with our newest pet. But, we did some research later and found that we had unwittingly made a poor choice regarding our pig’s nutritional needs.

Alfalfa Hay

When we think of hay, we tend to think of grass or fibrous grass-like plants. However, alfalfa is not a grass hay. It is a legume hay. This means that it’s more closely related to peas, beans, lentils and peanuts than to your front lawn. As such, it’s much too rich in protein and calcium for your guinea pig. Alfalfa hay may be given to guinea pigs with increased protein and calcium needs—young, growing guinea pigs (under six-months of age); convalescing animals and pregnant or nursing sows. However, it should not be given daily to mature guinea pigs as it may cause excess weight gain and may increase the likelihood of kidney stones. Our exotic pet veterinarian likes to say that alfalfa hay is like a Snickers bar to your pet. It tastes great, they love it, but it’s simply too rich to be eaten very often. Much better to stick to the healthier grass hays like Timothy hay, orchard grass hay or oat hay.

Timothy Hay

In recent years, Timothy hay has become the standard hay for healthy guinea pigs. Unlike alfalfa, Timothy is a grass hay. As such it contains the long strand fibers that are so very vital for your cavy’s digestive processes. And with a much lower protein and calcium content that alfalfa hay, Timothy hay is well-equipped to meet your pig’s nutritional requirements. Timothy hay is the hay most commonly recommended by veterinarians.

Orchard Grass Hay

As the name implies, Orchard grass hay is another grass hay. Because it is very similar in fiber, protein and calcium contents to Timothy hay, it is also a very healthy choice for your guinea pig.

Oat Hay

Oat hay is highly recommended because it is also a grass hay. It is comparable to Timothy and orchard grass hays in terms of fiber and protein content. It is also slightly lower in calcium content than the other two varieties.

Summary

In terms of nutritional value, Timothy hay, orchard grass hay and oat hay are virtually interchangeable as far as guinea pig health is concerned. All three should be given in unlimited quantities. That is, they should always be available to your guinea pig 24/7. Not only do they satisfy your cavy’s nutritional needs, but they also serve to grind down their teeth in order to keep them from growing out of control. And while your pig can certainly thrive on any of these three hay types alone, we suggest that when choosing guinea pig supplies, you choose all three (as well as other grass hays). This will serve to add variety to your pet’s diet.

Kaytee Orchard Grass (16 oz.) Kaytee Orchard Grass (16 oz.)

Our Kaytee(R) Orchard Grass provides a natural alternative source of fiber for chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals. Orchard Grass is a sweet, fruity scented high fiber hay that aids in the digestive process of small pets. Feeding Orchard Grass will encourage natural foraging instincts. Because Orchard Grass is compressed, it’s easy to feed and creates less mess.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94hey-hay-for-cavies-explained/feed 1 Guinea Pig Supplies—The Top Seven Items You Will Need to Care for Your Cavy http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94the-top-seven-items-you-will-need-to-care-for-your-cavy http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94the-top-seven-items-you-will-need-to-care-for-your-cavy#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 00:32:56 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=659 If owning a guinea pig is new to you, the world of pet guinea pig supplies is probably also new to you. If this describes you, then this article will clear up much of the mystery behind selecting and purchasing the correct guinea pig supplies. If you are an experienced cavy owner, you may still pick up some important tips and details in the words that follow.

7. Pet Guinea Pig Food

When selecting hay for your pet guinea pig, you can’t go wrong with Timothy hay. Exotic animal veterinarians can’t say enough good things about Timothy hay. For some reason, alfalfa hay is very popular for small animals. Read the ingredients list and you will find that very many guinea pig pellets contain alfalfa or alfalfa meal as the primary ingredient. These foods are to be avoided. Small animal vets claim that alfalfa hay is “like a Snickers Bar to guinea pigs”. In other words, it is much too rich for their system. If contains far too much protein and calcium for daily use.

6. Feeder or feed bowl

You will need either a feeder or a feed bowl to dispense guinea pig pellet food to your pet. The advantage of a feeder is that holds a larger amount of food than a bowl so it does not have to be filled as often. It attaches to the side of the cage so that it will not tip over.

A food bowl holds smaller portions so food stays fresher.

5. Hay Rack

In addition to daily meals of Timothy hay-based food pellets, give your pigs unlimited access to Timothy hay in a hay rack. Timothy is nutritious for guinea pigs and is great for their digestive systems.

4. Water Bottle

You will need a good quality water bottle. Water dishes do not work well for guinea pigs as they tend to knock them over. A 16-ounce bottle is a good size for guinea pigs.

3. Vitamin C Supplementation

Guinea pigs, like humans, are unable to manufacture vitamin C in their bodies. Because of this, and because they are unable to store this vitamin in their body, they require vitamin C on a daily basis. The best method is to crush vitamin C tablets and sprinkle on their food.

Putting vitamin C in the water bottle is not recommended. If you change water daily, much of the vitamin C may be thrown away. In addition, guinea pigs sometimes will drink less water because they do not like the sour taste in their water.

2. Bedding or Fleece

If you choose to use bedding, choose a low-dust bedding. Bedding materials like pine chips or clay litter create a lot of dust and may cause respiratory issues in your guinea pigs. Fleece is gaining in popularity. It is more economical in the long run, but it does require frequent washing.

1. Guinea Pig Cage

Most pet store cages are too small for a full-grown cavy. Many guinea pig rescue organizations recommend the following minimum size standards for cages:

  • One guinea pig: 6-7 sq. ft.
  • Two guinea pigs: 7.5 sq. ft.
  • Three guinea pigs: 10.5 sq. ft.
  • Four guinea pigs: 13 sq. ft.

Cages this large can be difficult or impossible to find in pets stores. A different style cage—C&C (Cubes and Coroplast) cages—have risen sharply in popularity over the past few years. People often build them as homemade do-it-yourself cages, but you can also readily find them online in kit form. A good place to find a large selection of quality C&C guinea pig cage kits is, of course, this very site you’re on!

Adopting a new pet into your home brings you not only fun, but also additional responsibility. With the correct choice of guinea pig supplies, you will be able to create a safe, happy and healthy environment for your new cavy friend.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94the-top-seven-items-you-will-need-to-care-for-your-cavy/feed 1 Guinea Pig Supplies—What You Need to Get Started http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94what-you-need-to-get-started http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94what-you-need-to-get-started#comments Sun, 09 May 2010 15:42:39 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=655 So you’ve just brought home your first pet guinea pig. Perhaps it’s just now dawning on you that you don’t really know what you’re going to need in terms of guinea pig supplies. Or maybe you’re farther ahead of the game than I’m giving you credit for. Maybe you are in the process of shopping for your first cavy now and are doing your research on guinea pig supplies ahead of time so you will be well prepared when your little piglet (technically they’re called pups) comes home. Either way, this essay will make the acquisition of your newest family member go as smoothly as possible.

Guinea Pig Cage

Your first and largest purchase will be a cage. The cages provided by pet stores are typically too small for a full-grown cavy. Most rescue organizations recommend the following de facto standards for minimum cage sizes:

  • One guinea pig: 6-7 sq. ft.
  • Two guinea pigs: 7.5 sq. ft.
  • Three guinea pigs: 10.5 sq. ft.
  • Four guinea pigs: 13 sq. ft.

Cages this large are difficult to find in pets stores. C&C (Cubes and Coroplast) cages have become extremely popular over the past several years because they allow you to purchase a large cage at reasonable prices. These cages are often homemade do-it-yourself cages, but can also be purchased online in kit form.

Bedding

We recommend paper bedding. Guinea pigs tend to be susceptible to respiratory problems, so bedding materials such as clay litter or pine shavings (bedding materials with high dust levels) are to be strictly avoided. Also, certain woods such as cedar contain relatively large amounts of tree oils. They should also be avoided because tree oils are generally not good for guinea pig health. Paper bedding (often made from recycled newspapers) is highly recommended as it suffers from none of these issues.

Water Bottle

You will need a water bottlethat attaches to the sides of your cage. Water bowls are not suitable for guinea pigs because the cavies like to stand on them (or in them) causing frequent spills. 10-16 ounces is a good size. Be sure to change the water daily so it doesn’t get stale.

Feeder or Food Bowl

You will need either a feeder (which also attaches to the side of your cage) or a food bowl. This item will be used to serve guinea pig feed or pellets to your pet. If selecting a food dish, make sure that it is heavy and stable so that it will not tip when your pet guinea pig decides to stand in it.

Hay Rack

When it comes to guinea pig supplies, one frequently overlooked item is the hay rack. Your pet guinea pig loves hay and it should be readily available to her at all times. One easy way to do this is to use a hay rack which attaches to the wall of your cage. If using a C&C cage, you may be able to find a model with a built-in hay shelter.

Food and Hay

Almost nothing is better for your pet guinea pig than some form of grass hay. Timothy hay is a great choice—containing both high-quality nutrition and the long strand fibers necessary for good digestion. Timothy hay can be given to your pet directly or as the main ingredient in food pellets.

Guinea pigs are a delight and a great addition to the family. But, like any pet, they also create additional responsibility. To insure that they live a happy, healthy and comfortable life; you must provide safe and comfortable living quarters, plenty of clean drinking water, and quality nutritious food.

Do you need guinea pig supplies delivered quickly and conveniently right to your door? CLICK HERE NOW–> Guinea Pig Supplies to visit our pet guinea pig supplies store.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pig-supplies%e2%80%94what-you-need-to-get-started/feed 1 Guinea Pigs – How to Exercise Your Guinea Pig http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-how-to-exercise-your-guinea-pig http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-how-to-exercise-your-guinea-pig#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:00:54 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=296 With a hamster, you can just toss a wheel in its cage and it’ll hop right on it and chug away – going nowhere – and he’ll be perfectly happy. It reminds me of the people you see at the health club – chugging away on their elliptical trainers – going nowhere – but getting healthier. Toss a wheel into your guinea pig’s cage and see what happens. Chances are she’ll chew on it – that is until she gets bored and ignores it.

You also know what to do with a dog. Put it on a leash and take it for a walk. When was the last time you saw anyone outside walking their guinea pig? What’s good for dogs is not necessarily good for guinea pigs.

So how do you give your pig exercise to make sure he stays healthy and happy?

Simple – you let him run free. Find a safe area in your home that is confined and free of hazards like electrical cords. Guinea pigs are notorious chewers and, given the chance, can easily chew through the insulation on an electrical cord and electrocute themselves.

Cavies spend most of their lives in their cage. If your pig is confined in an area too small to exercise (such as a standard size manufactured cage), she will need to get at least 25 minutes of free-running exercise every day. If your pig is being kept in a larger C&C (Cubes and Coroplast) cage, then she may be already getting a fair amount of exercise.

If your cavies live in a large cage, watch them when they are in their home. Do they scurry around a lot? Do they run “laps” around the cage? Do you see a lot of popcorning? Do your pigs generally walk and move around much of the time?

If so, then you can be sure they are getting at least some exercise. My recommendation is that if your pig is generally active in its cage, then it should still get out to really stretch its legs and run free at least 25 minutes every other day. If you have a sedentary pig who generally just eats and sleeps, then – even though it may live in a large cage – I still recommend that it get out to explore and exercise daily for at least 25 minutes.

Even if your pig is “hyperactive” in his cage I still recommend that he get out at least every other day for nothing other than mental stimulation. Changing your pig’s environment and exposing him to new and exciting situations will stimulate his brain and cause new neural connections to form. Pigs are curious little creatures who love to wander and explore – sniffing and nibbling on new objects as they discover new things.

Guinea pigs spend most of their lives confined in their living quarters. If you have provided them with a large cage such as a C&C cage, then they will have a greater opportunity for exercise in their own home. Regardless, your pigs should still get out and explore daily, if possible, to insure that they get adequate exercise and mental stimulation. It is your responsibility as a caring pet owner.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-how-to-exercise-your-guinea-pig/feed 0 Guinea Pig Cages – Where to Locate Your Cavy’s Home http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-cages/guinea-pig-cages-%e2%80%93-where-to-locate-your-cavy%e2%80%99s-home http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-cages/guinea-pig-cages-%e2%80%93-where-to-locate-your-cavy%e2%80%99s-home#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:00:18 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=277 You’ve brought home your new guinea pig(s), chosen a suitable and roomy cage – now, where do you put it? A) Garage, B) Closet C) In front of a window D) None of the above. The correct answer is D) none of the above. Among other requirements, cavies must be kept in a room with a stable temperature – free of drafts and out of direct sunlight. Finding a suitable location for your guinea pigs’ cage is a task that requires careful thought and diligence. When placing your pigs’ new home within your home, several factors should be considered.

 

Extreme Temperatures Should be Avoided.

You pigs do not tolerate extreme heat or cold very well. They should be kept in a room-temperature environment – a range of approximately 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). This requirement immediately eliminates several areas in the home. Avoid placing the cage directly on heat registers, directly in front of a window, next to a radiator or fireplace or next to the oven. Also avoid putting your pigs any place where they may be exposed to cold drafts. The garage is out – too hot in summer too cold in winter. (The garage poses an additional hazard in that your pigs will be exposed to toxic carbon monoxide gas on a regular basis.) In terms of temperature: a rule of thumb is that your pigs like to live where you do. If you are too hot or too cold, chances are your guinea pigs are too.

 

Avoid Humid Areas

Guinea pigs’ respiratory systems are not the most robust. Cavies tend to be overly sensitive to upper respiratory infections. As such, placement in high-humidity locations such as your laundry room or near showers and baths should also be avoided. Also be cautious about placing your cavies in a basement area unless a dehumidifier has been installed and the area is well lit.

 

Avoid Isolation

Guinea pigs are social creatures. As such, they generally prefer to be around activity. Place your pig in or near a fairly high activity area. Great places are generally in the kitchen, living room, great room or family room – or wherever your family typically congregates in the home. Avoid placing your pigs’ home in rooms where it will undergo long periods of isolation or low traffic such as a child’s bedroom, in the basement or in a back hallway.

 

Choosing a high quality guinea pig cage is only the beginning task in creating a safe and healthy environment for your pet. Selecting a suitable location in your home is an equally critical task. Choose a location with a stable and moderate temperature and low humidity. In addition, chose a location in which your family can share their daily activities with your pigs. Don’t forget – your guinea pigs are family members too.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-cages/guinea-pig-cages-%e2%80%93-where-to-locate-your-cavy%e2%80%99s-home/feed 1 Guinea Pigs – Cavies and Children – Are They a Good Mix? http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-cavies-and-children-%e2%80%93-are-they-a-good-mix http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-cavies-and-children-%e2%80%93-are-they-a-good-mix#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:00:22 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=275 If children are older and reasonably responsible, they can (and should) take on a role in the care of your family’s guinea pig. With the words: Okay, we’ll get a guinea pig – but you will have to take care of it, many parents are tempted to completely abdicate their pig care responsibilities and assign them all to the child. This is almost never a good idea. While caring for any living creature is a great learning opportunity (and the parent may even tell the child that they are totally in charge of the animal’s health, safety and welfare); ultimately, the final accountability should always remain with the responsible adult.

While full responsibility for your pig’s welfare should never be given to a child, it is actually a good learning experience to assign specific tasks to the children in the family. If the tasks are a life-critical – such as those involving food, water or supplements – the responsible parent must monitor the situation to make sure these duties are not being neglected. Your pigs’ lives depend on it! The parent should give occasional praise and positive reinforcements when the job is well done and they should give reminders and negative consequences when the job is neglected, forgotten or done poorly. Owning a pet is an excellent learning opportunity for your children – but it should never come at the expense of your pets’ health, safety or well-being.

If the task is less life-critical – such as cage-cleaning or giving the guinea pig daily attention and exercise – then monitoring does not need to be as diligent. However, this does not mean that you can simply delegate the task and walk away. Remember that ultimately the responsibility for your pigs’ safety and happiness falls on you – the parent. Also remember that the monitoring of tasks is for two very different and important reasons: 1) to insure the care, safety and comfort of your pet(s) and 2) to teach your kids to be responsible, caring and respectful pet-owners. So even if the task is not critical to your pigs’ health or safety, it is still an important part of your children’s transformation into responsible adults and community members.

It goes without saying that tasks assigned to children should be age-appropriate. That is, life-critical tasks should be assigned to older and more responsible children. Less critical tasks can be assigned to younger and less capable children. In either case, stretch your child by letting them do everything that they are capable of and by periodically adding new and harder tasks, but also be sure to give parental aid, coaching and guidance with any portions of the job that your child is not able to perform correctly.

It is a great learning experience for kids to be involved in the raising of a pet. However, all tasks assigned should be based upon your children’s age and ability. And at no point should you as a parent abdicate your responsibility in the situation. Ultimately, the responsibility for your guinea pigs’ health, safety and welfare rests on your shoulders.

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]]> http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-cavies-and-children-%e2%80%93-are-they-a-good-mix/feed 1 Guinea Pigs – A Great Pet for Animal Lovers http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-a-great-pet-for-animal-lovers http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%e2%80%93-a-great-pet-for-animal-lovers#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:16 +0000 bob http://bluestonecages.com/?p=271 Guinea pigs are intensely social creatures. In the wild they used to live in groups called herds. If you are planning on getting a guinea pig, you must realize that, in addition to obtaining a new family member, you are also making a binding social commitment. As descendents of herd animals, guinea pigs do not do well in solitary situations. As such, you must be prepared to set aside significant time each and every day as a guinea pig owner to interact with your pet – an easy and enjoyable task for animal lovers. If you are more of a hands-off admirer of animals – or if your busy schedule prohibits rich daily interaction with your cavy, then it is highly recommended that you get a second or third pig to satisfy your pet’s social requirements.

As I wrote earlier, owning a cavy should be viewed as a commitment. Either you must commit to spending extensive time with your pet each day or you must commit to being a multiple pig owner. Anything less would be a disservice to the animal.

In addition, to maintain good health (like humans) guinea pigs need regular daily exercise. Guinea pigs generally do not tend to use exercise wheels like hamsters. Instead you must either provide a cage large enough for your pig(s) to run around in – or you must give them daily exercise time. They will need to run freely but supervised in a protected room or other large area.

If your guinea pig is sharing the house with a dog or cat, you must take special care to protect your cavy. Dogs and cats are instinctively both predators and may very well view your precious cavy as prey. You will need to insure that your guinea pig is adequately protected from these types of inherent predator animals as well as young children. Very small children, while not technically predators, can still cause great harm to your guinea pig simply by exercising their sense of curiosity and playfulness.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is the joy of pet ownership. Guinea pigs can provide both entertainment and companionship. They can be very playful – especially in groups – racing around the cage, popcorning in the air like tiny Thomson’s Gazelles or nudging one another with their snouts. They can bring a smile to your face as they stand up against the cage wall in the morning and call to you with their squeaky “weeking” noises as they beg for their breakfast. Best of all, they can bring a warm glow to your heart as they relax and purr softly in your lap while you scratch them gently behind their tiny little ears.

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