All About Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are not only cute and cuddlesome animals but they also make great pets. These lovely little creatures display liveliness and inquisitiveness and are perfect for the new or experienced pet owner. If you trace back their history, you’ll see that the domesticated guinea pig have wild guinea pig ancestors from the Andres region. Unlike their wild counterparts, domesticated guinea pigs have been especially bred and domesticated and make perfect pets.

Guinea pigs do not require too much care and can live till five or seven years or even longer. With proper maintenance, adequate food, and suitable supplies (an adequate cage) and quality food and water, guinea pigs can stay healthy and fit, maintain a fine temperament, and make great additions to the family home.

Here’s some advice for taking care of your guinea pig:

- Guinea pigs are prey animals in the wild and they prefer spending most of the time in their cages. With this in mind, you must set up their cage so that they feel safe and secure. Like their wild ancestors, they want to remain hidden to avoid enemies and//or potential threats.

- You need to make special made arrangements for them to eat, sleep and play conveniently. Care should be taken to ensure that their cage is at least two feet. Also, you should steer clear of cages with a wire bottom as this could damage their feet.

- It is important to provide toys like guinea pig toys or even toilet paper and paper towel rolls. Also, make sure that you Include special chewing toys also.

- Use cob pellets or tissue paper for your guinea pig’s bedding.

- Provide your guinea pig with a carefully chosen diet. Grass is the best natural food for your guinea pig as they love to munch on this natural resource. Timothy hay and other grass hay may also be provided if wanted. Other healthy choices are romaine lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, raspberries, apples and oranges without the seeds. Since guinea pigs cannot synthesize Vitamin C in their bodies (just like humans) this needs to be provided to them via diet items. Plants growing from bulbs like onions should be a strict no-no as they are poisonous for the animals.