[ad_1]
In the event you’re enthusiastic about adopting a guinea pig, right here’s what you want to find out about guinea pig vitamin, housing and extra!
Cautious consideration earlier than adopting, together with analysis and planning, plus loads of love, persistence and a way of humour, will foster a robust and loving relationship that can make it easier to uncover the enjoyment of guinea pigs, and make you associates for all times!
Diet
A whole every day guinea pig weight-reduction plan consists of a limiteless provide of Timothy hay, loads of recent greens, a small quantity of guinea pig pellets enriched with vitamin C, and a small portion of fruit. Guinea pigs develop particular person meals preferences, however some frequent favourites embody:
- Snap peas
- Apple
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Cucumber
- Romaine lettuce
- Broccoli
- Grapes
Contemporary water ought to all the time be accessible and is greatest offered in a sipper bottle on the facet of their enclosure.
Well being
Along with good vitamin, guinea pigs profit tremendously from supervised train exterior of their major enclosure. This house must be in a secure, well-secured room with no entry to cords, wires, stairs or open vents. Present your pet with toys to play with and a particular place to cover.
The tooth of guinea pigs consistently develop, which signifies that chewing objects are important for his or her dental well being. Hay, agency greens and non-toxic wooden chews are nice additions to their enclosures for this function.
Males could be neutered by veterinarians who’re very aware of guinea pig surgical procedure. By neutering males, they are often paired with females whereas stopping undesirable pregnancies. Different pairings that work properly are females collectively and males who had been raised collectively.
Dealing with
Permit your guinea pig to smell your hand and use his or her favorite meals to achieve their belief. As soon as they’re comfy, decide them up gently and slowly. Gently place one hand behind their entrance legs, cupping their chest, whereas utilizing the opposite hand to assist their hind finish and again toes always. Guinea pigs are most comfy when horizontal and near your physique or in your lap.
Leaping down could cause critical harm to guinea pigs, so dealing with them whereas sitting on the ground is most secure. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be picked up or carried by younger youngsters, as they’ll simply free themselves from a baby’s grasp.
Grooming
Manicure must be performed month-to-month and could be simply demonstrated by a veterinarian or an RVT. Each lengthy and short-haired guinea pigs can even want common brushing, with a mushy child brush.
Housing
Cages must be as massive as you’ll be able to accommodate. The minimal measurement for a cage for one or two guinea pigs is 7.5 sq. toes, however the bigger you’ll be able to accommodate the higher. The very best location on your guinea pig’s enclosure is in a shared a part of your property the place your guinea pig could be a part of the household and monitored carefully, out of direct daylight, off the ground shielded from different household pets.
Enclosures ought to have stable bottoms to forestall foot accidents and be lined with shredded newspaper, grass hay, aspen or hardwood shavings. Take away dirty shavings every day and provides the enclosure an intensive cleansing every week.
As guinea pigs are startled simply, a hiding place should be offered. They need to have entry to a hiding place always, for after they want some quiet time. To advertise the well being of your guinea pig, objects comparable to toys, hammocks and platforms with ramps must be added to their enclosure. The checklist of toys is infinite, however some very inexpensive objects embody:
- Paper baggage full of hay
- Ping pong balls
- Paper towel rolls (minimize lengthwise)
- Shoeboxes
Behaviour
Guinea pigs are very social animals and are happiest after they have one other guinea pig companion, and a focus from their human relations. Even well-socialized guinea pigs might nip if startled, which is why it’s beneficial that they be dealt with by adults and older youngsters.
Guinea pigs have good color imaginative and prescient and nice listening to, enabling them to study to answer particular sounds. With some persistence and persistence, they’ll even be skilled to make use of litter bins!
Issues to keep away from
Keep away from the next potential hazards to offer your pet guinea pig with a secure atmosphere:
- Sawdust, cedar, pine and corn-cob bedding could cause sickness and toxicity
- Train balls and working wheels that aren’t designed for guinea pigs may end up in critical accidents
- Entry to handled or painted wooden
- Unsupervised time with younger youngsters, open air or free-roaming in the home
- Toxic meals comparable to rhubarb, chocolate, potato, seeds and nuts
- Inserting the cage in fixed direct daylight, a storage or a laundry room
- Offering grass, clover or dandelions from a yard handled with pesticides or fertilizers
Undertake
Guinea pigs dwell, on common, 4 to eight years so make sure you’re prepared for the dedication earlier than adopting. Some guinea pigs might dwell so long as 10 years!
In the event you’re considering adopting a guinea pig, hold your eye on the Ontario SPCA adoption web site to observe for guinea pigs searching for a loving residence.
[ad_2]