Find Out More:

• Guinea Pig Food Chart
• Guinea Pig Feeding Basics
• Hip Hip Hor-Hay!
• Never Enough Nuggets!
• Feeling Fresh
• Healthy Herbs
• Wonderful Water
• Non-Essential Nom Noms

Guinea Pig Food Chart

If you want to jump straight into receiving your free Guinea Pig Food Chart then simply download it by clicking on the image. No fees, and no newsletter sign-up. We provide free information for everyone at no cost. Learning how to care for your guinea pig should be fun and free.

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Guinea Pig Feeding Basics

The above image shows exactly what a guinea pig plate should look like and this is daily! Hay, hay and more hay are the key to a healthy piggy, plus some tasty nuggets and fresh food of course!

Your guinea pig only has several dietary requirements and we will be exploring each one in detail.

Hip Hip Hor-Hay!

For guinea pigs hay is everything! Useful for napping, lying in, eating, and playing in… your guinea pig loves hay and the great news is that it’s really good for them.

Hay provides roughage to help keep things moving plus it is great for wearing down the ever-growing teeth of a guinea pig.

There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to hay. We recommend Timothy Hay. It is grass hay which is proven to be the best type of hay your piggies can enjoy.

Since guinea pigs love to roll, chew, sleep and play in their hay it can get rather dirty! Guinea pigs refuse to eat soiled hay luckily as it is very bad for them. The best solution is to offer hay in a variety of different places. Hay Trays, to lie in hay racks to ensure it hasn’t been soiled and filling tunnels to offer some fun, it ticks all the boxes and ensures that your guinea pig has plenty of access to clean hay.

Never Enough Nuggets!

Never separate a guinea pig from its nuggets! Of course, they shouldn’t eat unlimited amounts. Nuggets or rather dried pellets should make up 10% of your guinea pig’s daily food allowance.

Dried pellets are required to provide balanced nutrition but ensure you are using pellets intended for guinea pigs and not rabbits. Rabbits have different nutritional needs and so are not suitable for your guinea pigs. Ensure you do your research on their pellets as some are too high in calcium and can lead to kidney and bladder stones. We have used these ones for all our adult guinea pigs and we have never had a problem.

Guinea pigs love dried nuggets almost as much as they love hay. Don’t be tempted to fill a bowl and leave it in their hutch or cage though, it is possible for them to overeat on them. This can be dangerous since they will then miss out on the nutrients they receive from a balanced diet.

Feeling Fresh

Fresh foods, namely vegetables should make up the remaining 10% of your guinea pig food chart.

Guinea pigs adore most foods which makes it great fun to introduce new vegetables to their diet. Vegetables provide your guinea pig with essential minerals, and vitamins and are also great for wearing down a guinea pig’s ever-growing teeth!

It’s important to remember that not all vegetables are safe to be eaten by guinea pigs and even some of those that are shouldn’t be fed to them every day. It can sound really complicated but it really isn’t that difficult.

Guinea pigs require a variety of vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) to keep them healthy and happy. The main one is Vitamin C. Guinea pigs are unable to naturally make this vitamin and so they need to obtain it daily in order to stay healthy.

Guinea pigs require around 25 – 30mg of vitamin C daily but this isn’t actually that difficult to achieve. Avoid dried guinea pig pellets that are enriched with vitamin C, but vets recommend against this as it is then possible to give your guinea pig too much of it.

Check out our full article on What Vegetables Can Guinea Pigs Eat and download our free master vegetable list.

Healthy Herbs

Most guinea pig owners assume herbs contain too much calcium to be fed to their guinea pigs. However, there are so many herbs that are safe for your guinea pig plus they add a great variety boost to your guinea pigs bowl

Herbs are great to be added to their bowl of vegetables as they offer lots of minerals and vitamins. They are also a great way to stop your guinea pigs from eating the same meal day after day.

Plus herbs can be easily grown. Mint for example practically grows itself so keeping a tub of it for your piggie is easier than going to the supermarket for it!

We have a whole post dedicated to which herbs are safe for guinea pigs plus a free downloadable list.

Wonderful Water

It’s easy to forget about water being a staple in your guinea pig’s diet since it seems so simple! Water is the only drink your guinea pigs will ever need. Ensure they have fresh clean water daily. Guinea pigs will actually rather die of thirst than drink water. Keeping water clean is easier if your guinea pigs drink from a bottle as opposed to a bowl.

Non-Essential Nom Noms

Sweet And Fruity

The sweetness of fruit serve as a great treat to give to your guinea pig.

Guinea pigs love sweet things! They are rather like us in this respect as too much sugar can be very bad for them. Fruit can make an excellent treat but should not be fed daily.

Fruit has a very high sugar content compared to vegetables. Unfortunately, guinea pigs who have too much sugar suffer from obesity. Ensure you only feed your guinea pig-safe fruits. Some fruits have high levels of acidity which can cause sores inside your guinea pig’s mouth.

Check out our guide to safe fruits for your guinea pig plus a free safe fruit list.

Grateful For Grass

Whilst grass isn’t an essential part of a guinea pig’s diet, they will really appreciate the extra addition if you are able.

Outside piggies have plenty of grass available so this one isn’t really an issue for them. Simply ensure that there hutch or run is over a patch of grass that is untouched by other animals and does not contain any dangerous plants. Your guinea pig will happily munch along without a care in the world.

If you (like us) keep your guinea pigs indoors then keeping an area of your lawn overgrown and cutting some each day with scissors is a great way to keep your indoor guinea pig their grass fix! Simply add it to their cage or even lie it on top of their hay trays or racks.

The post The Ultimate FREE Guinea Pig Food Chart! – Say Goodbye To Boring Meals! appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Make sure you check out our first two articles in the series where we discover what fruits and vegetables are safe for your piggies. We are on a mission to add some new, exciting and most importantly safe foods to your guinea pigs’ diet! We hope by creating a full list of safe herbs for guinea pigs will help!

Find Out More:

• Guinea Pig Herb Guide – At A Glance
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Basil?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chamomile?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chives?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Corrinader?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cress?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dandelion?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dill?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fennel?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lavender?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Marigolds?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Marjoram?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mint?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oregano?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rose Hips?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rosemary?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sage?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tarragon?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Thyme?
• Disclaimer

Guinea Pig Herb Guide

Most guinea pig owners wish there was a complete and comprehensive list of all the herbs that clearly define what is safe and not safe. Wish no longer as we have created one and best of all it’s completely free! We don’t believe in charging for information that should be freely available!

So feel free to download the below the full list of safe herbs for guinea pigs for free:

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Basil?

Guinea pigs can indeed eat Basil. Basil is full of vitamin C that guinea pigs are unable to make themselves. Ensure you just give them a few leaves mixed in with their usual greens.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chamomile?

Chamomile is a great herb to be fed to your guinea pigs! If you have an anxious or nervous piggie then chamomile is the herb you have been missing! Chamomile is also great at easing pain and some digestive issues. They can’t however drink Chamomile tea. Dried Chamomile is suitable for guinea pigs but just a sprinkle. If you have a long-haired guinea pig, be prepared for some serious grooming!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chives?

Guinea pigs can not eat Chives. They contain sulfur compounds which can be fatal to your guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Corrinader?

Coriander ( also known as Cilantro) is completely safe for your guinea pigs. It is so safe that it can be eaten daily! Ensure you wash it and only ever feed it fresh. Coriander is also very easy to grow!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cress?

Yes, Cress (also known as Watercress) is safe for guinea pigs. Cress packs a Vitamin C punch in a good way plus it contains a fair amount of water. They will still need fresh water available though in their bowl or bottle.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dandelion?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat dandelions. They will eat the whole thing too – flower, stalk and leaf! Dandelions are great for preventing UTIs and can help boost respiratory function. If feeding fresh, it’s much better to be straight out of your garden. It needs to be clean and not sprayed with pesticides or urine. Dried can be eaten but in smaller amounts.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dill?

Dill is safe for guinea pigs but the seeds are not! Dill contains some fibre and calcium which is a great health benefit for your guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fennel?

Whilst Fennel is safe for your guinea pig it should be fed in limited quantities. It is a great source of fibre but is lower in Vitamin C than other herbs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lavender?

Similarly to Chamomile, Lavender can have a wonderfully calming effect on guinea pigs. Our piggies are not keen on the taste at all! If yours are though, it’s a treat that is shared by you and them!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Marigolds?

Marigolds are great for your guinea pig and can help prevent worms and digestive upsets. Only feed them the flower heads though! Dried can be fed but is best mixed with hay.

Can guinea Pigs Eat Marjoram?

Whilst guinea pigs can eat Marjoram we wouldn’t. There is a distinct lack of information regarding the feeding of Marjoram. Whilst technically safe, it contains high levels of calcium making it dangerous if fed often. Stick to a little once a month at most.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mint?

Mint is loved by most guinea pigs and the good news is, it is perfectly safe! We like to serve our long-haired guinea pig chocolate, some mint and cucumber on a hot summer’s day whilst she’s lying on a cool pad!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oregano?

Oregano is safe for guinea pigs but due to high amounts of calcium, it should be limited to once a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley?

Parsley can be enjoyed by your guinea pigs so long as they have no history of bladder issues. Parsley contains lots of nutrients which are good for your guinea pig including Vitamins A, C and K.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rose Hips?

Rose hips make a great treat for your guinea pig! Be warned though – they are high in sugar!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rosemary?

Yes, guinea pigs can enjoy rosemary. It is high in Vitamins A and C. A few leaves once a week help add some variety to your guinea pig’s diet.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sage?

There are many contrasting opinions surrounding Sage. Popular opinion is a few leaves once a month is fine however we don’t feed it to our piggies.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tarragon?

Tarragon is a herb similar to Sage, as not much is known about its effect on guinea pigs. It is very high in calcium which can be fatal to guinea pigs so if you choose to feed it, then limit it to once a month.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Thyme?

Thyme is fine to feed your guinea pig. They can enjoy a few sprigs several times a week. Thyme is fabulous for your guinea pig’s respiratory system.

Disclaimer

Always monitor anything new that your guinea pigs are given to eat. The best way to know what your guinea pigs like and dislike is by keeping a close watch over how they behave.

Be mindful of changes to their droppings, urine and behaviour to discover what herbs your guinea pigs like! Check out the RSPCA’s guide on introducing new foods to your guinea pig’s diet.

If in doubt always contact your vet for advice.

The post Full List Of Safe Herbs For Guinea Pigs appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

This is the second article in our ultimate guide on what food guinea pigs can eat. We are on a mission to add some new, exciting and most importantly safe foods to your guinea pigs’ diet!

Find Out More:

• Guinea Pig Vegetable Guide – At A Glance
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Asparagus?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Beetroot?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bell Peppers?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bok Choy?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Broccoli?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Brussel Sprouts?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cabbage?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cauliflower?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Celery?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Corn?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Beans?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kale?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lettuce?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Okra?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pumpkin?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Potatoes?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnips?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Zucchini?
• Disclaimer

Guinea Pig Vegetable Guide

Most guinea pig owners wish there was a complete and comprehensive list of all the vegetables that clearly define what is safe and not safe. Wish no longer as we have created one and best of all it’s completely free! We don’t believe in charging for information that should be freely available!

So feel free to download the below free guinea pig vegetable chart!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Asparagus?

Guinea pigs can indeed eat Asparagus. Asparagus are full of vitamin C that guinea pigs are unable to make themselves. Guinea pigs can actually eat all types of Asparagus as well not just green!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Beetroot?

Yes, your guinea pigs can eat Beetroot. Remember it’s going to get really messy though! We would advise against feeding beetroot to your guinea pig if they are very light or white in colour! If your guinea pig does get dirty though due to beetroot, a simple brush should help remove the stain. If it’s really bad choose a mild guinea pig-friendly shampoo.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bell Peppers?

Bell Peppers (also known as Capsicum and Sweet Peppers) are safe for your guinea pigs. They can eat all colours too! It’s a great way to bring some variety to your guinea pig’s plate!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bok Choy?

Guinea pigs can eat Bok Choy. It is full of calcium (but not too much!) and many other vitamins. Bok Choy can cause bloating though, so be sure to keep a watch over your guinea pig if they are trying it for the first time.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Broccoli?

Yes, broccoli is safe for guinea pigs. Worried about which part to give them? they can eat all of it – stems, floret and stalk! It is very rich in Calcium which can cause health issues. See our free guide to ensure you are feeding them the correct amount.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Brussel Sprouts?

Christmas sprout anyone? Whilst Brussel sprouts are safe for your guinea pigs, we recommend only feeding them it sparingly. It can cause kidney stones. Our advice? We only feed our piggies Brussel sprouts at Christmas since it’s the only time we eat them!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cabbage?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat cabbage. Cabbage makes an excellent green to feed to your piggie plus they can eat the four main types – green, napa, red/purple, and savoy.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots?

Whilst guinea pigs can eat Carrots, it’s important not to feed them every day. They contain high amounts of sugar and vitamin A. Carrots can be fed to your guinea pig three times a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cauliflower?

Just like Broccoli, all parts of cauliflower can be enjoyed by your guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Celery?

Celery is safe for your guinea pig to eat. Don’t cook it first though! The crunch is great for your piggies ever-growing teeth! It acts just like them chewing a branch and may help your wooden cage toys last longer!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Corn?

Guinea pigs can eat sweetcorn, corn on the cob and even the husks and silk! If feeding sweetcorn stick to once a week but the husks/silk is fine 3-4 times a week. The corn can be fed straight from the cob as well! If you have long-haired guinea pig though be ready with a comb!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?

Cucumbers are perfect to be fed to your guinea pig during the hot weather! They make a great addition on a hot day! Our long-haired guinea pig chocolate usually enjoys her cucumber straight from the fridge whilst lying on a cool pad!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Beans?

Yes, guinea pigs can have some small pieces of green beans provided they are fully ripe. Be careful not to feed them too much though as they can cause a fair few health problems. Personally, we avoid green beans.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kale?

Kale may be a superfood but it’s only suitable for your guinea pigs once to twice a week. Don’t cook it either – they prefer it raw!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lettuce?

As a general rule, guinea pigs can eat lettuce. However, there are many different types! Iceberg should be avoided as it contains no nutritional value for them. If they fill up on it, they’re too full to eat the other nutrient-rich foods. Romaine lettuce and red and green lettuce are safe for everyday feeding!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Okra?

Okra is fine to feed your guinea pig. They can enjoy a full piece 1- 2 times a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pumpkin?

Whilst guinea pigs can eat pumpkins they can only have a cube once a month. To us, this doesn’t seem worth introducing into our guinea pig’s diet.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach?

Our guinea pigs adore spinach! Whilst they are only allowed four leaves her piggy, that doesn’t stop them from wheeking for more! Stick to baby spinach over the regular kind, it’s easier for them to digest.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Potatoes?

Regular white potatoes are actually poisonous to guinea pigs so steer clear of those completely. Interestingly enough, guinea pigs can eat sweet potatoes! They are able to have one cube monthly, be mindful though – sweet potatoes contain ALOT of sugar. Personally, we don’t feed our guinea pigs them.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes?

Tomatoes are safe to be fed to your guinea pig. They are great for vitamin C and can have one cube about once a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnips?

Turnips are a great source of vitamin C and so make a great weekly addition to your guinea pig’s diet.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Zucchini?

Zucchini is completely safe for your guinea pig.

Disclaimer

Always monitor anything new that your guinea pigs are given to eat. The best way to know what your guinea pigs like and dislike is by keeping a close watch over how they behave.

Be mindful of changes to their droppings, urine and behaviour in order to discover what vegetables your guinea pigs really like! Check out the RSPCA’s guide on introducing new foods to your guinea pigs diet.

If in doubt always contact your vet for advice.

The post What Vegetables Can Guinea Pigs Eat? The Ultimate Guide! appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

This is the first article in our ultimate guide on what food guinea pigs can eat. We are on a mission to add some new, exciting and most importantly safe foods to your guinea pigs’ diet!

Find Out More:

• Guinea Pig Fruit Guide – At A Glance
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apricots?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blueberries?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapefruit?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew Melon?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemon?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lime?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nectarine?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Papaya?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Persimmon?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raisins?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raspberries?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines?
• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?
• Disclaimer

Guinea Pig Fruit Guide

Most guinea pig owners wish there was a complete and comprehensive list of all the fruits that clearly define what is safe and not safe. Wish no longer as we have created one and best of all it’s completely free! We don’t believe in charging for information that should be freely available!

So feel free to download the below free guinea pig fruit chart!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple?

Guinea pigs can indeed eat apples. Apples are full of vitamin C that guinea pigs are unable to make themselves. Ensure that you only give your guinea pigs the flesh as apple seeds can make your piggie seriously unwell. In extreme cases, apple seeds can be fatal.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apricots?

Yes, your guinea pigs can eat Apricots. Apricots contain a variety of vitamins such as calcium, potassium and vitamin C. It’s important to remember that apricots do contain a lot of sugar which can be harmful to your piggie.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?

Bananas are very high in sugar and while yes guinea pigs can eat bananas, we personally prefer to feed them some other fruit that is lower in sugar!

Our decision is based on the fact that bananas can cause bloating and cramping after being eaten by your guinea pig.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries?

Yes, guinea pigs can enjoy blackberries. Blackberries are very sweet and also full of vitamins and minerals. One berry once or twice a week is plenty.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blueberries?

Guinea pigs can eat blueberries. They are only suitable to be fed once a week maximum and they should never eat more than one or two blueberries each.
Blueberries can cause digestive issues along with oral sores. Ensure you wash the blueberries thoroughly before serving them to your guinea pig.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe. It is full of vitamin A, and calcium. Plus it is packed full of water making it excellent to be enjoyed in the hot weather! We prefer to place it in a sturdy bowl to ensure it doesn’t get soiled or make the cage wet.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries?

Guinea pigs love cherries and lucky for them it is a safe fruit! Cherries are full of vitamins A and C which are great for your piggy’s health.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat grapes. They make an excellent treat when fed in moderation. One to two grapes, once a week is the preferred serving.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapefruit?

Whilst guinea pigs can eat grapefruit, I know my piggies do not like sour things! Grapefruit is best to be served in moderation – At most no more than 2 times per week. It’s also important to only serve a small chunk.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew Melon?

Yes! Guinea pigs can eat Honeydew melon. In fact, all types of melon are suited for your guinea pigs. Providing your guinea pig with a 1-inch cube makes a great treat for them. Especially in the summer or after they have been groomed!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?

Kiwi fruit packs a huge Vitamin C punch! This is great for your guinea pig since they are unable to produce their own Vitamin C. Ensure to remove the black seeds and the hairy skin before feeding. We find the easier way to serve up some kiwi to your guinea pig is by cutting the kiwi in half and then scooping out a teaspoon 1 tsp per guinea pig). Next, we hand-pick out the seeds and let our piggie eat them straight out of our hands during laptime!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemon?

This one is a definite no! Given the choice, most humans would not want to chomp on a lemon and your guinea pig is no different. Guinea pigs naturally love sweet things (like us humans!). They also tend to avoid eating sour foods.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lime?

As described above with lemons, guinea pigs can’t eat limes. They are far too sour for their little mouths to handle.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango?

Yes, guinea pigs love a nice cube of mango! Be prepared as it can get messy!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nectarine?

Nectarines are suitable for guinea pigs to eat. They are nice and sweet plus pack a pure punch of healthy vitamins!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?

Another fabulous fruit to get some goodness into your guinea pigs. 1 wedge twice a week is plenty. Our guinea pigs don’t like the skin though so we have to peel ours – pampered piggies!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Papaya?

Papaya is wonderfully tropical and makes a great treat for your guinea pig when it’s hot outside!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches?

Peaches make a sweet treat any time of the year. Our guinea pigs don’t like the skin so we usually peel a 1-inch wedge for them.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Persimmon?

Whilst persimmon isn’t poisonous to guinea pigs, we avoid feeding it to yours and do not recommend it. It is extremely high in sugar and even a small amount has a huge amount of sugar in it. Yes, it can be fed, but should it? Probably not.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?

Pineapple much like mango is a truly tropical treat for your piggy, especially in the hot summer months. It is completely safe for your guinea pig.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums?

Plums are safe to be fed to your guinea pig. They are great for vitamin C.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raisins?

Whilst raisins are safe for your guinea pig, these are one of the foods we often wonder why someone would. Fresh fruit is more beneficial for your guinea pig. If you choose to feed your guinea pig raisins then 1 raisin, once a month is more than enough.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raspberries?

Raspberries are safe for your guinea pig and great for vitamins and minerals.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?

Strawberries are great for your guinea pig. Once whole berry including leaf top is a great treat once a month. Our guinea pig Chocolate demolishes the whole thing whereas Orange leaves the entire top of the fruit!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines?

Tangerines like oranges are a great source of Vitamin C for your guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?

Watermelon makes a fabulous treat for your guinea pig in the summer. It’s also packed with water so can encourage a dehydrated guinea pig to drink. When it’s hot outside we leave a watermelon slice next to the water bottle.

Disclaimer

Always monitor anything new that your guinea pigs are given to eat. The best way to know what your guinea pigs like and dislike is by keeping a close watch over how they behave.

Be mindful of changes to their droppings, urine and behaviour in order to discover what fruits your guinea pigs really like! Check out the RSPCA’s guide on introducing new foods to your guinea pigs diet.

If in doubt always contact your vet for advice.

The post What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Everything You Need To Know! appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Find Out More:

• Buying Gifts
• Guinea Pig Christmas Stocking
• Games To Play With Your Guinea Pig
• Guinea Pig Christmas Dinner
• A Very Merry Pigmas!

Buying Gifts

Typically at this time, an array of Christmas stockings are sold in pet shops. Whilst they seem a great option, unfortunately, most of the time these treats are loaded with sugar and potentially harmful chemicals.

Whilst it can be tricky to find stockings specifically for guinea pigs if you do ensure they are free from dyes, paints and harmful food ingredients. These include nuts, seeds and corn kernels.

If in doubt choose items that are as close to nature as possible! These are both good for them but will provide enjoyment as they tap into their wild cavy nature! Forage cube, wooden bridges, and chew balls all make excellent choices.

These items are great fun for your guinea pigs to play with. Plus they are also great for wearing down guinea pigs forever growing teeth. Check out our Christmas guinea pig gift guide for more ideas!

Create Your Own Guinea Pig Christmas Stocking

There is no need for your guinea pigs to miss out on a Christmas stocking though! Whilst store-bought stockings can be full of harmful items, the best alternative is to make your own!

Creating your own guinea pig Christmas stocking doesn’t need to be expensive either. You can either make your own items or buy them. We prefer to mix and match between homemade and bought.

We use an organic paper bag as the stocking. This is perfect as it’s free from paint and dye, plus our guinea pigs love nibbling away at the bag! Then we fill it with a variety of items that can be found really easily this time of the year:

Pinecones

Pinecones might seem really boring to you and me but guinea pigs LOVE them! They are fun to roll, chase and chew. They also help to clean your guinea pig’s teeth helping to keep them healthy. We pick ours and give them a good soak in some water with a few drops of white vinegar.

Then we leave them to dry outside which airs them out and allows any leftover vinegar to evaporate. If you are not comfortable or able to find pinecones for free locally then you can always buy them but be sure they are not ones used in crafts as they often contain chemicals.

Branches/twigs

Just your run-of-the-mill tree branch will provide hours of chewing and hiding fun for your guinea pigs! We are lucky enough to have a tree in our garden and when it is pruning time, we ensure we chop them into guinea pig-size pieces and let them dry out. Most tree branches are fine for your guinea pigs but never give them apricot, Almond, Cedar, Fig & Citrus woods.

Natural chew sticks can be bought in place of branches if you aren’t able to acquire some and provide the same great benefits to your guinea pigs teeth.

Hay

Never underestimate your guinea pigs love of hay! We always put some in the bottom of the bag so they have to forage to find their other Christmas treats! 80% of your guinea pigs diet should be hay so ensure they have access to good quality hay at all times!

Putting It All Together

Now you can have some fun putting all your chosen items into a guinea pig Christmas stocking!

Switory 25pc Kraft Brown Paper Bag with Handle...

Buy on Amazon

Whaline 150 Pieces Christmas Mini Natural Rustic...

£8.99

Buy on Amazon

25 PCS Natural Timothy Hay Sticks Chinchilla Chew...

£8.99

Buy on Amazon

Small Pet Select 1st Cutting High Fibre Timothy...

£30.48

Buy on Amazon

Sale

Rosewood Naturals ‘I Love Hay’ Forage Cube,...

£8.55

Buy on Amazon

ERKOON Small Animal Activity Play Chew Toys,...

Buy on Amazon

Games To Play With Your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs adore companionship and they require lots of social time with both you and their cage mates. Christmas activities for your guinea pigs are a great way of bonding with your guinea pigs, plus it’s good fun and stops them from getting bored.

If you have children then it is also a great way to help them become more involved with their guinea pigs. Here are our three favourite guinea pig games:

Hide and Squeak

Guinea pigs are very inquisitive by nature and so this game can be a great way for you to bond with your guinea pig along with testing out this natural instinct.

It’s a fairly simple game to play and doesn’t require anything to be bought. Clear out your guinea pigs playpen and get someone to climb into it and lie down. Cover the person lying downs face either with a blanket or towel and then bring the guinea pigs in carefully. The aim of the game is for the guinea pig to try and find your face.

Our guinea pigs are not usually bothered until the person lying down starts calling their names softly and then they set about investigating! It’s amazing to watch guinea pigs work together to uncover you. Ensure you reward them with a treat even if they don’t find you!

This game promotes trust with your guinea pig along with testing out how familiar the sound of your voice they are.

Find the food

Another simple but enjoyable game to play with your guinea pig is to find the food. For this game, you hide their favourite treats in various items around their cage and watch them work at finding it and getting it out.

Great hiding places are plastic tubes, treat balls, and other non-edible items (if you would rather buy somewhere to find the food we recommend a forage mat.) Zookeepers actually use this game to help keep their animals entertained!

Maze magic

Guinea pigs are great navigators! Test out their skills by building a maze made of cardboard boxes and cardboard tubes! We usually turn their playpen into one big maze and stagger tunnels, their favourite treats, tubes and leftover wrapping paper (sellotape removed) and watch them run around!

Guinea Pig Christmas Dinner

Food is a big part of Christmas and guinea pigs love food! In most cases, their no need for your guinea pig to miss out on Christmas dinner plus you can usually just give them some of what you are already making for yourself!

Our guinea pigs always have a fruit salad for starters which includes a few slices of strawberries, melon, pear and some mint leaves to top it off.

The main meal consists of sprouts, a cherry tomato, lettuce mix (endive, escarole, radicchio, mizuna, red Batavia, Lollo rosso) and parsnip peel. All are served on a bed or either baby spinach or kale.

For desSert, they have a selection of herbs usually mint, parsley, coriander and cilantro.

Ensure your guinea pig has plenty of fresh clean water throughout the day.

A Very Merry Pigmas!

Christmas for guinea pigs is a fun and exciting time to celebrate with your guinea pigs. We hope that you and your guinea pigs have a wonderful Christmas!

The post Christmas Activities For Your Guinea Pigs! 2022 Edition appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Find Out More:

• Create A Winter Wonderland!
• Christmas Cage Creations
• Keep Boredom At Bay
• Fun Can Be Free
• Food For Thought
• Be Festive And Keep Safe!

Create A Winter Wonderland!

Christmas is a great time to upgrade your guinea pig’s cage! Plus there are some really fun toys and accessories out there. Let’s start our Guinea pig Christmas gift guide with some interior fun!

If your cage is in need of an upgrade or you just want to celebrate the festive season in style then why not try a Christmas-themed cage liner? Fleece Liners don’t just look good, they are actually really easy to spot-clean plus they can go straight into the washing machine (once any debris has been removed).

Christmas Cage Creations

The Christmas-themed fun doesn’t have to end with a cage liner. There are so many fun beds and hideaways that can be added to give your cage a festive feel.

Try a fun-themed hay bag feeder or even a Christmas-shaped one! We always advise caution though when clipping anything to your guinea pig’s cage. Ensure that your inquisitive piggies can’t get their heads trapped.

There isn’t much in the way of Christmas-themed food bowls so opt for a tasty-looking one instead!

Introducing new items into your guinea pig’s cage or hutch isn’t just great fun for you, it is actually good for them! Being exposed to new items helps keep your guinea pigs happy, healthy and engaged plus it stops them from getting bored. A bored guinea pig suffers from some serious health problems such as depression.

Keep Boredom At Bay

Guinea pigs love to be active and explore. They are constantly looking for new things to investigate and play with. Christmas is a great way to liven up their living space! We like to start by reviewing what their cage currently looks like and then introducing new items gradually over the festive period as opposed to giving them to them all in one day.

Providing plenty of places to hide is essential in every guinea pig cage. Tunnels and plush hideouts are ideal as they can be travelled through, and hidden in and are perfect for the occasional nap or two!

Did you know that guinea pigs can actually see colours? Mixing up the colours in your guinea pig’s home is a great way to provide visual stimulation.

Remember to never suspend tunnels from the cage bars. A fall can seriously injure your guinea pig or worse still can be fatal. All items shown by us that can be hung should never be hung. Simply lie them on the ground – they will be more fun that way and more importantly safe!

Fluffly tunnels and beds also help to keep your guinea pigs warm during the winter months. It can be easy to underestimate the effect the change in temperature can have on your guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs have an ideal temperature of between 18 – 23 degrees. However, any temperature below 15 degrees can spell trouble for your guinea pigs.

There are plenty of ways to keep your guinea pigs warm during the colder, winter months. From adding extra hay, insulating an outside hutch and even bringing them inside. We recommend reading our guide to keeping your guinea pigs warm in the winter. We have plenty of advice and practical solutions.

Fun Can Be Free

Keeping your guinea pigs stimulated doesn’t have to cost a penny either. Empty toilet rolls, thick cardboard tubes, and even crumpled-up newspapers are also great gift ideas for your guinea pig. Plus you may already have these items lying around the house. Remember if you are going to paint them or use glue, be sure to check it is suitable for pets.

Food For Thought

Probably our guinea pigs favourite part of our Guinea pig Christmas gift guide! One of our guinea pigs’ favourite pastimes is searching out tasty treats! We love to mix it up at Christmas and take advantage of the new festival items that become available.

Treats aren’t just fun for your piggie they also help to wear down their ever-growing teeth and prevent dental issues from arising.

We also treat them (pardon the pun) to some new edible toys that include hay. Hay is an important part of a guinea pig’s diet and it forms up to 80% of their overall food intake! Guinea pigs don’t need much encouragement to nibble away at the stuff but introducing things such as a forage cube or a tunnel made of hay is a great way to keep them entertained whilst also providing them alternative ways to enjoy hay.

Lots of guinea pig treats out there are marketed as being safe but are actually full of sugar which is bad for your guinea pig’s teeth and overall digestive system. Ensure you are checking what is actually going into these treats before purchasing them. We stick to hay-based treats or those made from natural ingredients such as pea flakes and chew sticks.

Be Festive And Keep Safe!

Please be aware of guinea pig hats as they always make an appearance this time of year. Whilst it’s very cute placing a Santa hat on your guinea pig and indeed some of them do like it, ensure that there are no tight fastenings around their neck and that the hat can be easily removed by you if and when needed.

We have seen unfortunate cases of guinea pigs having their hats dug into their fur and causing them harm. Of course, the hats can be enjoyed over the festive period but remember never to leave your guinea pig unattended if it is wearing a festive hat. We have always opted out of placing fixed clothing on our guinea pigs.

The post Introducing the Ultimate Guinea Pig Christmas Gift Guide – Updated for 2022! appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Find Out More:

• Why Guinea Pigs And Rabbits Shouldn’t Be Kept Together
• What To Do If Your Guinea Pigs Already Live With Rabbits
• How To Provide Company For Your Guinea Pig
• Keeping Your Guinea Pig Happy and Healthy

Why Guinea Pigs And Rabbits Shouldn’t Be Kept Together

Guinea pigs and rabbits should actually never live together! It’s dangerous and extremely unsafe for both the rabbit and guinea pig. Historically guinea pigs and rabbits were advised to be kept together to provide one another companionship. Fortunately, more research has taken place over the past decade in order to understand both guinea pigs’ and rabbits’ basic needs. There are several main reasons why it is dangerous to keep guinea pigs and rabbits together:

Communication

Firstly and most importantly guinea pigs and rabbits actually speak a different language to each other! Many people assume rabbits belong to the rodent family (like guinea pigs). Research has determined that this is not the case.

Guinea pigs and rabbits will actually become more lonely if housed with each other since they can’t understand each other’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills! The lack of communication between the two will also lead to unnecessary stress plus can encourage fights.

To learn more about how guinea pigs communicate, head over to our behaviour section.

Nutritional Needs

Now we understand that guinea pigs and rabbits are actually different species, it comes as no surprise that they have completely different nutritional needs.

Guinea pigs are unable to synthesise Vitamin C whereas rabbits can. Providing one bowl of food to cater for both pets will result in the guinea pig becoming malnourished due to not enough Vitamin C or the rabbit being exposed to too much Vitamin C. (See our section on guinea pig nutrition)

Whilst providing separate food bowls, one for each pet seems like an ideal solution, rabbits are notorious for becoming protective of food.

The rabbit will instinctively bully the guinea pig away from both food bowls which will prevent the guinea pig from obtaining any nourishment. This leaves them suspectable of illness and disease.

Physical Size

Rabbits are much larger, stronger animals than guinea pigs. In nature, rabbits perform a lot of back legs “ground thumping” plus they often jump high and flash their tails. These are all-natural behaviours that rabbits use in the wild to alert others of perceived dangers.

An intentional or unintentional kick from a rabbit to a guinea pig can be devasting often resulting in injury or even death. This is why guinea pigs and rabbits should never live together.

As mentioned previously, rabbits can also bully guinea pigs due to their larger size and greater strength. This behaviour isn’t just reserved for meal times either. Rabbits like to show who’s in charge and this will undoubtedly stress out the humble guinea pig.

Guinea pigs can easily become stressed and will instinctively seek out a secluded corner or tunnel to hide in and get away. If the piggie is unable to get away from the threat then the stress increases which will result in an unwell guinea pig.

Sharper Claws

Rabbits also have sharper claws than guinea pigs. This can result in guinea pigs’ faces or bodies being scratched and injured. These stretches can lead to loss of guinea pig eyes, ulcers and infections occurring.

There have also been cases where rabbits have attempted to make with guinea pigs resulting in serious injury and distress.

Space Requirements

In the wild rabbits can run the equivalent of 30 tennis courts every day! Our guinea pig’s little legs are unable to carry them that far if they wanted to journey that far from their food bowl!

This huge space requirement that rabbits need often leave them frustrated with sharing a smaller space with a guinea pig. Rabbits require adequate space to run, jump and hop! A slow-moving guinea pig can often get injured by simply being in the way or a rabbit running around.

Spreading Disease

Rabbits can a bacteria are known as Bordetella Bronchiseptica. This bacteria lives harmlessly on rabbits (and cats and dogs). However, if a guinea pig is exposed to this bacteria it can cause respiratory disease. Respiratory disease in guinea pigs can be fatal and is a serious illness.

What To Do If Your Guinea Pigs Already Live With Rabbits

The RSPCA advise keeping guinea pigs and rabbit separately. But what do you do if you already have guinea pigs and rabbits housed together? Ideally, you would separate them and continue caring for them but in their own separate enclosure.

If you absolutely have to keep them together then follow the tips below:

• Ensure the enclosure in which your rabbits and guinea pigs live is as big as you can make it. The bigger the better here works best.
• Provide two separate food bowls– one for your rabbits and the other for your guinea pigs.
• Keep a constant watch over them. Watch out for signs of bullying, injuries and signs of depression in your guinea pig.
• Provide plenty of treats for your guinea pig and for your rabbit. If they have their own treat they are less likely to want the other ones one!
• Ensure the enclosure contains plenty of hiding places for your guinea pig. In particular tunnels and natural hiding edible huts.
• Toys and plush beds should be provided for your guinea pig to stop them from getting stressed.
• Ensure your rabbit is spayed/neutered.

How To Provide Company For Your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are extremely social creatures so there are plenty of ways to provide companionship! Guinea pigs love spending time with you and other piggies:

• Guinea pig play time – this is essentially a time when you get out your piggies and play! Place your guinea pig on your lap and have fun talking to them and giving them lots of strokes!
• Guinea pig floor time – create a piggie-safe place and let your piggies go free! This is an amazing time to watch how your piggie moves and enjoy playing with them.
• Guinea pig friends – guinea pigs should always live with other guinea pigs. The only exception is if you have a rescue who has only lived alone or own an exceptionally aggressive piggie. Guinea pigs love to play with each other, it’s good for them and it’s great fun to watch!

Keeping Your Guinea Pig and Rabbits Happy

Guinea pigs and rabbits should never be housed together for their own safety and well-being. If you really want to own both rabbits and guinea pigs then our advice would be to have indoor guinea pigs and outside rabbits.

The post Can Guinea Pigs and Rabbits Live Together? The Dangerous Truth! appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Find Out More:

• What Is Coronavirus?
• Can My Guinea Pig Catch Covid?
• Caring For Guinea Pigs When You Have Covid
• Feeding Guinea Pigs When You Are Self Isolating
• Taking Your Guinea Pig To The Vet When You Have Covid
• Can I Get Covid From My Guinea Pig
• Stay Safe And Well

What Is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is also known as Covid or Covid 19. For the purpose of this article, we will be referring to it as Covid. It is an infectious disease that spreads from small liquid particles from an infected person’s mouth or nose. The majority of people infected suffer from a mild to moderate respiratory infection plus they require any special treatment.

However, some people are affected very severely by Covid. They can become seriously ill and require medical attention.

The guidance around preventing and slowing down the spread of Covid are:

• Keep one metre apart from others
• Wear a properly fitted mask
• Washing your hand regularly
• Using alcohol-based gel
• Covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing
• Be vaccinated against the disease.

The guidance around Covid safety measures is different in each country so ensure you are up to date with your country’s current guidance.

Commonly reported symptoms of Covid are:

• New continuous cough
• High temperature
• Loss of sense of smell or taste

If you think you have Covid symptoms please get in touch with your local health care system.

Can My Guinea Pig Catch Covid?

The guidance around whether Guinea Pigs can catch Covid has changed dramatically since Covid first emerged. We have held off publishing any information around it due to that very reason! The CDC has the most recent, update information around it and we will be referencing that.

Contrary to what has been previously reported, Covid can be spread from people to animals if the person has Covid and the animal comes into close contact with them. This has been confirmed through worldwide reports.

Currently, no data has been released specifically in relation to the guinea pigs. However in Singapore this year (Jan 22) a cluster of Covid cases were traced to a pet shop. The pet in question? Hamsters.

After the Delta strain of Covid cases was traced to the pet shop worker, it lead to tests on the pets themselves. The finding of these tests was that 11 hamsters tested positive.

Hong Kong then went on to cull all the hamsters in the city, that number being 2,000 hamsters. It is unclear if the worker passed Covid to the hamsters or the hamsters passed Covid to the worker.

This proves that although there is a low chance of guinea pigs contracting Covid, there is still a chance.

Caring For Guinea Pigs When You Have Covid

If you or someone in your guinea pig household has been diagnosed with Covid, it’s essential to protect your guinea pigs as well as the general public! It’s best to refrain from kissing, hugging and handling your guinea pigs whilst you are unwell.

If you are the sole carer of your piggies then we appreciate that it is virtually impossible to step away from your role. Ensure you wash your hand thoroughly before and after handling your piggies and always wear a mask. Continue to provide food, fresh water and hay as usual. Never put a mask on your guinea pig or use an antibacterial gel or wash on them!

Ensure you cover your mouth and nose when sneezing in the same room as your guinea pigs and don’t leave any used tissues in their room either.

Feeding Guinea Pigs When You Are Self Isolating

A big worry amongst our readers has been how to get fresh food and veg for your guinea pigs when you are self-isolating with Covid. Since most of us aren’t growing our own fruit or veg, we need to get more inventive in how we feed our guinea pigs!

• Provide grass from the garden,
• Collect dandelion leaves and flowers from your garden,
• Broccoli stems make a great addition to your guinea pigs’ diet and keep fresh longer than spinach and Kale,

Personally, When myself and my partner had Covid we used Amazon Prime. They delivered fresh food plus we ordered some hay. We left instructions to leave the package in a safe place and our piggies were fed in no time! Ensure whichever delivery service you use, they know you are self-isolating and won’t attempt to deliver to you directly.

Taking Your Guinea Pig To The Vet When You Have Covid

What do you do if you are self-isolating and need to take your guinea pig to the vet? If it’s just a routine appointment such as claw trimming, then simply reschedule. Once your vets know you are self-isolating they will be happy to rearrange your appointment.

If you think your guinea pig is seriously ill and requires urgent medical attention whilst you are self-isolating then speak to your vet. It could be possible for them to provide assistance over the phone or perhaps a well family member could facilitate your appointment on your behalf.

Can I Get Covid From My Guinea Pig?

Currently, the CDC states that companion animals around the world have been infected with Covid through contact with an infected human. The companion animals they use as examples are dogs, pet cats, ferrets and hamsters.

Their stance on animals spreading the disease back to humans is currently low.

An important point to note is that guinea pigs can actually carry Covid infected water particles on their fur. This means if someone with Covid comes into contact with your guinea pig, they may the infected particles onto your guinea pig. Then when you pick up your piggie, there is a chance that you could then become infected by these particles. Good hygiene practices are key!

Always ensure that no one with Covid is hugging, kissing or handling your guinea pig!

If you suspect your guinea pig may have Covid, contact your vet and ensure they know your concerns before taking them to the vet.

Stay Safe and Well

Whilst there is still a heap of research needed around the question of can guinea pigs catch Covid, the most important thing is that you and your piggies are staying safe.

Ensure you as a human are following good hygiene practices in your everyday life and your life with your piggies.

Never attempt to disinfect your guinea pig’s paws, face or body. If you are concerned about the risk of Covid to your guinea pigs, please get in touch with your vet.

The post Can Guinea Pigs Catch Covid? appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Find Out More:

• How To Clean A Guinea Pigs Cage
• Guinea Pig Cleaning Essentials
• Why Clean A Guinea Pigs Cage
• How Often Should You Clean A Guinea Pigs Cage
• Do Guinea Pigs Smell Bad?

How To Clean A Guinea Pigs Cage

A full cage clean basically means that you remove everything in your cage, clean or replace it and then put it all back inside the cage. Whether your guinea pig lives in a hutch outside or indoors in a cage, they still require their living space to be cleaned. It’s exactly the same process too!

1. Remove your piggies from their cage. You can place them in a guinea pig carrier, a run or even a playpen. Most guinea pigs hate being in the cage or hutch when it is getting cleaned!
2. Remove everything from their cage. Toys, hiding places, hay and any cage liners.
3. Check each item that has been removed. If it needs washing then use a pet safe disinfectant. If it’s old, chewed beyond repair or dirty then it’s best to throw it away and replace it.
4. Wipe down the inside of the cage using a pet safe disinfectant. Ensure you get right into the corners of the cage. If there is loose pellets and hay on the floor, brush it up using a dust pan and brush.
5. Once the cage is dry, start putting the cleaned and dried items back in.
6. Replace old hay with new, and rinse out the food bowl and water bottle.
7. Place your piggie back inside their clean home and offer them some treats

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Why Clean A Guinea Pigs Cage

One of the main illnesses that result in death for guinea pigs is a respiratory disease. Respiratory diseases occur due to bacteria coming into contact with your piggie and making them unwell.

Not only is respiratory disease unpleasant for your guinea pig and costly for you, but it also results in a short life span for your piggie.

There are certain factors that increase the likely hood of your guinea pig contracting a respiratory disease. These factors include stress, pregnancy and already being poorly or unwell. The bacteria is highly contagious so it’s imperative to keep your unwell guinea pig away from their cage mates until they are fully recovered.

Guinea pigs suffering from respiratory disease require antibiotics and the attention of a vet so ensure you get your guinea pig booked in for an appointment as soon as you can.

Not all respiratory diseases are caused by dirty cages but cleaning a cage is such a small task and yet makes such a huge positive impact on your guinea pig’s life! Ensure you are familiar with the common signs that your guinea pig is unwell:

• Runny eyes or nose
• Skin conditions such as rashes, lumps, bumps or swellings
• Limping
• Unusual bleeding
• Diarrhoea
• Drinking much more or less than normal
• Big weight loss or weight gain over a short time
• Not eating
• Overgrown teeth
• Lack of energy/sleeping more than usual
• Signs of pain, like not wanting to be touched
• A change in their usual behaviour, as this could be because they’re feeling poorly.

If your piggie is showing any of the above signs then please take them to a vat immediately.

How Often Should You Clean A Guinea Pigs Cage

This is a question we get asked a lot! It actually doesn’t take that long to give your guinea pig’s cage a full clean if you also spot cleaning daily!

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning a guinea pig’s cage refers to spending just 5 mins each day picking out poop, cleaning up messes and topping up hay. It not only makes the cage look nice and easier to perform your full once a week clean, but it’s also a great way to litter train your guinea pig!

This means they will start to poop in the same place which makes spot cleaning even quicker! We spend about 1 min max spot cleaning daily as our piggies use litter trays that we just empty out.

Full Cage Clean

If you are spot cleaning daily then the full cage clean only takes about 10 mins max. The longest part of it for us is drying the items before putting them back into the cage!

Do Guinea Pigs Smell Bad?

Guinea pigs do not naturally smell. They are really clean animals so if anything is smelly, it will be the cage. Having a cleaning routine is essential to avoid cage odours.

Guinea pig’s urine mixed with hay gets smelly fast. Keep hay fresh to stop it from smelling. Also, be aware that guinea pigs will not eat soiled hay so if you aren’t changing your guinea pigs hay daily then you are essentially starving your guinea pig of hay (learn about guinea pig nutrition here)

If your guinea pigs are litter trained (learn how-to here) then it is much easier to spot clean the cage daily than if they aren’t.

A Little Clean Goes A Long Way

As you can see knowing how to Clean a guinea pig’s cage takes hardly any time at all and yet can potentially save your guinea pig’s life! As always feel free to ask any questions below.

The post How To Clean A Guinea Pig’s Cage appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.

Find Out More:

• Know Guinea Pig Breeds
• Male VS Female Guinea Pigs
• How To Pick A Healthy Guinea Pig
• The Rule Of At Least Two
• Long Or Short-Haired Guinea Pigs?

Know Guinea Pig Breeds

Before you find some guinea pigs for sale it’s important to educate yourself a little about guinea pig breeds. Guinea pig breeds determine how much grooming your guinea pigs will require. According to The American Cavy Breeders Association, there are 13 official breeds of guinea pig, Here’s a quick round-up:

For more on Guinea Pig Breeds check out What breed is my guinea pig?

• American – Short fur length, smooth coat texture with no whirls or rosettes. Great for children.
• Abyssinian – Long fur length, textured coat with multiple rosettes. Commonly show guinea pigs that require a lot of grooming! A good quality brush set is essential.
• Peruvian – Long fur length, straight fur that is free from twirls and rosettes. The longest-haired of all guinea pigs! Expected to do lots of grooming so invest in a brush set.
• Silkie – long smooth fur that sweeps away from its head, no rosettes or twirls should be present. Another long-haired breed that requires frequent grooming
• Coronet – long smooth fur growing backwards over its body, it will have a crest on its head with a small centre. Another breed that requires a lot of brushing.
• Texel – curly and fluffy fur. Their fur can often get tangled and require brushing at least once a day!
• Teddy – teddy bear-type fur that is short and stands up on end. Requires minimal brushing!
• White-crested – Short, smooth fur, has a white rosette on its head. Requires minimal brushing also.
• Skinny Pig – These guinea pigs have no hair so do not require grooming! They do require additional care in other forms though such as extra protection from the cold.

Male VS Female Guinea Pigs

Another question to ask before you find guinea pigs for sale is gender. It’s completely up to you whether you chose a male (boar) or female (sow) guinea pig. They both make excellent pets however be sure to buy the same gender. Guinea pigs will breed as soon as they are able to and won’t stop even if it’s unhealthy or dangerous to do so.

Male Guinea Pigs As Pets

Boars are more territorial towards each other than females. They occasionally mark their territory which gives off an unpleasant fishy type odour. Removing this scent can often create a hierarchical battle but once a definite boss has been established, the scent can be removed

Male guinea pigs will continue to mark their territory throughout their lives by dragging their little bottoms across the cage! It’s adorable to watch and perfectly normal. It does mean they need their bottoms checked more often as they may pick up debris. Whilst this task isn’t the most pleasant, it can easily be part of your grooming routine and takes just a few minutes.

Boars also have what is known as boar glue (ejaculation) which is a hard and sticky subsistence. It commonly gets on the cage and even on their fur which must be cleaned (usually cut-off fur) regularly as it has an unpleasant odour to it. Purchasing specially designed fur scissors make this job fast and effective.

Boars are also described as cheeky and much more energetic than sows making them very entertaining! The boys also appear to love lap time much more than girls and I’ve known a few to fall asleep on friends’ laps whilst getting patted.

Female Guinea Pigs As Pets

Females (sows) live together happily and seem to have no issue with being introduced to each other even if living together for the first time. Sows are even more likely to continue to get along well into adulthood as well.

Additionally Sows generally smell a little better than boars since they don’t feel the need to mark their territory the way boars do continuously but they still need cleaning out regularly. Sows will still have hierarchy battles but they tend to be less severe and cool off quicker than boars. However, sows are known to squirt urine at each other during battle and even at their owners!

Whether you choose boars or sows they will have their own personalities and be inquisitive, cuddly and great friends to have.

How To Pick A Healthy Guinea Pig

No matter where you are purchasing your guinea pig from, it’s important to ensure you pick a healthy and well-cared-for pet.

The guinea pig should be slim, slender and lean. It shouldn’t have bones sticking out or carrying extra weight.

Watch how it walks! It should balance its weight equally on all four paws and walk easily without pain. Take notice of any limping or leg damage. The leg bone should be straight and free from bleeding or swelling.

The coat should be free of lumps, bumps and mattered fur. It should be shiny and silky with no bald patches. The guinea pig should look well-groomed and clean with no soiling or red skin near its bottom. Any debris near the backside of a guinea pig can be a sign of tummy issues such as diarrhoea or poor hygiene in the place you’re buying your pet from.

Have a good look at the guinea pig’s face, its eyes should be shiny and bright with no discharge or crusting. The eyes should be open and alert. Check over the guinea pig’s nose as it shouldn’t have any discharge or soreness around it. Both the ears and eyes should be clean and dry.

Ask to hold the guinea pig that you are considering buying. The guinea pig should make a quick run for it before being picked up by the storekeeper. This is a good sign and gives you a good chance to observe its breathing. It should be quiet and regular.

Lastly, whilst holding the guinea pig ask to feed it a treat. This is an excellent way of being able to check its teeth. The mouth area should be dry, free from scratches and any dribbling.

The Rule Of At Least Two

When you are purchasing guinea pigs for sale always buy at least two. Guinea pigs are extremely social creatures and require constant companionship. A lonely guinea pig can become lonely and depressed. This can result in illness and even be fatal. Always ensure you have at least two guinea pigs

Long Or Short-Haired Guinea Pigs?

Short-haired guinea pigs are easier to look after since they require minimal grooming (we groom our short-haired piggie a few times a week) and they are less likely to require a bath unless they get exceptionally dirty.

Long-haired guinea pigs need more care with daily grooming and frequent baths. Our long-haired guinea pig usually has a bath once a month unless she gets very dirty but her fur needs combing daily. She also needs the fur around her rear checked to ensure it is free from poo and urine.

Take Care Of Each Other

Remember that your responsibilities as a guinea pig owner don’t just end at picking the right guinea pig for you. There are a few essential items that are required for your guinea pig. Shop our guinea pig essentials!

The post Guinea Pigs For Sale – Choosing The Best Guinea Pig For You appeared first on The Happy Guinea Pig.