Guinea Pigs (also known as cavies) are a species of rodent native to the South American Andes. They are social, inquisitive creatures and make lovely pets. Although they are commonly thought to be easy first pets for children, they require plenty of attention and a well-researched approach to care.

The following information is only a basic overview. It does not cover every aspect of guinea pig care and we strongly advise that you seek further information to ensure the health and welfare of the animals in your care.

Basic requirements

· Companionship

Guinea pigs are social species and are happiest when kept with other guinea pigs. Make sure that both animals are the same sex to avoid having any unintended litters of baby guinea pigs. Male guinea pigs are more likely to tolerate one another without fighting if they are introduced at a young age.

· Housing

Although small, guinea pigs require plenty of space to exercise – the more the better, although at a minimum each guinea pig requires 70xm x 70cm x 70cm (ie. two guinea pigs will require double this space). Make sure that the design of your hutch allows for easy cleaning. Outdoor hutches must be kept in sheltered areas to protect their inhabitants from weather extremes. Hutches should have a covered section so that your guinea pigs feel safe and protected while they sleep, as well as a well-ventilated compartment. Avoid wire-floored hutches that can cause foot injuries. Hutches should be lined with soft grass hay which is changed at least every second day to prevent illness. Do not use sawdust or wood shavings as these are more likely to cause respiratory problems. Straw should also be avoided as it does not absorb urine and the hard stalks can cause injuries. Hutches should be fitted with a water bottle, gnawing log (made of untreated wood) and sturdy food bowl that your guinea pigs won’t be able to tip up.

It is important to regularly change bedding and floor material and clean out the hutches to avoid ammonia build-up from urine and also to help reduce attracting flies to the area. Guinea pigs can be susceptible to flystrike (which can be fatal). It is important to fly-proof the hutch using fly-screen wire or mosquito netting.

If possible create an outdoor exercise enclosure for your guinea pigs. The enclosure needs to be escape-proof and predator-proof and should be enriched with hollow logs and pipes, rocks caves and shrubbery to provide cover and protection. Keep your guinea pigs safely locked in their hutch over night and during bad weather.

· Diet

Guinea pigs are herbivores. They need to be fed the types of food they have adapted to eat.

• Offer a constant source of grass and/or grass hay such as Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow or Ryegrass hays. They should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hays as they are too high in protein and calcium. This is paramount in providing the ‘complete’ diet and encourages ‘chewing’ for long periods of time. This "chewing" helps to wear down their continuously growing teeth and is very important in maintaining dental and gastrointestinal health.
• Offer fresh leafy green vegetables & herbs. Some examples of these include; Vegies: broccoli, cabbage, celery, endive, carrot tops, brussel sprouts, Bok Choy/other Asian greens, dark leafed lettuce varieties. Herbs: parsley, dandelion, coriander, basil, dill, mint
• High quality ‘Guinea Pig’ pellets may be offered in small quantities only
• Guinea pigs require a dietary source of Vitamin C. This is usually supplied sufficiently by the fresh leafy green veggies. It is safer however, to supplement this with small quantities of vitamin C rich foods such as citrus or kiwi fruit
• These should not be offered to guinea pigs: cereals, grains, nuts, seeds, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals, chocolate, buttercups, garden shrubs, lily of the valley, onion grass, onions, potato tops, raw beans; beetroot, spinach and rhubarb leaves; and any bulk plants (may cause digestive problems)
• Any dietary changes should be made gradually over a few weeks
• Provide fresh water at all times

· Grooming

Daily grooming is essential for long-haired guinea pigs to help keep their coat in good condition. Using a stiff brush to gently remove dead hairs, tangles and pieces of twigs, dry leaves or burrs. During grooming take the opportunity to check your guinea pigs’ health and to ensure that it is free from external parasites. Also check the length of your guinea pigs’ toenails and, if found to be overlong, have them clipped by a veterinarian or someone experienced in clipping. Daily handling and grooming is important in building your guinea pigs’ confidence and for developing friendly and social guinea pigs.

· Health Problems

Most of the common health problems seen in pet guinea pigs are preventable by good husbandry and feeding practices. Guinea pigs may be susceptible to respiratory infections, usually due to poor housing conditions. Inadequate cleaning can also lead to skin ailments. Guinea pigs, like most pets, are also susceptible to fleas. Ask your vet about an appropriate flea treatment if required. Guinea piga may also suffer from mite infestation - which cause intense itchiness, hair loss and discomfort but fortunately mites are easilty treatable by your vet.

If your guinea pigs do not have a gnawing block they may develop overgrown teeth which can lead to weight loss and severe pain and discomfort. Guinea pigs are also unique in that they require a direct dietary source of Vitamin C and are susceptible to Vitamin C deficiency related illness. They may also develop ulcers on their footpads if soft bedding is not provided to them. Please see the article titled "What are the common health problems in pet guinea pigs" for more detailed information.