Guinea Pigs
I think my guinea pig might be pregnant, what should I do?
The best thing is to take your guinea pig to your vet for a pregnancy diagnosis. They can diagnose a pregnancy in various ways depending on how long your guinea pig has been pregnant.
Can I keep guinea pigs and rabbits in the same enclosure?
Rabbits and guinea pigs should not be housed together in the same enclosure. While they are often regarded as similar, rabbits and guinea pigs are actually totally different kinds of animals, with different (and often conflicting) needs.
What should I feed my guinea pigs?
Your guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they eat only plant material. Grass hay should be the high-fibre cornerstone of every guinea pig’s diet. The fibre in hay helps meet the important digestive health needs of herbivores such as guinea pigs.
What dental problems do guinea pigs get?
Guinea pigs (and rabbits) are very different from many other companion animals in that their teeth continuously grow throughout their lives. They have two slender incisors on both the upper and lower jaws at the front of their mouth.
Should I desex my guinea pigs?
Yes, you should have your guinea pigs desexed! Read on to find out why. Did you know that: Female guinea pigs can breed at the age of 4 weeks (although 8 weeks is more common)?
Are guinea pigs the right pets for me?
Guinea pigs are very clever; they can comprehend and learn things, they have excellent memory, and they have many appealing qualities. They’re small, gentle, and personable, and constantly entertaining as they go about their day.
How can I socialise my new guinea pig with other guinea pigs and my family?
Guinea pigs are incredibly gentle animals and can be a great animal companion for families, but they are a social species and need to be kept with other guinea pigs. In their natural habitat, they live in herds and communicate frequently with each other with sounds and body movements.
Do my guinea pigs need to be wormed?
In general, guinea pigs do not need to be regularly wormed unless your guinea pigs’ vet confirms they have worms, as intestinal parasites are uncommon in guinea pigs. This is despite common advice that they should be wormed every three months. What intestinal parasites can guinea pigs carry?
Where should I keep my guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs can be kept indoors, outdoors, or both. Companion guinea pigs are often kept in indoor hutches and enclosures, although some are housed in either temporary or permanent outdoor enclosures.
How should I handle my guinea pigs?
It is always important to remember that guinea pigs are a prey species (i. e. , they are eaten by other animals). They are gentle animals but nervous by nature and will try to escape if they feel threatened.