Guinea Pigs

Question 1

Habitat

Answer 1

Require width rather than height -> at least 2 ft by 4ft cage -> the bigger the better -> ensure surface is completely flat

Ensure cage is out of loud areas and away from bigger animals e.g cats and/or dogs

Question 2

Diet

Answer 2

Diet is consists mainly of hay, with around one cup (two large handfuls) of leafy greens like romaine -> avoid iceberg as water content is too high, with little nutrient value

Alongside veggies e.g bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, carrots

High sugar fruits (typically given once or twice a week, but not a necessity) include: bananas, berries, apples

Avoid: Animal proteins, avocados, onions, garlic etc, fruit seeds/pits, highly processed grains like bread, pasta etc

Question 3

Bedding

Answer 3

Paper bedding/wood shavings
Fleece bedding, with litter boxes

Question 4

Necessities for cage

Answer 4

Hides
Beds
Canopies
Toys (boredom breakers)
Litter box
Water bottles
Food bowls (however can scatter)
Tubes

Question 5

Floor time

Answer 5

Use playpen
Allow hours of outside enclosure play, a few times a week
Be careful when holding because of their fragile backs

Question 6

Cleaning

Answer 6

Spot clean daily and change bedding once a week, alongside washing any beds regularly (recommend baking soda and vinegar)

Question 7

Grooming

Answer 7

Frequently brush and trim nails every few weeks, or when long

Bathe only when you feel they’re smelly or aren’t cleaning themselves properly

Question 8

Guinea pig facts

Answer 8

Life expectancy: 5-6 years
Sleep pattern: crepuscular (active during the day with short rest breaks)
Herbivores

Question 9

PAH necessities in cage

Answer 9

2× water bottles
2× large willow balls
1× large play sticks (wooden bridge)
1× rabbit house
1× wooden tunnel
1× igloo hide house

Substrate: wood flakes, with hay for nesting