Are you considering adopting a Guinea pig? These little furballs, also known as cavies, are super cute, and really make great pets! Here, a Seminole, FL vet discusses Guinea pig care.
Guinea pigs are very sociable, and really need buddies to play with and cuddle up to. These cute furballs get very lonely and depressed without roommates. In fact, in Switzerland, it’s illegal to have only one! Just be sure to only keep same-sex cavies together.
Your pint-sized pals will spend a lot of time in their cage, so it’s important to make sure it’s comfortable for them. One way to give your furballs some extra room is to get a cage with more than one story. You’ll also need to add substrate or bedding, such as fleece or paper products. Avoid pine and cedar products, as they aren’t safe for little animals. Ask your vet for more information.
Guinea pigs have open-rooted teeth, so they need to chew a lot. Offer your furry friends plenty of chew toys. This doesn’t have to cost you very much: many wood, wicker, and cardboard items will do just fine. Don’t give your pet anything small or sharp, or anything covered in varnish, paint, glitter, or dye.
Just like any other pets, cavies need proper veterinary care. Follow your vet’s recommended appointment schedule. In between visits, watch for signs of illness. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything amiss.
Proper nutrition is very important! Your pets’ diet should contain plenty of fresh grass hay, such as Timothy hay. For breakfast and dinner, you can give the little guys commercial Guinea pig food. You’ll want to supplement this with safe produce. Be sure to include lots of food that contain Vitamin C, which is crucial to cavies. Also, do plenty of research, and make sure you are only offering safe fruits and veggies. Not everything is safe for pets!
Last but not least, spend time with your cavies. One great thing about Guinea pigs is the fact that they are often quite cuddly. You may even be able to teach your furry pals some cute tricks!
Please contact us, your Seminole, FL pet clinic, for all of your Guinea pig’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
