Guinea pigs are talkative little animals. It is easy to know when they want food, for they will call – or rather whistle-to you, ‘wheep-wheep!’ A slower, less continuous whistle means they are protesting about something, and when they are anxious their teeth chatter, or they make a shuddering ‘Brrrrr!’ A cheerful ‘chut-chut-chut!’ means they are busy exploring, and when contented, perhaps while being stroked, they make a soft bubbling sound. You will be able to recognize these sounds when you have had your guinea pigs a little while, and understand bet... [continue reading]

Before breeding guinea pigs you must make sure you can find good homes for the babies, where they will be well looked after. Guinea pigs are one of the easier pets to breed, because the mother carries the babies safe inside her until they are fully developed. They are born with full coats of hair and eyes open, and are running about within an hour. When should a sow have her first litter? She can mate at eight weeks old, but this is not good, because the babies may not be strong. On the other hand, it is important she has her first litter before she is 10 months old, or she will have difficult... [continue reading]

On the whole, guinea pigs have very good health and rarely get ill. But if they do get ill, they are not good at getting well again. So it is important to watch for the first signs of illness, and never put off taking a sick guinea pig to the veterinary surgeon. There are some of the illnesses guinea pigs can suffer from, and a little advice about what to do. But remember, only the vet can give you the best advice. The guinea pig is off its food, and makes almost no droppings. It may have constipation, which is most often caused by the food being too dry. Try giving more vegetables for a day ... [continue reading]

It is not essential to groom short-haired or rough-haired guinea pigs, but it is a good idea to give them a gentle brush once a week. They enjoy it, it makes them more friendly, and it gets rid of loose hairs when they are moulting. A long-haired guinea pig needs grooming every day if possible, because its hair gets very tangled and dirty. Tangles can be teased out with a comb before brushing. Badly matted hair has to be cut away with blunt-ended scissors. Be gentle when you groom your guinea pigs, and be careful not to poke their eyes with the brush. Guinea pigs’ eyes can easily get hur... [continue reading]

It is important to keep the hutch clean and dry if the guinea pigs are to be healthy. Guinea pigs like to be clean, and would be miserable living in a damp, dirty hutch. Once a day Remove uneaten food and wash dishes. Check there is enough bedding hay —the guinea pigs may have eaten it. Every other day Clear out dirty wood chips, throw on compost heap or in dustbin, and put down fresh. Once a week After clearing out the dirty wood chips, wash the floor and dry well before putting down fresh wood chips. Once a month Scrub the whole hutch out thoroughly with a teaspoon of mild disinfectant in... [continue reading]

Wild guinea pigs spend a lot of time roaming about in search of food. Your guinea pigs have all their food brought to them, but they still need the exercise they would get if they had to find it for themselves. In warm, dry weather your guinea pigs can run free in the garden if it is well walled or fenced in. But check first that there are no gaps through which they could squeeze, and that there are no cats or dogs around, which might attack them. Guinea pigs have no way of defending themselves, except by hiding. A safer way of giving guinea pigs exercise is to use a portable run which can be ... [continue reading]

Vitamin С and mineral block It is important that guinea pigs get enough vitamin C. This is in green foods and it is sometimes added to the cereal food. But give vitamin drops (from the pet shop) too, especially in the winter. A mineral block will provide your guinea pigs with all the minerals they need. Fasten this | to the wire mesh door. Do not put it on the hutch floor where it would soak up urine. Wild plants Do not gather these for your guinea pigs unlessl you are sure you can recognize the right ones many wild plants are poisonous. Some wild plants it is safe to give your guinea pigs: ... [continue reading]

Guinea pigs eat cereals (such as wheat and oats), vegetables, grass, and hay. Cereals Pet shops sell guinea pig mix and guinea pig pellets, both of which contain all the cereals your guinea pigs need. If you run out, you can mix crushed oats or crumbled wholemeal bread with a little warm milk or water as an emergency supply. Vegetables A variety of both root and green vegetables should be given every day. Cabbage, lettuce and Brussels sprouts can be given, but only occasionally. Do not give iceberg lettuce. Some vegetables for your guinea pigs: turnip, carrot, beetroot, broccoli, parsley, ... [continue reading]

When you have had your guinea pigs for a day or two they will be feeling more at home, and you can begin to handle them, and make friends with them. It is important to be gentle and quiet when handling guinea pigs. They are nervous by nature, because in the wild they are hunted by many predators and must be cautious and always on their guard. You know your guinea pigs are quite safe with you, but they don’t — not yet. When you go to lift them out of the hutch you will find they dart about trying to escape your hands. Don’t panic them by grabbing wildly. Quietly guide the one you ... [continue reading]

You may be able to buy some young guinea pigs from a friend whose own guinea pigs have had babies. Being home-bred, the babies will already have been handled and played with a lot, and will probably be very tame. You can buy guinea pigs from a pet shop or a breeder, or you may see them advertised in your local paper or at the veterinary clinic. There are some important things to find out about the guinea pigs you choose: How old are they? Between 6 and 9 weeks is the best age. Which sex are they? Remember, two sows can be kept together, but never two boars. Are they healthy guinea pigs? A heal... [continue reading]