Dedicated to rescuing the abused, unwanted & abandoned

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April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue

Overview Of

A Guinea Pig

There is no doubt that with the correct care and treatment, a guinea pig can prove to be a wonderful pet.  Trusting, cheap to run (compared to cats and dogs) with basic needs.  If those basic needs are met, I am sure you will share many happy years together.  If they are not met, you will reduce the expected life span and/or end up with costly vet bills.  So what are their basic needs?

 

  1. A well balanced diet
  2. Spacious accommodation which is off the ground, protected from predators and the elements and regularly cleaned with an abundance of bedding in the bedroom end
  3. Abrasive dry feed and hay to keep the teeth trimmed
  4. Fresh daily water in an algae-free bottle/lid/spout
  5. A place for grazing and exercise.  Daylight and regulated sunshine is usually welcomed not only by us, but also your guinea pig
  6. Someone to pick up on health issues, be it a lump or bump or something more serious like pain when peeing and to seek medical advice ASAP
  7. To have someone there for cuddles and reassurance.

 

This overview is intended to give a brief summary of the requirements of a guinea pig. Please see our comprehensive guide for a more detailed look at the needs of your guinea pig.

Biological Data

 

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Guinea Pig

1)   More often than not, children lose interest despite their protests and promises.

2)   Guinea pigs pass droppings constantly and urinate so they need cleaning between 1-3 days.

3)   They constantly eat some of their own droppings which they extract from the rectal area.

4)   Males can get anal impaction in which case you need to evacuate him regularly and supplement with Vitamin B.

5)   Males can get a build up of sheath secretion which may prevent the penis from retracting. To avoid infection, you need to clean his genital area by extracting his penis and cleaning off the debris regularly.

6)   Males can be aggressive with each other. If so, you need to house them separately to avoid injury.

7)   Females as well as males often mount each other in a mating gesture.

8)   They can get parasites including lice, mange and other skin conditions some of which are infectious.

9)   The front teeth are in common with a rat and they are capable of biting.

10) The average Vet consultation fee is between £10 and £20, plus medication.

Care

Care