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| By Claire F. |
Experience Level: Beginner
Lifespan: 5-8 years
About Your Guinea Pig
Fun Fact: Guinea's like to do a dance called "popcorning" when they're excited.
Guinea Pigs are small herbivore mammals that grow up to 12" when they reach adulthood. When you first get your Guinea pig it will be naturally skittish. Leave them alone for several days with minimal handling to help them adjust to their new environment.
Leave your old clothes on top of your Guinea's habitat so they can get used to your scent. Increase your handling day by day and feed them by hand so they begin to affiliate you with being fed. Also, make sure you talk to them during your play sessions so they begin to recognize your voice.
The biggest rule is to be patient and be consistent with your socialization sessions. Guinea Pigs thrive on routine but there's no specific time frame for when your Guinea will begin trusting you. Just keep doing what you're doing and you will become your Guinea Pig's best friend.
Guinea Pigs are exclusively indoor pets. During your play sessions, set up a barrier so they can't get into tight spaces or behind furniture. They may look chunky, but Guinea Pigs can squeeze through surprisingly tight places.
Social
When it comes to each other, Guinea Pigs are very social creatures and thrive when they're raised in pairs. It's important you raise them in same-sex habitats. Otherwise, your 2 Guinea's will become 8 very quickly.
Habitat
You'll need to find a habitat around 24 × 36 ×24" or larger. Cover the bottom with bedding until it is completely covered. Other items you'll need include food bowls, a hay feeder, hide, and a water bottle. Most habitats will include all of these items but some don't.
Another item you might be interested in getting for your Guinea's habitat is a litter tray. This will reduce the number of messes in their habitat and reduce both the smell their habitat gives off and the risk of your Guinea Pig getting sick. Both bedding and litter should be spot cleaned regularly and replaced completely as per the directions of the brand you use. Instructions should be on the back of the package.
Feeding Your Guinea Pig
Guinea Pigs are herbivores. Their Diet should include 80% hay, 10% pellets, 5% veggies, and 5% fruits and treats.
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