What You’ll Need to Get Started
Raising guinea pigs is a fun and rewarding experience. But before you can start, there are a few things you need to have in order for your little furry friend to stay happy and healthy. The most important items include appropriate housing, the right diet, toys and activities to keep them entertained, as well as regular veterinary care.
Housing
Guinea pigs require spacious housing that will give them plenty of room to move around. A good rule of thumb is at least 7.5 square feet per guinea pig – larger cages are even better! Be sure to provide bedding such as hay or shredded paper so they can nest comfortably, along with hiding spots where they can go when feeling stressed out or threatened. It’s also important that you regularly clean their cage (at least once a week) in order to keep it free from bacteria and viruses and make sure it stays odor-free.
Diet
A balanced diet is key for keeping your guinea pig healthy! Feeding them primarily hay will help with digestion, while adding fresh vegetables like carrots, broccoli, spinach or kale every day gives them essential vitamins and minerals that they may not get from other sources alone. It’s best not to feed processed foods (such as cereal), since these don’t contain the same nutritional value as fresh produce does; plus too much sugar can lead to obesity over time! Additionally providing a vitamin supplement specifically formulated for guinea pigs is recommended by many veterinarians in order for your pet receives all of the necessary nutrients everyday.
Toys & Activities
Just like any other pet animals, guinea pigs need stimulation both mentaly and physically in order thrive – this includes playing with toys made specifically designed for small animals! Some popular ideas include cardboard boxes filled with hay balls or tunnels; wooden chew sticks; pop up tents & igloos; maze games; plastic birds/animals etc..giving your cavy an opportunity each day to explore new objects helps prevent boredom while giving it something enjoyable do! Additionally scheduling playtime outside their cage allows them some “freedom” movement which keeps muscles strong through exercise – just be sure if this occurs indoors that all cords/electrical outlets are covered off safely first before letting loose 1–3 hours daily .