Guinea pigs as pets

Are you considering getting a guinea pig as a pet? Although these cute rodents are known for being cuddly and easy to tame, it is important that you have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with your guinea pig. It is easy to think that they are happy inside their cage, but the truth is that they also need to be able to stretch their little guinea pig legs outside the cage and preferably for several hours during the day. It is important that you understand what it takes to be a good guinea pig owner. For you, the guinea pig is only a small part of your life, but for the guinea pig, you will be its entire part. Read on to find out what it takes to provide a good guinea pig life! Here are some important aspects of having a guinea pig as a pet:

5 Fast facts about guinea pigs

A guinea pig is a mammal
Guinea pigs are talkative
Guinea pigs are social animals and like company
Guinea pigs come from South America
Guinea pigs are known to us today as a domestic animal, but have mainly been a source of meat

Are guinea pigs a good first pet?

For many people, acquiring a dog or cat is a bit too big a step when they want to expand their family. But are guinea pigs good pets for beginners? It really depends. Although guinea pigs are social animals, they are best suited to calm adults and children. Such as hamsters Guinea pigs are also quite fragile and require gentle handling. They cannot stand being dropped or handled too roughly. As a result, a guinea pig will not be a good match for eager children who would rather have the opportunity to socialize with the animal in a more physical way. In addition, guinea pigs need plenty of space to thrive. Guinea pigs can be a bit shy at first, but if you build trust, they will love to be stroked and petted. Of course, there are individual differences here, just like with all other pets. Since guinea pigs like to live in groups and do not thrive alone, it is recommended to have at least two guinea pigs together that get along. If you are going to have a male and a female guinea pig together, you should castrate the male to prevent them from reproducing uncontrollably. Remember that even though rabbits are also rodents, they should not be kept with guinea pigs as the guinea pig can easily be injured.

How long do guinea pigs live?

The lifespan of guinea pigs varies depending on whether they are kept as pets or live in the wild. In captivity, guinea pigs can live 4–8 years, but some guinea pigs can live up to 10 years with proper care. Wild guinea pigs will have a significantly shorter lifespan.

Many different guinea pig breeds to choose from

There are many different guinea pig breeds to choose from. Some guinea pigs have long hair while others come with curls. There are even guinea pigs without fur! If you choose hairless guinea pigs with little fur, you must take into account that they are extra susceptible to cold, sunburn and skin diseases. If you want a guinea pig breed with a lot of fur, these need a little more fur care than other short-haired breeds.

Are guinea pigs hypoallergenic?

If you are allergic to one animal species, it increases the chance that you are also allergic to guinea pigs. No pet comes with a guarantee that it will not trigger an allergic reaction, not even hypoallergenic breeds. If you want to get a guinea pig, it is also a good idea to check whether you or anyone in your family is allergic to the hay or bedding in the guinea pig's cage.

What do guinea pigs eat?

Guinea pigs are vegetarians and need guinea pig food specially adapted to the species. This is to avoid malnutrition which can lead to illness. So what is on the guinea pig menu? Firstly, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so it is important that they get this through their diet. In addition to guinea pig food, they should also be given hay, fresh fruit and vegetables. In the summer, you can slowly but surely introduce fresh plants such as plantain and dandelion for some variety. Be careful how much food you give your guinea pig as they rarely say no to food and therefore easily become overweight.

Suggestions for vegetables guinea pigs can eat:

broccoli
Kale
Cabbage
Paprika

How to arrange for a happy guinea pig life?

Guinea pig cage:

If the guinea pig could choose its own cage, it would say "the bigger the cage, the better!" This is to avoid stress. There should be enough hiding places, eating places and toys if you have several guinea pigs together, and if there is too little space, it can lead to fights. They must also be able to get away from the other guinea pigs if they need to. An alternative is to build an enclosure for the guinea pigs on the floor as they are not good at jumping high. The guinea pig's cage should be placed in a place with little draft, not too close to heaters or direct sunlight. Due to the guinea pig's good hearing, you should also not place the cage close to high-frequency sounds such as TVs, stereos, computers and the like. Remember that even if the guinea pig cage is large, your pet also needs to be outside its cage.

Hay and branches:

Guinea pigs' teeth grow throughout their lives, so they need things to gnaw on so they don't get too long. To avoid overgrown teeth, you can make sure to give them fresh branches to chew on every day and plenty of hay. If their teeth have become too long, you can contact your veterinarian for grinding. Do you live in Larvik? Don't hesitate to contact our A-Vet veterinary clinic for teeth grinding.

Cleaning:

Although guinea pigs are relatively clean, their cage needs cleaning about 1–2 times a week. You need to empty the litter box, provide clean water every day, feed them, remove old food scraps, and replace the bedding.

Guinea pig toys:

To avoid a boring guinea pig life and to maintain a good weight, the little furball will need fun activities to do. Tunnels, hammocks and other toys will always be appreciated! You can also create a little more fun in everyday life by rearranging the cage or letting them explore new places. We are not talking about taking your guinea pig on a plane, but a cardboard box with hay and some treats in different places will be just as fun.

Equipment guinea pigs need:

Large cage
Bottom litter that absorbs
High
Food bowl and drinking bottle
Houses, tunnels and toys
Pellets
Nail scissors
Vitamin supplements
Rodent tree
Sand or litter for the bathroom
Spade for cleaning the toilet
Harness for outdoor walks

Why do guinea pigs make noises?

To the untrained ear, guinea pigs just make random noises. But these noises are their way of communicating! When guinea pigs make noises, they can mean different things depending on how they sound. Is it a quiet squeak or a howl? Or maybe they are growling and grinding their teeth. As you get to know your guinea pig better and bond with them, you will be better able to interpret the different sounds in addition to their body language.

How much does a guinea pig cost as a pet?

The price of a guinea pig is usually around 300–600 NOK. These can be purchased through guinea pig breeders in Norway, but there are also many platforms with rehoming guinea pigs that are sold or given away for free. A guinea pig can be separated from its mother at about 4 weeks of age and should weigh at least 300 grams. Remember that even though guinea pigs are small in size, they require a lot of responsibility. No matter what kind of pet you choose, whether it is a dog or a ferret, you must be willing to give it time in the form of care, attention, activity and love!

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