Difference between revisions of "Make Your Guinea Pig Comfortable in Its Cage"

#Consider the size of the cage. The Humane Society of the United States has noted that most cages available on the market for guinea pigs are simply too small. In fact, most cages are instead meant to house smaller animals like hamsters and gerbils.<ref name="rf1">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/guinea_pig_housing.html?credit=web_id81806465</ref>

#Follow the appropriate size guidelines. Typically, the recommended standard cage size is about 2 square feet per guinea pig. However, this is insufficient, as there is not enough room for everything a guinea pig needs, including food, water dish, nest, and bathroom area. Instead consider the following guidelines, which provide more space and consider the number of pigs in the cage:<ref name="rf1" />

#Think about the location of the cage in your home. Where you place the cage in your home is very important. For sanitary reasons, avoid keeping the cage in or very near to the kitchen. You'll need to consider several factors in order to determine the right spot, including:<ref name="rf1" />

#* ''Temperature'' - Make sure to keep your guinea pig cage away from extreme temperatures because the animals don't like very cold, warm and humid temperatures and can become ill. The ideal temperature for a guinea pig cage is about 65-75℉ (18-24℃). Keep the cage away from drafty spaces like doors and windows and place it on an elevated surface.<ref name="rf1" />  

#* ''Activity'' - Guinea pigs enjoy being near family activity and benefit from more attention when they’re easy to see and hear. A family room or living room works well, but make sure your pigs have a place to retreat if they need some quiet time.<ref name="rf1" />  

#* ''Noise'' - Guinea pigs have very sensitive hearing and their cages should not be placed next to stereos, televisions or other loud noises.<ref name="rf1" />  

#Keep the cage safe from children and other pets. Put the cage in an area in your home where you can supervise interactions between your children and the guinea pig so that your guinea pig does not escape or get injured. Similarly, keep your pig safe from any pets (especially cats and dogs) by keeping the cage inaccessible to curious pets.<ref name="rf1" /><ref name="rf2">http://pets.petsmart.com/guides/guinea-pigs/caring-guinea-pig.shtml</ref>

#Choose a safe spot either inside or outside. Some people choose to keep guinea pigs indoors, where they are safe from extreme weather and predatory animals, while others prefer to keep them in outdoor hutches.<ref name="rf1" /> If you choose to keep your guinea pig indoors, attempt to get your pet out into the sunshine regularly to aid Vitamin D synthesis for healthy bones and teeth. If you have an outdoor hutch, the guinea pig requires daily attention from the owner. Bring your pet inside in extremes of weather.<ref name="rf3">http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/environment</ref>

#Put some bedding in the cage. Do not use cedar or pine shavings as bedding, even though these are widely available as bedding for small pets. These materials have phenol, which can be harmful to guinea pigs. Instead, buy bedding made of paper or straw, as it retains heat and keeps the pig warm. Guinea pigs like to burrow into their bedding and make tunnels. Make sure to provide about 2-3 inches worth of bedding, so that there is sufficient absorption.<ref name="rf4">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/guinea-pig-care</ref>

#Provide water. To keep your guinea pig healthy and happy, make sure to provide it with clean, fresh water. In general, a sipper bottle is a better option than a water dish because it doesn't spill as easily or become soiled with other material in the cage (such as food bedding, etc.).<ref name="rf5">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/water_bottles.html?credit=web_id81806465</ref>

#Put a food bowl in the cage. Like all animals, guinea pigs need sustenance to survive. Try to choose a ceramic food bowl, rather than a plastic bowl. Ceramic dishes are harder to topple and are chew-resistant. They're also more durable than plastic bowls.<ref name="rf6">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/guinea_pig_feeding.html?credit=web_id104983548</ref>

#Put food in the cage. Though guinea pigs rarely overeat, you need to provide them with the right balance of pellets, hay, and fresh vegetables.<ref name="rf6" />

#* ''Hay'' - Hay is key to your guinea pig's diet. Hay provides a key source of fiber and serves both serves as food and bedding. It also aids the digestive systems of guinea pigs. Choose fresh bags of timothy hay, although orchard hay is also an option.<ref name="rf7">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/guinea_pig_food_choices.html?credit=web_id104983548</ref>

#* ''Pellets'' - To make sure that your guinea pig gets all of the nutrients it needs, provide it with a commercial feed specifically for guinea pigs. Give a small amount of extruded pellets (all the nuggets look the same) about a teaspoon a day. Pellets should come second to hay, which they need to chew to keep their teeth from growing out of control. Getting all of their calories from pellets will lead to overgrown teeth, or cause them to become obese.  Purchase pellets made from timothy hay, rather than alfalfa hay. These pellets will be fortified with vitamin C, but since it degrades once the package is opened, it's important to supplement with vegetables high in vitamin C.<ref name="rf7" />

#* ''Vegetables'' - Veggies are a key source of vitamin C for guinea pigs and give them additional nutrients. They also help vary your pet's meal choices and make eating more exciting. Try to choose leafy greens like kale, mustard greens, spinach, and romaine lettuce, because these are high in vitamin C. Other fresh veggie options include bell peppers, brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, peas, and tomatoes, among others. Try experimenting and seeing what your guinea pig likes! Note that some vegetables can cause gas build-up guinea pigs' digestive system and should be fed only in small quantities and from time to time. These include bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and collard greens.<ref name="rf7" />

#* ''Fruits'' - Guinea pigs love fruit! Try to choose fruits high in vitamin C, like cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, and papaya. However, because fruit is high in sugar, provide it only in limited quantities and just a few times per week. Fruit should never amount to more than 10% of your guinea pig's diet.<ref name="rf4" /> Use caution when feeding your guinea pig apples as the acid in apples can sometimes cause allergic reactions (look for sores and scabs around your pig's mouth).  

#Keep the food fresh. Because a guinea pig's diet includes a large amount of fresh produce means that you have to be checking the cage constantly and removing anything that is uneaten and can perish or decompose. A good rule of thumb is to check for unfinished food about an hour after you've put them in the cage.<ref name="rf6" />

#Avoid feeding your guinea other foods. Certain foods can cause digestive problems in guinea pigs. One way to tell if a food is adversely affecting your guinea pig is if you notice it producing soft stools or even diarrhea. In general, avoid feeding your guinea pig dairy products, beans, garlic, raw and dried lentils, onions, potatoes, and rhubarb.<ref name="rf7" />

#* Commercial treats aren't needed if you're feeding your guinea pig the right mix of pellets, hay, and fruits and vegetables. If you want to give your pig a special treat, you could mix some rolled oats into the pellets.<ref name="rf6" />

#[http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-up-After-Your-Guinea-Pig Clean] the cage regularly. Cages should be spot-cleaned everyday and completely cleaned once a week.<ref name="rf4" />

#Put some toys in the cage. Wooden blocks or cardboard boxes are good choices because guinea pigs like to gnaw on things; guinea pigs' teeth never stop growing, meaning that chew toys can help keep the teeth at a comfortable length. You can easily find wooden blocks at pet stores like Petsmart. Be sure to avoid purchasing wooden blocks or other toys with any paint on them.<ref name="rf2" />

#* Interact with your guinea pig several times every day. It's important that you handle your guinea pig daily, touching and cuddling him as often as you can. You can also let him out of the cage and let him get additional exercise by running around a small room or other enclosed space; this is also something you should try to incorporate into your pig's daily routine. Make sure to only let your guinea pig out in rooms that have no small openings through which the guinea pig could escape or become lost. You'll also need to keep a close eye on your pig because guinea pigs will chew on anything they can, including dangerous items like electrical wires and cords.<ref name="rf8">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/guinea-pig-care </ref>