Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
All pet ownners have a responsibility to look after and care for their pets. When considering a guinea pig as a pet, learn as much as you can about how to care for them before you buy, taking your lifestyle and household into account to make sure you can offer a guinea pig a good home. This leaflet runs through the basic needs to help you decide if a guinea pig is the pet for you.
Guinea pigs as pets
Guinea pigs make ideal pets for children . They are sometimes nervous, but rarely bit or scratch. They are inquisitive and friendly, like to be handled regulary and are very talkative! Guinea pigs can live for 4-8 years and both mals and females make excellent pets.
Do i like company?
Guinea pigs are very social animals and will be happiest with another guinea pig for company, but they are prolific with another guinea pig for company, so unless your plan is to breed choose two of the same sex. Male guinea pigs are often friendlier than females and provided they are a similar age and purchased at the same time, two guinea pigs usually live a happy life together.
WE RECOMMEND THAT ADULT GUINEA PIGS ARE NOT KEPT WITH ADULT RABBITS, AS FIGHTS CAN SOMETIMES BREAK OUT.
Where do i like to live?
Guinea pigs can be kept outdoors all year round, but they should be brought into a shed or an unused garage for the winter; never put guinea pigs in a used garage, as the exhaust fumes from you can be very dangerous. If your planning to keep your guinea pigs outdoor, make sure the hutch is draught free and fully weatherproof; a hutch sheild can be provide extra protection. A hutch must be raised off the ground to keep the floor dry as well as protecting your pets from cats and foxes. The base of the bytcb should be covered with woodshavings to provide an absorbent layer and the bedroom area should be filled with cosy bedding material to snuggle up in at night e.g hay or safe bedding.
Alternatively, guinea pigs can live quite happily indoors in a cage specifically designed for either guinea pigs or rabbits, placed in an area away from radiators or draughts.
A space to run around in is essential and a run should be used in your garden, with rocks, large terracotta plant pots, logs and toys to play amongst. The run can go straight onto the grass but should be moved ragulary to preent overgrazing. It is important that you allow your guinea pigs some time to run around everyday this will keep them in good shape and keep them happy too.
Back To Home Page
