Suburban Animal Hospital 2495 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 334-4230 GuineaGuinea PigPig CareCare GuideGuide Diet, Husbandry & General Care Guidelines NutritionalNutritional NeedsNeeds Housing Recommendations Hay: The home cage of a guinea pig should be a minimum of seven Timothy Hay should be 90-95% of an adult square feet for one guinea pig (cavy), adding two to four square guinea pig’s diet. Oxbow Hay offers high- feet per additional cavy. The home cage should contain a large, quality timothy hay. smooth bottom (with no cage bottom, ramps, or shelves made from wire can injure their feet). The larger the cavy’s cage, the Alfalfa Hay is rich in calories and calcium. It cleaner the cage will remain. In addition, a larger cage provides should be fed to babies (less than four space for play, toys, and exercise necessary for physical and months old) and nursing or pregnant mental wellbeing. For overall health, a minimum of one-two mothers. It should not be fed to adults hours of exercise outside of the home cage in a secure because it can lead to obesity and urinary environment is needed. tract issues. Adult guinea pigs are at an Cage Accessories increased risk of developing bladder stones The following should be included in your guinea pig’s cage: when fed foods that are high in calcium. ∙ Water bottle and/or heavy crock for water Orchard Grass, Oat Hay or Botanical Hay can be ∙ Crock for pellets offered if your guinea pig will not eat timothy ∙ Toys: Cuddle cups and tents made out of towels for hay. hiding, paper bags, tunnels, crumpled up paper, Make sure your hay is green and smells fresh ping pong balls, baby stuffed animals, and large bird before buying. toys. ∙ Bedding: Cover the cage floor with one-two inches of Pellets: Care Fresh or similar paper-based bedding. Aspen Timothy-based pellets are recommended for bedding is another acceptable choice. A thick towel adults. 1/8 - 1/4 cup per day should be topped with a fleece blanket is also a great offered. Oxbow Essential Adult Guinea Pig alternative to traditional bedding. Cedar and pine Food is a high quality timothy-based pellet. contain harmful phenols and oils, therefore these products Alfalfa-based pellets are recommended for should be avoided. babies (less than four months old) and ∙ Hide box or igloo: Guinea pigs feel more secure/safe with nursing or pregnant mothers. Oxbow Cavy a place to hide. Performance is a high-quality alfalfa-based Cleaning pellet. Most pellets purchased at pet stores A complete cleaning of the bedding every three to four days are alfalfa-based. Make sure you check the is crucial to a cavy’s overall health. For general cleaning, ingredients before buying. We do not use a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to 20 parts recommend foods that include seeds or treats. water). Use a few tablespoons of vinegar to clean urine build-up, allowing the vinegar to sit for 10 minutes. Fresh Produce: Vegetables: Red and green peppers, parsley, carrots, red and green lettuces, dandelion greens, and cilantro Fruits: Apple slices, banana slices, strawber- ries can be fed in very small amounts. Sick animals should not be fed fruit or anything high in sugar. CompanionshipCompanionship Guinea pigs thrive in groups of two or more. The best combinations are groups of sows (females) or groups of one or more sows and a neutered boar (male). Guinea pigs should not be housed with other rodents or rabbits. These animals may harbor diseases and their different dietary needs make cohabitation dangerous and impractical. Guinea pigs who lose a companion should be closely monitored. It is not unusual for them to become depressed, which can lead to poor appetite and death. It is recommended that a new partner be found.

VitaminVitamin C Sources Food Source mg per cup VitaminVitamin CC SupplementSupplement Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C on their own and Red Pepper 450mg require 10-30mg daily to prevent disease. Some vegetables (see chart), vitamin C supplements or liquid Dandelion Greens 200mg vitamin C drops (make sure that it does not contain sugar) Green Pepper 195mg can provide the daily amount needed. We do not advise adding vitamins or medications to your cavy’s water as it Parsley 140mg may cause them to not drink as much. Guavas 125mg Tomato 87 mg VegetablesVegetables toto AvoidAvoid Asparagus 69mg Too High in Calcium: Kale, mustard greens, turnip Raspberries 60mg greens, collard greens, spinach, and carrot tops. Rutabaga 52mg No Nutritional Value: Iceburg lettuce, cucumbers, Orange 50mg and celery. These can cause diarrhea/soft stools. Radish 45mg Gas Producing: Cruciferous vegetables like Pears 42mg broccoli. Zucchinis 39mg CommonCommon MedicalMedical ConcernsConcerns Potatoes 36mg Respiratory Infections: Sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge (may present on feet), and abnormal breathing. Lice, Mites and Fungus: Hair loss, scratching, aggressive behavior when touched (due to pain), and in some severe cases, seizures. Decreased Appetite/Stool Production: Decreased eating or stool production is a serious medical concern. that can quickly become an emergency. Please contact your veterinarian for an appointment right away. Urinary Tract Disease: Straining to urinate, blood in the urine or blood on the bedding can be an indication of infections or stones in the urinary tract.