important to ensure you have a heavy ceramic bowl that is too small for the guinea pig to get into. To be on the safe side, we recommend you change the food daily!!!
Guinea pigs should also be supplied with fresh grass hay daily. This is very important for digestion (is a rich source of fibre) and grazing on hay reduces both dental disease and boredom. Avoid lucerne hay as this is high in calcium and can lead to problems. Always buy hay that smells fresh. Store hay at home in a well ventilated area
Just like rabbits, guinea pigs produce 2 types of faeces. Normal hard brown pellets which are waste and a special type of faeces called caecal pellets which are soft and often green. These are the digestive result of hay. Guinea pigs will eat these caecal pellets as they contain amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins.
NB/ Do not feed straw. Straw is devoid of nutrients and can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruit and vegetables that are high in vitamin C should be fed daily to supplement the pelleted diet (about 1 cup per day).
Foods that are high in vitamin C include: dandelion leaves, kale, kiwis, parsley, spinach and brussel sprouts. Other fruit and vegies may be offered as a treat.
Avoid apples as some guinea pigs are allergic to them and develop scabs around their mouths. Also avoid celery as the strings can cause choke and nuts as they are high in fat and lead to obesity.
Fresh water should be available at all times. Water should be changed daily as guinea pigs tend to dirty their water supply. They love to climb into it, bathe in it and play in it. We highly recommend the use of water sippers rather than bowls so that you can be sure your guinea pigs always have fresh water.
There are some vitamin C supplements that can be added to guinea pigs water. These are not ideal as the vitamin degrades rapidly in water and it also changes the flavour of the water preventing some guinea pigs from drinking enough. The best way to ensure your guinea pig gets enough vitamin C is to feed a good, well balanced diet as outlined above.
Guinea pigs may be kept indoors or outdoors depending on which you prefer. In both situations, the guinea pigs should have a hutch/cage where they can be kept safe.
Outdoor hutches should have 2 sections - an outdoor run and an enclosed sleeping area or retreat. The general rule of thumb regarding size is 2 square feet per guinea pig as a minimum.
Runs are often made from wire which can be devastating to guinea pigs' feet over time. They need to be protected from this by lining the run with cardboard and then covering this with bedding.
The guinea pigs' food and water should be kept in the run.
The enclosed area or retreat is the place where the guinea pigs can hide if they feel threatened and is most likely the place that they will sleep. This area should be filled with some form of bedding.
Outdoor hutches should be kept in a sheltered area of the garden and need to be strong enough to protect from predators.
There are a wide range of indoor hutches available at pet shops these days. The same rule of thumb regarding size applies. These hutches tend not to be divided therefore it is important to place a small box or a large piece of piping inside the hutch so that the guinea pigs can hide away if frightened.
Hutches should be lined with cardboard, hay or soft bedding.
There are a number of different options with respect to bedding.
* Straw is fine although not very absorbent so we recommend that paper or cardboard is placed underneath.
* Hay is great and often guinea pigs will nibble on it and hide under it.
* Wood shavings are controversial as many are made from treated wood and release volatile compounds which can be toxic to the guinea pigs.
* Recycled newspaper pellets such as cat litter pellets are great as they are highly absorbent and help to reduce odours. They are completely safe.
Regardless of whether your guinea pigs are kept indoors or outdoors, they should always be offered free exercise time in the garden outside. This free time must be supervised to protect the