Guinea pigs are intelligent and friendly pets that require proper care to ensure their health and happiness, with a lifespan of five to seven years. Essential supplies include a large cage, bedding, a hiding den, food, and fresh vegetables, while maintaining a clean living environment is crucial. Regular grooming, dental care through chew toys, and interactive playtime are important for your guinea pig's well-being.

1. GUINEA PIGS 101: HOW TO CARE
FOR YOUR NEW PET
Burgess Pet Care

2.  Guinea pigs are more than just soft, adorable pets.
They are smart animals that are good with kids and
make a great addition to the family.

3.  They are normally very friendly and sometimes
even squeak happily when their owners walk into
the room.

4.  If you’ve decided to adopt a guinea pig, you
probably already know how important it is to
provide a good home for him.

5.  Guinea pigs need proper care and the best home
so they will be healthy and content.

6.  When guinea pigs are well looked after, their
lifespan is usually between five and seven years.

7.  So how do you make sure your guinea pig has the
best home possible?
 Here are some guidelines to help you welcome
your newest family member into the home.

8. WHAT YOU WILL NEED
 There are some supplies you will need from the day
you pick up your guinea pig. These supplies need
to be ready for your guinea pig in order for him to
be safe and happy while he gets used to his new
home.

9.  When you purchase a guinea pig, make sure you
have the following supplies:
 Large Cage with a Solid Bottom
 Bedding
 Den to Hide In

10.  Food Dish and Water Bottle
 Food Pellets
 Timothy Hay
 Chew Toys

11.  These supplies are important to the well being of
your new pet, so be sure to have them ready as
soon as you bring your guinea pig home.

12. THE RIGHT HOUSING FOR YOUR PET
 Guinea pigs need plenty of room to exercise, so
make sure your pet’s cage is large and has plenty
of horizontal space.

13.  While you can use a wire cage for your guinea pig,
do not use one with a wire bottom.
Your guinea pig’s feet will get sore from standing on
the wire, and they may even get caught in the
spaces between wires.

14.  The bottom of his cage should have soft bedding
made from pine, aspen or shredded paper. Cedar
bedding is not recommended since it can cause
respiratory problems for guinea pigs.

15.  Put the cage in a quiet area of your home that is
away from other pets and windows, since guinea
pigs do not enjoy drafts or direct heat.

16.  Guinea pigs like to have a place to hide and sleep
where they feel safe and protected. They also like
an area that is all their own.
Provide this for your pet by adding a den, which you
can buy at a pet store, to his cage.

17.  Keep the cage clean by removing soiled bedding
and adding new, clean bedding on a daily basis.

18.  You will also need to remove your guinea pig, and
all the bedding, and use warm water to clean the
cage periodically.

19. FEEDING YOUR GUINEA PIG A HEALTHY DIET
 You also need to include a food dish and a water
bottle in your guinea pig’s cage.

20.  Always put food directly in the dish, and never on
top of the bedding where your pet could
accidentally eat the bedding with the food.

21.  Guinea pigs need a diet that consists mostly of hay.
Timothy hay is a great option, and you can
supplement it with other types of hay like oat and
orchard grass.

22.  Guinea pigs also love fresh vegetables so provide
things like kale, shredded carrots and zucchini
every other day.
 Guinea pigs also need food pellets to add Vitamin
C to their diet.

23.  Vets say that a complete diet for fibrevores should
provide for their dental, digestive and emotional
health.

24.  The Excel Feeding Plan is an easy to follow 5-a-
day guide to ensure your rabbit, guinea pig or
chinchilla gets the right balance of fibre,
nutrients, vitamins and minerals for their all
round health.

25. Visit
http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/excelfeedingplan
for more information.

26.  When you feed your pet, remove any food that he
doesn’t eat after a few hours. Make sure your
guinea pig always has plenty of fresh water in his
water bottle.

27. GUINEA PIG GROOMING
 Grooming is another important aspect of taking
care of your guinea pig, especially if he is a long-
haired breed.

28.  Use a guinea pig brush, available at your pet store,
to gently brush his coat. Do this on a daily basis to
keep his coat healthy and shiny and to prevent it
from forming knots or mats.

29.  Guinea pigs do groom themselves to a certain
extent but they still need to be brushed regularly. If
you notice a change in your pet’s grooming habits,
take him to a vet as this could signal a health
problem.

30. TOYS AND EXERCISE TO KEEP YOUR GUINEA
PIG FIT AND HAPPY
 Your guinea pig’s teeth continue to grow unless he
maintains them by chewing on things. Provide chew
toys so your pet has something safe to chew on.

31.  Toys can also provide some interest, stimulation
and fun for your guinea pig.

32.  Interact with your guinea pig and let him play in a
pet pen in a clear area in your home for added
exercise.

33.  Be sure to supervise him at all times and make sure
he isn’t able to reach electrical cords or anything
else that may be tempting to chew on.

34.  Guinea pigs are great family pets and are fun
companions to hold and watch. When you take
good care of your new pet, he will love you back
with affection and snuggles.