What do you need to keep a guinea pig?

Moving to a new home is a stressful time for any pet. The task of each owner is to prepare the house for the appearance of a new family member and competently equip his home. The more comfortable and calmer the animal will be in a new place, the faster it will adapt.

Before you buy a rodent, be sure to read the terms of its content. Ask yourself, can you follow them? If yes, get to work!

Items needed by a guinea pig

• Cell.
  

A cage is a mandatory attribute for a rodent. She provides him with peace and security. From a properly selected cage, the rodent will not run away and will not get lost. And other animals in the house and small children will not disturb him. Read about choosing the right model in the article: “”.

Optimal cage dimensions: 120x60x36h cm. The more pigs you have, the more spacious their house should be.

• House.

A special house is installed in the cage. In it, the pig will rest and sleep. If the cage is a playground for games and walks, then the house is a cozy mink where you can always be in solitude.  

• Feeder and drinker.
  

A feeder and a drinker are two different containers that must be in the cage. Choose models designed specifically for rodents so that your pig can use them comfortably.

• Canopy. 

Fresh hay should always be available to the guinea pig. It is better to place it in the sennitsa. On the floor, hay quickly becomes soiled and trampled down.

• Food and treats.
  

Carefully read the list of useful and prohibited foods for guinea pigs. If you prepare food for a pig on your own, be sure to discuss the diet with a veterinarian and find out about the proportions: which components and in what volume can be given to a rodent. When choosing professional feeds, it is enough to follow the feeding rate indicated on the package. 

Guinea pigs are herbivorous rodents, the basis of their diet should be hay. It should be purified, high nutritional value. How to choose hay, we told in the article “”.

• Litter.
  

A good bedding will keep your guinea pig warm and keep the cage clean. Do not use cotton and newspaper as bedding: it is not safe. A rodent can get tangled in the cotton or accidentally swallow it. Newspaper, like any other paper, does not absorb liquids well and does not retain heat.

The best filler options are special peeled sawdust or crushed corn cobs. They are sold in pet stores.

• Mineral stone.

Mineral stone is another important component of the cell. Why is it needed, we said in the article “”. You can buy it at any pet store.

• Toys.
  

Guinea pigs are very active and inquisitive animals, they just love to play. Give them some toys – tunnels, hammocks, rolling wheels, mirrors – and they will be truly happy.

• Carrying
  

Even if you do not plan to travel with a rodent, a carrier will still come in handy. For example, when visiting a veterinarian. Carrying is a guarantee and a guarantee of the safety of the pig, because a nimble rodent can escape from your hands or escape from the bag. Choose durable, reliable models designed specifically for rodents.

• Means for washing and care.
  

Guinea pigs take good care of their hygiene. But if necessary, they can be bathed with a special shampoo for rodents: other products will lead to dry skin and a deterioration in the quality of the coat.

If your pig participates in exhibitions, you will need special products for hair care. Consult the breeder or experts on this matter.

For regular grooming of your guinea pig, you will need a miniature nail clipper, wipes, and eye and ear cleaning lotion.

• Brush for combing.

Short-haired and hairless pigs will need only a brush, but owners of long hair will need both a brush and a comb with long teeth.

We have listed the basic items for a guinea pig. Having got a rodent and getting acquainted with its needs in practice, you will add to this list at your discretion.