Husbandry Advice
Water.
24 hour access is essential. It is good to have a sipper and a bowl as Guinea pigs often suffer from urinary tract problems and taking in more water should reduce the chance of this. We believe Hong Kong tap water is safe, but of course you may boil it first if you prefer. Do not change water abruptly (i.e. to a bottled water) as it may taste different and your Guinea pig may not drink it. We have seen animals dehydrated or in gut stasis for reasons such as the water sipper ball getting stuck, and because the animal did not like the taste of the new water.
Cage.
Size is important.
| No. Guinea Pigs | Min | Preferred | In cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .7 sq m | more is better | 76 x 91 |
| 2 | .7 sq m | 1 sq m | 76 x 127 |
| 3 | 1 sq m | 1.2 sq m | 76 x 157 |
| 4 | 1.2 sq m | more is better | 76 x 193 |
The floor of the cage should be solid, not wire, as wire may cause ulceration of their feet.
If you leave a corner of the cage with wire, many guinea pigs will use that corner for the toilet. You may also put a special toilet in.
Of course you must keep the cage clean and dry. Newspaper may be used to cover the base as the inks are soya based and non toxic. You should then use bedding such as hay or paper bedding like care fresh. We don’t like woodchips here as they can be dusty, irritant and even poisonous.
A hide box in the corner will help keep your guinea pigs feeling safe.
Friends.
We would like all guinea pigs to have at least one companion as they are a very social species. Bonded pigs will groom each other, talk to each other and play together.
Having a friend will make all those hours in a cage, waiting for you to come home go quicker.
A young guinea pig should take quickly to a companion, but adults often will not and they may fight and cause horrible injuries. Please ask us during a consultation how best to introduce your adult pet to a potential companion. We do not advise keeping a guinea pig with a rabbit as they may transmit diseases to each other.
We hope that you will adopt a guinea pig friend rather than buying one from a pet shop.