 Hay
 Guinea pigs HAVE to eat nearly constantly to keep their
digestive tract moving and to prevent anorexia. If you
provide no hay, then they will eat pellets to prevent
this. Eating that quantity of pellets will make them
fuller, with less work, leading to obesity. Chewing hay
is also vital to keeping their molars, which are constantly
growing, ground down.
According to Dr. Curt Nakamura, an exotic vet specialist at Adobe Animal Hospital
in Los Altos, California, grass hay should be the most important staple in your
guinea pig's diet:
 "One of the most important items in the guinea pig diet is grass hay, which
should be fed in unlimited quantities to both adults and baby guinea pigs. It
is important to provide an unlimited source of hay because pellets do not provide
enough long fiber to keep their intestines in good working order. The long fibers
stimulate muscle contraction of the intestines to improve and maintain gut motility
(to prevent gastrointestinal obstruction).
Please see http://www.guinealynx.info/hay.html for
more info.
Tired of purchasing tiny bags of overpriced hay?
OCCH's hay is only $7 for approx. 5 POUNDS* of hay (1 flake), and only $21.00 for approx. 20 POUNDS of hay (4 flakes). [Sales tax applies] You can choose either timothy hay, or orchard hay.
Our large bags of hay will beat the price of most pet stores ten times over! And it's farm fresh; just been packed within weeks of when you buy it.
Did you notice that you get ONE FREE FLAKE of with the big bag?
Our guinea pigs say that's one squeal of a deal! To try our spectacular hay,
email cavyhavensupplies@yahoo.com
* Because we pack the hay ourselves, weights may vary. Typical weights are 5.88
and 23.52 pounds.
*NOTE: Hay is available for local OC/LA area pick up only.
We're unable to ship hay at this time. If you're
looking to order high quality hay online, please
visit Kleenmama
Hay or Oxbow
Hay.
Pellets
Pellets: Some people like to supplement their guinea pig's
diet with small amounts of high-quality pellets,
especially in the case of pregnant or nursing
guinea pigs, babies,
or guinea pigs with health issues. One brand
of high quality pellets is Oxbow's Cafe Performance
(for young guinea pigs)
and Cavy Cuisine (for adult guinea pigs). Both
can be purchased from Oxbow's
website.
OCCH also recommends
the fortified pellets available at Kleenmama's
Hayloft. Remember that alfalfa pellets are
usually for the young/pregnant/nursing guinea
pig; adult guinea pigs should be given a timothy-based
pellet. MOST of the
pellets sold in pet stores are alfalfa-based.
Veggies
Veggies: Guinea pigs should be given a variety of fresh
vegetables daily. Recommended amounts vary
but usually fall between 1-2 cups every day. Take care
to make sure
you are feeding the right veggies, as some
vegetables have excess minerals which may be harmful in
large amounts.
Start with the dark leafy greens, some tomato
and bell pepper, and check these lists for other good vegetables
and fruits to feed: http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html#vegs
Supplements
Supplements: Aside from unlimited grass hay, fresh water, daily veggies, and perhaps a bit of pellets fortified with vit C, guinea pigs should not require supplements.
However, for picky veggie eaters or guinea pigs with health issues who require vitamin C supplementation to prevent scurvy, we recommend Oxbow's GTN-50C Vitamin C supplement.
It can be found here: http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products
GNC also carries plain fruit flavored vit C chewable tablets. Please be sure the supplement contains only Vit C. Guinea pigs can be overdosed on vitamins and minerals, leading to liver and kidney issues. Adding supplements or medicines to their drinking water is not recommended.
Guinea pigs who are ill may need to be hand-fed a formula by syringe. Oxbow's Critical Care is by far the best assisted feeding formula:
http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1608
Housing
The bigger, the better!
Most, if not all of the cages, sold in pet stores are too
small to adequately house one guinea pig let alone a pair.
Guinea pigs like to run laps, popcorn and explore their environment.
They require adequate space to do so. Happy guinea pigs are
more entertaining and healthier.
Cavy Cages
We recommend building a Cubes and Coroplast Cage. These cages can be built for less than a pet store cage and are often considerably more attractive.
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Blue
Design (with loft) |
Orange County Cavy Haven uses only the C & C (Cubes
and Coroplast) style of cages pictured here: http://www.guineapigcages.com.
These cages are inexpensive compared to pet store cages
and easy to clean! They require no tools and you can make
them at home in a variety of colors. For instructions on
how to make a C & C cage, click here: www.guineapigcages.com
The most popular cages are 2 x 3 C & C's with lofts.
Guinea pigs love to run up the ramps and lounge on their "upper
deck." And it helps boar couples get along to have
a place to get away from each other periodically.
OCCH volunteers also make cages to help fund the rescue.
All proceeds from the sale of cages goes to provide food,
bedding,cages, and medical care for our rescued guinea
pigs.
Please email cavyhavensupplies@yahoo.com if you are interested
in ordering a cage, or information on where to obtain
the supplies.
Cages are available for local OC/LA area pick up only.
We're unable to ship cages. To order a C&C cage online,
visit Sue's
store.
If you are building your own C&C cage, we do NOT recommend you buy grids at Target!
Target has recently changed the design of their grids that people commonly use for C & C cages. The brand name of the grids was Organize It.
The "old" grids were 9 SQUARES ACROSS and safe for guinea pigs. However, there are now only combination boxes of grids that are 8 squares across and 5 squares across.
Please do not use anything but the 9 square grids as the ones with 8 grids have larger holes (spacing over 1.5 inches), are DANGEROUS to guinea pigs and have resulted in tragic accidents.
Target has seemingly phased out all their old grids and only carry the new unsafe ones. Target.com does carry the Whitmor brand of storage grids which are safe. You can order them online and have them shipped to you. WalMart.com carries the same grids and you can have them shipped site to store without paying a shipping fee.
Sometimes Bed Bath and Beyond or KMart will carry grids as well.
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The only commercial cage we recommend as an alternative are the new Midwest Guinea Habitat cages which can be purchased through this link.
Guinea
Pig Care Information
Printable
version of Guinea Pig Care Sheet
(82k pdf format)
The guinea pig's
endearing personality provides delightful companionship
for both adults and families. Once settled in their new
home they are inquisitive, friendly and talkative. At least
one guinea pig friend of the same sex is recommended. With
proper care and nutrition guinea pigs can live up to 10
years, though the average is 6-8 years.
Essentials
- Large Cage (as large as possible, no wire floor, no aquariums)
- 2 water bottles
- 1 ceramic food bowl
- 1 hiding house
- Bag of bedding, Aspen or Carefresh (no pine/cedar)
- Large bag of green Timothy hay or Orchard Grass
- Additional bag of Alfalfa hay for babies up to 6
months old and pregnant mothers
- Plain Guinea Pig pellets (no seeds or nuts)
- Fresh green vegetables (Variety! Romaine lettuce,
cilantro, chard, carrot...)
- Nail Clippers
- Carrier for Travel
General
Regular exercise
outside the cage is essential to your guinea pig's health
and is great fun for the whole family. A room can be made
safe for guinea pigs by preventing access to electrical
cords, blocking gaps under appliances and furniture and
removing hazardous items. Alternatively, a playpen will
allow your pets to romp in safety. Guinea pigs enjoy a
variety of safe toys such as wide tubes, cartons, and wood
bird toys. Most guinea pigs love being petted once they
are on your lap, but are cautious about being picked up.
Children must be supervised when holding a guinea pig and
taught not to hold it too tightly or allow it to fall or
jump. Guinea pigs are easily injured and may nip if not
treated kindly.
Housing
Guinea pigs should
be kept indoors, safe from predators and climate extremes.
Choose or make as large a cage as possible, with plenty
of room for exercise. Aquariums are not suitable, due to
poor ventilation. Look for a cage with a solid bottom,
as wire floors and ramps can injure guinea pigs' feet.
Cover the floor with bedding such as Carefresh or Aspen
shavings. Avoid pine and cedar, which contain harmful oils,
and sawdust. The cage is best in a room where your pets
can enjoy your company, out of drafts and direct sunlight.
A temperature range of 65-75 deg. F is ideal. Guinea pigs
love a house or igloo to rest in and appreciate a few safe
toys to play with, such as untreated wood bird toys. Choose
heavy food dishes, or those that clip onto the cage, so
the contents don't spill. Many guinea pig enthusiasts build
their own cages. The homemade Cube and Coroplast, or “C
and C” cage is inexpensive and easily assembled in
about 30 minutes. You can find out all about these cages
at www.guineapigcages.com
Diet
A healthy diet
for adults is based on quality grass hay, e.g. Timothy,
and guinea pig pellets, both freely available at all times.
Babies under 6 months and pregnant sows need alfalfa hay.
A constant supply of hay provides fiber, vital to keep
the teeth and digestive system in good shape. Guinea pigs
must have adequate Vitamin C in their diet or they can
develop a disease called scurvy and die. Look for plain
pellets containing vitamin C but without seeds, nuts or
colored treats. The bag should be date stamped to ensure
freshness and Vitamin C potency. Also provide each guinea
pig a cupful of mixed fresh vegetables and fruit daily.
Choose produce with a high Vitamin C content, such as parsley,
Romaine lettuce, bell peppers and dandelion greens. Nutritional
supplements are not necessary if a good, varied diet is
provided. Your guinea pig’s water should be changed
daily so that the water is fresh and clean.
Cleaning
Spot clean soiled
areas 2-3 times a week and add clean bedding. Scrub out
the entire cage weekly, as well as food dishes and water
bottles. Always rinse and dry the cage well before adding
fresh bedding.
Fertility
Male guinea pigs
can be sexually mature at three weeks old. Make absolutely
sure of your pet's sex and keep males and females separate
at all times to prevent unwanted babies.
Health
Find a veterinarian
specializing in exotic animals and experienced in treating
guinea pigs before you have an emergency. Guinea pigs try
to hide signs of illness, so by the time you notice something
is wrong the illness is usually well-advanced. The following
signs mean your pet needs URGENT veterinary care: not eating
or drinking, lethargy, sneezing, wheezing, crusty eyes,
fluffed up fur, diarrhea, blood in urine, loss of balance,
tilted head, excessive scratching or hair loss. Keeping
a weekly record of your pet's weight will alert you to
weight loss, which often indicates a health problem.
Warnings
Penicillin-based
drugs, commonly prescribed for other pets, are TOXIC to
guinea pigs. Exercise wheels and balls can cause injury
to guinea pigs and should never be used. Never leave your
guinea pigs unsupervised where a predator or other pet
could harm them.
More Info
Guinea Pig Care:
www.guineapigs.info
www.cavymadness.com
www.guinealynx.info
www.cavyspirit.com
www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/
Guinea Pig Shopping List
Habitat
- Cubes and Coroplast Cage at least a 2 grid by 3 grid
- 2 16 ounce water bottles
- 1 non-tip food bowl
- Hidey house or pigloo
- Litter box - optional
Bedding
- Aspen - 9 cu feet bags are most economical
- Kiln dried pine - never use pine that has not been kiln dried
- Carefresh - recycled newspaper bedding
- Beddings not to use - Cedar, pine that hasn't been dried
Hay
- Timothy Hay or Orchard Grass- guinea pigs must have fresh
hay available at all times.
- Alfalfa Hay - only for pregnant pig, nursing mothers,
or babies - you must also give a grass hay such as orchard
grass or timothy.
Pellets
- Pellets - We prefer Oxbow Cavy Cuisine or Kleenmama's Hayloft Timothy Choice Pellets for adults or Oxbow Cavy Performance for pigs under 1 year. Most guinea pig pellets on the market are alfalfa-based. Excess calcium is not recommended for older guinea pigs.
- Never feed rabbit or hamster pellets or pellets with seeds or colorful bits.
Fresh Foods -This
is not a complete list, but is a good starting point. Provide a variety of fresh foods daily that are high in vitamin C and low in calcium and oxalic acid. You should provide 1 cup daily per pig or fresh foods. Only small quantities of fruit should be given daily. Vitamin C data for a selection of foods is provided at Seagull's.
- Romaine Lettuce
- Parsley - high in C, but also in Calcium
- Carrots - no more than 1 baby carrot per day per pig
- Apples
- Dandelion greens
- Red chard
- Swiss chard
- Kale
- Cilantro
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Bell peppers - very high in vitamin C
Feel free to experiment and figure out what foods your guinea pig likes best.
What Not to Buy
- Yogurt drops
- Hay racks
- Seed and nut treats
- Exercise wheels and balls - these are very bad for guinea pig's backs.
Good Toys
- Paper bags
- Small paper bags stuffed with hay or veggies
- Toilet paper or paper towel tubes - these can be stuffed with hay or treats
- Cardboard boxes with guinea pig size holes cut in them
- Oatmeal containers
- Mirrors
- Small stuffed animals
- Cavy cozies
Please see CavySpirit.com for more ideas.
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