If you will be using a dog crate as a guinea pig cage, ensure that:
It provides easy access to your piggies
. The gaps between the bars aren’t so big that your guinea pigs might get stuck in them or escape.
What size crate does a guinea pig need?
The minimum size cage for one guinea pig, according to the RSPCA is 7.5 ft squared ( 27 inches x 41 inches), but the preferred size should be
10.5 ft squared (27 inches x 56 inches)
. Remember though, cavies are social animals and need companionship, so we recommend always having two or more in a cage.
Can you keep a guinea pig without a cage?
Guinea pigs get along just fine indoors with no enclosure at all
, so if you have enough space in your home, you should give them an entire room to themselves. When keeping small animals at home, it is very important to arrange their habitat appropriately.
What should you not put in a guinea pig cage?
Don’t use
pine or cedar wood shavings
Aromatic wood, such as pine and cedar, contain oils that can lead to respiratory problems in your guinea pigs. It is best to avoid these, and other fragranced woods to keep your cavy healthy.
Can I use dog pee pads for guinea pigs?
Yes it works great for Guinea if she/he doesn’t chew on it
. I don’t use anything else, and change once a day the pad mine uses as her toilet. It doesn’t smell as the regular bedding.
Can I use a towel for guinea pig bedding?
The main con of using towels or bath mats as bedding is that
they are not meant for this purpose
, and may not be as absorbent as guinea pig bedding made to be used as bedding. This means that you may need to clean them more often.
Do guinea pigs like to cuddle?
A healthy guinea pig is a happy guinea pig, and
a happy guinea pig loves cuddles
. So regularly grooming your guinea pig is an excellent way to keep an eye on its health, and of course, it helps build that all-important bond.
Is it better to have 2 male or 2 female guinea pigs?
The most suitable pairings are two females or a neutered male and a female
. If you would like to keep a group of three or more guinea pigs it’s not advisable to have more than one male as any more can cause a conflict over resources.
Is it OK to keep guinea pigs in your bedroom?
Near Family Activity. It is critically important to the long-term health and happiness of your guinea pig that you place its cage central to family activity or at the immediate periphery.
Do not put cages in children’s bedrooms
. The guinea pig should be part of family life, even if it is designated as one person’s pet.
How much space do 3 guinea pigs need?
For 1-2 guinea pigs the minimum space recommended is 7.5 square feet. Three guinea pigs require a minimum of
10.5 square feet
, and Four guinea pigs require 13 square feet.
Can guinea pigs drink out of a bowl?
Water bowls are safe for guinea pigs to use
. As long as safety precautions are taken, water bowls are an excellent substitute for water bottles. In fact, some guinea pigs prefer bowls to water bottles.
Do guinea pigs stink?
In a nutshell,
guinea pigs shouldn’t smell
. If they are giving off an unpleasant odour, it’s usually a sign that the cage isn’t clean, their diet is wrong, they’re sick, or they’re struggling to groom themselves. Also, boars may smell more than sows because of an oily buildup around the grease gland.
What do guinea pigs sleep on?
But they still like to take naps under the protection of a shelter. Owners have a variety of creative choices when providing a guinea pig with a place to nap. Some people give their pets
an old cardboard shoebox, tissue box, or other small boxes
to sleep in.
How do you house a guinea pig?
Housing. Guinea pigs
should have as large an enclosure as possible, ideally with the right amount of lined, covered space and soft grass hay to provide cushioning
. Sawdust or wood shavings can cause respiratory issues and should be avoided. Make sure to clean out the hutch regularly and dispose of any waste.
What do guinea pig likes?
- Oranges.
- Apples.
- Pears.
- Strawberries.
- Blueberries.
- Kiwi.
- Papayas.
- Peaches.
Are scented puppy pads safe for guinea pigs?
You shouldn’t use anything scented around piggies
.
Can I use a bath mat as guinea pig bedding?
Bath mats are very comfortable for guinea pigs
. They have most of the perks of fleece (minus the variety of patterns), with less of the headaches. For example, no wicking is involved. Also, they’re light and very easy to switch out and to clean.
How do you train a guinea pig to use a litter box?
Do guinea pigs like to be swaddled?
They are happily swaddled in baby blankets
, tenderly coo and are generally adored by their guardians. They love companionship. Guinea pigs are social, herd animals that normally do better and are much happier in pairs.
Why is my guinea pig bobbing his head?
Chin raising or head bobbing is
often done when your guinea pig is annoyed or to display dominance
. If this behavior is done when you are petting your guinea pig, they are letting you know that they would prefer to be left alone.
Do guinea pigs like blankets over their cage?
Full cage covers, if they are open enough for proper ventilation and light, then they still aren’t really providing that sense of security your guinea pigs desire. They want to feel safe from overhead birds of prey.
They only feel safe under cover.
What do guinea pigs squeaks mean?
Squeal: Some guinea pigs will squeal
when they are experiencing potential pain or they need attention
. It can sometimes be that another guinea pig is stealing his favorite spot to eat. Pay attention to your guinea pig if you hear a squeal because it could indicate that they need help from something hurting them.
Do guinea pigs like their stomach rubbed?
Some guinea pigs will never become relaxed enough to submit to a belly rub
, and few guinea pigs actually enjoy sitting in such an exposed position for very long. Most guinea pigs prefer a good scratch behind the ears or gentle petting on the back.
How often should I take my guinea pig out of its cage?
Importance of Time Out
Guinea pigs need time outside of the cage each day for at least an hour, though
twice a day is best
. If possible, take them out at dawn and dusk, when cavies are most active. Either purchase a small pen or enclosure, or utilize a room where young children and other pets cannot gain access.
What gender of guinea pig is nicer?
Is It Better To Get a Male or Female Guinea Pig? On their own,
both female and male guinea pigs make the best pocket pets
. As long as it is healthy, happy and friendly, you won’t go wrong choosing either a boy or a girl guinea pig.
Are boy or girl guinea pigs nicer?
Both have similar temperaments although
males often have a bolder personality
, making them easier to handle. It can often be easier to find a suitable companion for a female guinea pig though as they tend to be more amenable with their guinea pig friends.
Can you toilet train guinea pigs?
Like all domesticated animals,
the key to training a guinea pig is to reward him or her when your pet behaves the way you want him or her to
. In this case, give your pet a treat when he or she urinates in the litter box. After several days of this, your guinea pig should learn to go in the litter box every time.
