Guinea Pig Care Guide
Your complete guide to keeping your fluffy friend happy, healthy, and wheek-ing with joy!
Housing & Hutch Requirements
A happy home for happy piggies
Size Matters!
- Minimum 0.7m² per guinea pig
- Bigger is always better!
- Long, wide enclosures work best
- Multiple levels add enrichment
Bedding Options
- Best: Fleece liners (reusable!)
- Good: Paper-based bedding
- OK: Hay (lots of it!)
- Avoid: Cedar or pine shavings
Cleaning Schedule
- Daily: Spot clean poops & wet spots
- Weekly: Full bedding change
- Monthly: Deep clean enclosure
- Vinegar & water is piggy-safe!
Safety Tips
- No wire flooring (hurts feet!)
- Secure from predators
- No direct sunlight exposure
- Good ventilation is essential
Essential Accessories
- Hidey houses (1 per piggy + 1)
- Water bottle or heavy bowl
- Hay rack
- Food bowl (ceramic is best)
Enrichment Ideas
- Tunnels and tubes
- Fleece forests
- Paper bags to explore
- Safe wooden toys to chew
Feeding & Nutrition
The key to a healthy, happy piggy
📋 Daily Diet Checklist
Unlimited Timothy Hay
80% of diet - essential for teeth & digestion
Fresh Vegetables
1 cup per piggy daily - variety is key!
Quality Pellets
1/8 cup per piggy - Vitamin C fortified
Fresh Water
Always available - change daily
🥗 Veggie Guide
✅ Daily Safe
- • Capsicum (all colours)
- • Cucumber
- • Romaine lettuce
- • Coriander
- • Cos lettuce
⚠️ A Few Times/Week
- • Carrots (high sugar)
- • Tomatoes
- • Broccoli
- • Kale
- • Parsley
❌ Never Feed
- • Iceberg lettuce
- • Potatoes
- • Onions
- • Garlic
- • Avocado
- • Chocolate
Vitamin C is Crucial!
Guinea pigs can't produce their own Vitamin C (just like humans!). They need 10-30mg daily through veggies like capsicum, kale, and parsley. Without enough Vitamin C, they can develop scurvy. Capsicum is the best source - one slice has more Vitamin C than an orange!
Handling Tips
Especially for kids!
🧒 For Kids: How to Pick Up Your Piggy
- 1
Sit on the floor first!
This way, if piggy jumps, they won't fall far
- 2
Talk softly to your piggy
Let them know you're there - no surprises!
- 3
Use TWO hands
One under the tummy, one supporting the bottom
- 4
Hold them close to your body
Makes them feel safe and secure
Building Trust Takes Time
New piggies need 1-2 weeks to settle in:
- Day 1-3: Let them adjust, just talk softly
- Day 4-7: Offer veggies from your hand
- Week 2+: Start gentle handling
Happy Piggy Signs
- Popcorning: Jumping with joy!
- Purring: Content and relaxed
- Wheeking: Excited (usually for food!)
- Licking: Showing affection
Watch Out For
- Chattering teeth: Angry or scared
- Hiding constantly: Stressed
- Biting: Scared or hurt
- High-pitched squeal: In pain
Health & Grooming
Keeping your piggy in tip-top shape
Weekly Health Check
Quick check every week:
- Eyes: Clear and bright?
- Nose: Clean, no discharge?
- Ears: Clean, no smell?
- Teeth: Not overgrown?
- Feet: Nails OK? No sores?
- Weight: Staying stable?
Nail Trimming
- Trim every 4-6 weeks
- Use small animal nail clippers
- Avoid the quick (blood vessel)
- Light-coloured nails are easier!
- Ask your vet for a demo
Bathing
- Only when really needed
- Long-haired breeds: monthly
- Short-haired: rarely or never
- Use guinea pig safe shampoo
- Dry thoroughly after!
Brushing
- Short hair: Weekly
- Long hair: Daily
- Use soft bristle brush
- Check for tangles and mats
- Great bonding time!
Vet Visits
- Annual check-up recommended
- Find a guinea pig savvy vet
- Weigh weekly at home
- Keep emergency vet number handy
Emergency Signs
See a vet immediately if:
- Not eating for 12+ hours
- Difficulty breathing
- Blood in urine or stool
- Sudden weight loss
- Tilted head or balance issues
Perth Climate Care
Special tips for our WA weather
🔥 Hot Perth Summers
⚠️ Guinea pigs can die from heat stroke over 26°C! Perth summers are dangerous.
Essential Summer Tips:
- ✓Keep enclosure in the coolest room - air conditioning is ideal
- ✓Freeze water bottles wrapped in cloth for them to lean against
- ✓Ceramic tiles stay cool - put one in their enclosure
- ✓Multiple water bottles - refresh with cool water
- ✓Wet their ears lightly with cool (not cold) water
- ✓NEVER leave in direct sunlight or hot cars
Heat Stroke Signs:
Drooling, lethargy, rapid breathing, lying flat. If you see these, cool them down slowly and get to a vet IMMEDIATELY.
❄️ Perth Winters
Perth winters are mild but piggies need protection from cold and damp.
Winter Comfort Tips:
- ✓Keep above 15°C - indoor is safest
- ✓Extra hay for burrowing and insulation
- ✓Cosy fleece snuggle sacks
- ✓Avoid draughty areas
- ✓Keep bedding dry - damp is dangerous
- ✓Safe heat pads (not electric blankets!)
Perth Pro Tip:
Our winters are generally fine for indoor piggies. The main concern is outdoor hutches during cold nights and rainy weather. Bring them inside when temps drop below 15°C!
🏡 Indoor vs Outdoor in Perth
Indoor Living (Recommended)
- ✓ Climate controlled year-round
- ✓ Safe from predators
- ✓ More interaction with family
- ✓ Better for Perth's extreme summers
Outdoor Living (Challenging)
- ⚠️ Needs shade and ventilation
- ⚠️ Must protect from heat above 26°C
- ⚠️ Predator-proof enclosure essential
- ⚠️ May need to bring inside in summer
Got Questions? We're Here to Help!
Our team is always happy to answer your guinea pig care questions. Don't hesitate to reach out!