Home 9 Small Animal 9 Guinea Pigs

All About Guinea Pigs:

The Ultimate Care Guide

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are friendly and affectionate rodents that make wonderful pets. With their charming personalities and gentle nature, they are ideal for families and first-time pet owners. If you’re considering bringing a guinea pig into your home, here’s everything you need to know!

Are Guinea Pigs Right for You?

Guinea pigs are wonderful pets for those who can provide proper care, companionship, and attention. They require daily feeding, fresh bedding, and social interaction to thrive. If you’re looking for a friendly and affectionate pet, a guinea pig may be the perfect choice!

 

Housing your Guinea Pig

Housing should just be viewed as your guinea pigs’ ‘bedroom’ and be permanently attached to a much larger run. These little rodents are active for up to 20 hours a day and sleep only for short periods, so they need plenty of space to exercise. If a ramp connects the hutch to a run, check it is wide enough and not too steep or your piggies may be too scared to use it

Diet & Nutrition

A guinea pig’s diet consists mainly of high-quality hay, which helps with digestion and dental health. They also require fresh vegetables, guinea pig pellets, and a daily source of vitamin C, as their bodies cannot produce it naturally. Fresh water should always be available in a sturdy bottle or bowl.

 

Socialisation & Enrichment

Due to their highly social nature, guinea pigs can only be truly happy as one of a pair or as part of a small suitable group of guineas – litter mates make the best companions. If you’re planning to keep a male and female together, it’s recommended that the male is neutered to avoid the unwanted patter
of tiny guinea pig feet.

Health & Care

Regular health checks are important to ensure your guinea pig stays in top condition. Watch for signs of overgrown teeth, respiratory issues, or changes in behavior. Their nails should be trimmed regularly, and their enclosure should be cleaned frequently to maintain hygiene. Unlike some small pets, guinea pigs do not require dust baths and should only be bathed when absolutely necessary.

 

Food & Treats

We have a wide range of nutritious food & treats for all of your small animals

Toys & Enrichment

Find the perfect toys & enrichment to keep you furry little friends entertained all day long.

Hutches & Cages

We have suitable Hutches & Cages for indoors or outdoors.

Straw & Hay

We have an ever growing selection of straw, hay & bedding, to keep your fluffy friends safe, warm and healthy.

Grooming

We have a large selection of small animal grooming and accessories.

Some of our trusted brands for our Small Animals

Just a few of the trusted brands we stock in our stores.

Smiths Pets Logo
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.