Category Archives: How to care for your guinea pig

how often should I clean my guinea pigs cage

How Often Should I Clean My Guinea Pigs Cage?

Cleaning out a piggies cage is probably the worst thing about owning guinea pigs but one of the most necessary.

The times I go to clean out my piggies cage and it is the last thing I want to do and I think of a hours and other things that I’d rather do.

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However in terms of looking after them well it is vital that I do this, so this spurs me on to do it.

You may notice that guinea pigs tend to poop and pee a lot.

When I first stopped using shavings in my guinea pigs cage, after realising the health problems they cause them, I was shocked at how sodden the newspaper would get after a few days.

At first I thought this might just be a leak in the hutch roof of something, but I realised that actually they do pee an awful lot.

I knew they pooped a great deal but pee tends to be absorbed by shavings.

This meant that cleaning out the cage became more imperative and by cleaning out the cage I mean cleaning out the hay, newspaper and poop and replacing it with fresh material.

Another factor was that the more piggies I had the more frequently I needed to clean it out. At present we have four guinea pigs and they need cleaning out thoroughly ever two days to keep their cage in a good state.

However when we only had one guinea pig we used to clean them out weekly. But as we have added more, cleaning the cage has had to become more frequent and so we have had to clean it out more often.

So we basically decreased the amount of days between cleaning out the cage and the way that we gauged it is that;

One guinea pig needed cleaning out weekly.
Two Guinea pigs needed cleaning out every four days.
Four guinea pigs need cleaning out every two days.

Any more than four guinea pigs and I would do it once a day as there is just too much poop and pee in the cage for my liking.

By doing this frequently, it keeps the cage nice and fresh for them and when they have fresh hay and newspaper laid down for them, I always find that our piggies really appreciate it which is why I try and do it every other day for them.

The cost has gone up because we now have four guinea pigs, but to be honest meadow hay is really cheap and I really don’t mind buying lots of it for our piggies. They really enjoy sitting on it and eating it.

I will still give it a deep clean once a month with disinfectant which involves taking them out of the cage and cleaning it out thoroughly.

This is the method which works well for us. You may find a method that works for you and your guinea pigs, but this is a tried and tested method which works well and you are welcome to try it.

guinea pig care

Can Guinea Pigs Climb Walls?

Guinea pigs are known for many things, running quickly, squeaking loudly, eating a lot to name but a few things, but can guinea pigs climb walls at all?

The thing with piggies is that one of the things that they can’t do is climb very well especially shear face walls.

If you’ve ever seen a guinea pig try and climb something. They need their hind legs to push them up and get a grip of of the thing they’re trying to climb.

They just aren’t built to do this like animals such as squirrels, rats and others.

So the good news is that if you have a wall around the cage or a wall at home and you let your guinea pigs run around, they won’t be able to clamber up the wall face at all. This includes types of surface with something to grip

If they try, they just can’t get a grip of the surface and so tend to give up. If the surface is at an angle of say 45 degrees then they might manage that but not a wall of 90 degrees.

This is why a lot of guinea pig cages have shallow walls around the without a roof on as they just can’t get out if them.

So if you are wondering if your guinea pig could scale a wall that is bigger than them, then fear not, they are not climbers at all.

Can Guinea Pigs Run Around The House?

One thing that guinea pigs need is space to stretch their legs and explore. They also love to run around and if you have the room in your back yard then set up a hood run for them to run around in.

But what if you don’t have the space in your backyard, or what if you can’t have your guinea pugs run outside because of adverse weather?

Can guinea pigs run around the house?

Yes they can and they will really enjoy it. However there are some things you need to do in order to make sure that it is a successful exercise.

1. Clear away all cables and things you don’t want chewed. Its amazing what guinea pigs will chew on, and they won’t discriminate. So clear away from the floor any thing that you wouldn’t want chewed at all. This includes cabling which they will chew through if they get the chance.

2. Separate a room for them to run in rather than the whole house unless you want them to go missing. Its better to have them running around one room so you can control them better.

3. Close all exits to the room. By doing this you stop the from escaping and spending the rest of the day trying to find them around your home.

4. Be ready to accept that they will pee and poop in that room. If you have guinea pigs out of their cages for any length of time, then they will pee and poop on your floor. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to prevent this so have some anti-bacterial cleaner on hand and a scrubbing brush. Not to mention some rubber gloves. Clean it up after you put the piggies away though.

5. Clear any other pets who might scare them out. If you have any dogs or cats in your home then it would be worth removing them from the room that they guinea pigs are in. They will definitely scare them and it wouldn’t be fair on either the guinea pigs or the other animals for this to happen.

Can Guinea Pigs Walk on Wire Bottom Cages

Can Guinea Pigs Walk on Wire Bottom Cages?

Guinea pig cages come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. Some are wooden, some are plastic, some are even metal.

They are all made of different materials depending on what the owner prefers.

A big favorite of ours is C&C cages where you can piece together pieces together to construct the kind of cage that you want for your guinea pig.

They are loved by many for their versatility and adaptability.

There are also wooden cages that many owners use outside. These are durable cages that can withstand all kinds of weather.

They are treated with chemicals to ensure that they stay durable throughout the seasons.

Metal cages tend to be used inside, otherwise, they go rusty.

There are many different cages that you can buy for your guinea pigs and one of them is the wire bottom cage.

Wire bottom cages are those types of cage that have wire cris-crossed across the floor of the cage instead of wooden or plastic flooring.

They can be mesh-wire or harder and formed metal. But the precept is the same with both concepts.

So is it safe for guinea pigs walk on wire bottom cages?

Can Guinea Pigs Walk on Wire Bottom Cages?

It really isn’t good for them to do so at all.

They will hurt themselves and there is a real danger that they will trap their feet in the wire and get injured.

Guinea pigs feet are also very sensitive and delicate and the wire will irritate their feet as they tread on it.

However, you may be able to remove the mesh grid from the wire-bottom cage or you could take a wire cutter and cut off the wire bottom of the cage leaving the flat surface which is beneath it.

So steer clear of wire bottom cages

can guinea pigs walk on grass

Can Guinea Pigs Walk on Grass?

One thing that guinea pigs do love to eat is grass. They will eat it all day long and it is very good for them providing it hasn’t been contaminated with chemicals.

So can guinea pigs walk on grass?

Yes it’s absolutely fine for them to do so. However do be careful about letting them walk on wet grass. Dampness is not good for them and will make them I’ll eventually so the best thing is to wait until its dry before you let them walk on grass. Guinea pigs enjoy walking on dry grass as it is nice for them to walk on under-foot.

Can Guinea Pigs Walk on Concrete?

You may have a situation where you have a concrete back yard that has enough space for your guinea pigs to run around on. But there maybe some uncertainty as to whether guinea pigs can take a hardness of the concrete at all and whether it is good for their feet.

So can guinea pigs walk on concrete at all?

Yes it’s absolutely fine for them to do so. Just make sure it isn’t too gravelly for them. In fact concrete is very good for them to walk on as it will help wear down their nails which always growing.

They like smooth surfaces so it would be worth brushing it down to make sure any stones are cleared up so that they don’t cut into their feet at all.

can guinea pigs walk on a leash

Can Guinea Pigs Walk On a Leash?

So you want to get you guinea pig out of its cage but you don’t want it to run off. Do you keep holding it, put it on a run or put a leash on it? Leashes can be purchased from pet stores or online especially shaped for guinea pigs

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So can guinea pigs walk on a leash, and is it okay for them to do so?

There are many piggie owners who do put leashes on their guinea pigs and indeed putting your guinea pig on a leash is possible but it is not good for them, and here’s why;

1. They love to have the freedom to explore things themselves. Guinea pigs love to be independent and love to explore things themselves, and not be let places against their will.

2. They also don’t like to feel trapped. Guinea pigs are not keen on being confined, they like to be free as mentioned previously.

3. They have very delicate legs and spines. Because of this if you were to jerk on them it may do them damage if they were not in a position to take it.

4. They prefer to be held. Guinea pigs love the attention and touch a human can give to them and it is much better to hold them rather than walk them around like a dog.l

can guinea pigs walk on tiles

Can Guinea Pigs Walk on Tiles?

If you let your guinea pigs run around the house, then they may need to run on your kitchen tiles. It may seem like tiles are little bit hard underfoot for guinea pigs. It is understandable that carpet would be the better surface for them to walk on but tiles are another thing.

image wikipedia

So can guinea pigs walk on tiles and is it okay for them to do so?

Yes it is absolutely fine for them to do so, in fact it is good for them to do so and there are a few reasons for this.

When they walk on their nails it grinds them down which they need. This is because their nails are constantly growing and so need to be worn down or cut on a regular basis. Putting them down on tiles is a good way to help do this.

It wont’ hurt them. Guinea pigs are quite resilient and as long as the surface is quite smooth, it will be fine for them to walk on.

It enables you to clear up any poop and pee easily than off carpet. If they are in any particular place for a length of time, they are guaranteed to pee and poop. If they do this on carpet there is a lot more work involved in cleaning it up, where as if they do it on tiles it is obviously much easier to clear up.

can guinea pigs overeat

Can Guinea Pigs Overeat?

If there’s one thing that guinea pigs are really good at, its eating.

They will have a nibble at anything and if like the taste of it, they will eat it.

One of the main reasons for this is that their teeth are constantly growing and they need to keep chewing in order to grind down their teeth.

So this means that they always looking for things to chew on. So is there a danger that they could over-eat at all?

Can guinea pigs overeat?

The answer is yes they can.

However, fortunately, most guinea pigs are pretty good at self-regulating themselves.

They don’t eat all the time and do get full like we do.

So it’s important that they always have access to hay to chew on to grind down their teeth as well as vitamin c pellets and fresh water.

But just as importantly its good for them to have space where they can run around so as give them the exercise they need otherwise there is a danger they will get quite large.

What about overindulging piggies?

However, there may be some piggies who will overindulge and eat everything that they see. It’s quite interesting to watch then and why they eat.

Some will eat all their food and some will leave some of it depending on whether they like the food or whether they are full.

I have seen overweight guinea pigs and this can cause problems for them.

Just like us they are prone to be lethargic and to other diseases and ailments like Bumblefoot for example.

So watching and regulating what they eat is a good practice for the long-term well being of your guinea pigs.

How to regulate what your guinea pigs eat

A good practice to help this is to regulate what you give to your guinea pigs on a daily basis.

As mentioned before most guinea pigs will eat everything you give them especially if they enjoy it.

But if you limit what you give them to daily rations then you can stop this from potentially happening.

For example, you may choose to give a guinea pig 2 handfuls of guinea pig mix, 3 matchbox sized rations of veg and a little fruit.

Don’t forget that hay shouldn’t be rationed. Give them a limitless supply of to chew on and a limitless supply of water as well.

You may choose to change this as you see fit, you know your guinea pigs and what they are like.

But this guide should help you make a start with this and ensure that your guinea pigs don’t overeat or go hungry either way.

The Pros and Cons of Pet Insurance for Guinea Pigs

Pet insurance for guinea pigs is something that certainly many piggie owners give thought to.

With the unknown cost of vets fees, it can be unsettling to have your beloved pets suddenly go down with illness and not being able to pay for it.

So this is where pet insurance for guinea pigs comes in.

So what are the pros and cons of such insurance?

We wont attempt to make any kind of decision or give an opinion of whether we think it is worth it. Its up to you to decide that, but hopefully the points below will give you some food for thought.

Pros

You pay for peace of mind. The thing with insurance is that you are paying for the peace of mind that you are covered if you have any medical emergencies with your guinea pigs.

You don’t have to pay for expensive vet bills. It can be quite nervy taking your piggies to the vets and not knowing how much it is going to cost you for the treatment and consultation that they will get. This is where pet insurance is great because by paying your premiums up front you can ensure that there aren’t any scary bills when the time comes to take them to the vets.

They cover the cost of expensive medical procedures. Medical treatment has come a long way and most illnesses are treatable, however they are not cheap. Pet insurance means that your piggies can get the treatment they need without you being hit financially for it.

You can control the outlay. Pet insurance has an annual premium which can either be paid upfront or split into monthly payments. This means that you can include it in your monthly budget. This is very attractive for a lot of people who don’t like big financial surprises.

You can shop around for the best cover. Depending on which country you live in, there are usually different companies who offer guinea pig insurance. In the UK we are limited to a few insurers but in other countries there are more options. This means that you can shop around and choose the best policy for you.

You can get multiple plans that cover many guinea pigs. Depending on what type of policy you go with, you can have a policy that pays out if you have more than one guinea pig that requires vet attention in any one 12 month period.

There are different types of policy that you can get depending on their suitability.

For example, 12 month cover gives you a maximum amount of claims per condition. However there is also a limit of how often the fees can be paid for each condition. Once it reaches its limit the condition is excluded from future claims.

Accident only cover treats injuries caused by accidents only.

Lifetime cover means that any vet fees up to a particular amount are covered for the lifetime of the pet. It gives you the same amount of cover, and it doesn’t matter how many claims that you make.

Maximum benefit cover gives you a maximum amount of fees that are covered depending on the condition. However, once you reach the financial limit, the condition becomes a pre-existing condition.

Cons

The cost can be expensive. If you don’t have the budget for it, pet insurance can be out of the price range of owners. If you are on a tight budget then it can cause quite a lot of worry as to what budgetary payments are sacrificed in order to pay for such an outlay.

You pay for an excess up front. With most policies, in order to pay out on the claim, the insurer will require you to pay an excess up front as is the case with other types of insurance policies. So for example, you may need to pay the first £50 of you vet’s bill in order for the claim to be paid out.

Most policies wont cover pre-existing conditions. Watch out for whether the policy covers conditions that your guinea pig already suffers from. Most don’t and so you will have to pay the bill if your guinea pig needs treatment related to that condition. If its a new condition which has occurred after you have taken out the policy, you will be fine.

There could be other hidden costs that you have to pay out for. Often with these policies, there may be fees that you have to pay. For instance, it may not cover the cost of your vet writing out the insurance claim form for example. Most vet’s charge for this.

The cheapest isn’t always the best. If you are shopping around, be aware that as with a lot of insurance policies, the cheapest policy doesn’t guarantee the same quality of policy as a more expensive one. If its cheap there is often a reason. So always ready the small print.

Once you pay out your premiums you don’t get that money back. As with most insurance policies, once you pay out the premium, you don’t see that money again.

 

We hope that this has been helpful. There are some great policies out there that you can check out, however if you feel that they aren’t for you, then there is always the choice of taking a risk with the vet’s bill and paying it as it comes up.