Cavies aka Guinea Pigs
Breeds: There are 9 different breeds of guinea pigs: American, Abyssinian, Peruvian, Silkie, Crested, Teddy, Texel, Coronet, and the Misc variety (unspecified).
Diet: Cavies eat a primary diet of hay. Hay is important for piggies to keep their teeth filed down. It makes up about 80% of their diet, as they eat their size in hay per day! 10% of their diet should be a high-fiber pellet. And the other 10% should be providing fresh veggies daily as well as Vitamin C supplement.
Vitamin C: Guinea pigs are unable to produce Vitamin C on their own and absolutely need it supplemented in their diet through other means (pellets are not enough). It is always better to provide more Vitamin C than not enough, as any excess vitamin C will be excreted through their urine.
Daily Diet for One Pig:
Diet: Cavies eat a primary diet of hay. Hay is important for piggies to keep their teeth filed down. It makes up about 80% of their diet, as they eat their size in hay per day! 10% of their diet should be a high-fiber pellet. And the other 10% should be providing fresh veggies daily as well as Vitamin C supplement.
Vitamin C: Guinea pigs are unable to produce Vitamin C on their own and absolutely need it supplemented in their diet through other means (pellets are not enough). It is always better to provide more Vitamin C than not enough, as any excess vitamin C will be excreted through their urine.
Daily Diet for One Pig:
- 0.5 ml of Vitamin C or 1/2 Oxbow tablet
- Unlimited Orchard grass hay
- ⅛ cup of Oxbow pellets
- 1 cup of fresh mixed veggies (a variety of 3-5 veggies)
- Unlimited fresh water bowl (Bowls encourage more hydration and are a more natural way for any animal to drink)
Housing: Cavies are herd animals and should be given the opportunity to bond with another cavy or group. They should never live alone, whether that means they have a neighbor or a cagemate. Always make sure to keep cavies together in same-sex groups or if necessary, neuter the boar for mixed herds.
Cage Accessories
- Minimum of 7.5 square feet of unbreakable floor space for up to two females
- Minimum of 10.5 square feet for up to two males. Males require more space due to possible territorialism and fighting.
- For every cavy added, add 3.5 square feet.
- High traffic area of the home such as kitchen or living room (no bedrooms)
- Maintain room temperature between 65-75 degrees F
- Bright room with indirect sunlight, no drafts
Cage Accessories
- 2+ hidey houses, a fleece bed, and tons of chew toys!
- Unsafe toys: Snak shaks, hay balls/certain hay feeders, running balls
- Toys/Enrichment: Hay based treats, chews, toys. Apple sticks, mini hay bales, Oxbow treats and vitamins
- Provide out of cage time daily in a safe area (such as a playpen) for a minimum of 1 hour a day.
Safe Veggies (*means to limit these foods to 1-2 times a week at most)
- Romaine lettuce, Green leaf or red leaf lettuce, Arugula, Spinach*, Kale, Parsley, Cilantro, Butter Lettuce, Dill, Zucchini, Radicchio, Peas, Bell peppers, Broccoli*, Green or red cabbage*, Carrots*, Celery, Dandelion greens, Cucumber, Green beans, Summer or winter squash, Basil, Beets, Brussel sprouts*, Cauliflower leaves, Collard greens, Bok Choy, Mint/Peppermint, Radish, Tomatoes, Thyme, Watercress, Mustard greens
- Cherries, Oranges, Apples, Pears, Strawberries, Grapes, Blueberries, Kiwi, Papaya, Peaches, Cranberries, Plum, Pumpkin, Raspberries, Bananas, Apricots, Mango, Cantaloupe, Passionfruit, Nectarine, Peach, Pineapple
- Chocolate, Candy, Caffeine, Onions, Garlic, Mushrooms, Iceberg Lettuce, Avocados, Nuts, Potatoes, Seeds, Corn, Peanut Butter, Dairy, Bread, Meat
- Monthly nail trim checks and brushing as necessary
- Bi-monthly ear clean check, Haircuts as necessary
- Boars may require their boar-bits (private parts) to be cleaned
- Do not bathe unless recommended by vet
- Weigh your pigs every week and track any changes in weight
- Spot clean as daily as possible
- Full cage clean weekly (replace all bedding, wash bowls, wipe down/wash hides, replenish chew toys)
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Resources/References:
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