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:
  • 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.
  • 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.
Cage Location
  • 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
Bedding/Litter Box Options: Some safe bedding options can be anti-pill fleece, unscented paper bedding, aspen shavings, Kiln-dried pine shavings, dried pine pellets or paper pellets. We do not recommend using pellets throughout their cage and only use in designated litter box areas as they can be rough on the feet. Avoid any cedar bedding as it is unsafe. Litter boxes are a great way to contain poop/pee and hay, although box training piggies is nearly impossible! They go when they want to go and cannot be "trained" like a cat.
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
Safe Fruits (limit to once a week at most)
  • Cherries, Oranges, Apples, Pears, Strawberries, Grapes, Blueberries, Kiwi, Papaya, Peaches, Cranberries, Plum, Pumpkin, Raspberries, Bananas, Apricots, Mango, Cantaloupe, Passionfruit, Nectarine, Peach, Pineapple
Unsafe Foods (If you’re not sure if it is safe, don’t feed it)
  • Chocolate, Candy, Caffeine, Onions, Garlic, Mushrooms, Iceberg Lettuce, Avocados, Nuts, Potatoes, Seeds, Corn, Peanut Butter, Dairy, Bread, Meat
Grooming/Physical Health
  • 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
Cage Maintenance
  • Spot clean as daily as possible
  • Full cage clean weekly (replace all bedding, wash bowls, wipe down/wash hides, replenish chew toys)
Google image search. All credits belong to their rightful owner. These photos are examples. Please note that everything in these photos may not be items Lala’s approves or recommends.
​Resources/References:
Cavy Care Guide
File Size: 417 kb
File Type: docx
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Disclaimer: Any information posted on Lala's Playhouse and Rescue's website is for general information purposes only and should not be used as medical advice, medical opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information given is not to be substituted for medical attention. Always seek licensed veterinary care for your pet's health and treatment. All information on this website is given "as-is." Lala's Playhouse and Rescue is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever with respect to the use of this website. You agree that you are using this website solely at your own risk.