Please state housing requirements as well.
2007-12-17 05:47:11 · 8 answers · asked by billingspets 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Make sure they're getting enough timothy hay and fresh leafy green veggies. Oranges or vitamin C drops in their water every day (the drops specially made for them). They don't produce enough vitamin C on their own, which is why they need the extra or they'll get scurvy.
Don't use any pine shavings for their cage, they are extra sensitive to the dust. Use something called "Care Fresh". You'll find it at most pet stores (it's like a paper based bedding).
They need room to run around in their cage, and you should really get 2 guineas because they get extremely shy and lonely on their own. I've seen this happen many times (I used to work at a pet store while going to college).
Their cage should also be put in a place where it'll be relatively quiet, but still near people, so they feel included.
There are so many sites on the Internet that really explain how to care for them and what you need. You should really research it.
Good luck.
2007-12-17 05:58:43 · answer #1 · answered by Kipling 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just have a wire cage for mine, with a metal thing underneath to catch the poop. I use pine shavings or cat litter to keep it smelling better. Change them often because they can smell awful. Make sure the water bottle is secured to the cage or they will knock it down and can possibly injure themselves. Make sure the food dish is fairly heavy so they can't tip it over. They need stuff to chew on to keep their teeth healthy. Salt licks work well, or you can buy other things at the pet store. Don't keep anything to close to the cage or they will chew on it too. If you notice them chewing on the wire part of the cage, give them a cardboard box or something. Chewing on the cage means their teeth are getting too big, and that could kill them. I don't know why, but cardboard seems to help. They like to eat apples, carrots, lettuce, and dandelion leaves. Don't give them too much of these things though because they can get sick from it. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me as I have had guinea pigs all my life and currently have 2.
2007-12-17 13:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by Mikey's Mommy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy food specifically for guinea pigs, they have special Vitamin C requirements. Also feed them some timothy hay or alfalfa.
They do not have hair on their feet to cover their pads, and being heavy for their size, are suseptible to somthing called"bumblefoot". It's a staph infection due to tiny scratches on their pads from rough bedding materials like wire cages and pine shavings. Provide a soft area for them such as a towel. Once they get bumblefoot it's very hard to cure and can lead to death.
2007-12-17 14:03:02 · answer #3 · answered by BillyTheKid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you are asking other parents here - I will just say
Do Not Get One!
My kids thought they were so cute at first, but now they are ignored. Their cage takes up so much room. They just pee and poop on you when you try to hold them. They get bigger than I thought. Cage needs to be cleaned often. They live too darn long!
2007-12-17 14:27:14 · answer #4 · answered by lazylazymo 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Well, for starters, ask questions about guinea pigs in the pets section...
2007-12-17 13:56:39 · answer #5 · answered by daa 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
how about you ask in pets instead of parenting. learn to post in the right section for the right answers
sorry i do not know as i only raise human children
2007-12-17 13:55:46 · answer #6 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
give it alot of love and care.
take time with him, dont just dump him and leave him alone.
2007-12-17 14:23:01 · answer #7 · answered by נessιcα. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never put them in the microwave.
Rule #1
2007-12-17 14:05:15 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋