Guinea pigs make great pets for virtually anyone, from young children to adults. They are fun, loving, and relatively simple to look after, meaning they will fit in with almost any lifestyle.
But while it may be tempting to dash out and get your new pets, as well as a cage and all the associated accessories, it’s important to take the time to learn about cavies’ needs. By doing so you can ensure that you get items which will match their needs perfectly.
Dalmatian
Cage Size and Type
Most people, especially first time owners, will tend to buy a traditional cage for their guinea pigs – these are the ones with the plastic base and wire walls which can be found in most pet shops.
However, these are nearly always too small. Guinea pigs require lots of space to sprint around in – you should try to provide at least one square metre (11 square feet) for a typical cage housing two or three animals.
To provide this extra room, you will either need to shop around for a much bigger cage, or construct one at home. This is much easier than it sounds – you can build a ‘Cubes and Coroplast’ cage with ease, and it will provide your animals with a much bigger place to live.
Bedding
Cavies have very delicate feet which can easily get injured from walking or running on hard surfaces for long periods of time. To prevent this happening, it’s important to provide your pets with a layer of good-quality bedding.
Begin by covering the floor of the cage with paper, and on top of this use wood shavings or a similar bedding material. This will give your pets a comfortable surface, which will protect their feet.
Accessories
While it can be tempting to fill your pets’ cage with toys and accessories, they really don’t need them. In actual fact, the only thing they really do is take up space, making it harder for your pigs to run around.
The only accessories your pets really need are a decent water bottle and food bowl. Cavies are messy creatures so you’ll need to clean and replenish them regularly.
Choosing the Best Guinea Pig Cage, Accessories, and Bedding
Thanks To : Puppy Accessories