Guinea Pigs, sometimes known as “cavies,” are wonderful pets for those who cannot have a dog or cat, and they make great “first pets” for children. Extremely docile, they are rarely known to bite or scratch, and the guinea pig is a charming little individual who loves to be social. Whistling and chirping whenever you come near, it’s hard not to be drawn in by these cute little faces and adorable personalities. Before you rush out and buy a pet guinea pig, however, there are a few helpful things that you should know and be prepared for:

Guinea Pigs, sometimes known as “cavies,” are wonderful pets for those who cannot have a dog or cat, and they make great “first pets” for children. Extremely docile, they are rarely known to bite or scratch, and the guinea pig is a charming little individual who loves to be social. Whistling and chirping whenever you come near, it’s hard not to be drawn in by these cute little faces and adorable personalities. Before you rush out and buy a pet guinea pig, however, there are a few helpful things that you should know and be prepared for:

While the name might be misleading, the Guinea Pig is not from New Guinea, nor is he a pig at all! In fact, the guinea pig is what is known as a hystricomorphic rodent, which puts him in the same family as the chinchilla and the ever-prickly porcupine. Native to South America, it is actually believed that the cavy originated in the territory along the Andes Mountains and that it may have been the Indians of Peru who first decided to domesticate the guinea pig. To the Peruvians, the guinea pig was an excellent source of food and that he was also a worthy sacrifice to the gods. It wasn’t until the 16^th century that the guinea pig actually started to gain recognition as any kind of pet, when Dutch explorers brought these sweet-tempered rodents back to Europe with them. In no time, the guinea pig became a popular pet, with breeders raising them in abundance. Hundreds of years later, the guinea pig is still considered one of the top small animals in the pet trade.

Guinea pigs come in a variety of different varieties - there are long-haired guinea pigs, such as the Peruvian or the Silky, there are rosetted guinea pigs like the Abyssinian, and smooth-haired guinea pigs, commonly known as English guinea pigs. Some have curly coats, some look like mops and, still other guinea pigs have no hair at all! Available in a wide array of colors and patterns, there is sure to be a guinea pig out there that will appeal to you. Few can resist their charm.

One of the most important aspects of guinea pig husbandry is ensuring that they have a cage that is large enough for them to be able to get an adequate amount of exercise, as well as providing them a home that is comfortable and clean. Ideally, your guinea pig should be housed in a home that is a minimum of 30 inches wide by 36 inches long (bear in mind that this is per cavy so, if you get two or more guinea pigs, you will need a larger enclosure). Also, due to the cavies’ love of “popping” and jumping, you should ensure that your guinea pig cage is at least 7-8 inches high. Cages need to be a minimum of 12 inches tall, however, if you wish to leave it without a lid, due to a risk of him trying to jump out and accidentally harming himself. One should also be very wary of the risks that other pets, such as dogs or cats, may cause if you leave your cage open and without a lid.

Guinea pig cages can come in a wide variety of materials, including wire mesh, wood, plastic, stainless steel, or glass. Don’t be fooled, however - just because you can find cages made out of these materials, doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best choices. Wood, for instance, is not only very hard to keep clean, but it can also be chewed through and guinea pigs do love to gnaw on wood. Wire mesh may seem like a good idea, because it allows the pellets and urine to fall through, but it can also cause painful sores on the bottom of your guinea pig’s foot, as well as running a risk of his breaking a leg by getting it stuck in the wire and then panicking. Glass aquariums are very common guinea pig enclosures, but keep in mind that cavies are prone to heat stroke and glass tanks do not provide much ventilation. Additionally, if their cages are not kept very clean, the feces and urine can make your guinea pig’s cage feel even hotter and more uncomfortable.

Ideally, when choosing a guinea pig cage, you should choose one that has a wire top and a solid tray or pan on the bottom, made of either stainless steel or plastic (for ease in cleaning). This kind of an enclosure will grant your guinea pig good ventilation and a way to keep cool on those hot days, as well as protecting his little feet and legs from risk of injury. Additionally, these types of enclosures are extremely easy to clean out and can easily be sprayed down with a hose, if need be.

There are various types of bedding available for your guinea pig, but the best kinds to use are pellets made from recycled paper, corn cob bedding, or aspen shavings. These three products are non-toxic, absorbent, and low dust, all of which will help to ensure you have a happier, healthier guinea pig. Cedar wood shavings should never be used, as the same oils that make it smell good, make it very toxic for animals. For this reason, you should also avoid using ripped up newspapers for bedding - not only is it messy and hard to clean, but many kinds of newsprint ink can actually be poisonous for pets.

A method of feeding and watering your guinea pig is also important. For dishes, it’s highly suggested that you use either a ceramic or metal food bowl for your guinea pig, due to his love of chewing. Some suggest the galvanized steel hanging self-feeders, but these are not recommended for single guinea pigs - it’s too tempting to just fill up the food dish and forget it. Not only can the food grow stale or moldy but, much like their owners, inactive and overfed guinea pigs soon become pudgy. Overweight guinea pigs are considerably less healthy than those who are active and at an appropriate weight for their size. Choose a dish that will provide your guinea pig with a day’s worth of feed and no more, or you run the risk of wasting a great deal should your cavy decide to run around his cage. It’s also a wise move to keep a second set of dishes, so you can trade one off with the other when they need cleaning.

For watering the guinea pig, try using a large water bottle that either mounts outside the cage or hangs in a metal brace within the cage. Guinea pigs tend to drink a lot of water and not providing them with adequate fresh water can lead to numerous health conditions. Even if your guinea pig does not drink the entire bottle, don’t leave it sit though. Ever had a sip of water that’s been sitting out in a glass all day? It’s warm, bland, and generally distasteful - trying to ask your guinea pig to drink the same is mean, considering you probably wouldn‘t want to drink that same water, not to mention that bacteria that grows in stale water can make him very ill. Additionally, when you pick up your dishes and water bottle from the store, be sure to invest in a bottle brush. Inexpensive and easy to use, these will help you to thoroughly scrub the water bottles to ensure that no algae or mold grows on the inside. They are well worth the couple of dollars you’ll spend for one.

When choosing your guinea pig, be sure to find one that is alert, active, and attentive to what is going on around him. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can hold the guinea pig or if they can place him on an examining counter so that you can look him over. It’s very important to do this because you will want to make sure that the guinea pig that you choose is one that is healthy. Failing to let you examine an animal, prior to purchase, is reason enough to be suspicious and it’s highly advised you do not deal with said people.

A guinea pig’s eyes should be large, bright, and free of any white or yellowed discharge. His toenails should be a gentle quarter-curve, not unlike a dog’s toenails - circular toenails are not only painful to a cavy and sign that he has been neglected, but it can also suggest that the guinea pig is older, so be sure to inquire as to his age. Additionally, you will want to gently feel along his sides and belly, feeling for any unusual lumps or growths, and check the pads of his feet for signs of abscessed sores. In addition to all this, you will also want to gently examine his teeth to ensure they are not overgrown and that his mouth and chin area are not excessively wet (this is a sign of a condition known as “slobbers,” when the teeth do not align properly. Failing to treat it can result in extreme weight loss and other dietary problems).

Also, if you are planning on getting more than one guinea pig, make sure they are both the same sex. It’s surprising just how quickly 2 guinea pigs can turn into 5 or more and, once you get them, it’s often quite difficult to find good homes for so many babies. While some parents believe in letting their children witness the “miracle of birth,” it’s actually far more responsible to teach them not to add to the unwanted pet population and to adopt pets from shelters or the local SPCA, where there are already lots of great guinea pigs that are looking for loving homes.

Proper feeding is essential for the guinea pig. Like humans, these adorable little rodents cannot manufacture their own Vitamin C and, therefore, require a diet where it is provided to them. While some pet stores offer water-soluble Vitamin C drops, it is highly advised that you do not use these - not only do many guinea pigs refuse to drink it, but vitamins lose their potency, both when diluted with water and when exposed to the light. For best results, a guinea pig’s diet should consist of specially-formulated guinea pig pellets (containing Vitamin C), a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (avoiding citrus fruits or vegetables like cucumbers or tomatoes, which can cause stomach upset), and quality timothy hay. While many pet stores sell alfalfa, remember that timothy hay is best for your guinea pig and will keep him in tip-top shape.

To prevent stomach upset and lessen stress, it’s highly recommended that you inquire as to what diet your guinea pig was being fed, prior to purchase. Ideally, you should gradually switch them over should you choose to feed them something different, doing so by slowly adding small amounts of your new feed to what they were previously fed, and effectively weaning them off of the other product. Abruptly switching your guinea pig’s food can not only cause stomach discomfort, but can also result in diarrhea and irritability. Gradual changes are always the best.

For the first few days, you will want to allow your guinea pig to become accustomed to his surroundings. Try not to handle him excessively during this time, and give him a chance to get used to you, so you don’t scare him. By taking the time to show your guinea pig a little consideration and a lot of kindness, you’re sure to form a lasting friendship between you and your new pet.