Pocket Pets - Guinea Pigs
One of the most popular pocket pets is the Guinea Pig. These furry little rodents come in an array of colors and coats lengths and are packed with personality. Guinea pigs rarely bite or scratch but can be messy with their cage habits. They have been known to scatter food, water and bedding all in and out of their enclosures. They commonly “talk” making whistling, chirping, purring, and squealing noises. They are curious creatures who like to explore new settings, but if they get scared they can scatter in different directions.
Guinea pigs are social animals and can live together in the same enclosure, providing it has enough space for each animal. Each guinea pig should have their own portioned area in which to sleep. Male guinea pigs should not be housed with young ones. If you notice any signs of aggressiveness between guinea pigs living in the same cage, separate them at once. Guinea pigs can start breeding around 6 weeks of age, the age that most pets go to their new homes, so make sure you know the sex of your pet before allowing it in a cage with another guinea pig.

Your guinea pig’s cage or enclosure should be at least 18 inches high, 24 inches wide and 3 to 6 feet long with a solid floor. The lower three inches of the walls should be solid-this prevents bedding and food from being scattered outside, yet still allows the guinea pig to see what's happening around him. The cage may or may not have a roof to it; if not, be sure that the walls are high enough to prevent escape, and that no predators (mainly other household pets) can reach into it. The cage should be easy to take apart and clean. Make sure it's well-ventilated (no glass aquariums!), with no sharp edges or corrosion and no small openings that can trap your pet’s feet or limbs. Place your pet’s new home in a quiet area with relatively few disturbances. You'll also need to provide at least two inches of bedding for your new friend. Whatever type of bedding you use, it must be nontoxic, nonabrasive and inedible, as well as dust free and absorbent. Also, make sure no sharp objects are mixed in it. The bedding should be easy to form into nests and tunnels, as well, since guinea pigs like to nap and hide in these. The best types of bedding are those made out of recycled paper such as “Carefresh”. The cage will need to be cleaned and the bedding changed twice a week, thoroughly wash and disinfect his cage with a solution of one ounce of bleach mixed in a liter or quart of water. Be sure the cage is rinsed well and completely dry before adding fresh bedding and putting your pet back inside. Rinse feeders and water bottles every day, too. And keep your friend's home dry, as dampness can cause illness.

Your pet should also have a place to hide or play in like escape tunnels, ladders or plywood boxes to climb on. Guinea pigs thrive on loving attention and play, just as cats and dogs do.
Guinea pigs are strict herbivores. They should be fed a complete, pelleted diet made especially for guinea pigs that contains at least 16% crude protein. The pellets should not be fed more than 90 days after their milling (check the bag or box for the milling date). Also provide small amounts of grass hay, and supplement your pet’s diet with a source of active ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), such as a handful of cabbage or half a handful of kale (washed and fresh) or a quarter of an orange. Because guinea pigs can't produce their own Vitamin C, you should add a Vitamin C supplement to their water as well - a teaspoon of Vitamin C liquid to 12 ounces of water. The water will need to be replaced daily, however, as the Vitamin C will lose its potency rather quickly.

In addition to the above, the following fruits and vegetables-fresh, washed, and with seeds or pits removed-can be fed as treats:

• lettuce (dark greens, not iceberg)
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• carrots
• pea pods
• pears
• apples
• oranges
• peaches
• strawberries
• pineapple
• papaya
• blueberries

Also, dandelions, grass and wild clover can be picked from your yard (but only if you're sure they're free from pesticides and herbicides) and offered to your pet, along with oats or graham crackers (cereals like oats should only be fed in very small amounts as a treat). But no more than 10 percent of your guinea pig's diet should be made up of foods other than the pellets. Food and fresh water should always be available. Mount feeders and water bottles to the cage walls to avoid spills, and only use water bottles with metal sipper tubes, as your guinea pig will just chew up plastic tubes.

Guinea pigs should have veterinary exams done twice a year. At your first visit, have your veterinarian show you how to clip your pet’s nails, which will need to be done every two weeks or so. He or she may also suggest having your pet's teeth trimmed regularly, as well.

The most common health problems seen in guinea pigs are colds that result from drafts, dampness or temperature fluctuations. While we don't think of colds as being too serious, a cold in a guinea pig can quickly develop into pneumonia, so it's important to have him examined by your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of illness. Also, if your pet stops eating even for a day, have your pet seen immediately by the veterinarian, as this can be life-threatening.

To keep your guinea pig as healthy as can be, take time every day to examine him for lumps, cuts, fleas, ticks or lice. If Piggy displays a hunched or huddled posture, he could be injured or sick. Guinea pigs are prone to abscesses under their chins, too, where their lymph nodes are. Other common signs of illness include diarrhea, weight loss or excessive weight gain, inactivity, not going to the bathroom, nasal or eye discharge, hair loss, in coordination, or limping. If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment with you pet’s doctor right away to get your friend back on the road to good health.

When handling your guinea pig, be sure to pick him up carefully to avoid injury or discomfort. Use one hand to support him under the chest, and the other hand to support him under the hindquarters. Never grab him over his back, as doing so can inhibit his breathing. And, of course, such a small pet can be easily injured if dropped, so be careful!
With good care, guinea pigs can live an average of 5 to 7 years. By learning all you can about your new pet; providing him with a clean home, a nutritious diet, and expert veterinary care; and giving him lots of love and affection, you can help you pet enjoy a healthy, happy life.

Portions copied with permission from the American Animal hospital Association.