So, you want to get a guinea pig (also called cavy)? Good choice! They are
wonderful pets. But before you go to the next pet store to get one you
should think about several things. Let's start:
Should you decide to get a guinea pig, don't get just one, get two. Cavies are social animals and they suffer when they are kept alone (there might be exceptions). No matter how hard you try, you can't really replace another guinea pig. Two guinea pigs are really not more work than just one. Best thing would be to get two together. When you decided to take two make sure you get two males or two females. Don't breed! There are so many guinea pigs killed in shelters, don't add to that statistic. If available you can also get a pair with a neutered male.
Before you get the animal, you should have a cage, water bottle, food bowls, vitamins, hay, bedding (NO CEDAR! it can harm the respiratory tract) and so on. With the food you should wait until your new friend(s) moves in. Ideally you buy the food the pig is accustomed to. You can always switch slowly later on. This will help to avoid problems with the intestine tract of your new friend(s). Guinea pigs are very sensitive in terms of food change.
- Do you have allergies against guinea pigs?
- Do you have hay fever? One of the main food ingredients is hay.
- Do you have enough time to take care of the little hair balls and do you actually want to spend so much time? Guinea pigs are not stuffed animals, they are alive and need attention. They can't be thrown away when you are tired of them.
- Can and do you want to spent money for a veterinarian? Out of own experience I can tell you this can be very expensive.
- Do you have the will and the ability to take care of a sick pet? This may take a big part of your time, not to speak about the mental pain you may go through when your pet suffers. Also here, I speak out of experience.
- Are there other animals in your household that can be dangerous for the little piggy?
- Do you have enough space for a cage? The cage can never be big enough! 15x30 inches should be the minimum size of a cage for 1 pig. You shouldn't get one of those tiny starter cages since they will be too small in a short time. Go to CavyCages for ideas.
- Is there a possibility to let the animals run free? They do need that! They need exercise like we do.
- What about vacation time? Do you have someone taking care of your pet(s)?
- Parents should consider that they will be the care takers of the animals. They should be aware that cavies can get 8 years old. Are you ready for that?
- Guinea Pig Rescue (preferred way)
- Animal Shelter
- From a private person who cannot take care of the pet(s) anymore
- Breeder (I don't know any, so don't ask)
- Pet Store (should be the last thing you try - although there are probably some pet stores that treat animals right)
Should you decide to get a guinea pig, don't get just one, get two. Cavies are social animals and they suffer when they are kept alone (there might be exceptions). No matter how hard you try, you can't really replace another guinea pig. Two guinea pigs are really not more work than just one. Best thing would be to get two together. When you decided to take two make sure you get two males or two females. Don't breed! There are so many guinea pigs killed in shelters, don't add to that statistic. If available you can also get a pair with a neutered male.
Before you get the animal, you should have a cage, water bottle, food bowls, vitamins, hay, bedding (NO CEDAR! it can harm the respiratory tract) and so on. With the food you should wait until your new friend(s) moves in. Ideally you buy the food the pig is accustomed to. You can always switch slowly later on. This will help to avoid problems with the intestine tract of your new friend(s). Guinea pigs are very sensitive in terms of food change.
