Bringing home a baby guinea pig can be fun. However, it comes with responsibilities. You need to provide your little one enough room to play, snuggle, and hide when needed.
It’s also important to let your piggy make friends with other guinea pigs. This post will explain how to take care of a baby guinea pig from day one and wrap up with the top tips for new parents.
How Do You Create a Home for Your Baby Guinea Pig?
Facilitating your baby guinea pig’s environment is vital. They need a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment to thrive in. Here are some tips for creating the perfect space for your new friend:
Provide ample space to play and rest
Make sure the enclosure is at least 12 inches high so your cavy can stand on its hind legs. Provide approximately 0.7–1 m² of floor space..Include a dry area and a quiet space (if possible) for the guinea pigs to have a place to retreat when they feel startled.
Include hiding spots
Guinea pigs will take shelter in hiding places when they are stressed or startled. You could use PVC pipes or cardboard boxes.
Use a soft bedding material
Select bedding that’s absorbent, free of dust, and safe for your baby guinea pig to chew on. An example of this would be Soft Paper Bedding material. It could make the enclosure feel fresh and clean.
Avoid bedding made from pine shavings, cotton wool, or fluffy bedding. These types of bedding are unhealthy options, as they may cause digestive or respiratory issues.
How to Treat Your Baby Guinea Pig to Healthy Meals
Providing your baby guinea pig with warm shelter is only part of the equation. Inadequate nutrition will ultimately lead to health problems, so you need to make sure to give them the proper foods.
Here’s how to create a balanced diet for your little friends:
Hay
Guinea pigs need constant access to hay to maintain healthy guts. Besides, chewing hay is also crucial in keeping teeth at the right length and shape. Guinea pigs with no hay can develop severe dental disease and digestive disease.
Pellets
High-quality, Timothy hay-based pellets are a good source of Vitamin C. It can strengthen your guinea pig’s immune system.
Feed them with Pelleted Food for Guinea Pigs according to the manufacturer’s instructions per day. Always make sure the food is fresh and eaten before the expiration date so that they don’t encounter digestive issues.
Baby guinea pigs may need more pellets than an adult guinea pig. You can seek a vet for guidance on the exact quantity.
Fresh water
Since guinea pigs eat a lot of dry food like pellets and hay, water helps with digestion and keeps them hydrated. It’ll also regulate their body temperature, especially during summer.
Leafy veggies and fruits
Vegetables and fruits are another source of vitamin C for young guinea pigs. Choose healthy options such as parsley, cucumber, celery, and romaine lettuce for daily intake.
Small amounts of carrot, broccoli, and spinach should be given as occasional treats. That’s because these veggies contain high levels of calcium. Guinea pigs develop urinary tract stones if they aren’t fed in moderation.
Foods to avoid
Some foods are harmful and should never be fed to your piggies:
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- Garlic
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- Citrus fruits
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- Iceberg lettuce
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- Avocado
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- Potato
Socialization 101: Safe Bonding Practices for Your Baby Guinea Pig
You can’t be with your cavy all day – they need a piggie buddy to romp with. When introducing a new friend, you have to be patient to ensure the best possible start.
Keep reading to learn how to help your guinea pig bond with new pals:
Getting the right friend
Always pair your guinea pig with another guinea pig. Never mix species (rabbits don’t make good pals). Same-sex (two girls or two neutered boys) pairs are the easiest to manage when pairing. Keep in mind that it still boils down to their personalities.
Observing each other
Once you’ve selected your baby guinea pigs’ new friends, they need to meet slowly. Allow your guinea pigs to see and smell each other from a distance without touching.
You can swap bedding or toys between their cages to help them adjust to each other’s scent before meeting face-to-face. This is called scent swapping scientifically.
Moving the enclosures closer
Once your two piggies show interest (without hysteria) in each other, you can move their enclosures closer together in your space so that they can see and smell each other through the bars.
Watch for signs they are comfortable with this phase:
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- Sniffing each other
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- Squeaking
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- Jumping up and down suddenly (popcorning)
Arranging a meeting in person
Once your little ones look like they’re calm enough to be together, arrange a meeting where neither guinea pig has established territory. Provide toys to keep them preoccupied, so they don’t have the opportunity to mark territory or fight each other.
In the event of biting or aggression, separate them gently using a clean object (a dustpan is a safe option).
Housing them together
Before letting your guinea pig permanently live with their pals, keep them in the “talking stage” for a few weeks.
Tips For New Baby Guinea Pig Parents
It’s easy to care for a baby guinea pig when you know the basics. Here are some ways to start:
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- Book an appointment with an exotic vet for an annual check-up so you can avoid emergencies
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- Find a safe area for exercise and supervised playtime
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- Learn the language of piggies.
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- Trim their nails at home or have your vet do it
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- Spend time playing with your furry friends and cuddling to strengthen your bond with them
Looking to know more about Baby Piggies?
If you’re looking for an easy, hands-on reference, watch this short video from Saskia.
She explains and shows you how to care for baby guinea pigs properly. You’ll also see these little ones interacting with their buddies in motion.
In addition, Saskia throws in some fun facts. One is that piggies start walking right from birth, making them naturally independent. They’re also social creatures.
First-time baby piggie parents can take this video as a guide.
Caring for baby guinea pigs as a beginner doesn’t have to be overwhelming
There’s no right way to care for a baby guinea pig. Each one has its own preferences and personality. Start with a comfortable and safe space to live.
Make sure your baby guinea pig has a clean supply of drinking water, foods rich in vitamin C to keep their immune system healthy, and safe bedding for health reasons.
Remember, guinea pigs get bored easily. That’s why it’s best to pair them with friends of the same species.
Disclaimer:
We are not veterinarians, and none of our information should be construed as veterinary advice.
Before adding any new product, please consult your exotic veterinarian. If your pet is acting unwell and you have concerns for their well being, please contact your vet immediately.
