Guinea Pig Care
For The Love of Animals is an independently owned and family operated pet supply store.
Bringing a guinea pig into your home should only be done after research on proper care and knowing you can afford medical care throughout its lifetime which could be anywhere from 4 to 8 years (sometimes even longer).
When considering getting a guinea pig as a family pet, it is best to adopt from a rescue or shelter rather then buying from a pet store. They also are herd animals, so it is best to adopt at least 2 same sex pigs. They really are much happier and active when they have another pig with them. Owning a pig is not only a long term commitment, but they are very high maintenance animals. They do require regular cage cleaning, floor time, human contact, high costs of the vegetables, pellets and hay they need daily and of course there are the veterinarian bills on top of that.
Below you'll find several links to pages I've written and taken from my book on how to properly care for guinea pigs. The pages certainly shouldn't replace the care and advice from an exotic veterinarian and are meant as guidelines only. If you need further advise, please feel free to contact me through email, by phone or stop by the store.
All about housing
Quarantine
How to handle and pick up your guinea pig
Communications and body language
Grooming
Training your guinea pig
Daily food requirements
Guinea pig illnesses
Hand feeding an ill guinea pig
Sample weight chart