Here is a step-by-step guide to take care of your guinea pig puppy.
Steps
Step 1. Get suitable accommodation
Cubs are very small, but then they grow up. So, you need a cage of at least 3 square meters for two guinea pigs (and you should have both of them of the same sex or spayed / neutered as they are social animals). Puppies are better off if you put them in the company of a mild-mannered adult guinea pig.
Step 2. Prevent the puppy from escaping the cage by partially shielding the sides with adhesive tape so that he cannot step over them and, if necessary, put a lid on
Step 3. Contact a veterinarian experienced in exotic animals before adopting
Contact the Veterinary Order https://www.fnovi.it/ which can indicate some names.
Step 4. You will need alfalfa pellets suitable for the development of guinea pigs under six months of age
You can find several brands at your local pet shop.
Step 5. Guinea pigs need a lot of fresh vegetables in their diet, preferably organic
Green leaf lettuce, curly endive, escarole, red leaf lettuce, cilantro, and parsley are all great choices for puppy growth, and all but parsley are also suitable for adults.
Step 6. You can freely give your little pigs some apple tree twigs and hay to help keep their teeth at the right length
Step 7. Get plenty of water
Like other animals, guinea pigs also need to have plenty of water available at all times. It is better to put a bottle of water instead of a bowl, so it stays cleaner.
Step 8. You should always have hay available as well
Wild guinea pigs are always grazing and are able to obtain it freely, but you have to take care of your puppy.
Step 9. Make sure your guinea pig has a suitable space to run around or a fully fenced area where he can get plenty of exercise
This is important to keep it in good condition. Also these puppies love to run.
Step 10. Get in touch with your piglet puppy regularly
That way he will get used to you quickly.
Step 11. Check your health every day
Weigh it every week with a digital kitchen scale. Guinea pigs are very good at hiding symptoms; this is their natural instinct to avoid seeming easy targets to predators. The sooner you can spot any problem with your guinea pig, the better chance you have of healing it.
Step 12. Clean the cage at least once a week
It is important that your guinea pig does not live in a dirty environment.
Advice
- The guinea pig is naturally very shy and wary of humans. Be patient. Don't think you can cuddle and caress him right away. You must first build a bond of trust.
- Before taking it to a lawn, make sure it hasn't been sprayed with pesticides, as they are poisonous.
- Don't let your guinea pig eat too long when it's out; his stomach can suffer from it as there are also poisonous herbs in the grass.
- If you take it outdoors you have to check it.
Warnings
- Do not keep a guinea pig in the house with a rabbit, as the rabbit assumes a dominant behavior and can kill both the puppy and the adult guinea pig simply by playing or interacting with them normally.
- If you buy a guinea pig puppy make sure you don't get it under 6 weeks of age as it would not be independent enough to get away from its mother beforehand.
- Guinea pigs know how to hide the signs of the disease, so if you think they may be sick, contact a veterinarian immediately.
