Guinea Pigs 101

Nov 19th 2009

Guinea pigs are one of the largest and longest lived (5-7 years) rodents commonly kept as pets. They're docile, gentle and social, and while they love their humans, they do best in small groups.

Guinea Pig Habitat
Because they're larger than hamsters and gerbils, guinea pigs require a bit more room, according to the ASPCA, which recommends a minimum of four square feet per guinea pig. Make sure the cage does not have wire floors as this irritates their delicate feet. The cage should provide plenty of areas to burrow, hide and nest.

Guinea Pig Grooming
Guinea pigs are very clean animals who groom themselves frequently, but brushing them will help make sure their fur stays clean and glossy, although bathing is very stressful for them, according to About.com. Long-haired guinea pigs should be brushed daily. A guinea pig's cage should be checked every day for waste and soiled bedding. The cage should receive a thorough cleaning every week. Litter training your guinea pigs can make this task a lot easier.

Handling a Guinea Pig
The most important thing to teach a guinea pig is how to be handled, which means you must work slowly to get them accustomed to humans, reports PetPlace.com. They're not as easy to train as other rodents, so you probably won't be able to teach yours many fancy tricks. Teaching a guinea pig simple tricks, however, such as responding to its name, can be achieved. Use treats and positive reinforcement to train, never punishment.