🐹 Guinea Pig Care Cheat Sheet

🏠 Cage Setup

  • Size: 120×60 cm (4×2 ft) minimum for 2 pigs
  • Bedding: Paper-based (Carefresh) or fleece liners
  • ❌ No cedar/pine shavings
  • Hideouts: 2+ separate hideouts
  • Location: Quiet, no drafts, no direct sun

💊 Health Care

  • Vitamin C: Daily (through veggies or tablet)
  • Nail trim: Every 2–4 weeks
  • Bathing: Only if needed
  • Vet: Annual checkup (exotics vet)

🥬 Diet & Nutrition

Always Provide:

  • Unlimited hay (Timothy, orchard, meadow)
  • Fresh water daily

Daily Feeding:

  • Pellets: 1 tbsp per pig (Timothy-based)
  • Veggies: 1 cup per pig

Safe Vegetables:

  • Bell peppers (high Vitamin C)
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Coriander (cilantro)
  • Cucumber, carrot (limited)

Treats (1-2x/week):

  • Apple (no seeds), strawberry, blueberry
⚠️ AVOID: Onion, garlic, iceberg lettuce, avocado, dairy, chocolate

🎾 Enrichment

  • Chew toys (untreated wood, apple sticks)
  • Cardboard boxes, tunnels
  • Foraging: Scatter food in hay
❌ No exercise balls or wheels

🤲 Handling

  • Support full body gently
  • Let them settle first
  • Talk softly for bonding

📅 Daily Care Schedule

Task Frequency Time Suggestion
Refill hayDailyMorning
Change waterDailyMorning
Feed pellets (1 tbsp each)DailyMidday
Give fresh veggies (1 cup each)DailyMorning & Evening
Health checkDailyEvening
Spot clean cageDailyEvening
Playtime & bondingDailyEvening

🛒 Shopping Checklist

  • ✓Cage (120×60 cm or larger)
  • ✓Fleece liner or paper bedding
  • ✓2+ hideouts
  • ✓Water bottle or heavy bowl
  • ✓Food bowls
  • ✓Timothy hay (unlimited supply)
  • ✓Plain Timothy-based pellets
  • ✓Fresh vegetables
  • ✓Chew toys & tunnels
  • ✓Nail clippers

📊 Weight & Care Schedule

Average Weight:

  • Males: 900–1200 g
  • Females: 700–900 g
  • Weigh weekly!
TaskFrequency
Weigh pigsWeekly
Full cage cleanWeekly
Trim nails2-4 weeks
Deep cleanMonthly
Check teethMonthly

📋 Guinea Pig Care Cheat Sheet | Keep this handy for daily reference | 🐹