Housing & Environment
- Provide a large hutch or indoor enclosure with solid flooring and plenty of space to run and stretch.
- Line with soft, absorbent bedding such as paper-based products, hay, or fleece liners.
- Keep housing in a quiet, draft-free, and shaded area, away from direct sunlight and damp.
- Guinea pigs are social animals and do best when housed in pairs or groups (never alone).
Cleaning
- Spot clean daily by removing waste and soiled bedding.
- Do a full clean weekly with a pet-safe disinfectant and fresh bedding.
Diet & Feeding
- Provide unlimited access to fresh hay—essential for digestion and dental health.
- Feed daily fresh vegetables (e.g., capsicum, kale, parsley, cucumber, carrot tops).
- Provide a small amount of high-quality guinea pig pellets.
- Guinea pigs cannot produce Vitamin C, so include foods rich in Vitamin C or add a supplement.
- Fresh, clean water must always be available in a bottle or bowl.
Grooming
- Brush long-haired guinea pigs regularly to prevent matting.
- Check nails and trim when needed.
- Short-haired guinea pigs require less frequent grooming but still benefit from brushing.
Exercise & Enrichment
- Guinea pigs need daily floor time or time in a safe, enclosed run.
- Provide tunnels, hideouts, chew toys, and hay racks for stimulation.
- Enrichment encourages natural foraging and play behaviours.
Health & Wellbeing
- Watch for signs of illness: reduced appetite, weight loss, lethargy, noisy breathing, or changes in droppings.
- Give Bird Barn a call promptly, or if we’re closed, call your local vet.
Small Animal Support
For housing, food, bedding, and accessories, you can contact us at Bird Barn Pet Store.
Phone:
09 838 8746 – Extension 1 (Birds & Reptiles) or Small Animal Dept. in-store.
Hours:
9am–5pm, 7 days (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day until 1pm)