So today I asked my parents if it was possible that I could get a guinea pig, though they never REALLY answered, I took matters into my own hands and started researching just in case they DID say yes. I was looking on YouTube and saw that someone did research whether guinea pigs depend on pellets or not. They went to the pet store and the worker told them that guinea pigs depend on pellets more than veggies or timothy hay. they said that it didn't match up with the research and that bought a lot of expensive pellets that they never used. In my research it says that guinea pigs need veggies that include vitamin c and unlimited timothy hay, supplemented by timothy hay based pellets. I am worried that the research I did was wrong and that they DO need more pellets than hey and veggies. So if everyone could kindly help me out here, it would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou!
Hi and welcome
Please make sure that you have your parents consent before getting any guinea pigs and that you save up right from the start for a vet fund as part of their weekly/monthly maintenance cost. There is no such thing as a cheap pet. Well kept guinea pigs have an average life expectancy of 5-7 years and are likely to need the vet at some point or other.
Please also be aware that guinea pigs are group animals and should not be kept on their own because they rely on round the clock companionship of constant comfort and stimulation - something which you as human with your own social and school commitments can not provide for that length of time. Your life will change quite a lot over the next 5-7 years but your pets' needs will remain the same every single day; whether you are in the mood or have the tome or not.
Sadly Switzerland is still the only country where it is legally forbidden to sell or own single guinea pigs (in line with any other social animals). You will have to consider that you are looking at two piggies of the same gender (you will need to double-check the sex when they arrive) and a cage that is large enough. Guinea pigs are ground roaming animals and need more space than you think for a happy and healthy life. The
minimal recommended groundfloor cage space for two sows is 2x4 C&C grids (2x5 ft); for two boars it is 2x5 C&C (2x6 ft).
Guinea pigs are prey animals and not naturally born animated cuddly toys; pet shop or for sale breeder piggies won't have had anything in the way of friendly human interaction. Most piggies, if given the choice have usually enough of a cuddle after 5-10 minutes - and you will have to win their trust first. Please be aware that the videos in social media don't give you a true image; they reflect what humans want to see and not what guinea pigs need.
As to diet: about 80% of the daily food intake is hay, hay and more hay (or some dog pee free fresh growing grass) woth about 15% of preferably green veg and some herbs (root veg and fruit should be no more than an occasional treat)and 1 tablespoon of pellets per piggy per day. Veg and pellets replace the supplementary role that wild forage would have provided. Guinea pigs have evolved on grass fibre with the back tooth growth finely balanced against the very abrasive silica in the grass fibre and the digestive system is perfectly laid out to digest it. Too much veg can make the gut vulnerable to bloating and diarrhea (overgrowth of the wrong kind of digestive bacteria). Pellets contain comparatively little of the crucial fibre which can lead to both dental issues and long term gut problems.
In a good balanced diet there is the crucial vitamin C in virtually everything piggies eat and not just in life-shortening pellets.
Please take the time to bookmark and read our extensive information for Wannabe and New Owners to do your research and please talk with your parents. The last thing you want is sitting with dying piggies because you are not allowed to see a vet. We sadly see this happening all too often on here.
Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - Wannabe Owners' Helpful Information
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
