1st, 2nd, or 3rd cutting? Here’s what the “cut” means and which one suits most guinea pigs best. Timothy hay is harvested in up to three cuttings per season, and each has a different texture and nutrient balance. For most guinea pigs, 2nd cutting is the best choice — it’s the popular “middle ground,” with…
Alfalfa isn’t an everyday hay — here’s exactly when it helps, when it harms, and why it’s only for certain pigs. Alfalfa hay is safe — and even beneficial — but only for specific guinea pigs: those under about 6 months old, and pregnant or nursing sows. For everyone else, it should be avoided as…
What to look for in a guinea pig water bottle — plus the bottle-vs-bowl question answered. The best guinea pig water bottles are leak-proof, easy to clean, chew-resistant, and the right size for your pigs. Look especially for a no-drip nozzle (the single most-praised feature, since drips soak bedding and empty the bottle), a glass…
Why your guinea pig might be drinking less — or more — than usual, and when it’s a problem. Changes in how much a guinea pig drinks can be normal — or a warning sign. A pig drinking less is often simply getting moisture from water-rich vegetables, or is put off by a faulty water…
Practical, vet-informed ways to get more water into your piggy — from bottle fixes to syringe-feeding. To hydrate a guinea pig, start by making sure clean, fresh water is easy to reach and actually flowing — a surprising number of “not drinking” cases are just a stuck or airlocked bottle. Offer water in both a…
How to spot dehydration early — including the simple skin test — and why it’s a genuine emergency. Dehydration in guinea pigs is serious and can develop fast — a guinea pig that stops drinking can be in real danger within 12 to 24 hours. The signs to watch for are: lethargy and low energy,…
The most important things every guinea pig owner should know — at a glance. The top tips for guinea pig care come down to a handful of essentials: never keep just one (guinea pigs are social and need a companion), give them far more space than pet-store cages offer, feed unlimited hay plus daily vitamin…
No — despite both being small and social, rats can prey on guinea pigs and the two should never share a cage. No — guinea pigs and rats should not live together. They may seem like they’d be compatible — both are small, social, intelligent rodents — but they should be kept in separate enclosures….
No — never. These two small pets have opposite needs and personalities, and housing them together is dangerous for both. No — guinea pigs and hamsters should never live together, under any circumstances. Although both are small, cute, and often sold in the same pet-shop aisle, they are completely different animals with opposite needs. Guinea…
Sometimes — it depends heavily on the dog. But dogs are predators and guinea pigs are prey, so safety and supervision come first. Guinea pigs and dogs can sometimes get along and live peacefully in the same home — but it depends enormously on the individual dog, and it requires real caution. Dogs are predators…