Guinea pig

Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)

SignsLimping, swollen joints, dull coat, bleeding gums, poor appetite, reluctance to move

PreventionVitamin C-fortified pellets plus fresh bell pepper and komatsuna daily. Water-soluble types break down fast and are unreliable

Malocclusion

SignsChin wet with drool, dropping hay, chewing but unable to swallow, weight loss

PreventionTimothy hay as the staple, available at all times. Do not over-rely on pellets or vegetables. Vitamin C deficiency also harms the teeth

Urinary stones / cystitis

SignsSquealing when urinating, bloody urine, no urine, frequent licking of the rear, hunched back

PreventionAvoid excess high-calcium foods like alfalfa and komatsuna; provide plenty of water. Keep the toilet area clean and observe

GI stasis

SignsNot eating, fewer or smaller droppings, bloated belly, sitting still, teeth grinding

PreventionHay-based diet for fiber. Avoid sudden diet changes, heat, and stress. See a vet if not eating for 12 hours

Skin disease (mites / fungus)

SignsIntense itching, hair loss, dandruff, scabs, thrashing like a seizure from the itch

PreventionKeep bedding dry and clean. Quarantine and observe new animals. See a vet early for itching and get a mite test

Heatstroke

SignsOpen-mouth rapid breathing, drooling, limpness, hot ears, seizures. Spikes in summer

PreventionNever let the room exceed 28°C. Air conditioning 24 hours, a cool spot and water at all times. No direct sun; never leave in a car

Fracture from a fall

PreventionSit on the floor to hold; support chest and rear with both hands. Never place on high surfaces. Put down on the floor at once if struggling

First aidIf limping or squealing when touched, do not splint; pad a carrier with towels and keep still. See a vet the same day

Bite wounds from a cagemate

PreventionMales fight fiercely after maturity. Watch compatibility and separate at once if they fight. Provide one feeding spot and hideout per animal

First aidSeparate immediately and press the wound with clean gauze. Pus easily collects under the skin, so see a vet the same day

Footpad inflammation (pododermatitis)

PreventionNo wire flooring. Lay soft bedding thickly. Prevent obesity and overgrown nails; keep the floor dry

First aidRinse redness or bleeding on the footpad with lukewarm water and dry. Do not treat scabs or swelling yourself; see a vet

Broken nail, bleeding

PreventionTrim nails once a month. Make sure nails cannot catch on cloth or mesh

First aidPress with clean gauze for a few minutes, then apply styptic powder or flour. See a vet if broken at the base

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with the fur or skin of an infected animal

PreventionHandle animals with hair loss or dandruff with gloves; wash hands after touching

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched feces or urine

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Never wash the cage in the kitchen

Sarcoptic mange (scabies mites)

RouteContact with an infected animal; bedding

PreventionTake intensely itchy animals to the vet. If a person develops a rash, see a dermatologist

Allergy (fur, hay)

RouteInhaling fur, dander, urine, or hay dust

PreventionWear a mask when cleaning. Shake dust off hay outside the bag and ventilate

Food

• Unlimited timothy hay at all times. Hay should be at least 80% of the diet
• Guinea pig-specific pellets twice a day, about 3–5% of body weight
• A small amount of red bell pepper, komatsuna, etc. daily as a vitamin C source

Water

• Change daily in a sipper bottle. Drinks 100–300 ml a day
• In summer, always check the level. Watch for a clogged spout

Toys & play

• Paper bags, cardboard tunnels, chew sticks
• Paper tubes stuffed with hay. Balls are unnecessary; they lose their footing
• If there is a cagemate, chasing games are the best play

Nest, bed & hideout

• One wooden or cloth house per animal. A place to hide is the basis of security
• Low platforms or ramps. Tall steps risk falls

Bedding & litter

• Paper or hardwood chips, laid thick. Avoid softwood
• Cloth mats absorb urine, so change daily
• Hard to litter-train, so spot-change the whole floor daily

Cage / housing material

Deep plastic tray base with wire panels. Floor grate of wood or plastic

Size & space

For one: at least 80 cm wide × 50 cm deep. For two: at least 120 cm wide

Layout

• Place hideout, feeding spot, and water apart, leaving escape routes
• Keep the floor flat with low steps. No wire flooring
• Use a large hay rack. Hay should always be left over

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sun, AC drafts, and entryway temperature swings; raise off the floor
• Keep away from dogs, cats, and loud noises. A little light at night is reassuring

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Daily floor time of 30 minutes to 1 hour. Set up a pen and remove cords
• Does not jump but runs. Provide enough space to chase on a non-slip floor
• Outdoor walks are unnecessary. Sunbathing through a screen or briefly under supervision

Temperature & humidity

Temperature18–24°C. Above 28°C risks heatstroke; below 10°C needs warming

Humidity40–60%. High humidity causes skin and respiratory disease

Summer & winter

• Summer: air conditioning 24 hours. Add an aluminum plate and a frozen water bottle
• Winter: cover the cage and place a panel heater under part of it. Watch for temperature swings

Nail trimming

Once a month with small-animal clippers, leaving the clear part. Dark nails little by little. If difficult, go to the vet

Brushing, skin & coat care

Short-haired once a week; long-haired (Peruvian, etc.) daily. For Skinny pigs, moisturize the skin and avoid sunburn

Other care

No bathing needed; spot-clean dirt. For males, wipe the oily area around the genitals with lukewarm water. Check the molars regularly

Protection from predators

• Keep in a separate room from dogs, cats, and ferrets. Put a lid and latch on the cage
• Never keep outdoors; crows, stray cats, and weasels come
• In summer, keep mosquitoes and flies out with screens and do not let soiled bedding build up

Foreign-body ingestion

Chews and swallows cloth or towel lint, rubber, and plastic. Clear away small items and houseplants during floor time

Being stepped on

Tends to cling to your feet, so trampling accidents are common. Look down when walking. Check under the sofa and cushions before sitting

Getting pinched

Gets caught in doors and cage sliding doors. Use a door stopper during floor time. Check limbs before closing the cage door

Falls

Falls while being held cause fractures and spinal injury. Hold only while seated on the floor, briefly. Never put on a sofa or bed

Escape

Does not jump but squeezes into gaps. Pen at least 40 cm high with no gaps. If it escapes, set out the scent of a favorite food and a dark box, and wait quietly

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and quietly rest the bitten hand on the floor
2. Stroke its back with your free hand to calm it
3. Do not put fingers near the mouth; wait a few seconds for it to let go
4. Once released, return it to its house and leave it alone for a while

After the release

Wash under running water with soap and disinfect. For deep wounds, swelling, or pus, see a doctor. Also check the animal for injury

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Time of last meal, condition of droppings and urine, diet, room temperature, cagemates. Bring droppings and urine; put hay in the carrier

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and touch the body to check response. Squealing or moving means conscious
• Check breathing by the rise and fall of the chest. Normal is about 40–100 per minute
• Place a hand on the chest to check heartbeat. Normal is about 230–300 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes. Do not lift to check
• For a bleeding nail, press on styptic powder or flour
• If it does not stop or blood drips, keep pressing and see a vet immediately

Transport

• Line the carrier with a towel, add a little hay, and cover it to keep dark
• Summer: a towel-wrapped ice pack beside it. Winter: a hand warmer on the outside