I am just getting started on this page, PLEASE come back often.

Just because it is 'out there', and then torches are taken up, does not make it true. And THAT sentence can be said about EVERYthing in Today's World. Some of the Guinea Pig Care Information I have seen is just down right Silly and some can actually HURT your Guinea Pig (I will use GP with in the website for the words Guinea Pig).

I will be adding feeding, the IMPORTANCE of Vitamin C, several different ways of housing your GP, hide boxes, flooring, ect. BUT! There are a couple of things I would like to cover first, so that they are read.

I have Always Said: WHAT WORKS IN ONE PERSON'S HOME, MAY OR MAY NOT WORK IN ANOTHER. This can be said for foods, medications, housing, breeding, showing, any aspect of any animal. That said, let me make my point. Just Because YOU do it one way, or you heard someone SAY it should ONLY be done their way, DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE. To further that, to bring this to the My Point: YOU are not the GP Sheriff. If you do not like the way someone else is raising or keeping or breeding their GP, maybe you should find out how it is working for them RATHER THAN 'BEATING THEM UP' ON LINE, WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS.

I have seen videos of people that 'rescue' GPs so that, 'the GPs will not be used for Breeding'. First of all, let's think. Who are these people that Judge whether GPs should go on as a Species? And. If everyone felt this way, there would no longer be ANY GP. And. In the mean time, of no more GPS, the GP you might find for a Beloved Pet and Show Animal, and or Breeding Stock, will go up in price because of them.

I say again; WHAT WORKS IN ONE CAVEIRY MAY OR MAY NOT WORK FOR ANOTHER PERSON. (Cavairy = Group of Cavies ie. Guinea Pigs, kept by a person. Usually someone that is Breeding for Show Animals or Meat or the Pet Market)

There are many ways to set up to Breed GP. One way is to choose your GP based on the Standard of the Breed. I want to stop here and explain just what is a 'Standard of the Breed'.

There are several Breeds within the Cavie, ie GP, species. Long Hair, Short Hair, Curly Hair, No Hair....on and on. How were Breeds developed? Oh Gosh. I am not going to go too deep into this question, but the short answer is Colony Breeding. Each Breed has a written "Standard of Perfection", or, "Standard for the Breed". It is a Blue Print, if you will, of how the perfect specimen of this Breed should look. The weight, the length, the colors, how long or short the coats should be, how the eyes are set and the color of the eyes...

No animal is perfect. But to breed to the Standard also means their bodies are correctly portioned, their teeth are set right, their eyes and ears are of the right size and work correct, so that these animals are stated off to a Healthy Life.

For the average or beginner Breeder, starting with a PAIR of GP of the same Breed is the way to go. In fact, the average person should probably NOT Breed.

Why Breed? If you do not have a purpose to breed, why would you? If you do Not know what a 'Standard for the Breed' is, or what the Standard is for the Breed of GP you have, why would you breed? And there are reasons. Meat being the number one reason. However. The average breeder is NOT breeding for meat.

Reasons to Breed: Show Stock. These GP are bred to Standard, that is Standard for the Breed, to better the GP lines not only for Showing, but also the Pet Market. Pet Market. There is a Demand for Pet GP and there should be a much HIGHER Demand. GP are smart, can be taught to come when called, do tricks and agility, walk on a leash, wonderful, easy to house and love, pets. Meat. Yes, Meat. GP Meat is very nutritious and I hear very good tasting, I have never had it. GPs were brought World Wide FOR their meat. They were small animals to carry on ships to feed the crew, very good for the crew, bred relatively quickly (as compared to goats, cattle, pigs). GPs required small amounts of food as compared and were easier to keep than even chickens on board. GP is a common meat in many Counties today.

99.9% OF ALL GP, OR ANY ANIMAL BREEDER, ARE TAKING VERY GOOD CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS! IF NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON THAN THEY WANT THE BEST FOR THE BABIES COMING. TO HAVE TO BEST BABIES COMING YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR BREEDERS ARE FEEDING, HOUSING AND SUPPLEMENTING CORRECTLY!

So BEFORE you 'pick up your torch' and shout: "BREEDER BAD!" Learn the facts. Talk to people that Breed. Remember, without GP Breeders, there will be NO GPs!

This is Not Rocket Science. The Science has been done. The most important thing to remember is GP MUST HAVE VITAMIN C on a Daily Basis. And this is NOT hard to fill. Think Dandelions! In the Winter Kale, Tomatoes, Carrot Tops...the list goes on. KEEP IN MIND! GP only need a small amount per day...although, THIS is why they are called 'pigs', they always want more veggies and fruits.

You can supplement with liquid vitamins added to the GP's water. This must be changed DAILY! It can become very expensive to use these supplements as well as wasteful. And. How do you know if the Vitamins have faded from this concoction?

Some people even pick up their yard clippings, after mowing, and mound it up into GP cages. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PICK YOUR GRASSES AND VEGGIES! If it has been sprayed, you are feeding your GP poisons, and that could be deadly.

Yes. You should feed Pelleted Diets to your GP, BUT Pelleted Diets should never be solo. ALL GP need Hay, FRESH Veggies and other treats. Do NOT count on your GP Pelleted Diet to have Vitamin C in it.

Some people love them, some people hate them, but Supplements can be both bad and good. I want to say right up front:

I say again. GPs MUST have Vitamin C. MUST. It is not an option. Without it they will suffer and eventually die.

Here is where a lot of people just want to fight. When the TRUTH is, there are many ways to keep GP and most work. Also keep in mind, IT MATTERS, when talking about housing, WHETHER THE GP WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE CAGE OR WILL IT BE OUT FOR PLAY AND OR TRAINING.

What is right? For every person that has GP outdoors, right may be different. It depends on a lot of factors. What types of grass, how big of yard, how many GP, what types of predators they have in their area, and many more factors, but you get the idea.

I will say, the enclosures, indoors or out, should be safe, heavy so that nothing can move them or turn them over, have some sort of top so that cats and other predators can not just jump in, have a shelter of some sort that all of the GP within the cage can fit into together within. It should also have a large dining area so that EVERY GP can eat in peace.And of course the obvious. A frame strong enough for wind and wire small enough to keep even the smallest GP within.

Size and types of cages for GP are different for each person depending upon whether THE GP COME OUT TO PLAY OR BE TRAINED OR IF THEY ARE MOVED AROUND, from different cages weekly or moved at night. Do not glance at a cage and make assumptions.

I say again (and again and again) WHAT WORKS FOR ONE PERSON, MAY OR MAY NOT WORK FOR ANOTHER....BUT YOUR OPINION DOES NOT MAKE THEM WRONG.

Listed Below are several ways a GP can be kept. NONE of these are wrong IF THEY ARE DONE CORRECTLY!

These can be a variety of sizes, usually quite large and they can be made a variety of ways. From wood and wire to metal and wire and everything in between.

These sit directly on the ground and many people move them about their yards as the GP eat all the grass within. The runs, that is pens, have a shelter either attached at one end, maybe even a shed, and usually some sort of top on part of the top for shade for the GPs if they want it.

As I said above ALL pens need to be made safe, tops should be added, these should be heavy enough not to be turned over, and OF COURSE have shelter from the weather.

The flooring is small sized wire. The GP (and rabbits) need a resting pad so that they are not always directly on the wire flooring.

These pens also need some sort of roof away from weather and a hide box big enough for all the GP within. In the winter, these pens need to be wrapped (not the bottoms, but lower than the bottom to stop drafts) with a good thick tarp or wood of some sort.

This is probably the preferred way to keep GP for showing and breeding. Each or each group of GPs can be kept either in pens or 'boxes' (wooden topless boxes made of the best wood for GPs) or in stackable cages with pans underneath for cleaning.

Most people have ways of cooling the GP in the Summer and keeping them warm in the Winter in these buildings, without keeping them so cool or so warm they will stress if taken elsewhere, such as a Show.

The GPs are set up well for the people to be out of the weather when caring for them, and when they are grooming them and working with them, training and otherwise, on tables.

Babies born in this situation can easily go to their new homes, and be comfortable in any situation. They can also be taken to Swaps or Auctions with minimum stress.

This is mostly for Pet People or someone who sets up a room or their basement for their GP. I will argue, it is not the best way, in some situations.

We, many moons ago, used to keep GP in aquariums, and honestly, for a pet, one that is getting out of it's pen to spend time with it's owner, this is not a bad way to keep a GP. A person could even use a large clear plastic storage tub. I do for my indoor pets.

Cages are fine too, but the GP WILL kick shavings out of it's pen.

If you are going to show your GP in home housing with air conditioning and heating is not the best set up. Your GP will be going to Shows, mostly in the Summer and will stress from the heat at the Show and on the Show Table.

I am giving Flooring it's own paragraphs because I have seen so many STUPID arguments over Flooring for GP. I have seen people 'beat one another up' over this. Most of the arguments are so SILLY or Down Right STUPID! Again, coming from someone who 'heard that....', and then the followers 'picked up their torches' and it got ugly! What a SHAME, TRAGIC, that people who have the same love of GP can not get along. Some people are so Dead Set on being a Self Made Hero of GP, you can not even reason with them. THIS NEEDS TO STOP! Some of these people do not Understand they are missing out on the fun and fellowship of sharing their LOVE of GP, rather than fighting over SILLY STUFF THAT WHEN BROKEN DOWN TO THE TRUTH, IS NOT EVEN REALLY THE TRUTH THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR!

more coming soon

It is MY Opinion that Water Bottles are the Best way to water GP, Rabbits and other Small Animals. Let me explain why. With Water Bottles, cleaned daily, not just the bottle, but also the cap and tub, shake those ball barrings well, the animals have CLEAN daily water. Cooled in the Summer, Warmed in the Winter.

With water bottles you will know HOW MUCH water your animals are drinking, you can add supplements or medications easily AND KNOW IF THEY DRANK THEM.

I remember when "Water Systems" came out in Rabbitries. I also remember how many rabbits died because of their tubes not working, clogged or otherwise. With these systems you do NOT know if your animals are able to get water or not.

Open Dishes. YUK!~ If you use these, think. Would YOU drink that water? And in the winter the animals can and often do get wet. Animals poop right in those bowls. Would YOU drink that water? Also. Water Bowls can EASILY be turned over by the animals, no matter how heavy the crock it happens. This means animals are without water for....until you notice. On a hot day, this can mean death!

coming soon

I have a LOT to say on this, and all of it GOOOOOOOD! I had, for many years, a FULL Website on Training Guinea Pigs, but websites are very expensive and I had many, so, some had to go. I hope to be working on the page, on this website, Guinea Pig Agility. It won't have as much as my Site did, but I hope to add training tips and videos and how to teach your Guinea Pigs tricks.

GUINEA PIGS ARE SMART, they just need to be worked with. I have had Guinea Pigs that were as smart as dogs....and *I* know that because I also train dogs.

When your GP grows old. How long can a GP live? 7 years is about average, some have lived up to 11 years.

Older GP can need special attention. Be sure they are EATING the right foods. Spoil them a bit with a little extra, but make sure that the extra you are giving them is not taking away from their Healthy Foods.

When handling your older GP be EXTRA gentle. Be kind, be very gentle, and if you are going to hold them in your lap a while, do so with a towel under them. Many times the older bladder does not hold like it used too.

And when the time comes. Remember how much fun your GP was. And it is OK to get another GP as a pet and move forward.

Somehow, Somewhere along the line, these places have gotten a bad name. When the TRUTH is, these are great places to find not only a new pet, direct from their breeder, but also make new friends with the same interests as you.

Swaps are GREAT places to buy pets. Not only are you buying direct from breeders, the seller can tell you what they have been feeding, the age of the animal, usually the birth date, they can tell you how to set up for an animal, should it be your first, and much more.

Show people are very proud of the animals they bring for sale and happy to talk to you about them. Most will have a pedigree. Most will be Showable. What you also might get with these animals is a friend in the Breeder you bought from.

I could write VOLUMES on this. Worse, most do this On Line, where no one knows who they are, and they will never come forward because the truth is, they are ONLY repeating when some crazy person has told them. There tantrum is NOT based on Facts, nor Experience, nor, most of the time, Love For The Animals! They just need something to Tantrum about and think themselves "Heroes". THIS NEEDS TO STOP!

If they really felt the way their HOLLER AND SCREAMS were, IF THEY would just sit down and talk, listen, and learn, THIS WOULD STOP.

These people have ruined the Hobby for so many people. They have lied and made up more lies to Bully Breeders. Never would they ever, alone without their audience, talk to the people they are after, giving their real name. Cowards. They are Cowards who are seeking attention. Like I said, they usually do this On Line, NOT using their own names, with information that is fiction.

I will be working on this website as I can, it will probably be slow going, but I do hope you will come back often. I have many animals I care for, goats that I milk, dogs I walk, besides my GP, rabbits and many other species.

My email is at the bottom of each page of this website and I welcome you to contact me. If I do not answer in 24 hours I probably did not get your email, PLEASE send again. However, if you are a 3 y/o throwing a Tantrum, I will probably just delete the email and move on.

The contents of this page for Guinea Pig Care and Information is still under construction. Please check back often.

-- The Small Animal Fun Team
Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:06:10 +0000