How correctly to look after guinea pigs?

The first thing to think about is where to contain the animal. Basically, cells are used - old aquariums are reserved for another case. Cage for guinea pig should be at least 50 cm in length and approximatelythe same in height, usually - the more, the better. Especially if you're not going to let the pig run free. Remember that from lack of movement, mumps can suffer from obesity and other diseases.

A very convenient cell option - with a plastic pallet, it will be easy to remove and clean. Typically, hay or sawdust is poured onto the pallet. It is necessary that the sawdust or hay is thoroughly dried, because the under-dried ones are the breeding ground for microbes. Clean the cage and change the filler every day.

Guinea pigs do not want to put a container of water in the cage, since the animal can overturn it and get wet. It is better to choose a drinking bowl vertical, whichis attached to the lattice of the cell. It is also convenient for an animal to drink from ball drinkers. Water is recommended to use filtered or boiled, and change it every day. Pigs do not immediately learn to drink from a drinker, sometimes they need to be taught: substitute a drinker's nose to the mouth of the mumps, and press a little to let the water go.

Feeders you will need two - for dry food and for green. They must be stable, so that the animal does notcould turn them around. The diet of guinea pigs, as a rule, consists of hay and green forage. Do not forget to always check to see whether the dried hay is up to the end. If not, it can not be offered to an animal so that it does not get sick. For today in pet stores there is a huge assortment of ready forages. But it is better not to make them the basis of the diet.

Hay and dry food should be in the cage at all times, and juicy food can be fed at the same time 1-3 times a day. Pig can not be fed with dairy products,bread, eggs, potatoes. It is not necessary to give exotic fruit for testing, and it is also necessary to keep all indoor plants as far as possible. It is advisable to add a little vitamin C to the drinker.

Long-haired guinea pigs must be combed daily with a brush and scallop. Try to train your guinea pig to thisprocedure from an early age. You will need to take the animal to your lap, bedding a towel in front of it. Then untangle the hair with a comb with long teeth. The wool of the animal can be slightly moistened with water from the atomizer, so that the scallop will touch and pull the hair less. Guinea pigs with short hair should be combed twice a week only during moulting, usually in spring and autumn.

And here bathing guinea pig can only be in case of emergency in warm water and with a special shampoo. After bathing guinea pig should be well dried and identified in a place protected from a draft, otherwise the animal can quickly catch a cold.

The claws of guinea pigs grow constantly, but, not being able to wear off, theyrounded, bending fingers to the animal. Therefore, you will have to shear the animal's claws approximately once every 1-2 months, cutting off the outgrown claw so as not to touch the vessels located inside the claw. If nevertheless the vessels were damaged, then the claw should be treated with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or with dry powder of potassium permanganate.