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How Much Time Do Guinea Pigs Need?


Guinea pigs are easy to care for when compared to other popular pets, but they do still need some daily, weekly and monthly care. Depending on your equipment, you can expect to spend about an average of ten to fifteen minutes a day on guinea pig maintenance. This may seem like a chore, but as you get to know your guinea pigs this routine will actually become something to look forward to.



red guinea pig eating dry food
Guinea pigs need regular care

  1. They need to be fed twice a day, a process which involves refilling their dry food bowl, their hay rack and cutting up some fresh fruit and veg for them to munch on. Be sure to keep their water bottle nice and fresh, too. If you're looking for more information, we've created a Guinea Pig Care section with tips on what to feed your pets, and how much to offer them.

  2. If you think it’s warm enough for your guinea pigs to be outside in the winter, then you will probably want to give them lots of hay to burrow into so that they can keep warm. If you don't have a well-insulated hutch then you may also want to pull an old carpet over the top of your hutch for a bit of added insulation.

  3. Guinea pigs love exercise, so they need to spend time in their run each day. If your guinea pig hutch has a run attached, like the Eglu Go Guinea Pig Hutch, simply open the door to the run when you bring your guinea pigs their food in the morning. If your hutch doesn’t have a run attached, then it’s a good idea to give your guinea pigs an opportunity to stretch their legs each day by purchasing a standalone guinea pig run. If your run is outside then, weather permitting, your guinea pigs would like to be be put out there each morning and brought back each evening. Take this opportunity for a cuddle!

  4. In terms of cleaning out your pets’ home, if you have fewer than four guinea pigs then it’s not necessary to clean them out every single day. Twice a week will be enough, and you might want to spot clean when you see any particularly dirty areas.

  5. Checking your guinea pigs’ health and giving them a wash will need to be done on a regular basis, perhaps once a week and once a month respectively. Neither of these activities take very long at all, even if you have lots of guinea pigs. It may take new owners a little longer to complete these tasks, but with practise comes speed, and you’ll soon need to spend very little time making sure your pets are in top condition.

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Comments

Bloxcraft, 31 March 2020

what to do when your ginea pig bits your super duper hard