Have you been entertaining the thought of bringing a guinea pig home to stay? Are you curious about the things you'll need for your new pet? Could it be that your looking to make some improvements to an existing habitat? Whatever the case may be, this article will not only lend some simple and smart ideas and about guinea pig supplies, but also some tried and tested techniques that get favorable results.

Cavys(another name for guinea pigs) are often thought of by some as being difficult to care for. Don't believe it for a minute! Looking after your guinea pig(s) can be trouble free with the right set-up and day to day care.

This article is aimed at raising your first pet(s), but perhaps the current or seasoned owner will learn something new to aid their pet(s).

A good place to begin would be with:

Habitat. Hutches and cages with six sides are best. Well ventilated wire types with large access doors and a slide out bottom panel will make cleaning duties a snap. Guinea pigs require about 7 1/2 square feet of living space, and at least 10 square feet if your raising two. A cage that measures 4 feet by 3 feet would be ideal for two piggies. Hutches with wired floors or bottoms are not recommended as they can cause injuries and are very difficult to maintain. Closed in dwellings such as wooden crates or aquariums are subject to rapid growth of bacteria and should not be used. A good cage or hutch can be purchased from pet stores that stock guinea pig supplies.

Litter material. Timothy hay, care fresh, crown pellets and aged newspaper shredding work best. Mixing two or all of this bedding is fine. An even layer should be spread about the catch tray to absorb urine and feces. Day to day spot cleaning of soiled areas is best. Change the entire bedding every ten days. Wash and disinfect the catch tray at least every three weeks. Maintaining a clean cage will greatly reduce the risk of health issues for your cavy.

Water container. Bottles that attach to the cage with the dispenser at the bottom work best. A single cavy should have a quart sized bottle available. Larger bottles for two cavys, or 2 separate bottles will keep your little fur balls hydrated. Keep it filled and change it often. Using a bowl as the only option for water is not a good idea, as waste will quickly contaminate the drink.

Food Bowl. A variety of shapes and sizes are available. A 32 ounce bowl will suffice for most. You may choose to use two bowls, one for dry food, and one for wet. Hanging pellet dispensers are a good idea as well.

A hiding space. An important part you need to include with your guinea pig supplies is a safe spot where your cavy can duck out of sight. This is an absolute must and provides a sense of security for your pet. Whether it be a shoe box with a hole in it or a fancy three level guinea pig penthouse.

Food. A rule of thumb for a proper cavy diet should be 75% dried food and 25% wet food. Dried foods are mostly hay and guinea pig food pellets that consist of 20% crude protein and 16% fiber at the minimum. These pellets should also contain vitamin C. Wet foods are fruits and vegetables.I will list just a few of the wet foods that are safe for piggies. Spinach, tomatoes, kale, loose leaf lettuce, broccoli, parsley, alfalfa, apples, oranges, kiwi and bananas. Some things you should never feed your pet include all meats, dairy products, potatoes, corn, never sugar, beans, celery, tomato leaves, iceberg lettuce. A surplus of fruit and veggies can lead to the dreaded diarrhea, and diarrhea can kill your pet quickly. Adhere to the 75/25 rule for proper digestive health.

First Aid Supplies. Small injuries can be easily dealt with, while larger wounds should be examined by a trained Veterinarian. For small injuries you will need hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, a flashlight, cotton balls and swabs, and a saline solution for minor eye irritations.

This should give you an idea of what guinea pig supplies you need to get started. I hope you found this useful. I wish you and your cavy all the best!

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	Super Pet Woodland Get-A-Way Large Guinea Pig House List Price: $15.99 Sale Price: $7.88
Woodland get-a-ways are classic, natural solid-wood hide-outs for small animals. Constructed from quality pine timber, these fun hideaways provide pets with a natural sense of security. With four great sizes, there is a perfect size for any small animal pet.

Written by G.Anthony Evers using tags: guinea pig products, guinea pig supplies, pet products, pet supplies, Pets, small animal supplies