Calling all guinea pig owners: top tips?

[Lougarry]

I know there are quite a few of you who keep guinea pigs so I'd be really grateful for any advice. I've rashly offered to look after a friends' kids' guinea pigs over Christmas. What are the key things I need to know/watch out for/that are different from caring for hamsters?

All tips would be much appreciated

[Mona's Humans]

I don't know what you already know, but make sure they have unlimited hay and water, remember hay is their main food source.

Plenty of space or floor time as they need regular exercise.

They hide their illnesses really well, so watch out for not drinking or eating as much as usual as a main clue point.

Fresh Veggies daily at least.

That's the basics i think if they are just 'visiting you' - if there's anything specific you want to know, let me know.

I have 3 of them

[Lougarry]

Thank you. Like Manuel I know nothing, so that is really useful. Your are very cute - I hope our visitors will be too.

[Mona's Humans]

Originally Posted by Lougarry

Thank you. Like Manuel I know nothing, so that is really useful. Your are very cute - I hope our visitors will be too.

Not a prob, i think they pride themselves on being cute... Miyagi (white fluffy one) even helps (or at least tries) our teenager with her homework, as witnessed by that pic lol!

[Sandrilene]

i love the middle piggie so cute. I have one like her only brown and white. don't give them too much extra food besides their unlimited hay they will overeat on pellets. at least mine would if i let them. they love to make noise and popcorn/hop spasm thing when they are happy. very silly loveable creatures. i really miss mine right now... at work haven`t seen them yet today woke up at 5am for a 12 hour shift.

[Bekki2308]

80 % of their diet is hay so at all times fresh and unlimited hay. They drink a lot too.

Their safe food list is pretty much the same as a hamsters but cabbage and other greens like that can give them a poorly tummy but they are herbivores so no bonio!

They love floor time especially if their cage is below 7sq feet for 1 guinea, or 8 sq feet for 2 , then floor time is an essential as their cages are small.

[kyrilliondaemon]

If you ask the owners for their daily routine with the guinea pigs before you get them you shouldn't be able to go far wrong.
Growing up I helped my Mum pet-sit for my Aunts pets a lot, and it was always a case of "they need this much food a day" followed by a few other basic instructions. Getting help here is a great idea, but asking the owners their routine will probably help too.

[Lougarry]

Thank you very much, everyone. I'm seeing Lizzie, their owner, on Tuesday to get the lowdown on their routine but thought I'd do some boning up while I had time over the weekend. Found some good stuff on the internet too about them not being able to store Vitamin C, hence the need for fresh fruit and veg daily. Good to be prepared!

[newham]

Peppers full of vitamin C and if you hang one over the cage they go nuts for it, never stop giving them hay and try and let them have a run round for exercise.

[Lougarry]

Thank you, Laura - will definitely give that a go!