Greenwich Rabbit Rescue

HAY

Hay should be the main stay of a pigs diet it will wear the teeth down and aid digestion.  A fresh supply of hay every day  is needed and add more when its eaten.There is no need to go and buy all the dearer hay as good quality meadow hay is perfect.

Meadow hay is the best type of hay to feed.. Most pet stores do dried meadow hay in large and small bags,  horse feed place or directly from a farmer. Buying hay by the bale is very cheap but you need to store it some were cold and dry.Do not put it in black sacks as this will make it sweat. A bale of hay will  last for months.Dont buy hay that smells mouldy and it should not be brown and dusty.

DRY FOOD

Guinea pig food will provide your guinea pig with the proper balance of vitamins. Do not feed rabbit food. Pigs cannot hold vit c in their bodies so need to take it in daily.

As a general rule adult guinea pigs will eat between one and two ounces of pellets each day,hay and some fresh vegetables. It will be easy to tell if you are feeding too much or too little: if there are leftover pellets, then you are giving them too much. If the bowl is empty and they are looking for food, then you aren't feeding them enough.Try to feed at the same time, as guinea pigs like a routine.  This makes them feel secure.

Vitamin C requirements                                                                                                                                                                                                         

It is vital that your guinea pigs receive enough vitamin C each day to prevent scurvy and other problems. Guinea pigs cannot make or store vitamin C, so they must get it from their diet on a daily basis. Adult guinea pigs will require at least10mg of vitamin C each day The  vitamin C breaks down very quickly, so it must be supplied fresh. Although many pellet manufacturers will claim that their feed contains the required amount of vitamin C,do not not trust this. Vitamin C in pellets breaks down when stored for any length of time,Check the dates on any food you buy and throw away any left after that date .Feed should be kept in an air tight container and always close the lid after use. Food left laying around will attract mice.

Fresh fruits and Vegetables                                                                                                                  

Guinea pigs will eat many kinds of fruits, vegetables and fresh greens. By them plenty you will keep your guinea pig happy, as they may become bored with eating only pellets and hay. And, many fruits and vegetables are sources of vitamin C, providing a natural way to meet your guinea pig's daily requirement. If you cannot always supply fresh veg and fruit then add vit drops to their water.Water should be available at all times.

Fresh food                                                                                                                              

When feeding "wild" greens, such as grass and dandelion greens, make sure they have not been sprayed with chemicals, and do not pick them from areas were cats or dogs have been. The dangers of pesticides are obvious,cat and dog feces can carry any number of parasites like worms which can bepassed to your pigs  when they eat the grass or plants.  Never collect wild greens from the road sides as they will be polluted.

Some foods to avoid are listed below:

• long celery stalks, the leafy bit on the tops are best.
  
• iceberg lettuce
• any  nuts or seeds
• raw beans (poisonous)
• rhubarb and leaves (extremely poisonous)

 On the whole they know what is good  to eat, but dont trust to luck.

Treats                                                                                                                                          

DONT BOTHER. TREATS YOU CAN BUY IN THE PET SHOP ARE ON THE WHOLE BAD FOR THEM. FRESH FRUIT AND VEG CANNOT BE BETTERED.

If you cannot resist then just make treats an easter, christmas or birthday treat.

 Grooming

 Long haired pigs i would not advise to a pet owner as they require a lot of grooming, otherwise the hair will knot and cause pain when the hair mats.

Satin pigs are not so bad and can be managed ok with regular grooming as are the rexes. Shelties are not for the inexperienced either.

• For a bath, fill a large washing up bowl with about inch of water, and put a tea towel on the bottom. Not many pigs enjoy a bath so you will need to hold him still with one hand and wash with the other. The water should be warm and not hot.
  

• Piggies have very sensitive skin, so use medicated shampoo made for small animals.Only bath your pig if  necessary.
  

• Wet the pig all over first then add the shampoo. Do not get any soap around the face. Be careful when rinsing to make sure no soap runs  into their eyes or face.

• Dry gently with a towel, and then let them dry off in a warm place.. DO NOT blow-dry a guinea pig, as the heat from the dryer will burn their skin. Take care to make sure there are absolutely no drafts where they are drying to prevent chills keep them inside until there dry [at least over night] 

•  Limit the number of baths you give, they will not often need a bath. All pigs have a grease gland on their rear and this can get quite smelly and greasy, its best to just wash this area with a drop of washing up liquid as its very hard to remove. This just needs the bottom area being washed there,s no need to bath the whole of the piggie to do this.
  

• I would not bath a pregnant pig or a baby pig.
  

• NAIL CUTTING

  1. Guinea pigs have blood vessels in their toe nails just like people, there  referred to as the "quick". In clear nails, the quick is fairly obvious: it is the pink bit. In black nails, however, spotting the quick is next to impossible, in this case just cut off the tips.
     
  2. Guinea pigs don't like there nails being cut not that it hurts but being held down is distasteful. You may need help with it.
     
  3. If you are not happy to do it your vet will do it for you.
  4. If the worst happens and you cut to quick then it will bleed . As a stand by you can buy a product called quick stop that can be put on the end of the nail and will help to stop the bleeding. Otherwise just apply  pressure till it stops. Sometimes just putting them on to wood shavings does the trick.
     

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  Teeth checks

• If your pig is having a good diet then he should not be having any problems with his teeth.
• Check there teeth monthly or if for an unknown reason they stop eating .If in doubt check with your vet. Teeth can be trimmed only by a vet do not attempt to do this your self.