Guinea pigs have many little ways of showing how much they love you. They may not be as obvious as dogs or cats in this respect, but once you know the signs they’re actually quite easy to read.
Your Guinea Pig Likes Being Held
GPs are timid creatures by nature, so it takes a lot of confidence for them to come to you for stroking or holding. You can interpret that confidence as affection. To reach this stage you need to hand-tame your pet with care and patience. Once they’ve built the trust, they’ll bond with you. They won’t approach everyone in this way – it’s just you they love!
Your Guinea Pig Likes Being Hand-Fed
It will take a little while to reach this stage. Rather than holding a tasty treat in your hand and hoping for the best, it’s best to train the guinea pig in stages. Leave a little trail of treats, and call to your pet gently. Eventually they’ll make it to your hand, and once they’ve become accustomed to this contact, the special bond between pet and owner will be complete.
Your Guinea Pig Follows You Around
By nature, a guinea pig wants to hide from humans, freeze on the spot or run away. It’s a sign of affection when they become so comfortable with you that they happily follow you around. Even if there’s no treat waiting for them, at this stage in the relationship they’ll stay with you simply because they like you and you make them feel safe.
Your Guinea Pig Doesn’t Bite!
This may sound like an odd demonstration of love, but it’s actually a sign that your pet feels very comfortable in your presence. If the GP is in any way afraid or nervous, it will bite if you try to make contact. There are ways of getting round this nervous reaction; and before you know it, the instinct to bite will have been replaced by an urge to nibble your toes…!
Your Guinea Pig Nibbles You, Very Gently
Yes, nibbling is a sign of affection! It’s something these animals do to each other as part of their guinea pig grooming and bonding. Nibbling your shoes or finger ends will come naturally, once they’re comfortable with you. It’s very different from a bite – so don’t simply stick a finger into the cage hoping for a nibble and getting a nasty surprise instead!
Your Guinea Pig Climbs On You
When a guinea pig loves you, you become one of its favourite ‘safe places’. Sit down with your furry friends and they will climb into your lap. Lie down, and they will climb onto you and explore.
Your Guinea Pig Comes To Say Hello
When your guinea pigs first arrive, they will run for cover when you approach their enclosure. Familiarity takes time and patience, and you have to lead the taming process yourself in a hands-on way. Start by holding your guinea pig correctly and comfortably. Continue with a bit of treat-training, and they’ll soon be running to greet you whenever they see you approach.
Your Guinea Pig Responds To Your Voice
Guinea pigs can’t recognise their own names, but they can come to recognise your voice. You should talk, quietly and gently, from the moment you first get them. Always chat to them during hand training and feeding. They will soon come to associate that voice with all that love, and will love you back by coming when you call – no matter what you actually call!
Your Guinea Pig ‘Talks’ To You All The Time
You’ve been talking to them constantly, and they will soon return the compliment. A Guinea pig that chatters to you is very happy indeed in your company.
Your Guinea Pig Just Can’t Stop Playing!
A happy affectionate Guinea pig will dance around your feet, or will perform what is known as ‘popcorning’. This involves jumping in the air, and then running in circles, turning, and repeating the whole wonderful exercise. What better way to demonstrate love than with a good helping of popcorn?
This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs
When closely monitored and maintained, rabbits and guinea pigs can live outdoors all year round. But many owners wonder how to keep rabbits and guinea pigs warm in winter. As with any extreme temperatures, you should make adjustments to your pets’ setup to help them through the season, but under most circumstances, bunnies and cavies don’t need to be brought indoors. Find out how to keep your rabbits and guinea pigs warm during the winter, how cold may be too cold, and when to consider bringing them inside for the season.
Can my rabbits and guinea pigs live outside year round?
It’s a widely accepted opinion that domesticated rabbits and guinea pigs can’t or shouldn’t be allowed to live outdoors all year round. In actuality, with the right precautions, rabbits and guinea pigs can thrive outside throughout the year. With few exceptions, rabbits and guinea pigs share the same characteristics as their wild counterparts, and are naturally equipped to handle seasonal changes. It’s true that rabbits have cold weather advantages over guinea pigs, as they have larger bodies, fur on their feet, and more dense coats — but cavies can hold their own in cold weather with some tricks up their metaphorical sleeves.
Rabbits and guinea pigs in the wild
It’s important to remember that rabbits and guinea pigs live in the wild without the convenience of central heating or climate controlled conditions. Their coats and natural insulation help keep them warm in the winter. With the exception of Skinny Pigs, most domesticated rabbits and guinea pigs can thrive even in freezing temperatures — just like their cousins in the wild. The secret to success is to get them as close to their natural habitat as possible.
In nature, rabbits dig extensive burrows called warrens. These underground tunnels provide insulation from the elements and create a cozy space to warm up. They’ll huddle together in groups to create more warmth in their own version of climate-controlled homes. And while guinea pigs don’t dig, wild cavies find abandoned burrows or dens dug by other animals to take up residence in. Using the same methods as bunnies, guinea pigs will huddle together for warmth inside of their repurposed burrows.
With these natural behaviors in mind, owners of domesticated rabbits and guinea pigs can simulate this environment for their pets — and in doing so, will equip their bunnies and cavies with the surroundings they need to be supported all year round. If you’re committed to keeping your rabbits and guinea pigs outside throughout the year, you’ll foster their natural behaviors and help them live long, fulfilled lives. So how do you keep bunnies and cavies warm in the winter? It all starts with their hutch.
Hutches are foundational
When people think of rabbit and guinea pig hutches, they often picture wooden houses or even wire cages. But wire cages are clearly intended for indoor use only, and wooden hutches are drafty and rot when exposed to the elements. With traditional options like these, it’s no wonder that rabbits and guinea pigs don’t thrive living outdoors all year round.
In order for bunnies and cavies to get the support they need to live outside full-time, an insulated, weather-proof home is essential. The Eglu Go Rabbit and Guinea Pig Hutch by Omlet offers warmth, shelter, and safety through the winter, and can easily be modified to accommodate fluctuating temperatures. The draft-free design keeps the winter chill off of your pets, while the strategically placed ventilation points prevent moisture from building up. Insulating rabbit and guinea pig hutch covers add an additional layer of protection against sub-zero temperatures, and keep frost and ice from accumulating on the hutch.
By packing the easy-clean droppings tray with straw or hay, you’ll add further insulation to your rabbit and guinea pig’s home. Aim to bed your pets’ hutch down with at least 4-6 inches of good quality straw or hay to give them enough to nestle down in. Adding a rabbit and guinea pig run cover to the attached run will keep their outdoor space free from snow and ice.
Dietary and environmental considerations
Because keeping warm requires more energy, your rabbits and guinea pigs will need quality nutrition throughout the winter to maintain their increased metabolic needs. Eating and digesting stokes their internal heating mechanisms, so providing food high in fiber and protein that takes longer to chew and digest is an excellent way to help your rabbits and guinea pigs stay warmer. Timothy or orchard grass hay, alfalfa cubes or blocks, and fresh seasonal vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrot tops, and leafy greens are all excellent choices. Grass hay should be offered free-choice, and remember to choose pellet feed for your guinea pigs that is fortified with Vitamin C.
Water bottles may freeze when temperatures drop, but bubble wrap or pipe insulation can be wrapped around them to keep them thawed — just be sure to keep this material out of your rabbits’ and guinea pigs’ reach. The ground is also colder during the winter months, so your bunnies and cavies should have a layer of pine pellets, shavings, or straw lining the bottom of their run. This will provide a barrier between their bare feet and the frozen ground.
Zippi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Tunnels are another great way to provide a burrowing experience for your pets, and to get their bodies moving during the cold. These above-ground burrowing pipes simulate tunnels in the wild, and offer an escape from the elements. Zippi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Platforms also get your pets up and moving, and provide a secluded space below for creating cozy cuddle corners.
When it’s time to bring them inside
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to keeping your rabbits and guinea pigs outside all year long. In general, pets that are kept outdoors leading up to winter should be acclimated to the climate. Their coats will have been preparing for the dip in temperature through molting, and their metabolisms will be steadily ramping up for the colder months.
But, there are circumstances where it may not be safe for your rabbits and guinea pigs to stay outside during the winter. These include:
- Rabbits and guinea pigs with certain health conditions, or those that are very young or very old.
- When the temperatures drop into the negatives, or when the wind chill creates sustained sub-zero conditions.
- If your bunnies or cavies haven’t lived outside leading up to the change in seasons.
If you see your rabbits or guinea pigs displaying signs of hypothermia, it’s important to bring them inside right away. Signs of a rabbit or guinea pig getting too cold include:
- Shivering
- Pale feet or ears
- Lethargy
Once you bring your pets inside, they’ll need to remain in a climate controlled environment until moderate weather makes a reappearance. Bringing your rabbits or guinea pigs inside will start to reset their internal temperatures and metabolisms, making it difficult to reacclimate to the colder conditions outdoors. So, once you make the decision to bring your pets inside, remember that it’s not just a temporary visit — it’s for the season.
Omlet and your rabbits and guinea pigs
Keeping your rabbits and guinea pigs outdoors full-time is a personal preference or in some cases, a necessity for certain pets. But with our insulated rabbit and guinea pig hutches, weather protection, and insulating hutch covers, your bunnies and cavies will be equipped to not only withstand the cold, but thrive during the winter.
This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs
If you’re considering getting a guinea pig, you’re in good company. Guinea pigs (also known as “cavies”) are fun, quirky companions for people of all ages. Though small, these little animals make great pets that are full of character and personality. They’ll happily greet you with a series of adorable noises, affectionately nuzzle you during cuddling sessions, and provide you with hours of entertainment through their various eating and play habits. If you’ve ever owned a guinea pig, you know firsthand how enjoyable and rewarding it can be to have a guinea pig in your family. But, if this is your first time owning a guinea pig, here’s a checklist of everything you need.
A friend for your guinea pig
In the wild, guinea pigs live in groups called “herds”. They’re very social by nature and do best when they have a friend or two. Often guinea pigs will establish bonded pairings, but sometimes a group of 3 can be inseparable. A lone guinea pig will become depressed quickly, so be sure to plan on keeping at least 2 guinea pigs from the start.
Same-sex siblings are often a desirable pairing. Other same-sex pairings may also be successful, but you’ll want to introduce them slowly before housing them together. Be sure to only keep neutered males with females — otherwise, you’ll end up with accidental guinea pig pups. The idea of baby guinea pigs may sound cute, but behind the cuteness is a lot of extra care and having to separate males from females when they’re old enough to be weaned. And, unless you’ve got a lot of space or multiple setups, you’ll also need to find homes for the pups.
A cozy cavy hutch
Your guinea pigs will need a hutch to live in, even if you intend to keep them in your home. Whether you opt for a modern hutch like our Eglu Go guinea pig hutch or an indoor hutch option, you’ll need to weigh your decision carefully.
A good hutch is vital to a guinea pigs’ wellbeing. It’s their home, and where they’ll spend the majority of their time. Well-made hutches provide a secure environment for your guinea pigs to sleep, socialize, and exercise, and it will last you and your pets many years. And, by investing in a high-quality hutch, you won’t have to worry about maintenance or replacements.
The Eglu Go hutch can comfortably house 2-3 guinea pigs, and is the easiest cavy home you’ll ever have the pleasure of cleaning. Our unique design encourages your guinea pigs to express their natural behaviors, making them feel right at home from the beginning. And, with twin-insulated walls, your cavy will stay comfortable in any season.
It’s a common misconception that guinea pigs can’t be housed outdoors year-round. When they’re provided with quality shelter and space, they adapt well in natural settings. Special care should be taken during extreme weather conditions and temperatures, but guinea pigs can live outdoors safely the majority of the year in a setup like the Eglu Go guinea pig hutch.
It’s important to note that guinea pigs should be brought inside when temperatures are consistently above 80 degrees or below 50 degrees. Unless you’re able to check on them every couple of hours during temperature dips or spikes, it’s best to bring them in a temperature-controlled environment.
Space to exercise and play
Like most pets, guinea pigs thrive when they have as much space as possible. It’s especially important for guinea pigs to have room to exercise, as they are prone to obesity. Their little legs are adorable, but struggle under extra weight. The attached run of the Eglu Go guinea pig hutch offers your cavy room to run and play, but you can give them even more space by adding Zippi Guinea Pig Runs and Playpens.
The Zippi Guinea Pig Tunnel System brings all of this together by creating a route between their hutch and playpen. In the wild, guinea pigs seek shelter in burrows or tunnels constructed by other animals. They’re constantly on the lookout for potential threats, so providing hideouts and tunnels appeals to their desire to seek shelter. And, with convenient attachment kits, the Zippi guinea pig tunnel system can be connected to wooden hutches or any wire run easily.
For additional exercise, Zippi Guinea Pig Platforms can be installed inside of our playpens. The ramp is specially designed for little cavy legs, and the safety rails help prevent accidental tumbles. Zippi platforms are a great way to utilize aerial space, and to help you interact with your guinea pig on a whole new level — literally.
A quality diet and fresh water
Guinea pigs should have free-choice access to quality pellets and fresh water at all times. Their feed should consist of timothy hay-based pellets, rather than the “trail mix” variety of food. When offered this mix, cavies will pick out their favorite bits and leave the more nutritious pieces behind. Since guinea pigs can become overweight easily, it’s important to only feed them foods that offer nutritional value and not empty calories.
Cavies are in the rodent family, and as such, their teeth continuously grow. To combat this, make sure they have access to loose timothy hay at all times. In the wild, guinea pigs graze on grasses and plants all day long to help keep their teeth trimmed and their bellies in working order. In addition to their hay, offer your guinea pigs fresh herbs, leafy greens, and guinea pig-safe vegetables in moderation to round out their diet. As an occasional treat, you can serve your guinea pigs small pieces of fresh fruit.
Vitamin C
Guinea pigs are among a small group of mammals that can’t make their own vitamin C. Like humans, they need their daily dose of this essential vitamin in order to stay healthy. Most commercially made guinea pig pellets have vitamin C added, but be sure to check labels.
There are multiple other ways to make sure your guinea pigs are getting enough vitamin C. These include:
- Store-bought vitamin C drops to add to their water
- Offer vitamin C-rich veggies like broccoli, bell pepper, or dark leafy greens
- During playtime, reward your cavy with vitamin C-rich fruits like strawberries
A predictable routine
Guinea pigs will find comfort in their daily routine and soon come to expect their meals, playtime, and bedtime. They’ll also quickly learn that you are the bringer of food, playtime coordinator, and provider of safety — and will reward you with friendly squeaks and other noises from guinea pig vernacular.
Plan to check in on your guinea pigs at least once a day, but the more you interact with themes, the better your bond will be. Your cavies will soon anticipate your visits and will be more active when you spend time with them.
Omlet has all your guinea pig needs
We’ve designed comfortable cavy homes that keep your guinea pigs safe while making caring for them easier than ever for you. Our Eglu Go guinea pig hutch, Zippi Guinea Pig Tunnel System, and Zippi Guinea Pig Runs and Playpens are instant housing and enrichment solutions for cavy keepers of all ages and experience levels. With Omlet, you’ll be able to start keeping guinea pigs with success from the beginning.
This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs
Small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs need to run. If provided enough room, your bunny will “boing” across the grass, and your guinea pigs will “popcorn” their way across their play space. But if you haven’t noticed these behaviors from your small pet, it may be time to add more space for them to exhibit these natural expressions of joy.
In addition to the joy that exercise brings your rabbit or guinea pig, it’s also vital for their health. Rabbits crave running, and guinea pigs need to move their little legs throughout the day to avoid becoming dangerously overweight. An under-exercised rabbit can easily become bored and depressed, and overweight guinea pigs experience joint pain and metabolic issues.
How much space should my rabbit or guinea pig have?
Realistically, you may not be able to take your rabbit for a run every day, or make sure your guinea pigs are getting their steps in. To ensure they’re getting enough exercise, try to offer as much space as possible. But unlike a pet dog, rabbits and guinea pigs can’t simply be turned out into your backyard to stretch their legs.
A high-quality hutch for rabbits and guinea pigs with an attached run is one of the best and easiest ways to help your small pet get their steps in throughout the day. Our attached runs can be extended to up to 12 feet long, giving your bunny room to boing and your guinea pig plenty of room to popcorn. And, with our heavy-duty mesh roof, sides, and flooring to help prevent bunnies from burrowing out, your small pet can enjoy their time outside safely.
How can I add more space for my rabbit or guinea pig?
Ready for even more space, or need a space away from your rabbit or guinea pig’s hutch? We’ve invented Zippi Runs and Playpens for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs to be the ultimate space for your bunnies and cavies. The same heavy-duty wire that is used for our attached runs make our Zippi Run and Playpens a safe, secure, and resilient place for your small pets to experience their world.
Choose from a variety of options to fit both your pet and space. For rabbits, our double-height playpens and runs are the perfect height to keep boisterous bunnies contained, and optional underfloor mesh keeps burrowing to a minimum. Cavies can safely enjoy our single-height runs and playpens, with or without underfloor mesh. Both our single and double heights have the option to add roof panels and anti-dig skirting for even more security.
Double the fun that our double-height runs have to offer when you add Zippi Platforms for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs. Utilize aerial space in their run, and give your pet a platform to perform tricks, meet for mealtime, or see you at eye level. Bunnies and cavies alike will feel the benefits of “taking the stairs” when they use the non-slip ramps to access our Zippi platforms. After all that exercising, the space below the Zippi platform offers a shady spot to take a post-workout nap.
Connect their spaces with a tunneling system
We didn’t just stop at playpens and runs – we also invented the ultimate tunneling system for both rabbits and guinea pigs to fulfill their natural desires to burrow. Our one-of-a-kind Zippi Tunnel System for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs can act as a standalone track set up for playtime, or connected to any run or hutch. Design routes for your rabbit or guinea pigs to go from their hutch to playpen or run and watch them enjoy being in their element.
Our Zippi tunnels are made of durable materials that are meant to last, and can be customized with our intuitive Zippi Tunnel Builder. Create twists, turns, look-out hay feeders, intersections and more when you design your own course. And keep your rabbit or guinea pig on their toes by adding onto or reconfiguring the Zippi Tunnel System at any time.
Other enriching activities for rabbits and guinea pigs
Zippi Runs and Playpens also give you an opportunity to add even more engaging activities to your pets’ space. Create a treat-filled maze for your cavy out of repurposed cardboard boxes, or make a digging box for your rabbit with a litter pan or cardboard box filled with treats and shredded paper. Add bunny or cavy shelters and play tunnels to your pets’ home to incorporate even more fun into their enclosure.
Along with exercise, diet is important to keep your rabbit or guinea pig in optimum health. Offering treats occasionally is fine, but the bulk of their diet should be timothy hay-based pellets and free-choice timothy hay. You can also offer fresh greens in our Caddi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Treat Holder to attach to their run. This elevated treat dispenser reduces waste and encourages your pets to stretch their bodies and mind to reach their treats.
Omlet and your small pets
Omlet’s goal is always to bring people and pets closer. Our entire line of Zippi products are designed to foster natural behaviors in rabbits and guinea pigs, while bringing enjoyment and wonder to their owners. Zippi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Platforms, the Zippi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Tunnel System and Zippi Outdoor Rabbit and Guinea Pig Runs are all creative accessories that let you and your pets experience their world like never before. You’ll be amazed by how happy and at ease rabbits and guinea pigs are when they’re in an environment that they truly enjoy.
This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are amazing, social pets that have lots to offer the families that share a home with them. But do you know how they got their name, how much (or little) they sleep, and how many toes they have? These 12 facts you might not know about your guinea pig will increase your love and appreciation for your cavies.
1. What’s in a name?
“Guinea pig” is actually a misnomer. They aren’t from Papua New Guinea — rather, they originate from the Andes mountains of Peru. The first part of their name is due to them being sold for a guinea (an old English coin) when sailors brought them from South America.
2. Not pigs at all
The second half of a guinea pig’s name is also a misnomer. They aren’t related to pigs at all — they’re actually members of the rodent family. Guinea pigs are so named because of the grunting noises they make, which reminded people of piglets. The other term for guinea pigs is “cavies”, or singular, “cavy.” It comes from their scientific name Cavia porcellus, with porcellus meaning “little pig.”
3. Even more misnomers
Like pigs, male guinea pigs are called boars and females are called sows. But, instead of baby guinea pigs following suit and being called piglets, they’re called pups. Even though their names imply they are similar to puppies at birth, this too, is incorrect. In reality, canine puppies and guinea pig pups have very little in common at birth.
4. Born ready
“Pups” are born with fur and their eyes open, and are very mobile from an early age. Most other species of rodents are born hairless and blind, unable to venture beyond their nest during the first few days of life. Guinea pig pups can see, walk, hear, and even have teeth. This gives them an advantage as prey animals in the wild.
5. Size and stature
Fully grown guinea pigs weigh between 1 and 3 pounds and are 8 to 16 inches long. Boars tend to be larger than sows, but should not be overweight. Guinea pigs are prone to obesity, which may be difficult to detect due to their oblong, potato-like shape. Cavies are considered overweight if you can’t feel their spine, ribs, or hips through their fat, or if they develop visible fat pads.
6. A longer lifespan than other rodents
Small pets aren’t known for their long lifespans, but guinea pigs actually live a relatively long life when they’re well cared for. The average lifespan of a domesticated guinea pig is 5-7 years.
7. Abnormal number of digits
Guinea pigs have 4 toes on their front feet, but only 3 on their back feet. This brings their total toe count to 14. But, some guinea pigs may have more than the expected number of toes if they have a condition called “polydactyly” which is a genetic mutation that causes extra toes to grow.
8. Ever-growing teeth
Like other rodents, cavy teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. It’s important to give them food and treats to gnaw on to help them keep their teeth in check. Serving your guinea pigs’ favorite chews in a Caddi guinea pig treat holder will help keep their teeth-trimming treats at an accessible level.
9. Surprisingly little sleep
Guinea pigs don’t sleep much. In fact, they only sleep about 4-6 hours in a 24-hour period. They’re also proficient in power napping — taking short naps lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, but usually not more than 30 minutes at a time. Cavies need a comfortable guinea pig hutch to get optimum rest during these short slumbers.
10. Very vocal
Guinea pigs have their own language, and are extremely vocal. Their broad range of noises include: purring, whining, shrieking, cooing, rumbling, hissing and teeth chattering. It’s very common for guinea pigs to greet their owners in what cavy keepers have dubbed a “wheek” — a happy, excited noise that a guinea pig emits.
11. Cavy companions
Guinea pigs are very social animals and need companionship to thrive. Their vast vocabulary and social relationships are best shared with other cavies. Bonded pairs are usually the happiest, but some guinea pigs will happily live in a social group of 3 or more. Remember to only keep same-gendered or spayed and neutered pairs together to avoid accidental litters.
12. A coat for every occasion
Guinea pigs come in a variety of colors and textures. Their different breeds create long and short coats with textures ranging from curly and wavy, to short and smooth, to no hair at all.
Owning guinea pigs with Omlet
Cavies are cute, quirky pets that the whole family can enjoy. By housing them in secure outdoor guinea pig hutches, you’ll be able to observe all of the wonderful attributes that your cavies display. Elevate their favorite foods and watch them exhibit these natural behaviors, while observing the unique attributes that make guinea pigs some of the most entertaining and enjoyable pets to share your space with.
This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs
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