How to Care for a pet guinea pig

Guinea pigs often squeak with joy when their owners enter a room. How can you resist such welcoming pets?

You Will Need

* A companion guinea pig or two

* A guinea pig pen that's at least 4 square feet in size

* Newspaper & bedding, such as aspen shavings, shredded paper, or pellet-type

* Guinea pig food, such as hay, pellets, greens, and vegetables

* A one-quart animal water bottle

* Hiding places, such as empty coffee cans, shoeboxes, and flowerpots

* A small pet brush

* A hard-sided wading pool (optional)

* Guinea pig vitamin C tablets (optional)

Tip

Many guinea pigs think Vitamin C tablets are a treat. Give your piggies a quarter of a tablet once a week, or sprinkle a crushed tablet over their food.

Fact

Excited guinea pigs sometimes jump up and down—a behavior called "popcorning."