Clothes for guinea pigs: choosing and sewing with your own hands

Primary requirements

Before making a cage with your own hands, you should consider the size of the housing.
You can make a small table of standard sizes of structures for rodents. For one rodent, the cage dimensions should be 80x110 cm, for two - 80x150 cm, for three - 80x180 cm, and for four - 80x220 cm.

If you need to make the territory larger, then you should add a little footage so that the animals move freely throughout the free space.

Before constructing a home, you need to know certain conditions.

• The area where the rodent will be kept must be dried and cleaned and have adequate ventilation.
• To have more contact with your pet, you need to make a house in a room where the whole family will gather. The pet easily adapts if it hears human speech.
• The dwelling must be installed on a flat, smooth surface so that there are no slopes or shaky areas.
• The pet's home must be level so that the pet does not get hurt.
• The height of the house should be about 36-41 cm. If the rodent is large in size and, standing on its hind legs, can reach the upper wall of the house, then the height needs to be increased.
• If there are other pets in the apartment, then the animal’s home should be constructed directly under the ceiling. The ceiling will be able to protect the pet from other aggressive pets, and in this case, no things will fall on top of it.
• If the pet is already several years old, then there is no need to make a cage for it, which has many levels.
• All walls and floors in the house should have good lighting. It's better if it's natural light.
• Do not install your home near heating appliances. Also, the cage must be installed no closer than 52 cm from the external walls of the house.

Tips for beginning fashion designers

The main requirement for things for any animal is comfort. They should not be tight, interfere with movements, and especially not close the eyes or put pressure on the neck.

The natural materials from which the suit is made will allow the pet's skin to breathe and ventilate. The use of synthetic materials is unacceptable.

The outfit and accessories should not be traumatic. If the suit contains sequins, plastic stripes and other elements, then you need to make sure that they are not sharp.

The costume must be sewn so that the pet cannot chew it.

While chasing fashion, it is important not to forget about the convenience of pets. If an animal resists when trying on a suit and tries to constantly take it off, then you shouldn’t force it to dress up. Comfort in your relationship and your pet's health are more important than fashion trends. And even if the pet happily accepts all the manipulations, you can easily overdo it and overheat the animal. Therefore, it is better to leave the animal in clothes for a short time. And in the heat it is better to completely refuse to wear clothes. Veterinarians do not at all recommend using clothes on guinea pigs, but if the animal doesn’t mind, then sometimes it’s possible.

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Types of leashes

A harness for guinea pigs is the most difficult thing in preparing for walks with your pet. The fact is that a collar is strictly contraindicated for them: the neck muscles of rodents are extremely fragile

One careless movement and a fracture will occur. Therefore, harnesses are selected for them that wrap around the body, safely distributing pressure

The easiest way to get a harness for your guinea pig is to go to a pet store. If the product you are interested in is not available, you cannot buy goods for other animals - even if the seller assures you otherwise.

For a guinea pig, design is not important - convenience is important to him. There are several acceptable harness options for them:

• A vest attached to the bottom is the best option for them in terms of convenience. It does not restrict movement and even protects from damage. There is only one downside - if the pig grows up or changes a lot of things, the clothes will not fit her.
• A figure eight harness is an original solution for walking your pet. Reliable fastening and practicality. A vest, for example, needs to be washed sometimes - guinea pigs are mobile, but a figure-eight harness - much less often.
• If the pet is still growing, a harness in the form of stripes is best suited for it - they are adjustable and fit tightly around the animal's body.

It is worth remembering, however, that during a walk the pet’s comfort is a priority. A finger should fit freely between the harness and the rodent's body; in no case should the fabric fit tightly. They have delicate skin, so only moderately spacious, but strong harness.

Additional accessories for guinea pigs

When arranging a home for a pet, they purchase not only the necessary equipment, but also additional accessories for games and walks.

Toys

Guinea pigs are very curious. They roll over objects that make quiet sounds or rustle with great interest. This amuses them. Pet stores sell various toys in the form of jingling balls or reels.

Guinea pig tunnel

Accessories for guinea pigs such as tunnels and labyrinths are very popular. They can be plastic, fabric, paper.

You can quickly make a toy with your own hands from a cardboard box, in which you can easily build various partitions and slots. The animal will be happy to explore all the entrances and exits.

More complex tunnels are constructed from interconnected plastic pipes. The plastic must be very strong so that the pig cannot sharpen its teeth on the pipes. For an aesthetic appearance, they are covered with fabric.

Bed and sleeping bag

Animals love to sleep in houses because they feel more relaxed in shelters.

If you build a soft bed with a mattress outside the house, the animal will not ignore it. These rodents love to get into sleeping bags

They are fabric structures in the shape of a cylinder with padding polyester filling. For a pet, such bags are a crib and a house at the same time. They give them a feeling of security and provide additional warmth if the room is cool.

These rodents love to get into sleeping bags. They are fabric structures in the shape of a cylinder with padding polyester filling. For a pet, such bags are a crib and a house at the same time. They give them a feeling of security and provide additional warmth if the room is cool.

Hammock

Another option for relaxing and entertaining your pet is a soft hammock that is hung in a cage or enclosure.

For a pig, falling from a height is traumatic. Therefore, you can hang a hammock at a height not exceeding 15 cm from the floor surface.

Clothes for guinea pigs

The pig will not resist if the owner wants to dress it up. In this case, the clothes will serve to decorate the pet. The costume can be sewn or bought ready-made.

The simplest “tracksuit” can be made from a bright sock. You just need to cut off the top to the heel and make holes for the legs. The edges of the clothes are carefully processed.

You can come up with a lot of interesting images for your pet.

The pig will love that you pay attention to her. The main thing is that the clothes do not restrict movement and do not cut into the sides

Leash and harness

If you plan to walk your pet in the yard without an enclosure, you must purchase a leash and harness. A pig, unlike a cat and a dog, has a very delicate body, so it is advisable to take a harness in the form of a T-shirt, rather than straps. A tape measure with a lock, a leather strap or ribbon is used as a leash.

Diapers

Owners sometimes try to protect their apartment from “puddles” by putting Velcro diapers on their pets. Practice shows that this method is ineffective. The animal is not comfortable in the diaper; it will try to free itself from it. Instead of enjoying the walk, he will receive negativity. It is better to buy diapers for puppies and fence off the space for walking.

What to put in the house

Clean sawdust or dry grass is poured onto the floor of the house.
It is important to make the interior of the house soft and cozy. A hammock made of absorbent fabric will make the life of a rodent much more comfortable.

The drinking bowl and feeder also need to be placed inside the house. These are the accessories the animal most needs; without them, he will not be able to feel “at home” in his new home.

At first, your pet may be nervous and sometimes even refuse to eat. There is no need to change your usual feeding routine. The diet should be normal. In such a situation, experts advise adding a little treat to the animal’s feeder. This will calm the animal and help it adapt.

Taking into account the fact that guinea pigs chew on something all the time, it is advisable to put suitable toys in their house: cubes made of natural materials, dense rubber balls. Ramps, mazes and hammocks made of cardboard or wood will bring a lot of joy to these animals.

It is not recommended to give animals too small objects. Caring owners often leave pieces of soft fabric near the entrance to the house, which the pigs independently carry into the house.

Guinea pigs are good-natured animals. Creating a strong and spacious house for them can be not only interesting and exciting for you, but also a useful activity. In most cases, this will not take much time and will not require large financial investments.

But the main thing is that you will not only increase the level of comfort for your pets, free them from a lot of daily fears, but also create conditions for a healthy and long life for small rodents.

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Additional accessories

There are certain products for guinea pigs that are aimed at diversifying the animals' lives. These include various kinds of toys, comfortable loungers or hammocks.

Toys are not just for kids!

Guinea pigs are playful animals. Pet stores offer a large number of balls and coils that make ringing sounds when rolled.

Tunnels

An active animal needs certain sports activities. Guinea pigs have a special affinity for tunnels: they are made of fabric or plastic, and the rodent will actively move in them. You can connect several parts, thereby constructing a labyrinth. A curious animal will be happy to explore it. You can make a tunnel yourself.

DIY tunnel equipment sequence:

1. Take a metal wire and make several rings. Their diameter should allow the guinea pig to move freely between the elements.
2. Each ring is covered with thick fabric. Fleece is often used for this purpose.
3. The rings need to be connected to each other. For this purpose, fabric pieces are used.
4. The edges of the rings are equipped with hooks. This is necessary to secure the tunnels to the rods.

For the maze, you can use cardboard or thick paper. An ordinary box is taken, holes are made, various kinds of barriers and places for shelter are equipped. This will be worthy entertainment for the rodent, but, of course, not for long: the animal will chew it with the same joy.

A lounger - to have somewhere to rest after the game!

To sleep, guinea pigs climb into the house. But rest can also take place on special beds. You can make interesting mattresses yourself or purchase ready-made options at pet stores.

How to make a sleeping bag for a rodent:

• Take fabric from which squares are cut out. Their sizes are determined by the dimensions of the guinea pig. Traditionally, 10 cm should be added to the body length.
• The inside of the bag is equipped. A soft cloth is used for this.
• The top of the bag is covered with padding polyester. Leave 10 cm on the side of the hole.
• A denser material is used for the outer part. The inner part together with padding polyester is placed in the outer bag.
• The previously left 10 cm of fabric is wrapped and hemmed.

A sleeping bag will serve as a reliable shelter for your guinea pig. That is why animals often prefer them to a house. The products will have to be washed frequently, so the fabric must be prepared for this: you need to choose a thick, good quality option. Bags of bright and unusual colors will look stylish.

Hammock - heavenly pleasure!

You can hang a small hammock in the cage for your guinea pig. This is a convenient product where your beloved pet will love to relax. The hammock is hung at a height of 10-15 cm. Otherwise, the animal may suffer if it falls.

Outfits

Many guinea pig owners like to photograph their pets in interesting clothes, so the clothes are purely decorative. You can buy bright dresses and suits in pet stores. Some owners sew outfits to order. You can try making clothes yourself.

How to make a stylish costume for a guinea pig from a sock?

1. The top of the sock is cut off down to the heel.
2. There are holes for the paws.
3. Next, you need to tuck the edges and stitch around the perimeter of both edges.

The decoration of the fabric depends on the tastes of the owner. You can use beads, rhinestones, buttons, bright scraps of fabric of a different color - whatever your imagination allows.

Leash and harness: for the adventurous

To walk the animal, a special device is used - a leash. The most convenient option is a model in the form of a T-shirt. It allows you to tightly fix the body of the rodent. It is more convenient for the owner to use a tape measure that has a lock. You can also purchase a simple leather leash.

Combing brush

For long-haired breeds, you will need to purchase a brush. This is a necessary element of caring for a guinea pig. It will help rid the fur of dirt and keep your pet looking neat.

As we can see, not much is needed for a comfortable life for a guinea pig: besides, not every accessory from the above is required. The main thing is that the animal is healthy, and any loving owner will think about its leisure time.

What clothes can you dress your pet in?

The fashion for costumes for guinea pigs has moved directly from the fashion for outfits for dogs and cats. Since pigs are tame animals, owners can easily dress them in costumes. The robes of kings and the dresses of princesses look especially cute on these animals. Couturiers sew clothes for them like those from movies or cartoon characters. On the Internet you can also find photographs where these cute animals are dressed as a French artist, a judge in a wig, a Mexican in a sombrero, a dinosaur and other variations of famous images. In addition, elegant dresses and sweaters are knitted for the animals.

Best solutions

The best decision would be to buy an enclosure made taking into account all the needs of guinea pigs. Such cages have a plastic bottom, which is equipped with a pull-out tray. This feature will make it easy to clean up your pet’s home, and the plastic sides will prevent sawdust from flying around the room.

The walls are made of metal, and special places are equipped with fasteners for feeders and drinkers.

Enclosures presented in pet stores can be equipped with a second tier. This adds more space for your guinea pig to move around. The two-story structure allows you to place many passages inside the enclosure and divide the space into zones.

Additional accessories for guinea pigs

Some products for guinea pigs will help make your pets' lives brighter and more comfortable. These are various toys, beds, hammocks and other convenient devices.

Toys

Pigs love to entertain themselves with toys - in pet stores you can find various balls and spools that quietly ring or rustle when rolled. It is better if the toy is made of natural materials, then the pet can chew it without danger to itself.

Guinea pigs love tunnel toys

Guinea pig tunnel

To satisfy your pet's need for movement, you can install fabric or plastic tunnels in an enclosure or in a place for walking. If you connect several parts together, you will get a labyrinth through which the pig will travel with great pleasure.

There are many types of tunnels sold in pet stores; you can also make such a toy yourself:

1. Several rings are made from metal wire; the diameter should be such that the pig cannot get stuck.
2. Each ring is sheathed; fleece or other dense fabric is good for work.
3. The rings are connected to each other using pieces of fabric, at a distance of 10-15 cm.
4. Hooks are sewn to the edges to secure or hang the device from the bars of the cage.

Parts and pieces of pipes for plumbing can be used as tunnels. They are usually made of durable plastic that your pig will not be able to chew through. You can get an interesting design if you cover the pieces of pipes with thick fabric in a nice color.

You can also make a labyrinth with your own hands from cardboard boxes and thick paper. Cut holes in the walls of the boxes, connect them with paper tunnels, install barriers and shelters - the pig will explore the new toy with great interest.

You can make tunnels for guinea pigs yourself

Guinea pig bed

Pets most often prefer to sleep in a house, but do not ignore soft beds and mattresses. These products can be selected at a pet store or sewn with your own hands.

A sleeping bag for guinea pigs is especially popular:

1. Squares are cut out of fabric, the sizes depend on the size of the pet - about 10 cm is added to the length of the pig's body.
2. The inner bag is sewn - the lining is made of soft fabric.
3. The finished inside of the bag is wrapped in thin padding polyester, leaving 10 cm on the side of the opening.
4. The outer bag is sewn from more durable fabric; the inner bag is placed in it along with padding polyester.
5. The remaining 10 cm of the inside is turned outward and hemmed.

In such a sleeping bag, pigs feel protected, as if in a shelter, so it is sometimes used instead of a house.

You can choose bright colors for the product, but it is better to choose fabrics that can withstand frequent washing.

Guinea pigs can use a cozy bed instead of a house

Hammock

Pigs love to relax in a soft hammock, which is convenient to hang in a cage or enclosure. You need to hang the hammock at a low height, no more than 10-15 cm from the floor surface, otherwise the pet may fall and hurt itself.

Clothes for guinea pigs

Unlike dogs, clothes are not made for pigs for walking - suits, dresses and other things serve only for decoration and creating an image. Various costumes can be bought or made to order, or you can also try making clothes for guinea pigs with your own hands. The simplest outfit can be made from a regular sock in bright colors:

1. The upper part is cut off to the heel, holes for the paws are cut out.
2. The edges are rolled up and neatly hemmed.
3. The fabric is decorated to the owner’s taste - beads, buttons, ribbons are suitable.

To make more complex, original outfits, you will need projects and patterns. You can find them on the Internet or come up with them yourself.

Photos of guinea pigs in clothes are very popular, but this is entertainment for the owners, not the animals

Leash and harness

To walk a rodent, a harness is sometimes used - it is best to choose a model in the form of a T-shirt that tightly covers the animal's body. The most convenient leash is a tape measure with a lock, but a regular leather or fabric cord will do.

In the photo, the guinea pig harness looks like clothing, this is the most convenient option

Diapers

When free-ranging at home, owners often want to protect the surfaces in the apartment from puddles. For this purpose, you can purchase or sew cloth diapers that are secured to the animal’s body using Velcro fasteners. But the effectiveness of this method is questionable - the pig will try to get rid of the diaper, and it will have to be changed too often. It is best to use a fenced space for walking your pet, which can be covered with a diaper for puppies.

Pampers for walking are not the best solution, they interfere with the animal too much

The magical transformation of old jeans: 18 ideas for needlewomen

Where to put old jeans? Probably, sooner or later, this question arises before every fan of this clothing. Favorite jeans are often worn literally to the point of holes, and one day the moment of parting comes: it will no longer be possible to pass off the resulting holes as fashionable and stylish decor, patches will not help either...

I have accumulated a lot of disused denim clothes. There is no point in throwing it away, because the fabric, with the exception of some leaky parts, is very durable, and it can be given a second life by turning old things into new ones - practical, beautiful and useful. I'm looking for ideas! Who's with me?

1. Oven mitts

Let's start with the simplest, accessible even to novice needlewomen or very busy housewives.
I myself, for example, would hardly dare to do something big right away, but for small things... Moreover, there can never be too many oven mitts in the kitchen! They can be made completely laconic and practical, or they can be decorated with embroidery or appliqué and turned into an element of kitchen decor - everything is in our hands.
It's a very tempting idea to use the part with the pockets: look what wonderful mittens they make (photo above right). 2. Accessories for table setting

If we started with the kitchen theme, let's develop it. What do you think of these napkins and cutlery pockets?

I think this is what you need for a country picnic or youth party! It turns out fresh, original and stylish, don’t you agree?

And again, sewing such accessories is easy and quick, if only you had a sewing machine at hand. Well, if you wish, the idea can be developed indefinitely: combine fabrics, decorate pockets with appliqué, add lace, and so on.

3. Wall organizer for small items

Another practical and quite simple idea. A young fashionista, a handicraft mother, and a teenage school student have enough of all the very necessary little things that they would like to organize - a convenient wall organizer made of durable denim will help everyone put things in order and keep the necessary things at hand.

A creative approach to creating this interior detail is welcome. It is not at all necessary to make an organizer in the shape of a simple rectangle - cats also look great. You can play with the shape or location of the pockets, use various decorative elements - it all depends only on the desire and skills of the craftswoman, there are no restrictions! There are no strict rules either - such an organizer can and should be customized to suit you. I think this idea will also come in handy at the dacha - for storing bags of seeds, gloves, small tools (such as pruners or scissors). Denim fabric is durable, reliable, and washes well, if anything.

In general, such devices for storing small items are universal - they have a place in the hallway, and in the kitchen, and in the bathroom, and in the nursery, and in the study...

If only there were enough supplies for all your ideas! The list of ideas is just beginning.

4. Organizer for remote controls for the sofa

And for this purpose, old jeans are perfect (of course, provided that such material is combined with the interior of your home).

The number and size of pockets depends on your needs, but you can choose the decor according to your taste and mood - not necessarily lace, as in the photo.

5. Decorative pillows

What else should be on the sofa? Of course, pillows! The more, the better: it’s so convenient to surround them on all sides so that you can comfortably read a book, do handicrafts or watch TV.

I really love pillows, so this idea interested me. I’m not sure, however, that I’m ready to work on complex and sophisticated decor, but simple and practical models, in my opinion, also look good.

Well, the pillows are just asking for a suitable addition - a spectacular denim blanket or blanket, don’t you agree?

6. Blanket or bedspread

This is my old dream. I think I already have enough jeans for a large blanket - all I have to do is find the right idea and find the time to implement it.

However, even if there is not enough denim fabric, this is not a reason to abandon the idea: a motley plaid made of multi-colored shreds looks no worse than a strict and laconic one. Just the selection of accessories and furnishings must be appropriate.

And by the way, as a blanket, I think the combined option is even better: after all, denim is quite heavy and rough. This is normal for a bedspread, but I want to make the blanket softer and more comfortable.

If the bed is decorated with a denim bedspread, and the sofa has a pile of denim pillows, perhaps you should complement them with a suitable rug. Logical?

Moreover, there is even wider scope for creativity here: you don’t have to limit yourself to just products made from scraps. Even those who don’t know how to sew can easily find the right technique for creating a chic denim rug.

Although, I admit, until I saw the photos, it didn’t even occur to me that old jeans could be cut into ribbons and then knitted, woven, or weaved into a charming rug. At first my imagination didn’t progress beyond patchwork, but now new horizons have opened up for it!

8. Furniture covers

Those who have easily mastered rugs and bedspreads are no longer afraid to try furniture covers, or even start reupholstering old sofas or armchairs. Maybe you have a future furniture masterpiece in your dacha that has been waiting for a long time to be remodeled?

Yes, I agree that denim furniture is not an idea for every home. It is very specific and requires an appropriate environment. It's not even a style - it's a way of life. But you must admit, these samples are impressive!

In the end, you don’t have to take on large furniture - limit yourself to small but very useful items. Such as an ottoman, for example.

What, you don’t need an ottoman? What can you say about the lampshade?

Or this cover for the back of a work chair with pockets for a tablet and smartphone - it just captivated me. Original, convenient and at the same time not at all difficult. In the end, if you can’t imagine such furniture in your city apartment, but you like the idea, maybe it’s worth updating the country house interior? For example, sew denim covers for stools or chairs.

9. Case and organizer mat for the sewing machine

Speaking of covers... Perhaps it’s time to take care of our hard worker, without which all these wonderful things cannot be created - the sewing machine. Well, a little about myself. A cover for your assistant and a convenient organizing mat for scissors and other tools can also be sewn from old jeans.

And then complete the set with a matching pincushion and a craft basket: A well-organized workspace makes work easy and comfortable, and cute accessories improve your mood, don’t you agree?

10. Phone case

Continuing the theme of cases, we cannot ignore phones, smartphones and tablets. Now most of us cannot imagine our lives without these gadgets, and a convenient case for each of them is an absolutely necessary thing.

Of course, you can buy ready-made. Or you can sew a suitable one with your own hands. From old jeans, yes. In my opinion, this topic deserves attention.

The idea in the photo on the right captivated me. I think everyone has encountered this situation: a short charger cable - and no furniture near the only free outlet. A pocket from an old jeans helps solve the problem easily and elegantly.

11. Bag or backpack

Denim bags and backpacks are classics of the genre. This is where your imagination can run wild! I myself am a supporter of laconic and practical options, but I am not without interest in all kinds of exotic things. For me, the main advantage of such “bags” is their durability, the rest are pleasant bonuses.

For young people, as far as I can judge from my offspring, backpacks are preferred. Making a good backpack is a little more difficult than a regular bag, but the convenience is worth the effort.

For those whose favorite clothes are jeans, this backpack is ideal. Make it for the youngest as a New Year's gift, or something.

12. Jewelry and accessories

Young fashionistas may also be interested in denim jewelry - original earrings, necklaces, bracelets, beads, brooches that you can make yourself.

They are unlikely to be suitable as a holiday decoration; they are more of an everyday option. And a New Year's gift for a sister or friend can turn out to be successful.

13. Cover for an album, diary, notebook

Yes, the holidays are just around the corner. These things will also be an excellent gift - for yourself, a loved one, or a colleague, or a grown-up daughter - I am sure that many will easily find those in their circle who will like such a gift.

Pockets on the cover are useful for storing pens and pencils, and the waistband of the jeans provides a convenient clasp for a plump photo album.

The cover can be made removable, or you can make a stylish denim binding for a ready-made or homemade notebook, album, or diary.

14. Gift packaging

Why not? For example, a bag for a bottle of sparkling wine from the leg of old jeans comes out great. It will take very little time to make such decor, but it looks original.

Using the same principle, it’s easy to make, for example, a bag for a sweet gift. Or you can decorate a cardboard box for your gift with denim. There are many options, and I think we will return to this topic closer to the New Year.

15. Toys and souvenirs

An excellent gift is a soft toy, sewn by yourself. For example, a funny mouse is a symbol of the coming year. Or even a whole family of mice.

It is clear that such crafts require skills - not every needlewoman will sew soft toys. On the other hand, why not learn? It turns out so great!

In any case, simple models - like an elephant or the same mice - will be possible even for not very experienced craftswomen.

16. Extravagant garden decor

The next idea seems controversial. Personally, I’m not sure that I would like to see such compositions in my garden every day. But one cannot help but pay tribute to the ingenuity and sense of humor of gardeners who come up with and implement such ideas.

I wouldn’t count on the longevity of the “masterpiece” either - I believe that the very first couple of rains will make the composition unpresentable. Rather, this is a one-time idea - for example, to surprise and amuse guests.

But what a housewife definitely needs every day is a comfortable and practical apron. And old jeans can successfully turn into it!

Short or long; with frills or in a sporty style; with an abundance of pockets or completely simple - each option is good in its own way.

Hard to choose? This means you need to make several aprons - for different tasks, for different occasions: for the garden and for the home, for working in the garden and for the summer kitchen.

And the apron set includes comfortable slippers or light flip-flops. Old jeans can be used to make anything from baby booties to summer boots.

Yes, you can dress up in jeans from head to toe, and this is not an exaggeration! Unfortunately, this time the selection included hats and various items of clothing made from old jeans.

Many other ideas were not included here. It was very difficult to stop, but there are so many options that it’s simply impossible to list them all. However, if you want, we can return to this topic later. And of course, I will be very glad to see your comments - tell me what you did from old jeans. I'm sure there is a lot to share!

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What does a guinea pig need?

Any move is stressful for an animal. But if you know what you need for a guinea pig, and lovingly and competently equip your pet’s home, his psychological well-being will quickly return to normal.

The conditions for keeping a rodent provide for the availability of necessary items, none of which are insignificant. The pet needs all of them for everyday life.

Cage or rack

To bring a guinea pig into your home, you need to purchase a spacious cage with a plastic tray.

It is important to maintain the dimensions. An area of ​​at least 0.7 square meters must be allocated per individual

m. Otherwise, the animal will experience discomfort.

No matter how spacious the cage, the best housing option would be a multi-level shelving unit.

The requirements for the racks are as follows:

• Convenient design - up to the ceiling. Easier to secure, saving room space.
• The rack should look like a single ensemble with other furniture in the room and fit into the interior.
• A distance of 5 cm is left between the rack, other furniture or the wall. This allows you to meet the sanitary and hygienic requirements for caring for the rodent’s home.
• The rodent should not be in direct sunlight or near a heating device.
• It is recommended to install the seating area on the top shelf.
• The height of one level must be at least 35 cm.

It is not always possible to buy a rack ready-made, suitable for the interior of the room. You can make it yourself from laminated chipboard and plexiglass, or using elements of an old bookcase.

Aviary

Pigs love walks. They need movement for health and maintaining normal weight.

To keep guinea pigs indoors, cages-aviaries are provided. In such barriers you can arrange a play area.

House

Houses are needed so that pets can retire and relax from time to time. When there are several animals, there should be enough houses for everyone. A house with a flat roof is very convenient. Then the animal will be able to use it as a height to observe others.

Filler

A good litter will make it easier to keep the cage clean. They cannot be neglected.

It is not safe to use cat litter, cotton wool or newspaper. If they get into the rodent's digestive tract, there will be problems. A pig can become entangled in cotton wool and suffocate.

Drinking bowl

The automatic drinking bowl is most preferable for rodents. The design is simple: a spout with a ball at the end comes out of a cylindrical container, which shuts off the water. The water in it always remains clean. When the animal wants to drink, it touches the ball, which moves and opens the outlet for water.

Feeder

The cage should be equipped with two feeders. One always contains grain or granules. The second one is replenished from time to time with pieces of vegetables, fruits, and berries. Animals can chew on plastic bowls. Ceramic feeders are considered the best. They are heavy and stable. An alternative is metal feeders that need to be fixed to the bars of the cage.

Hay holder

If you simply put hay in a cage, the animals will quickly trample it. To prevent this from happening, use special canopies made of metal or plastic.

You can build hay holders with your own hands:

• Sew a bag from thick fabric and tie it to the bars of the cage. Slots are left in its lower part from which the pig will pull out the hay.
• Cut holes in a small plastic container. Hang it with hooks.
• A simple option is a hay holder made from a piece of metal or plastic mesh, which is attached to the wall of the cage.

Fresh hay for the rodent should always be available.

Carrying

Carrying may be needed not only to bring the animal home from the store. It will help out in cases where you need to take your pet to the veterinarian or when traveling to a country house.

These animals are very shy, so ordinary cardboard boxes with perforations do not solve the problem of stress.

Do you need a wheel?

It's a big mistake for guinea pig owners to think that their pets need a wheel to run on.

The pig's skeletal structure does not allow for physical exercise in a running wheel, since its back does not bend. Therefore, such an attraction can result in a spinal injury.

Carrying

Why do you need a carrier?

A carrier is necessary for transporting guinea pigs. It will be needed to deliver the animal home on the day of purchase, transfer it during cleaning, travel to the exhibition, mating and to the veterinary clinic.

Movements of this kind are stressful for the animal, so it is very important to make them as comfortable as possible.

Guinea pigs should not be carried in a pocket, bag or bag. A tame animal can be carried in the palms of your hands if the journey does not take more than half an hour, and the air temperature remains in the range from 15 to 30⁰ C.

Carrying and transportation requirements

A guinea pig carrier must meet the following requirements:

• space, length must be at least 25 cm;
• strength, should not be subject to physical stress;
• protection from direct sunlight;
• protection from cold;
• good ventilation;
• waterproof bottom;
• ease of use.

The animal must be transported in a special cage. It is not recommended to use a cage in which the pig will be kept.

An important condition for transportation is separate contents. It is better not to transport several animals in one carrier.

Types of carriers

For transportation you can adapt:

• cage with bars;
• Plastic container;
• cardboard box.

When purchasing a guinea pig carrier from a store, you should choose a terrarium for medium-sized rodents.

Pet accessories

Modern manufacturers of accessories for keeping a pet are trying to release a variety of gadgets that no one had ever thought about before. They even produce diapers for guinea pigs. And this is just one example of accessories for keeping an animal.

Additional products for caring for a guinea pig may be:

• claw stone;
• branch for chewing;
• brush for caring for fur lint;
• tunnels made of plastic pipes (with a diameter larger than the cross-section of the animal’s body);
• toys (ropes, swings, ladders);
• diapers (store-bought or homemade from fabric);
• leashes (which are used for small breed cats).

Amusement park for guinea pig

If the size of the cage does not allow many useful items to be placed in it, the owner should equip the pet with a playground with entertaining attractions.

1. A bedding made from an old blanket (towel, sofa cover) is laid on the floor.
2. The perimeter of the site is fenced with a mesh of such a height that the rodent cannot climb over it.
3. Various accessories are laid out inside: huts made of branches and tree bark, plastic or wooden containers with hay and shelter tunnels. Several objects can be connected by horizontal ladders.
4. Let the guinea pigs into their own amusement park that they will love to explore.

You can come up with any amusement park that your imagination allows

DIY outfit for a guinea pig

Guinea pig clothing is sold online and in specialty stores. Many housewives prefer to make an exclusive outfit with their own hands. It does not take much time and does not require large expenses. The easiest way is to remake it from a baby sock. It is necessary to make holes for the paws and decorate the product (beads, bows, ruffles, etc.).

In order for the hobby to bring joy to the owner and not harm the model, you need to know:

1. The outfit should not hinder the animal’s movements or interfere with its vital functions.
2. The animal's eyes and neck must be free.
3. The pig should not be able to chew on the outfit.
4. The fabric of clothing must be natural.
5. When choosing jewelry in the form of beads, sequins, rhinestones, etc., it is necessary to take into account their risk of injury.
6. If the animal categorically does not agree to wear a costume, you should not force it.
7. It is not recommended to keep a guinea pig in clothes for a long time, especially in the warm season.

"Low" fashion

Guinea pigs, like other pets, don't really need clothes. Sewing outfits for your pets is more of a hobby for the owner, an opportunity to show off his pet’s original ideas and cuteness.

The Peruvians began dressing pigs in costumes. In the homeland of the animal, a Guinea Pig Festival is held annually. Animals dressed as kings and queens, Disney and other characters, take part in a ceremonial procession. At the end of the general show, the jury selects the largest, most elegant and fastest pig, who are awarded prizes. After the awards, all participants are treated to goodies. The holiday is accompanied by loud music, fireworks and dancing.

Pigs dressed as menacing dinosaurs

Sewing miniature dresses is also done in other countries of the world. This hobby has been popular in Thailand for a long time. Russian designers switched from dog and cat fashion relatively recently, but have already managed to release collections varied in style and purpose:

• nautical theme with vest and sailor suit;
• vintage style with beads and embroidery;
• glamorous outfits with lace;
• comic costumes - Santa Claus, clown, etc.

Choosing and arranging a home

To keep your pet, it is advisable to purchase a plastic or metal cage - it is easier to wash and disinfect. The cage size is at least 0.5 square meters. m for 1 individual. The bottom of the cage should be solid so as not to damage the paws when moving. Sawdust is placed on the floor in a layer of 1–1.5 cm, which is changed regularly. A drinking bowl and feeder, as well as items for games and recreation, are installed inside.

Cage or aquarium

An aquarium is an almost enclosed space. Air enters it only from above, which increases the temperature inside and worsens gas exchange. The disadvantage of an aquarium is that the pig constantly lives at elevated air temperatures, inhaling vapors from urine and feces. This is bad for your pet's health. Among the advantages of such maintenance is that the aquarium does not absorb odors after cleaning and satisfies the skinny's need for warmth - it requires 4 ° C higher than for representatives of woolen breeds.

When keeping a cage, you need to take into account that the cage should be spacious, non-traumatic and easy to maintain. Height is not an important parameter, since an almost 2-kilogram pig is unlikely to climb anywhere. The length is much more important - it should not be less than 100 cm, since the pet needs room to run.

We recommend that you learn how to choose and arrange a cage for a guinea pig.

Accessories

You can find very attractive cage options on sale, or purchase a long cage and customize it to suit your pet’s characteristics. The cage must have:

• house;
• drinking bowl;
• feeder

The floor is sprinkled with sawdust. The pet’s natural needs are managed in a bedding made of sawdust, which needs to be changed as it gets dirty. In large cages, a pig may choose a corner or several for the toilet. Regularly replacing sawdust in these corners will eliminate the smell without wasting bedding material.

In the side part of the cage you need to build a “house” - a fenced area with a roof:

• height – at least 8 cm (animal height – about 7 cm);
• width – along the width of the cell;
• length – about 16–20 cm.

The house must have an entrance. A drinking bowl is installed on top of the structure so that the animal does not pollute the water with sawdust. The feeder is placed in the side niches of the cage or on a hill in the corner. There is no need to keep the sand bath in the cage for grooming. It is better to place it in the cage 1-2 times a week for the whole day. This will reduce your costs for sand and cleaning the cage.

Did you know? The guinea pig sleeps with his eyes open. To sleep, 8–10 minutes are enough for her, after which the next 3–4 hour stage of wakefulness begins.

Singles or need a couple

Pigs are kept both together and individually. Among the opinions on forums you can easily find arguments both for and against keeping several pigs. Opponents of shared content argue their point of view by saying:

• a pair of a boy and a girl means frequent births for the female and the need to place the offspring somewhere;
• a pair of two boys may fight frequently;
• livability depends on the individual characters of each individual.

Proponents of cohabitation often say that a pet is bored alone and needs to communicate with its own kind. There is no scientific evidence for this fact, but it is worth considering that in the wild, pigs live in flocks of 5–10 individuals, dig holes together and, naturally, intersect in the same territory.

Therefore, the answer to the question of whether to have two pigs or one depends on your personal preferences.