Congratulations on your new furry family members! To make your shopping trip easier, we've compiled the definitive list of must-haves for day one.
The Essential Checklist
- •Large Cage (Min 7.5 sq ft, ideally 10.5+)
- •Appropriate Bedding (Fleece or Aspen)
- •Unlimited Timothy Hay
- •High-Quality Pellets (Plain, no seeds)
- •Two Water Bottles (Glass preferred)
- •Two Ceramic Food Bowls
- •Hideouts (One per pig minimum)
- •Vitamin C Supplements (or high-C veggies)
- •Nail Clippers & Styptic Powder
- •Small Animal Carrier
1. Housing & Bedding
Your pigs need room to zoom! Skip the small pet store cages and opt for a C&C cage or a Midwest habitat. For bedding, fleece liners are the modern standard—they're reusable, save money over time, and are much cleaner than wood shavings.
2. Diet Basics
Hay is life. It should make up 80% of their diet. Stock up on a large bag of Timothy hay.
For pellets, look for plain Timothy-based pellets (like Oxbow). Avoid the colorful mixes with seeds and dried fruit; they are unhealthy "junk food."
3. Hideouts & Comfort
Guinea pigs are prey animals and need to feel secure. A simple plastic igloo is fine, but soft fleece hideouts and tunnels provide extra comfort and warmth.
4. Health Kit
Be prepared for minor grooming. Guinea pig nails grow fast and need trimming every 2-4 weeks. A small pair of animal nail clippers is essential.