Environment
Good hygiene and housing are other important considerations when assessing husbandry practices . Guinea pigs are susceptible to a range of bacterial infections , including salmonellosis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis , which are usually spread through insanitary environmental conditions [ 23 ] . Enclosures should be spot-cleaned regularly [ 24 ] , but the required frequency of cleaning will depend on the stocking density ( herd size to enclosure size ).
Guinea pigs are commonly housed in both indoor and outdoor enclosures ; however , the topic is widely debated , with some UK rescue centres refusing to adopt guinea pigs to homes with outdoor-only enclosures . Indoor living arrangements are considered easier to manage , due to the unpredictable weather conditions in the UK and the presence of native predators such as foxes and badgers . Indoor homes are also thought to support an improved human – animal bond , allowing the animals to interact with their owners more regularly [ 25 ] . However , outdoor homes generally provide a calmer environment , away from potential stressors such as children and predatory domestic animals including dogs and cats [ 25 ] .
Figure 3 . Large indoor open-plan grid-style cage with fleece liners . Multiple hides are available and hay is easily accessible . Photo : K . Golding , The Potato Patch Guinea Pig Hotel & Sanctuary .
Temperature management strategies must be carefully considered , as guinea pigs are sensitive to temperature changes and thrive in environmental temperatures of around 17 – 20 ° C [ 24 ] . When selecting a location for guinea pig housing , the presence of stressors should be minimised , as fear and anxiety in prey species generally results in a reduction in drinking and urination ( through an unwillingness to explore ), which is believed to increase the incidence of urinary-related health problems such as cystitis [ 25 ] .
Whether housed indoors or outdoors , guinea pigs need plenty of space , with an area of 1 m 2 ( 10 sq ft ) recommended as a minimum shared space for two guinea pigs [ 26 ] . Ideally , the enclosure should be as large as possible , with larger enclosure sizes contributing to healthy weight management by enabling exercise and increased activity levels , and supporting relationships between herd members by reducing competition for resources and territory [ 24 ] . Many commercially available hutches are often inappropriate as they are too small or are dual-level and therefore not well tolerated or used by guinea pigs as they are not a scansorial ( climbing ) species . For indoor housing , open-plan , grid-style cages tend to work well and can be added to a modular building system ( Figure 3 ). Suitable outdoor housing options include a converted shed or wooden playhouse , which can be insulated or heated to provide protection against extremes of weather ( Figure 4 ).
Regardless of the location , plenty of cover should be provided to allow ample opportunity for the guinea pigs to seek security and , consequently , reduce stress levels [ 25 ] . Suitable options include tunnels , cardboard boxes , plastic or wooden dens , and fleece sacks
Figure 4 . A 1.8 m × 2.4 m ( 6 ft × 8 ft ) insulated shed with storage shelving and lighting . Photo : D . Ramsden , The Potato Patch Guinea Pig Hotel & Sanctuary .
( Figures 3 and 4 ). Plenty of soft and non-abrasive substrate should be provided – which could include hay , wood or paper fibre bedding – and is sometimes used in addition to reusable fleece liners , which are becoming increasingly popular for their eco-friendly and absorbable qualities . Straw and sawdust should be avoided , due to their high risk of causing corneal injury and respiratory disease , respectively [ 10 , 25 ] . The provision of fibrous bedding materials , such as hay , allows the expression of natural nesting and hiding behaviours [ 10 ] ( Figure 5 , page 47 ) and more closely mimics wild cavies ' natural environment of thick vegetation [ 25 ] .
46 Veterinary Nursing Journal