Cats, dogs and other common pets There are no restrictions on cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rats, mice and axolotl (walking fish).
Currently only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected species of birds from approved countries may be imported as pets and only when strict conditions are met. No other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets.
You can expect to pay approximately $20 per guinea pig. Being social creatures, it is best to adopt more than one guinea pig so that they can keep each other company. Purchase either two males or two females to prevent multiplication, and ensure that the guinea pigs are not already pregnant when you purchase them.
Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, make great pets. They are safe for children to handle and can be lots of fun. They require plenty of attention to be cared for properly. Purchasing a guinea pig should be a long term decision as they can live up to 7 years.
To summarise, a guinea pig can live alone, but ideally shouldn't. This is because they are social animals that want and need the companionship of other guinea pigs. A piggy on its own requires a lot of care and interaction, which is why experts recommend keeping at least two guinea pigs together.
Guinea Pigs Should Always Be Adopted as a Pair
It isn't healthy for them to be alone—they need a companion of their own species they can “talk,” play, and cuddle with. Companionship is so vital to their well-being that Switzerland has made it illegal to keep only one.
Do guinea pigs need to be in pairs? Guinea pigs thrive in the company of other guinea pigs and the best combination is a pair of guinea pigs, but they don't necessarily need to be in pairs. If you have a group of three or more that live happily together, that's great!
Typically guinea pigs live for 5-6 years, but some may live longer. Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day, and only sleep for short periods. Guinea pigs are highly social - in the wild they live in close family groups of 5-10 guinea pigs, though several groups may live in close proximity to form a colony.
(Keep in mind that guinea pigs are highly social, so it is best to have at least two guinea pigs who get along with each other.)
Dogs are the most popular pet, with almost half of Australian households keeping at least one dog (48% in 2022, up from 40% in 2019). Cats come second, with a third of all households with at least one cat (33% in 2022, up from 27% in 2019).
Native mammals like kangaroos, quolls and sugar gliders cannot be kept as pets in NSW. The best place for native animals is in the bush where they can live in their natural environment. Native mammals have special needs and do not thrive in confined domestic environments.
It's best to bathe your guinea pigs on a day when it's not too wet outside, so that they can dry quickly afterwards. Guinea pigs don't enjoy being wet, and in cold climates bathing guinea pigs and not drying them off properly can give them chills, and make them feel very miserable at the very least.
Guinea pigs are one of the most effective emotional support animals for people dealing with various emotional and psychological issues. Due to the combination of their attentiveness and loving nature, they're excellent for helping mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Anyone who has tried to sleep in the same room as a guinea pig cage knows that the little rodents can be noisemakers at night. While you may not be able to get them to match your sleep schedule, you can take a few steps to minimize their activity during the overnight hours.
Squeal: Some guinea pigs will squeal when they are experiencing potential pain or they need attention. It can sometimes be that another guinea pig is stealing his favorite spot to eat. Pay attention to your guinea pig if you hear a squeal because it could indicate that they need help from something hurting them.
The impressive animal lived to be 14 years and 10.5 months old before passing away on February 14, 1979. Guinea pigs usually live between 4 to 7 years, so Snowball's owner Margate Wall, of Bingham, was understandably astonished her pet lived for so long.
Because guinea pigs only sleep between four and six hours a day, they should have plenty to do to keep themselves busy when they are awake. Their cage or hutch should be a good size, and they should also have a run where they can exercise. Take a look here to find out how large their cage should be.
A healthy guinea pig is a happy guinea pig, and a happy guinea pig loves cuddles. So regularly grooming your guinea pig is an excellent way to keep an eye on its health, and of course, it helps build that all-important bond.
Guinea pigs should never be left alone for more than 12 hours at a time. If you're going to be away for an extended period, your piggies must have everything they need to keep them healthy and comfortable, including lots of food, water and toys.
About 1/8 cup of pellets once a day—supplemented by hay and fresh vegetables as described below—will be enough. Timothy hay: Provide an unlimited quantity of fresh timothy hay every day. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth.
Poor diet (too much pellets, lack of hay, cereal products, foods high in sugar) Anything that causes the guinea pig not to eat or drink (sipper malfunction) Dental disease. Pain.
Water bowls are also another option that can be used in conjunction with bottles. A heavy ceramic bowl which cannot be easily tipped over is best. Some guinea pigs may find it much easier to drink from a bowl compared to a bottle, however bowls will require frequent rinsing and cleaning as they may become soiled.
Guinea pigs get along just fine indoors with no enclosure at all, so if you have enough space in your home, you should give them an entire room to themselves. When keeping small animals at home, it is very important to arrange their habitat appropriately.
They could be up at two in the morning running around with each other, or asleep at eight in the morning and up again an hour later. It's safe to say that guinea pigs enjoy the dark at least, but we'd even go as far as to say they prefer the dark!