MIKOTO

My foster family says: Such a silly little potato who runs solely on basil, with a tiny bit of spite mixed in there. She is, how do we phrase this, large and in charge, and likes to enjoy her own space from other guinea pigs at times. She is not scared at all of cats or dogs, though is a bit wary of humans unless they’ve torn up every rogue dandelion in their yard as a peace offering. Mikoto has lived with guinea pigs successfully, though there will be some Morse code argumentative squeaking while they work through their differences.Size: 1.5-2.5 pounds, up to 16` longLife expectancy: 5-7 yearsGroup or solo: Guinea pigs are social animals who do well being housed together and can easily live in groups up to 5. They should be kept in same-sex pairs. Pigs already living successfully together should be kept together. Diet: Grass or timothy hay and fresh, clean water should always be available. 1/8 cup of timothy hay based pellet foot daily. A handful of fresh, leafy vegetables (kale, romaine, bell peppers, and spinach) should be provided with limited amounts of fruit/treats. Pigs cannot manufacture vitamin C, so make sure you provide this nutrient in foods such as bell peppers. Avoid: Pellets made with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or corn. Avoid iceberg lettuce, potatoes, cabbage, onions, mushrooms, and broccoli. Habitat/Housing: A single guinea pig should have 7-10 square feet of space in their enclosure, with each additional guinea pig sharing the same space requiring an additional 2 square feet. `C&C` (cube and coroplast) are popular cage types and can be DIY'd or purchased. If multiple levels are given in their enclosure ramps must not be steep. The floor of their cage should be solid, wire mesh can injure paws. Guinea pig cages should be kept inside the home away from drafts. Wood shavings of any kind should be avoided. Paper-based bedding or fleece are appropriate. Their enclosure should be spot cleaned daily and everything completely removed and scrubbed down weekly. Their cage should have a hiding space and guinea pig approved toys and enrichment. Since their teeth constantly grow, they do need access to chew toys.Handling and Care: When picked up, do so gently and with both hands, holding them close to your body and supporting the entire length of their body. Guinea pigs can be taken out of their cages daily for floor time, but must be supervised. Guinea pigs should be brought a small mammal/exotics veterinarian yearly for an annual check-up or if you see any of the following medical concerns; sneezing, crusty eyes, dirty ears, diarrhea, dental issues, hair loss, weight loss, change in behavior and bloody or gritty urine.More information on guinea pigs: https://www.guineapigcagesstore.com/https://www.cavyspirit.com/care.htmhttps://jackiesguineapiggies.com/guineapigbehaviour.htmlhttps://www.whitmanpets.org/uploads/1/3/4/4/134454738/guinea_pig_care_guide.pdf