Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Choosing and Setting Up a Guinea Pig Habitat
Choosing and Setting Up a Guinea Pig Habitat
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the minimum recommended cage floor space for a single guinea pig?
- A. 2 square feet
- B. 4 square feet
- C. 7.5 square feet ✓
- D. 12 square feet
Why: Guinea pigs need room to move, stretch, and exercise. The commonly recommended minimum is about 7.5 square feet (roughly 36 by 30 inches) for one guinea pig, with more space for each additional pig.
Q2. Which type of bedding is generally considered unsafe for guinea pigs because its aromatic oils can irritate their respiratory system?
- A. Paper-based bedding
- B. Aspen wood shavings
- C. Cedar shavings ✓
- D. Fleece liners
Why: Cedar and pine shavings release aromatic oils (phenols) that can irritate the lungs and liver of small animals. Aspen, paper-based bedding, and fleece are safer choices.
Q3. Why is it important to keep a guinea pig's habitat away from direct sunlight and drafts?
- A. Sunlight makes their fur fade and drafts cause hair loss
- B. Guinea pigs are sensitive to temperature changes and can quickly develop heat stress or respiratory infections ✓
- C. Direct sunlight attracts insects that carry disease
- D. Drafts make the cage smell and attract predators
Why: Guinea pigs regulate body temperature poorly in extreme heat or cold. Overheating can be fatal, and drafts increase the risk of respiratory illness. A stable, moderate room temperature is ideal.
Q4. What is a suitable flooring option for a guinea pig cage to protect their feet?
- A. Wire mesh flooring
- B. Solid flooring covered with soft bedding ✓
- C. Glass tiles
- D. Loose gravel
Why: Wire mesh can cause sore hocks (pododermatitis) and injuries to the feet. A solid floor covered with deep, soft bedding is gentler on their feet and helps keep them comfortable.
Q5. Why should guinea pigs have a hay supply available at all times in their habitat?
- A. Hay provides most of the water they need
- B. Hay is required for constant tooth wear and healthy digestion ✓
- C. Hay keeps the cage warm in winter
- D. Hay replaces the need for fresh vegetables
Why: Guinea pig teeth grow continuously, and chewing hay wears them down to prevent painful overgrowth. Hay is also essential for proper gut function and digestion.
Module 2
Module 2: Daily Feeding and Nutrition
Daily Feeding and Nutrition
Knowledge check
Q1. Which food should make up the majority of a guinea pig's daily diet?
- A. Fresh fruit
- B. Grass hay such as timothy hay ✓
- C. Commercial seed mix
- D. Lettuce
Why: Grass hay should make up the bulk of a guinea pig's diet because it provides the long fiber needed for healthy digestion and keeps their continuously growing teeth worn down.
Q2. Why do guinea pigs need vitamin C in their diet?
- A. They can produce their own vitamin C
- B. They cannot synthesize vitamin C, so it must come from food ✓
- C. It only helps their fur color
- D. It is only needed during pregnancy
Why: Unlike most mammals, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so they must get it daily from fresh foods or a supplement to prevent scurvy.
Q3. Which of these vegetables is a good daily source of vitamin C for guinea pigs?
- A. Iceberg lettuce
- B. Bell pepper ✓
- C. Potato
- D. Corn on the cob
Why: Bell peppers, especially red and yellow ones, are very high in vitamin C. Iceberg lettuce has little nutritional value, while potatoes and corn are starchy and not suitable as daily staples.
Q4. How often should a adult guinea pig typically be given fresh vegetables?
- A. Once a month
- B. Only when they seem hungry
- C. Once or twice daily ✓
- D. Only as an occasional treat in winter
Why: Adult guinea pigs should receive fresh vegetables once or twice a day to provide vitamin C, water, and variety in their diet.
Q5. Which of these foods should be avoided or given only very rarely to guinea pigs?
- A. Timothy hay
- B. Fresh parsley in small amounts
- C. Chocolate and sugary treats ✓
- D. Carrot slices
Why: Chocolate and sugary treats are harmful to guinea pigs, causing digestive upset and contributing to obesity and dental problems. Hay, parsley in moderation, and carrots in small amounts are generally acceptable.
Module 3
Module 3: Water, Hydration, and Fresh Greens
Water, Hydration, and Fresh Greens
Knowledge check
Q1. How often should fresh water be provided to a guinea pig?
- A. Once a week, since guinea pigs rarely drink
- B. Fresh water should be available at all times and changed daily ✓
- C. Only after they have eaten their hay
- D. Only during hot weather
Why: Guinea pigs need constant access to clean, fresh water every day. Water should be checked and refreshed daily to prevent contamination and ensure proper hydration.
Q2. Which vitamin must guinea pigs get from their diet because their bodies cannot make it?
- A. Vitamin D
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Vitamin C ✓
- D. Vitamin B12
Why: Guinea pigs, like humans, cannot synthesize vitamin C internally. They need a daily source from fresh leafy greens, bell peppers, or a vitamin C supplement to prevent scurvy.
Q3. Which of these is a good daily fresh green for a guinea pig?
- A. Iceberg lettuce
- B. Bread crusts
- C. Romaine lettuce ✓
- D. Avocado
Why: Romaine lettuce is a safe, nutritious leafy green. Iceberg lettuce offers little nutrition and can cause digestive upset, bread is unhealthy, and avocado is toxic to guinea pigs.
Q4. What is a sign that a guinea pig may be dehydrated?
- A. Bright, glossy coat
- B. Increased appetite for hay
- C. Dry, sticky gums and lethargy ✓
- D. Frequent chirping
Why: Dry or tacky gums, lethargy, sunken eyes, and reduced urination are common signs of dehydration. A guinea pig showing these signs should be seen by a veterinarian promptly.
Q5. How much fresh leafy greens should an adult guinea pig eat per day?
- A. About one cup per day, divided into servings ✓
- B. Five pounds per week
- C. Unlimited amounts at all times
- D. None, as hay provides everything needed
Why: Adult guinea pigs typically need about one cup of fresh leafy greens per day, divided into servings, along with unlimited hay and a measured amount of pellets. Introduce new greens gradually to avoid digestive upset.
Module 4
Module 4: Handling, Bonding, and Socialization
Handling, Bonding, and Socialization
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the safest way to pick up a guinea pig?
- A. Grab it quickly by the back of the neck
- B. Slide one hand under its chest and support its hindquarters with the other ✓
- C. Lift it by its front legs
- D. Pick it up by the tail
Why: Supporting both the chest and hindquarters keeps the guinea pig feeling secure and prevents it from kicking free and injuring itself. Lifting by the neck or legs can cause pain or injury.
Q2. Why are guinea pigs considered prey animals, and how does this affect handling?
- A. They are aggressive and need to be restrained at all times
- B. They instinctively feel vulnerable when lifted off the ground, so handling should be gentle and predictable ✓
- C. They enjoy being carried high above the floor
- D. They only tolerate handling when they are asleep
Why: In the wild, guinea pigs are hunted, so being lifted off the ground triggers a fear response. Calm, predictable, low-to-the-ground handling helps them build trust over time.
Q3. What is the recommended approach when first bringing a new guinea pig home?
- A. Handle it extensively on the first day to speed up bonding
- B. Give it a few days to settle in with minimal handling while it adjusts to its new environment ✓
- C. Introduce it immediately to other pets in the household
- D. Move it to a new enclosure every day to build confidence
Why: New guinea pigs are often stressed by the move. Allowing a few days of quiet adjustment before regular handling helps them feel secure, making later bonding easier.
Q4. Why is it recommended to keep guinea pigs in pairs or groups?
- A. Single guinea pigs cannot eat on their own
- B. Guinea pigs are highly social herd animals and often become lonely or stressed when kept alone ✓
- C. Two guinea pigs are required to produce a healthy diet
- D. Guinea pigs fight less when they are kept alone
Why: Guinea pigs are social animals that communicate constantly with companions. Being kept alone can lead to loneliness, stress, and behavioral problems, so companionship is important for their wellbeing.
Q5. Which sign most likely indicates a guinea pig is feeling relaxed and comfortable with its owner?
- A. Freezing in place and staying very still
- B. Rumbling purring-like sounds and relaxed, sprawled-out posture ✓
- C. Loud squealing whenever the owner approaches
- D. Rapidly circling the cage
Why: Soft rumbling or purring-like sounds and a relaxed body posture show contentment. Freezing, loud squealing, and frantic circling are signs of fear or stress.
Module 5
Module 5: Grooming and Coat Care
Grooming and Coat Care
Knowledge check
Q1. How often should a guinea pig's coat be brushed, at minimum, to help prevent matting?
- A. Once a year
- B. Once or twice a week ✓
- C. Once a month
- D. Only when the guinea pig is visibly dirty
Why: Brushing once or twice a week removes loose hair and helps prevent tangles and mats, which can be painful and lead to skin problems. Long-haired breeds like Peruvians or Silkies may need daily brushing.
Q2. Which type of brush is most suitable for a short-haired guinea pig?
- A. A slicker brush with fine wire pins
- B. A soft rubber grooming brush or soft bristle brush ✓
- C. A metal comb with wide teeth
- D. A stiff wire brush used firmly on the skin
Why: Soft rubber or soft bristle brushes are gentle on the delicate skin of guinea pigs and effectively remove loose fur without causing irritation or injury.
Q3. Why should you avoid bathing a guinea pig too frequently?
- A. Water always causes respiratory infections
- B. Frequent bathing can strip natural oils from the coat and skin, leading to dryness and irritation ✓
- C. Guinea pigs cannot dry off after being wet
- D. Bathing makes their teeth grow faster
Why: Guinea pigs do not need frequent baths. Over-bathing removes the natural oils that keep the skin and coat healthy, so baths should be occasional and only when necessary, using a small amount of guinea pig-safe shampoo.
Q4. What is a common sign that a guinea pig's coat needs immediate attention?
- A. A slightly shiny coat
- B. Visible mats, tangles, or dirt around the rear end ✓
- C. Shedding a small amount of hair during the day
- D. Grooming itself frequently with its tongue
Why: Mats, tangles, and soiling around the rear can cause pain, skin infections, and flystrike risk. These need prompt attention, and gentle trimming or grooming may be necessary.
Q5. When trimming a guinea pig's nails, what is an important precaution to take?
- A. Cut as deeply as possible for a longer-lasting trim
- B. Avoid cutting the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves ✓
- C. Use human fingernail clippers at a sharp angle
- D. Trim all four feet to exactly the same length every time
Why: The quick is the sensitive area containing blood vessels and nerves. Cutting it causes pain and bleeding, so trim only the clear tip and use small, careful cuts, or seek help from a vet if unsure.
Module 6
Module 6: Routine Health Checks and Common Illnesses
Routine Health Checks and Common Illnesses
Knowledge check
Q1. How often should you check your guinea pig's weight to monitor its health?
- A. Once a year during the vet visit
- B. Once a week, using the same scale ✓
- C. Only when the guinea pig looks sick
- D. Once a month, at a random time of day
Why: Weighing your guinea pig weekly on the same scale helps you spot gradual weight loss or gain early, which can be an important sign of illness such as dental problems or infection.
Q2. Which of the following is a normal sign of a healthy guinea pig's teeth?
- A. Teeth that are overgrown and curving
- B. Teeth that are yellow-orange and constantly growing, worn down by chewing ✓
- C. Teeth that are white and never need to be worn down
- D. Teeth that are loose and wiggle when touched
Why: Guinea pig teeth grow continuously throughout life. Healthy teeth are typically yellow-orange in color and are kept at a proper length through a diet high in hay that encourages regular chewing.
Q3. What is a common early sign of respiratory infection in guinea pigs?
- A. Increased appetite and energy
- B. Bright, clear eyes and a shiny coat
- C. Sneezing, wheezing, or nasal discharge ✓
- D. A longer and more frequent purring sound
Why: Sneezing, wheezing, noisy breathing, and nasal discharge are common signs of respiratory infection in guinea pigs. Because these infections can worsen quickly, a veterinarian should be consulted promptly.
Q4. Why is it important to check your guinea pig's appetite and droppings daily?
- A. To determine the guinea pig's favorite foods
- B. Because a guinea pig that stops eating or producing droppings can become seriously ill very quickly ✓
- C. To see whether the guinea pig needs more exercise
- D. Because droppings are used to determine the guinea pig's age
Why: Guinea pigs have a delicate digestive system. Reduced eating or fewer droppings can signal gastrointestinal stasis or other serious problems, which can become life-threatening within hours, so daily monitoring is essential.
Q5. Which routine health check can help you identify mites or lice early?
- A. Checking the length of the guinea pig's ears
- B. Gently parting the fur to look at the skin for flakiness, scabs, or tiny moving specks ✓
- C. Counting the number of whiskers
- D. Listening to the guinea pig's heartbeat with a stethoscope
Why: Regularly parting the fur and examining the skin lets you spot signs of external parasites such as mites or lice, including flaky skin, scabs, hair loss, or visible insects, so treatment can begin early.
Module 7
Module 7: Emergency Care and When to See a Vet
Emergency Care and When to See a Vet
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following is the most urgent sign that a guinea pig needs to see a veterinarian immediately?
- A. Occasional sneezing with clear nasal discharge
- B. Going more than 12 hours without eating or drinking ✓
- C. Slightly softer droppings than usual
- D. Wheeking loudly at feeding time
Why: Guinea pigs can develop life-threatening gut stasis quickly when they stop eating or drinking. Going 12 hours or more without food or water is a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary attention.
Q2. A guinea pig stops producing droppings and appears bloated and hunched. What condition should you suspect?
- A. Dental overgrowth
- B. Gut stasis (GI stasis) ✓
- C. Mites
- D. Ringworm
Why: Reduced or absent droppings combined with bloating and hunching are classic signs of gut stasis, where the digestive system slows or stops. This is an emergency that needs veterinary care rather than home remedies alone.
Q3. What is a normal resting body temperature range for a guinea pig?
- A. 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
- B. Around 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- C. 100 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit ✓
- D. Around 110 degrees Fahrenheit
Why: Guinea pigs have a normal body temperature of about 100 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Significant deviation from this range, especially hypothermia, signals illness and warrants a call to a vet.
Q4. Why are guinea pigs especially vulnerable to heat stress?
- A. They have no fur at all
- B. They cannot sweat effectively and can overheat quickly ✓
- C. They hibernate when temperatures rise
- D. They produce extra body heat when eating
Why: Guinea pigs lack effective sweat glands and cannot cool themselves efficiently, so they can overheat rapidly in warm environments. Signs include lethargy, rapid breathing, and drooling, and they require immediate cooling and veterinary attention.
Q5. Which first aid step is appropriate if a guinea pig has a small bleeding nail?
- A. Leave it alone so it stops naturally
- B. Apply styptic powder or cornstarch with gentle pressure ✓
- C. Wash it with hydrogen peroxide and wrap it tightly
- D. Give the guinea pig a human pain reliever
Why: Styptic powder or cornstarch helps clot the blood at the nail tip, and gentle pressure controls bleeding. Human pain relievers are toxic to guinea pigs, and vets should be consulted for any bleeding that does not stop quickly.