Guinea pig boarding near Dixon

Guinea pigs have two needs that surprise new owners: a steady supply of vitamin C and endless hay. Packing both well is the best preparation for a stay.

Booking a guinea pig stay

Guinea pigs are among the small pets the kennel boards, and a customer's guinea pigs have stayed here. Call 707-678-6600 or send a request through your online account. The kennel confirms every reservation, and the boarding agreement is completed once.

No price for small pets is printed on the 2026 rate sheet, so please ask for a quote. Drop-off and pick-up run 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

Vitamin C is not optional

The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C and must get it from food. It gives the minimum as 10 mg per kilogram of body weight each day, which is about 10 mg for a typical 1 kg guinea pig. It also warns that vitamin C in pellets breaks down over time, so fortified food can lose much of it within a few months.

Pack fresh pellets, check the date on the bag, and bring any vitamin C-rich vegetables you feed. The manual names bell pepper, orange and kale as sources. Write down exactly what your guinea pigs get each day.

Hay and housing

• Hay is essential for wearing down teeth and keeping gut bacteria healthy, per the Merck Veterinary Manual, so pack plenty.
• The manual advises keeping a cage at 65 to 75 degrees F, out of direct sunlight and drafts.
• It recommends a smooth floor instead of wire mesh, because guinea pigs have delicate feet.
• Guinea pigs should not be housed with rabbits, since some diseases pass between the species.

A short packing list

1. Your own cage with a smooth floor, since the kennel may ask you to provide it.
2. Hay, pellets and vegetables for the full stay plus a little extra.
3. A written feeding and medication note.
4. A hide and a water bottle or bowl you already use.