What supplies do I need for my first guinea pig?

Short answer: a roomy flat-floored cage, hideouts, hay rack, water bottle, food bowl, bedding, timothy hay, species-specific pellets and a scale.

1. Housing — at least 100 × 100 cm flat cage or pen, one hideout per pig.

2. Food — unlimited timothy hay, guinea pig pellets, a ceramic bowl, a ball-valve water bottle.

3. Bedding — paper bedding, unscented wood shavings or fleece liners, two sets to rotate.

4. Care tools — small-animal nail clippers, soft brush, kitchen scale, thermo-hygrometer.

5. Travel and safety — a hard carrier and the number of a nearby exotic-pet vet.