ENVIRONMENT
Most guinea caging is designed so that heat, humidity, carbon dioxide and ammonia in the cage (the microenvironment) are readily dissipated into the animal room (macroenvironment). If catch pans are changed often enough only a small amount of ammonia will be produced and the differences between the microenvironment and the macroenvironment will be minimal.
Ammonia buildup in cages may make guinea pigs more susceptible to respiratory infections. This buildup may be caused by inadequate sanitation, inadequate ventilation or increased temperatures.
The USDA requires that the room temperature for guinea pigs be kept between 60 and 85 degrees F ( 16 - 29 degrees C). and the The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the “Guide”) recommends 68-79 degrees F (20 - 26 degrees C). The Guide recommends a relative humidity of 30 to 70%.
