S.P.A.C.E is ACE
In a blur; Belle and Roxy engaged in fast play...
S.P.A.C.E as a useful acronym (below) to help us remember what we need to provide for our companion guinea pigs. We should provide opportunities for our pets to exercise control and choice in their environment. This encourages their agency, which is their ability to engage with their environment.
Space: Consider both quantity and quality of space. Plenty of safe space allows piggies to get exercise, to engage in play (they can run very fast!); space provides opportunity for enrichment and choice.
Protection: protect their physical and mental health with high-quality, guinea pig appropriate diet and bedding, good veterinary care (regular check-ups), careful handling, a stimulating but safe environment.
Agency: promoting the motivation of guinea pigs to engage with their world, encourages positive physical and mental health; happy and interested piggies.
Companionship: guinea pigs are social animals, they require compatible company of their own kind.
Enrichment: we can apply what we have learnt about wild and domestic guinea pigs, to provide stimulating but safe environments.
