A  Guinea  Pig  Quick -Brief

enjoy!

Guinea pigs, or cavia porcellus to give them their proper name, are in many ways ideal family pets!

• Unlike dogs you don't have to walk them daily,
  and unlike dogs you can go out all day leaving them safely behind.
• Unlike cats they do not destroy the local wild bird population.
• Unlike hamsters, and some other small rodents they do not sleep all day.
• Unlike rabbits they eat little, can be handled easily, and can even stay indoors.
• Unlike snakes, and other reptiles they do not need extra heat and light.
• Unlike birds they do not make incessant noise.
• Unlike fish they can be handled and give affection.
• Unlike horses they do not need regular veterinary attention or expensive upkeep.

Yes, the domesticated guinea pig can make a great pet - low cost to buy, low cost of upkeep, not noisy, does not demand constant attention, yet are affectionate, cuddly, and can be bred easily.

A guinea pig can be a fussy little creature, expect likes and dislikes, and a bit like some of us, they don't like change!
Staple guinea pig mix from your pet store is the basic diet, but even here beware! - best choose a guinea pig mix that prevents selective feeding, i.e. they choose those bits they like and leave the bits they don't. The consequences of this is that they may lack a balanced diet and can be prone to illnesses as a result!

Next we come to fruit and veg - and here little often is better than too much which can cause diarrhoea. Guinea pigs need fresh fruit and veg, and are partial to green leafs.
A Vitamin C supplement in their drinking water is recommended, but read the instructions so not to over-dose!

Try beetroot (not pickled), carrot, broccoli, celery, cauliflower leafs, cabbage (in moderation), but lettuce only very occasionally if at all, as it can cause colic.
Offer orange, apple, grapes but not the whole fruit, cut or slice and make this a treat rather than constantly available.

Special hang-up treats from pet stores are also good, and encourage the animal to climb up and use their rodent teeth.
Another essential is a daily fresh supply of clean water.
By all means try other things from time to time, ours like cold peas (cooked), and will even nibble small pieces of bread.
Remember guinea pigs are veggie, so no meat or dairy products, and definately no sweets or anything with sugar.

Hay is essential and there should always be a supply of fresh grass hay in their home which should be replenished every time their cage is cleaned!

NOW SOME DONT'S
iceburg lettuce, uncooked beans, geminating potatoes, pears, dairy products, and unshelled nuts.

these are some of the g-pigs that we have had over the years!

Maintenance is very important, but not difficult.
Your guinea pig hutch will SMELL if not cleaned on a regular basis!
The floor of the living quarters will need the following procedure carried out every two to three days for a single pig in residence, or almost daily if there are two or more!

1. Take g-pig out of home and place where it cannot get back in until you are finished.
2. remove all existing floor covering and discard hygenically, also old fruit and veg.
3. spray the floor with a suitable antiseptic cleanser (your local pet store will sell these)
4. wipe the floor with kitchen paper or a paper towel.
5. place new bedding on the hutch or cage floor to a depth such that all the wood or plastic is covered, and possibly up to a depth of quarter to half inch.
6. allow pet to return home, and reward with treat!

Often guinea pigs are housed with rabbits, especially at pet stores.
It is a common practice, but the advice from most expert sources is - DON'T DO IT!
If kept outdoors, they are often considered as company for each other, as the guinea pig can get warmth from the larger rabbit, but a rabbit has very powerful back legs which often does great harm to the more fragile guinea pig!
Also, they are different species, and in general terms should not be kept together, their dietary requirements differ.
 
Jalene Minkevics wrote to say that it is a little known fact about Rabbits and Guinea Pigs and why you should never, ever, ever house them together. This is a lesson she learned the hard way with a $300.00 vet bill for her $35 guinea pig. Rabbits can be carriers of a bacteria called Bordetella which does not cause any illness in the rabbit but causes pneumonia in guinea pigs. Although not all rabbits carry this bacteria, most do and therefore should you wish to keep your guinea pig and save yourself several hundred dollars do not house them together.
 

Hot weather poses special problems for guinea pigs. As a general rule if we humans feel hot, then chances are so will our guinea pigs!
Here are some quick-brief tips to help keep your pet happy in the summer.

1. Always keep out of direct sunlight.
2. Make sure they have a regular and fresh supply of water.
3. If kept out of doors make sure cats or other animals cannot get in at them.
4. Guinea pigs do not like drafts, so make sure they have shelter.

Guinea pigs are generally fine if well looked after, however look out for the following symptoms. Please note that this author is not qualified as a vet, therefore if you are worried about the health of your pet, seek medical advice from a qualified person without delay.

1. Diarrhoea
   This might be a symptom of a serious ailment, and professional advice is advised.
2. Constipation
   Might be caused by lack of greens.
   Treat with plenty wet veg, or in severe cases, medicinal liquid paraffin. (seek medical advice)
3. Bumble foot
   Swelling in the foot and slight redness.
   It is not contagious but treatable with antibiotics.
   This is potentially a dangerous condition, so do not delay.
4. Worms
   Seen as white streaks in their droppings usually comes from grazing on grass.
   This is a case for the vet however.
5. Bladder Stones
   The symptoms are obvious pain on urination, probably accompanied by unusual squeaking, and arching of the back.
   One reason for stones developing could be lack of fluid, and not enough acid in the diet.
   Check if your guinea pig drinks regularly, and offer celery, beetroot, apple, but not lettuce.
6. Lice
   White in colour, very small, and crawl about on his fur.
   Treat with a suitable shampoo available on prescription.
7. Eye problems
   sore, runny eyes sometimes occur particularly if the pig is kept in a draught.
   Treatment is usually by eye drops or ointment on prescription.
8. Dental problems
   We were worried when our Bobby broke his two front incisors, and seemed to be having difficulty in coping with lettuce etc.
   However a guinea pig actually has 20 teeth, and will be merely inconvenienced whilst the front ones grow in again (which seemed to happen quite rapidly)
   Sometimes the front teeth need to be cut, but do not attempt this unless you know what you are doing!
9. Lameness
   Often caused by lack of vitamin C (see section on diet above)

	guinea pig books

The sexing of guinea pigs, particularly if young, may not be too straightforward. It may be more reliable to ask someone who knows, but you can make your own mind up!
Pet store staff often do not offer advice on the sex of animals they sell, as they employ temporary and part-time staff who may not be trained in such matters.
It is easier in adult guinea pigs, an examination of the genitalia holds the clue. The "triangular" area will reveal in the middle a "dot" or "button" in the male, which will not be present in the sow. Note however that both sexes have nipples.
Male babies can impregnante their mothers as early as 24 days and must be separated therefore at 21 days!

boar	sow

A guinea pig is for life, not just for Christmas!
Buy one g-pig on its own only if you intend to make it very much one of the family, keep it in the house, and handle it, look after it well.
If buying more than one, remember that they can be prolific breeders, so check the sex (many pet stores will not guarantee the sex of animals they sell!) and if you intend to breed them, do not expect to make money from this venture, as young guinea pigs have little financial value, and are (in the nicest possible way) common!
They do make lovely pets and are ideal for families with children over the age of about five.

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