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If you want a great pet that requires minimal maintenance and cost, go with a guinea pig. They live longer than other rodents and are much cuter. These animals can be very loud, have unique personalities, and show great affection for loved ones.
The guinea pig is cute and affectionate. These animals are sociable and will be happier if they can coexist with other guinea pigs (as guinea pigs are often called). If you don’t need guinea pig droppings, keep same-sex pets. But you want to present them as babies for better cohabitation.
Read on to learn more about how to own and care for a guinea pig.
General information
Guinea pigs originally from South America are believed to have arrived in Europe shortly during Spanish exploration in the 1500s. At that time, animals became popular pets. It remains so today. They are also bred as show animals.
Among the dozen or so varieties, there are three popular breeds. They are:
- English or common guinea pigs with fine, straight and short hair.
- Peruvians have long, silky straight hair.
- The Abyssinian has coarse hair that grows in curls or rosettes.
These animals come in a variety of patterns and colors. There is also a “skinny pig” – a hairless breed. Females are sows, males are boars. Guinea pigs can weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. They grow from eight to 16 inches.
Guinea pigs usually live between five and six years. Some live up to a decade. They have scent glands at the base of the tail and on the back. With age, they can become covered with secrets. This can make their skin oily.
The creatures have three toes on their backs and four toes on their front paws.
Pros and cons of caring for a guinea pig
Guinea pigs make adorable pets. They are nice and textured and fun to look at. But that doesn’t mean owning one of these creatures is a piece of heaven. Here are some considerations on both sides of the fence when keeping and caring for your guinea pig:
| Pros! | Minuses! |
|---|---|
| The dietary needs of a guinea pig are pretty simple. | Guinea pigs are small and easily hurt if dropped or physically handled. Therefore, small children should not play with these pets. |
| They are ideal pets for young children. | Guinea pigs are often called “colorful” and unique. Veterinarians can charge a good fee for their care. |
| Guinea pigs are not susceptible to serious illness. | You may need to supplement the animal’s diet to compensate for the tendency to vitamin C deficiency. It may also require nutrient-rich soil. |
| They are affectionate creatures, form family relationships, and love to explore the home. | Well-bred guinea pigs won’t be a problem, but they are susceptible to worms and parasites. |
| The guinea pig is a fairly obedient animal, accustomed to the schedule and left alone. | When the enclosures are not maintained, they and the animal can create unpleasant odors. |
| In small animals, their cells are mobile. | They can be a little noisy at night. |
| The cages should be of good size but still flexible when placed. | |
| Guinea pigs combine the warm nature of a cat with the wonders of watching fish. | |
| It’s an affordable option that doesn’t require a lot of food, and accessories like wheels are relatively inexpensive. | |
| Unlike gerbils, hamsters, mice or rats, guinea pigs do not bite. | |
| Pets are not messy, so keeping their cages is relatively easy. |
Temperament
The guinea pig is a friendly, frivolous creature. He has enough energy and is tenacious and sociable at the same time. And does not bite.
As herd animals, they are most happy with their mates, and it is a good idea to keep more than one in a cage. Good with other animals as well. Extremely smart, you can train your guinea pig to perform tricks.
The animal will be the ideal first pet for an older child. The guinea pig should be fed once a day and cleaned from time to time. Otherwise, get ready to enjoy petting, playing, cuddling, exercising, and exercising.
Power Requirements
Your guinea pig needs a stable diet of pure, high quality timothy hay. Food wears out their teeth (which continue to grow throughout the guinea pig’s life). It is also rich in fiber, which provides a healthy digestive system for the animal.
The best guinea pig diet consists of 20 percent of its weight every day. It is recommended that the animal receive one cup a day. Vegetables should contain more greens. You need servings of colored vegetables for the animal to get vitamin C. Make sure the food is fresh, as vitamin C dries quickly.
The animal can also benefit from feed pellets and fruits. They need one-fourth to one-eighth of the vitamin C-fortified granules per day. Find them at a pet store or online. Again, for vitamin C, keep the fruit fresh.
Guinea pig care
Here are the basic tools you need to care for your guinea pig:
- Hard-bottom cage at least 24 x 12 x 12 inches
- Food bowl
- Hide house (small flower pot or store bought)
- Water bottle
- Hacked rack
- Chew toys
- Pine, aspen or recycled bedding (cedar is toxic to caviar)
- Fruit grass, oat grass, or (preferably) timothy hay
If you want your new pet to move to a new home right away, prepare the habitat. Toys, treats, and bedding should be placed in a secluded, peaceful area away from large pets. Do not place them in drafts as they will adapt better to the temperature.
Guinea pigs love to indulge, but let the first day calm down. If they react shyly to petting, give the rodents some time to acclimate, perhaps 15 minutes, before trying again.
Care and play time
These animals cannot stop looking for food. They love it! Toys that withstand a good chew and (better) hide treats are great resources. Also guinea pigs need to roam every day. So let them out of their cages and let them scurry around the large, safe space. Make sure that they chew on almost everything, including electrical wires. If you decide to put them out on the street, always keep an eye on them. As a rodent, you can blink and not know where they are.
Incorporating a casual haircut into your pet’s grooming is a good idea. But this must be done carefully and only if the animal is comfortable. Manual or electric clippers can be used. Manual may be better, as electric clippers may be intimidating to some. (Although guinea pigs can have noise problems.)
Keeping your hair free is a way to stay healthy. Hair gathered in a knot is uncomfortable for most animals. Long hair care will almost guarantee that your pet will overheat, get urinary tract infections, or absorb moisture and waste from its cells.
Beware of allergies
There are people who are allergic to
g
uinea pigs. People can react to proteins in the urine or saliva of the creature. Rumors that guinea pigs are contributing to dandruff and other air pollutants are largely untrue. They mainly transmit allergens through touch or close contact. Their hay and shavings can also cause allergic reactions.
If you don’t know how someone in the house will react, spend time with your guinea pig. Visit the house they live in, or visit the farm or zoo where they live. Go to a pet store, your local humane community, or a rescue team. This is a great way to find out if you can be around guinea pigs.
Cage: size matters
Many pet lovers like to buy cute tiny animals and think that cages of the right size are such adorable accessories. Owners often do not take into account that the guinea pig will grow into a large rodent. Much larger than gerbils or hamsters. Typical cells get smaller as the animal grows.
Your cage should occupy vertical space. He should encourage digging, climbing, burrowing and hiding. Low-level ramps and platforms are great for exercise and casual play, as well as daily roaming outside the cage.
The sides of the hull must be at least 12 inches high. Tops can be opened if you are sure that the pet will not be able to get out. The floors must be solid. Rescue organizations offer coroplast and cubic fences. Glass aquariums, plastic pipes and wire floors are not permitted.
Adequate room is great too. A more spacious body and efficient movement minimizes diabetes, heart disease, bumblebees and anal problems.
The more guinea pigs you have, the larger the cage will be. Instead of improving the animal as it grows, just start with a beautiful cage. Just remember that these animals love to play sports. Toys may need to be changed over time. You don’t want to suppress smaller creatures, and you don’t want to suppress larger ones. And trust when we say you’ll see a bored guinea pig will make you as unhappy as they are.
Next: new research: paleogenetics unravels the mystery of the modern horse
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