Guinea pig care guide for beginners online guinea pig care. November 4, 20 general care guinea pigs teeth grow continuously, just like those of all other rodents. The keys to a good diet for your guinea pigs are to use a wide range of vegetables and a bit of fruit. They were raised by the incas and used as food and in religious ceremonies. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest news and offers. Your guinea pigs formal scientific name is the cavia porcellus, so many people call them cavies. Supervise your guinea pig when playing with toys, as parts of the toys can be ingested, causing gastrointestinal problems. Dry mix never feed a guinea pig on dry mix that contains ec permitted chemical colorants.
Guinea pigs make endearing pets especially if well socialized. Marina jaworsky, dvm guinea pigs need room to move. Adult guinea pigs are at an increased risk of developing bladder stones when fed foods that are high in calcium. You can read additional info about cages on guinea pig cages page. The best place for care basics, a great introduction for beginners, is guinea lynxs guide to raising a healthy guinea pig. Being a prey species it is important to handle them gently so as not to frighten them. The hay that guinea pigs snack on looks a bit like their bedding, and you dont want your new guinea pig dining on its mattress. It is important to familiarize yourself with their daily and long term needs before adding one. Caring for guinea pigs the animal welfare foundation. Guinea pig cage first rule of correct guinea pig care. Many parents select a guinea pig as a first pet for their child, believing a small pet needs only a small amount of care. Learn the 10 best care practices which guarantee guinea pig s longterm optimal performance. Wild guinea pigs are a prey species and their domestic.
Guinea pig care guide for beginners if youre here, youre probably looking for information on how to look after guinea pigs and as a first time guinea pig owner, this is a guide to help you as you start out in the world of guinea pig care. Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day and sleep only for short periods. Guinea pigs cannot manufacture vitamin c, so make sure your pet gets enough of this essential nutrient. They make wonderful pets for children and can be very social animals. Make sure adopters understand that these little guys have lots of requirements, including a roomy cage, specialized diet, daily cleanup, and gentle handling, and that an adult should. These sociable, somewhat skittish creatures are easy to care for, seldom bite and are exceptionally clean. Give your guinea pig 15 minutes and then try again. This is by far the most thorough guinea pig book on guinea pig health care i have ever seen and it has even been.
Whether you spent some time planning the purchase of your guinea pig or you acquired it on the spur of the moment, youve probably got lots of questions about how to take car e of your furry new friend. Just like any other pet, guinea pigs require a lot of care and attention. For example, more than two male pigs together are likely to fight. Guinea pigs need horizontal space for running, much like rabbits. The guinea pig neither comes from guinea, nor is it a pig. Caring for guinea pigs 10 parasites guinea pigs can pick up parasites. Care of guinea pigs introduction guinea pig is the common name for a cavy. They may live 5 to 7 years or more, so the decision to bring one into your home must be made carefully. The guinea pig is a docile rodent native to south america. Guinea pigs have the long incisors typical of rodents, as well as a diet similar to that of rodents. The most common one is a mite which can cause intense itching and selfharm from the animals scratching themselves raw. Guinea pigs like to eat more or less constantly so it is essential they have something to nibble on such as hay. Guinea pigs are herbivorous rodents that originate from south america.
Guinea pigs cannot store or manufacture their own vitamin c. Speak with your veterinarian about the best way to achieve the right levels of vitamin c for your pet. Given their lifespan, one must think of caring for a guinea pig as a long term commitment. Apr 11, 2019 how we can help call 53075293 to schedule an appointment with the companion exotic animal medicine and surgery service. Your veterinarian should always evaluate your guinea pigs dental health at your visit. Kids pet care charts caring for a guinea pig kid pointz. The hay should be good quality grassy or barley hay. Keep fruits and vegetables low in calcium, low in oxalic acids and to aim for a good balance of calcium. Guinea pigs are hardy little animals, and their easy care makes them especially affordable pets. Described as cuddly and comical, guinea pigs love to vocalize with squeals, chirps, squeaks, and whistles. Guinea pigs make sociable and lovable pets, but despite their size, they can be a lot of work. So, it is important for you to give your guinea pig a piece of wood that she can gnaw on to wear her teeth down. Our pet care charts for guinea pigs are the perfect tool for your child to list their responsibilities and track when they complete them.
They communicate by making various sounds that have different meanings and popcorn, or jump in the air, when happy. In addition to fibrous greens, the diet should include a small number of highquality pellets. Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for first time small pet owners or even experienced ones. The average weight of a guinea pig ranges from 500900 grams 12 pounds. Care of guinea pigs ness exotic wellness center 1007 maple ave. If you notice scabs, hair loss or itching in any of your guinea pigs see your vet straight away.
Every day, fill your guinea pigs food bowl with fresh hay. Guinea pigs stay clean and rarely need baths, but can be spotcleaned with a damp washcloth or unscented baby wipes if needed. Guinea pigs are small pets, but they require plenty of space, time, effort, and human interaction. Info for additional websites and forums which contain good information about guinea pigs. This outline of how to care for your cavy the proper name. They also live quite a long time, close to ten years and come in many flavors. M 1007 maple avenue lisle, il 60532 630 7371281 guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are friendly rodents from south america that cavia porcellus were domesticated between 500 and a. If youre looking for information on how to care for pet guinea pigs and are the proud new owner of a cavia porcellus, youre in store for lots of fun for these small furry creatures, properly called the cavy, guinea pig care is not too difficult youll find your new family member to.
Guinea pigs are happiest when with other guinea pigs, so many pet care books urge owners to keep two or more together. Then when you have more specific questions, the guinea lynx site is one of the best online references for care and medical information. For example, you may see your guinea pig eat its own poop. Remove soiled bedding, droppings and stale food from the cage daily. It is best to choose a good quality mix that has no colorants added.
It is currently considered a part of the family, rodentia, and comes from the high plains of south america. However, i always differentiate guinea pigs from rodents simply because their care and lifestyle is more closely aligned with rabbits instead of rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils. For these small furry creatures, properly called the cavy, guinea pig care is not too difficult. My documentszoe fileseducationguinea pig info introduction congratulations on the adoption of your guinea pig.
How we can help call 53075293 to schedule an appointment with the companion exotic animal medicine and surgery service. Poor hay is detrimental to the guinea pigs health if it is dusty, mouldy or has fungal spores. They are naturally clean, hardy, and are excel lent first pets for. Your guinea pig will love all the food you offer, but if sits in their bowl for more than four hours, its time to take it away. Learn from our best advice on how to be a responsible guinea pig owner. Some guinea pigs enjoy playing with small toys, like balls with bells inside. Guinea pigs have been domestic pets for over 400 years. Guinea pigs are generally very healthy animals but the proper care of guinea pigs comprehensively mentions a wide array of health conditions that may potentially arise and clearly discusses how to diagnose and treat these problems. My reason for writing these pages was to provide care information to help guinea pigs lead happier, healthier lives, that they so rightly deserve.
Bring guinea pigs in once a year for a health check. Guinea pigs guinea pigs welfare tips, advice, health. Care of guinea pigs ness exotic wellness center robert d. When it comes to how to take care of a guinea pig, the main things you want to consider are. Also, your guinea pig may popcorn bounce excitedly and. Your pet will depend on you for food, water, medical care, and companionship. Guinea pigs are social and can be kept with other guinea pigs as long as there is plenty of room watch for aggression.
Guinea pigs often show their affection through vocalizations. Caring for your pet guinea pig nc state veterinary medicine. Guinea pigs have been in my life now for over 10 years. A beginners guide to guinea pig care furry friends. Care of the pet guinea pig native to south america, the guinea pig is a lively, lovable rodent that requires relatively easy care. Again, all guinea pigs are different so not all of these will apply to your guinea pig. Guinea pigs prefer a routine play, sleep, eating, etc. All you need to know about guinea pigs the spruce pets. Guinea pigs are social creatures and make great pets for adults and kids alike. Also to help their owners, especially new owners, to take care of these wonderful little animals. Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin c, so they need supplementation.
Every other day, add some salad to their meal with kale, collard greens, zucchini, or shredded carrots pigs. For example, you may hear a sound called wheeking when your pet is looking for a treat, or purring when being held. Guinea pigs are also great with children as theyre docile creatures and dont bite often if at all. How to care for guinea pigs with pictures wikihow pet. The keys to a good diet for your guinea pigs are to use a.
Provide your pet with optimal or larger sized cage. Speak with your new furry friend in soft, soothing tones. Learn the 10 best care practices which guarantee guinea pigs longterm optimal performance. The most common types of guinea pigs are the english or american shorthair, the peruvian longhaired, and the abyssinian swirled hair.
They also like it when you gently stroke their head. Guinea pigs are highly social and herd formation has been observed in domesticated and wild guinea pig populations for discussion, see donnelly and brown 2004 and brewer et al. Its best to provide a tree branch that has not been treated with. If youre looking for information on how to care for pet guinea pigs and are the proud new owner of a cavia porcellus, youre in store for lots of fun. Please read through this guide and keep it handy for reference. Given their lifespan, one must think of caring for a guinea pig as a long term commitment choose your flavor. Guinea pigs can carry ringworm, which is contagious to people, so have your guinea pig evaluated by a. Adapted from animal sheltering magazine the humane society of the united states. Proper housing how to care for these happy creatures as they munch, chut chubble, squeel and popcorn through life.
Guinea pigs need constant access to clean, fresh water. Cavy is short for the species name cavia porcellus. Guinea pigs actually originated in the andes section of south am erica, and european traders introduced them to various locations as long ago. Teeth guinea pigs teeth can get too long, causing pain and. Hairless guinea pigs benefit from a small amount of nontoxic aloebased lotion rubbed onto skin to keep it soft. A healthy guinea pig diet is about 20% vegetables and 5% fruit. This is a normal, healthy behavior that provides essential vitamins and nutrients. Guinea pigs love a good cuddle but on the first day home, but make sure to give your guinea pig time to settle in. Download pdf of this guinea pig care article visit the companion exotic animal medicine and surgery service website guinea pig care natural history guinea pigs are rodents originating from south america. Guinea pig care sheets for beginners to help you get organized. If your guinea pig has not urinated in over 24 hours, it is an emergency. As creatures of habit, guinea pigs need to be introduced to changes slowly in regards to feedings and routines. If you are willing to give your guinea pig a good home with proper food, attention, living space, grooming, and veterinary care, you will be rewarded with a happy, healthy, cute, and fun guinea pig. Your cavy the proper name guinea pigs are known by will depend on you for food, water, medical care and companionship.
Guinea pig care and health information jackies guinea pigs. Among many benefits, hay helps prevent obesity, dental disease, diarrhea, and. Guinea pig care sheet please share, distribute and print this document freely. If youre among the many people who think they come from one of the guineas, in africa or in the southwest pacific, youre wrong. Guinea pig care the guinea pig manual all about guinea pigs. Males are known as boars and females are called sows. Guinea pig care guide 3430 lauderdale drive call us for assistance. Guinea pig behavior guinea pigs are most active at dawn and twilight, taking naps throughout the day. Adapted from animal sheltering magazine the humane society of. Guinea pigs need their nails clipped approximately once a month. The ultimate guinea pig care guide kritter care 101. Youll find your new family member to be gentle, sociable, and cheerful.
Guinea pigs make great pets, but its important for kids to provide proper care on a regular basis. A guinea pig can be one of the most endearing and wonderful pets. They may live as long as 9 years the average is 5 to 7, so the decision to bring one into your home must be made carefully. Welcome to the burgess excel care guide for guinea pigs. They are adorable, affectionate and extremely social. Lisle, il 60532 630 7371281 guinea pigs cavia porcellus, also known as cavies, are friendly rodents from south america that were domesticated between 500 and a. Guinea pigs are rewarding pets to look after but, unlike some other small pets, they do require lots of care on a regular basis. Guinea pigs live for around four to eight years, so their care is a longterm commitment.
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