Guinea pigs
Caring for your guinea pig
Guinea pigs - or cavies, to give them their proper name - are
fascinating, intelligent and when handled correctly, friendly.
They originate from South America and there are eight species, but
only one - the domestic cavy - is kept as a pet.
On average, guinea pigs live from
four to eight years, so their care is a long-term commitment.
Males are known as boars and females are called sows. Guinea pigs
need company of their own kind and can be kept in same sex groups
or in pairs. However, if you are planning to keep a male and
female together, it is essential that the male be neutered to
avoid unwanted babies. It takes approximately four weeks for a
male to become sterile after being neutered. It is advisable to
phone around to find a vet who has experience of neutering small
pets like guinea pigs.
Home comforts
Guinea pigs are curious and like to see what is going on, so they
can be kept either indoors or out. However, they have sensitive
hearing so, unless your home is quiet, they are usually happiest
outdoors. They need a large predator-proof wooden hutch and run.
Each hutch should have a separate sleeping area where the guinea
pigs can retreat out of sight to get some peace and quiet. The
hutch and run should be housed out of direct sunlight in a
weatherproof, draught-proof shed, as guinea pigs are susceptible
to all extremes of weather.
Do not keep guinea pigs - or any other animals - in a garage that
is used to house vehicles, as vehicle fumes can kill.
Extra shelter and bedding must be provided during the winter
months. The best form of bedding is bagged, pet shop straw (un-bagged straw may contain
mange mites). If you use wood shavings they must be dust-free and
you should avoid cedar shavings as they can cause health problems.
Never use fluffy bedding as it can get wrapped around limbs and
injure your guinea pig. It will also not dissolve if eaten.
Food for thought
As guinea pigs are naturally grazing animals, it is important that
they always have quality, bagged, non-dusty hay to keep their
digestive systems working, along with a guinea pig mix.
They also need small quantities of fruit and vegetables as a
source of vitamin C, as guinea pigs lack the enzyme to produce
this themselves. Melons, oranges and dark green, leafy vegetables
such as spinach, broccoli, kale and cabbage are all good sources.
Never feed your guinea pig with lettuce as this can cause
diarrhoea.
Place food in earthenware bowls
(which are hard to tip over), or stainless steel bowls that clip
on to the front of the hutch. Clean, fresh water from a gravity
bottle must be available at all times and changed on a daily
basis. Do not feed rabbit food to guinea pigs, as guinea pigs have
different nutritional requirements to rabbits. Guinea pigs can
become obese if fed too much food or treats.
Health matters
A healthy guinea pig is alert, with bright eyes and a good coat.
One of the most common problems in guinea pigs is bumblefoot,
where the foot becomes swollen due to bacterial infection, often
caused by dirty bedding. They are also prone to eye problems, so
it is important to use dust-free bedding. Other conditions to
watch out for include mange (itchy skin), dental problems due to a
diet that is too low in fibre, and obesity due to being fed too
many treats. If you have any concerns about your guinea pig's
health, seek your vet's advice.
Grooming is a vital part of the
routine care of guinea pigs. Longhaired varieties require daily
grooming as their coats can quickly become matted and
uncomfortable.
Female guinea pigs reach sexual maturity at four to five weeks old
and males at eight to nine weeks. Do not be tempted to allow your
guinea pigs to breed, as there are risks associated with pregnancy
and birth. In particular, females that do not breed by the age of
six to eight months can become pregnant, but they are physically
unable to give birth as the pelvic bones fuse by this age. Male
guinea pigs can be neutered to enable a male and female pair to
live together without breeding.
Exercise and entertainment
Provide your guinea pigs with as much floor space as possible - a
hutch for two should not be less than 1.2m long. They also need an
outdoor run accessible from the hutch to allow them to graze. They
can be allowed to run free indoors under supervision. Make sure
all doors are closed, there are no escape holes and that cats and
dogs are kept out of the room. Guinea pigs are not usually
interested in toys, though some enjoy exploring cardboard boxes
and running through tubes or pipes. You could also try hiding
small amounts of food around the cage to help keep your guinea
pigs alert and active.
Company
Your pet should only have other guinea pigs as companions. Never
keep guinea pigs in the same hutch or run as rabbits, as there is
a risk the guinea pigs will be bullied and seriously injured. The
best combination is a pair or small group of the same sex,
although neutered males and females may get along.
Getting to know you
Guinea pigs are friendly and most are happy to be handled once
they have got used to their new surroundings. Always use both
hands to pick up a guinea pig. Place one hand across its shoulders
with the thumb tucked behind the shoulder and fingers wrapped
round the ribs. Hold tightly enough to be secure without squeezing
and put your other hand underneath the hindquarters for support.
Hold the guinea pig close to your body, or sit down and place on your lap so your animal feels secure.
Guinea pigs as children's pets
Guinea pigs can make good companions for adults or children. As
guinea pigs are active during the day, you can have lots of fun
just watching them. They communicate vocally and different noises
have different meanings. A cooing sound gives reassurance, while a
squeak can be a warning - a sign that the guinea pig is
frightened, or anticipation that food is coming! They are unhappy
when left alone in a hutch in the garden, as they need company.
Guinea pigs are gentle animals and make good children's pets, but
consideration needs to be given to their long lifespan. They can
live as long as seven years, so they might outlive a child's
interest. This is why it is important that the adults in the
household share the children's interest in the guinea pig. As with
all small pets, an adult needs to be responsible for ensuring that
the children provide the correct care and attention.
Don't forget...
- Guinea pigs have a long lifespan compared to other small animals
- Guinea pigs need company of their own kind, either in a pair or
in a small group of the same sex
- Do not keep a breeding pair. If you are planning to keep a male
and female together, talk to your vet about having the male
neutered
- Do not keep guinea pigs and rabbits in the same hutch or run, as
the guinea pigs may be bullied and severely injured
- Make sure your guinea pigs always have dust-extracted hay to
keep their digestive system working and a constant supply of clean
water
Neutering your Guinea Pig
If you keep both male and female Guinea Pigs in the same pen, we
strongly recommend that you make an appointment with you Vet to
discuss options and neutering.
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