Guinea pig as pet
Guinea Pigs are an extremely is
predominately determined start to will a number of behavior, be aware
of popcorning
Begging for treats
Guinea pigs love begging for tasty treats. As their
confidence continues to grow, they will attempt standing on their hind legs
every time they see their favorite treats approaching their cage. When they are
very excited, they also look at you with their eager eyes. Although
this is not bad behavior, you can prevent them from having false expectations
by developing a well-defined feeding schedule.
Coprography
Whenever your cavies are munching on something other than
hay or vegetables, you may catch them eating their poop. Although it sounds
weird for most humans, coprography acquire
Licking
Cavies love licking their owners. Animal behaviorists considers
this as a sign of affection and care. When you are holding your pet and he
licks you, this means that he already feels very comfortable in your
hands. Some people also think they just love the taste of salt in human skin. However, it will be more rewarding if you consider licking as sweet
guinea pig kisses.
Popcorning
Most owners consider Perpignan as the most interesting
aspect of guinea pig behavior. This refers to the event when cavies suddenly
starts leaping in the air. Young guinea pigs usually jump straight up as if they
were wearing pogo sticks. When cavies engage in this behavior, they are trying
to show you that very happy have the right to
Biting cage bars
If your cavy is biting the bars of their cage, it
is probably time to give them more attention. You need to buy them new toys and
wheels if you want to prevent them from doing this disruptive activity. If
possible, give them a cage mate to prevent them from feeling too bored and
lonely.
By understanding how your guinea pigs behave, you can
give them the chance to live a healthier and happier life. Learn more about a guinea pig behavior before keeping cavies as your pets and
lifelong companions.
I am a cavy owner and enthusiast. For nearly two years now, I
have been helping guinea pig owners or soon-to-be owners build a loving and fulfilling
friendship with healthy and happy pets. It's my aim to make sure you understand
everything there is known
Guinea pig
breeds
Guinea pig breeds
There are 13 different breeds and each breed has its own
variations in appearance. Some breeds are perfect for family pets and some are
better for competitions. Basically, these are show pigs. Guinea pig breeds vary
in popularity. The three top types are Short Hair, Abyssinian, and
Peruvian. A fourth variety, the Sheltie Breed (or Silkie) breed, is another
popular choice.
The Short-Haired pig is the kind that you likely think of
when you think of guinea pigs. They have short smooth hair and wide snouts.
They are also called too
The Abyssinian is one of the most common types. This breed
has rosettes or whorls of fur. This makes their coat feel rough. The Peruvian
has a very long hair--
Another variety is the Dutch, which is black and white in a
saddle pattern on its back and a white forehead.
Aside from the length and growth pattern and color of the
fur, there are also variations in the fur that guinea pigs have. The
short-haired English and American breeds have a smooth coat of very short hair.
There are rough-haired breeds like the Abyssinian. These
have coarse hair in a rosette pattern that stands up in circular patterns all
over the pig's body. This type is hard to groom and they never look brushed and
tidy, but their fur seems to have an appealing personality of its own.
The long-haired groups tend to be
Guinea pig pet
Guinea pigs are gentle animals with delicate bones and
sensitive inner organs, nervous by nature and programmed with jumping habits.
Take extra care to prevent injuries.
1. Baby Guinea Pig
A few days young piggy needs time to adjust to new
surroundings. To prevent traumatic experiences, an owner should try to avoid:
- Loud noises
- Cuddling
- Lurking / Looming (this triggers animal's instinct to run
and hide because owner appear to be a predatory bird looming its prey)
When observing young piggy it is recommended it is recommended ; , be slowly introduced Children must be reminded
NOTE: Carrying is not a natural situation for a cavy, so an
average new piggy will not like to be held be carried
3. How to pick up your pet
It is a general recommendation to prevent children from
carrying a guinea pig, as they might squeeze too tightly or drop the animal.
1) Approach your pet from the front.
2) Gently talk to your pet and stroke it on the head.
3) Place one hand under the chest (just behind the front
feet) and use your other hand to support its hindquarters
4) Bring your pet against your chest (this position should
feel most secure), still supporting it by using two hands.
5) Keep a firm grip, but do not squeeze (their bones and
internal organs are fragile)
6) If your piggy begin to lower yourself down to
the floor in order to reduce the chance your pet will be injured fall
4. How long should you hold your guinea pig?
5. Where you should and should not touch your pet
Some guinea pigs like to be touched that do not like be touched is often appreciated
6. How to put your pet back in the cage
Following technique should be useful in preventing your
pet's struggle when holding them or trying to put them down, and it should show
progress in the first few training weeks:
1) When returning your pet to the cage, make sure you have a
good hold on it.
2) As you are nearing the cage floor, piggy is most likely squirm - hold it firmly and securely few
3) Then, let it touch the cage floor, but don't let it go
just yet as it will immediately try to run.
4) When it finally stops struggling, let it go.
This technique (if done properly) will be especially useful
to prevent injuries when someone with lesser coordination, experience or small
hands (e.g. children) tries to handle your piggy as it will not squirm and/or
jump.
7. How to catch reluctant guinea pig
Depends on your pet's accommodation settings; if your pet
has hiding places inside its cage, you have to
It may wine or bite, but in time your pet will probably get
use to being held.
8. How to handle pregnant guinea pig
Handle guinea pig as little as possible late in the
pregnancy. If you have to transport it, use a box with openings for light and
air. Take extra precautions and care.
If you are allergic to guinea pigs, you will need to follow
some advice regarding easing allergy symptoms.
Guinea pig sound
Guinea pigs use sounds as a primary means of communication.
Since cavies are herd animals, sounds are also their means of maintaining
social rank. Understanding the sounds that cavy make is one of the basic
prerequisites for understanding what your pet is trying to tell you to
provide optimal care.
Here we are describing the most important categories of
Guinea Pig Sounds:
Onomatopoeic name for a sound which is sometimes also called
It is a common vocalization generally fed, or in response to
the presence of
Sometimes it serves as a call for an attention as cavies
frequently call to their human caretakers.
One can often hear this sound when an owner opens refrigerator
or is rustling with plastic bags which cavy usually links to a food source
2. Rumbling
Response to being scared or angry in which case the rumble
often sounds higher and the body vibrates shortly
Also related to dominance within a group
Petting in the wrong spots (for instance, on a cavy's
underside) often results in a low rumbling sound
3. Bubbling and Purring
Sound made when the cavy is enjoying itself/being happy
(e.g. when being petted or held)
NOTE: Beware of the purring pitch and body language which
complements this sound category and could change original meaning (if the purr
is higher pitched toward the end, and the cavy seems to vibrate and tense, this
could be interpreted
Used to communicate annoyance or dislike for something an
owner or another cavy is doing
Can be head in pursuit situations (both the pursuer and the
pursued)
5. Teeth Chattering
Aggressive vocalization: a sign of an agitated or angry cavy
Sound is made
Often accompanied by showing the teeth (looks like a yawn,
but more sinister) and raising the head
Freely interpreted as "back off" or "stay
away"
A high-pitched sound of discontent, pain and/or fear
Response to pain or immediate danger
! URGENT NOTE: Check on your cavy ASAP to make sure
everything is okay!
7. Chirping
Possibly the least understood or heard noise
Sound pattern similar to bird song
Could be related to stress or when a baby pigs want to be
fed
Guinea pig bedding
Guinea pig bedding will have two uses in your pet's cage:
make the cage floor comfy for the piggy and
make it clean and fresh.
I have tried many bedding types and quickly
learned that some of them are way better than others.
The ones you can use are:
Newspapers
wood shavings,
wood pellets,
confetti and
towels.
Each bedding type absorbs liquids and odors differently.
Newspapers will absorb liquids quickly, but they also make a big mess, especially if you don't change them often enough. Some piggies
will even try to eat it, which is not healthy for them.
Wood pellets don't absorb liquids as fast and good as I
would like them too. They are also heavy, so when it is time for cage cleaning,
you can be in for some heavy carrying.
Confetti are not my choice of great cavy bedding because of
the fine, dust-like particles that fly everywhere, so I had to clean my
apartment more often.
Towels absorb fast but it is hard to provide enough towels
when you have a guinea pig, or pigs, that seem to pee every five minutes. The
towels will get messy fast and you will have to clean your cage more
often.
There is another option I've heard people mention and that
it sawdust. I would not recommend using it. Not only is it too fine and your
pets can end up inhaling it, but it will also make cleaning the cage and your
house much more difficult.
So how to choose the best and most comfortable bedding?
Chose wood shavings. I have tried everything recommended on
the market and found that wood shavings are the best of them all.
Wood shavings absorb water pretty well and they keep the top
layer dry so your guinea pigs won't keep their feet in their own feces. That
can prevents a lot of infections they are prone to.
They are cheap and you can buy them practically anywhere,
pet shops, supermarkets.
It is easy to keep your house clean with wood shavings.
Even if your guinea pig has a party and kick out some wood
shavings out of the cage, you can easily vacuum it.
Wood shavings are soft and your pet will feel
comfortable sleeping on them.
It is very important not to use cedar and pine wood shavings
for your pet's cage. Cedar is poisonous while pine releases oils that can be
bad for your pet.
So bottom line is that the best bedding for guinea pigs are
wood shavings. They absorb great; they are easy to maintain; they are cheap and
your guinea pigs will be comfortable with them.
Guinea pig care
Don't you just love how your guinea pigs look so bubbly and
healthy? Since these pets are active and very social animals, it is
very rare that you see them sulking in one corner feeling sad and troubles. But also understand that these furry creatures are very delicate and are prone to several diseases. That is why you need to be very
observant and act quickly whenever you see your guinea pigs
manifest differences in their behaviors.
There are several known health problems that pose a great threat to the wellbeing of your guinea pigs. And to make sure you keep them healthy all the time, you need to know what these common health
problems are and keep an eye out for any manifestations of these diseases on your
cute and cuddle pets. Today, we will look at two of these common problems.
Intestinal Problems
One of the most common health problems involves the digestive
system. Naturally, cavies have a very healthy appetite and they love to eat
just about anything, which is why they have a high risk of gaining intestinal
diseases. They can easily suffer from constipation or diarrhea, especially if
they are not given the right daily nutrients.
You can usually tell if your guinea pigs are suffering from
any of these illnesses by observing their feces. Guinea pigs who are
constipated have difficulty in defecating and have a lesser number of feces in
their cage. They may also have a bloated abdomen because they cannot
excrete their wastes properly. Cavies who suffer from
diarrhea have loose and watery feces and they defecate more often. A
significant decrease in their weight may also show the
condition.
To prevent health problems from happening, all you
need to do is to remember to provide your pets with a healthy diet. Alternate
feeding them with pellets and vegetables so they may have variation. It is
also important to give them food and increase the fiber content in their diet
as this will help regulate their metabolisms. Likewise, keeping them well
groomed and cleaning their cage regularly can also help lessen the risk of
having intestinal problems.
Pregnancy complications
Another factor concerning guinea pig health is pregnancy.
Guinea pigs become very fragile during childbirth and they have weak bodies, which is why it is important to supervise them when trying to
deliver their pups. What commonly happens is that they squeal and wriggle too
much because of the pain that during the delivery, they get too tired and do not produce the placenta.
To prevent this from happening, it is best to bring
the pregnant guinea pig to the pet clinic so that your vet can assist in the
delivery. This will help you make sure that your guinea pig will have a safe
delivery and her pups will be healthy.
I am a cavy owner and enthusiast. For nearly two years now, I
have been helping guinea pig owners or soon-to-be owners build a loving and
fulfilling friendship with healthy and happy pets. It's my aim to make sure you
understand everything there is known about providing your guinea pigs with
first class care and doing so confidently.
Guinea pig care guide for beginners
Cavia porcellus , or more commonly known as the guinea pig or
the cavy, is a type of rodent that neither lives in Guinea , nor is part of the family
of pigs. Originally from the Andes , they are
considered domesticated animals therefore are not available in the wild. Most
popular in the South American indigenous tribes use them as a food source. They
are also regularly used for medicinal purposes. There was even a time when
there were efforts to bring a guinea pig consumption outside South
America . However, in Western societies, guinea pigs are very
popular as pets. Unfortunately, there are those owners who lack guinea pig info
on how to properly take care of them.
Before bringing your new pet home, you need to make sure
that you already have all the necessary things that it will need to stay
healthy. You will need a large cage at least 7 square feet for one guinea pig
or 10 square feet for two. You can expect your critter to be scared the first
time you bring it home, so try to allow it to adjust before you handle it. If
you plan to keep the cage outside, do not place it under direct sunlight and
from places with extreme draughts, which can cause heat stroke and a cold. If
kept inside the house, buy a plastic cage and place it on a table so that your
cavy won't feel intimidated by your height and please keep noise to a minimum.
To make sure that your pet is comfortable with you, try feeding it a treat with
your bare hands. Only when it feels secure should you try to carry it.
They can be picky eats, but this will depend on the animal
you buy or adopt. If it is an older animal, they will already be used to a
certain diet and feeding routine, so it's important to know what this is and
maintain it. If you wish to change your pet’s diet, do so gradually over a
period time. You will only cause distress and depression otherwise. If you get
a young animal, feed a wide-ranging diet predominately made up of hay, pellets,
a cup of diced fruit and veggies and fresh water.
An important part of grooming is to clip their nails
regularly. Yes, you need to clean the cage to avoid it from getting sick, but you
also need to consider cutting their fur to minimize the chances of dirt and
droppings sticking to their coats. Brushing the fur can also keep any illnesses
in check.
This short guinea pig info should suffice you when you
consider buying a guinea pig, but before you do, you need to consider whether
owning a guinea pig is good for you and the guinea pig. Remember, you need to
take care of it not only as a pet but as a family member, so think about it.
This guinea pig info article can help you initially, but of course, it is
recommended that you do further research on the subject.
I am a cavy owner and enthusiast. For nearly two years now, I
have been helping guinea pig owners or soon-to-be owners build a loving and
fulfilling friendship with healthy and happy pets. It's my aim to make sure
you understand everything there is known about providing your guinea pigs
with first class care and doing so confidently.
Guinea pig facts
Guinea pigs or Cavies are beautiful creatures who make great
pets for people of all ages. Unlike other rodents, they are easily trained ,
docile animals who love human interaction and can live up to 10 years.
Guinea pig care is very easy to maintain. Although they are
easy to care for, owners should be careful as once they do become sick as the
downward slope is quick and sad. To help owners get an idea of what to do if
this ever happens, follow these tips for guinea pigs care when they act differently.
1) Know the signs - when a cavy is having a problem; they
will show 1 or more of:
laziness
No eating
No drinking
sneezing
squeaking for no other reason
twitching
puffed up fur
missing fur
cries when going to the bathroom
sores
constant itching
Each of these are signs or symptoms of a handful of
problems, and your cavy is depending on you to help them, be extra vigilant
when you notice something different and you will always be able to
2) Call the vet - because of how fast cavies can go downhill if
they are experiencing a health issue, the best thing an owner can do is consult
with the vet. This isn't always an option and in those cases, there are usually
fantastic forums you can check out to see if the situation is an emergency.
Most vets will try to assist you over the phone, but if a
medication is necessary, they usually have to see you. Most of the time, if a med
is necessary it will be an antibiotic, Bactrim, Baytril , or another guinea pig
recommended me.
Guinea pig care vet visits cost around 40-70 for the
visit alone and 15-40 for the meds. This is if no other tests,
x-rays, etc are necessary. Owners can check with the vet for payment
arrangements or check with Care Credit that offers Vet financing.
3) Follow exact treatment specifications- normally this
would go without saying, but an exotic vet will give exact treatments
specifically for your cavy. They metabolize medications quickly, so more doses
of small amounts are often needed .
Based on the infection of issue for
medication, there is a big range for different medications for each dose.
Exotic vets will do quick research to justify their dosage, but it never hurts
to ask them to explain, as this will help the owner understand what is
necessary for their pet.
