Guide to Guinea Pigs
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Guide to Guinea Pigs
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Rat Rescue :: Guide to Guinea Pigs

Guide to Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs make lovely pets, they are easy to handle and will become quite tame. They will live for 4 - 5 years, and some may live as long as 8 or 9 years.

Guinea pigs are sociable creatures and love company - that of humans and as well as other piggies. Females can be kept together or in groups, and two males may also live together. An adult male can be introduced to a very young male i.e. 4 - 10 weeks, but you cannot put together two adult males of a similar age, as they will fight for dominance.

A male and female will obviously produce more guinea pigs, however males can be castrated from 5 months of age, and then they can be kept with females.

Housing

Guinea pigs usually live in hutches outside, but can be kept in indoor cages. Those that live indoors tend to be friendlier as they are more integrated into the family. If the Guinea pigs are housed outside over the winter period the hutch must have plenty of hay for them to burrow in, and it will be necessary to cover the hutch at night to keep it warmer.

In the summer the guinea pigs can be put out in runs on the lawn as they make excellent lawn mowers! (However, if you have treated your grass recently, your guinea could ingest poisons, so do be aware).

Do not put them out if the grass is damp or the weather is unfavourable. Inside the hutch we usually put a layer of biodegradable litter such as Biocatolet or supreme carefresh, (DO NOT use Wood shavings as this can lead to respiratory problems and ultimately death) and cover with a good quality hay, which should be shaken to remove the seeds. Hay is preferable to straw as straw can injure their eyes.

Never house Guinea pigs with rabbits. While you may see them together in pet shops, this is not a good idea. When the rabbit is mature it will try and mate the Guinea pig regardless of the rabbit's sex. We have seen piggies with broken pelvises as a result of living with a rabbit as well as ones that have died from shock due to being kicked or mounted by a rabbit.

Also, if it feels threatened, the Guinea pig will inevitably bite the Rabbit causing abscesses. There are many cases of rabbits killing or seriously injuring guinea pigs if they live together.

So please do not consider this an option

Supplies for your Guinea Pig

Marchioro Tommy 120 Rabbit Hutch

Marchioro Tommy 120 Indoor Cage

The ultimate in indoor cages for bunnies and guineas! This luxurious cage comes with two front opening doors and a lift-up section in the roof. 120cmx58cmx56cmh (approx 47"x23"x22") various colours. Now comes flatpacked.


Cascade Bactericidal Disinfectant for Small Animals 500ml

Cascade Bactericidal Disinfectant for Small Animals 500ml

Unlike many household detergents, Cascade does not contain phenols which are harmful to small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice and gerbils. It has been specially formulated and will destroy bacteria and other micro-organisms.


Diet

Guinea pigs are never happier than when they are eating! They can eat a wide variety of food. They should be given good quality hay to wear their teeth down and fresh food preferably twice a day. This is because they cannot produce their own vitamin C. Guinea pigs will eat almost any fruit or vegetable, if the Guinea doesn't eat a particular food remove it and do not feed this again.

A Guinea pig will rarely eat food that is harmful to it. Potato should not be given; and lettuce and apples should only be given in small quantities. Apples can cause ulcers in the mouth, lettuce can cause diarrhoea.

Guinea pigs also enjoy a variety of wild plants, the commonest being dandelions, shepherd's purse, plantain and chickweed - and of course grass.

Any fruit or vegetable should be clean and fresh. Grass clippings from the mower should not be fed as they rapidly heat up and ferment.

While there are a number of guinea pig foods on the market, do try and limit our piggies intake to once every other day. Hay should from 80% of their diet, fresh fruit and grass 15% and then dried food just 5%. This is because they can suffer from overgrown back teeth if they do not get enough wear (which will lead to death) and also kidney problems.

Supplies for your Guinea Pig

Burgess Supa Guinea Pig Excel 2kg

Burgess Supa Guinea Pig Excel 2kg

This complimentary guinea pig food in pellet form prevents selective feeding and has enhanced levels of protected vitamin C. Designed to be fed with good quality roughage such as hay. Feed this food if rabbits and guinea pigs are being kept together.


Gerty Guinea Pig 3kg

Gerty Guinea Pig 3kg

Rich in Vitamin C, this food also contains high levels of protein which are essential to keep guinea pigs in peak condition.



Health

If kept in clean, warm hutches, and fed a good diet, guinea pigs rarely become ill. They do not need any vaccinations but they may need their nails cut occasionally. Also it is important to look at their coats regularly, as mange (caused by a burrowing mite) is very common. This looks first like scruffiness, and loss of hair, and then the guinea pig develops open itchy sores.

The sooner this is treated the better. Long coated breeds need regular grooming at least once a day. It is advisable to have your Guinea pig shampooed and conditioned one a month during the summer months to prevent mites from laying eggs and to keep the coat nice and healthy.

At cavyrescue, we have been gifted by Peter Gurney for allowing us to reproduce his advice on guinea pig health. Peter is a much respected Guinea Guru and if he doesn't know it then you probably don't either. Always check these pages for tips and advice if you piggie is ill.

To select a topic in the health guide please click here.


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