Guinea pigs make unbelievable pets, for young and old alike, with these sociable and pleasant creatures making common first time pets for a lot of kids and households.
They seize the hearts of many, that means house owners usually preserve guinea pigs into maturity.
Our information covers generally requested questions corresponding to how lengthy do guinea pigs reside, the place do guinea pigs come from and what do guinea pigs eat.
We additionally cowl key info round persona and well being corresponding to are guinea pigs nocturnal, steering on housing arrange and different generally requested questions.
Guinea pigs originate from South America and over time have turn out to be a well-liked pet for a lot of.
The typical life span of a guinea pig is between 4 – 8 years. These pleasant creatures are also known as cavies or cavy for a person, because of their scientific identify, Cavia porcellus.
Nonetheless, why they’re referred to as guinea pigs is definitely a thriller…some speculate it is perhaps because of The Guianas area of South America, some speculate it’s as a result of individuals might buy them for a guinea in sixteenth century England and a few assume it might be as a result of the phrase “guinea” was used to seek advice from issues far throughout the ocean across the 1500’s.
No matter how they obtained their identify, we’re positive you’ll agree with us once we say how cute these creatures are!
With regards to this, there’s loads of choices.
Plenty of pet outlets, together with each chains and unbiased shops promote guinea pigs. Alongside this, specialist guinea pig breeders and web sites corresponding to Pets4Homes are additionally an ideal choice in case you’re after a particular breed.
As with most pets, you’ll even have the choice of rehoming from animal shelters.
Questioning whether or not guinea pigs can eat apples? Or if they will eat tomatoes, and even strawberries? Nicely you’re not alone!
There’s been an ever-increasing quantity of on-line searches round what do guinea pigs can eat, together with questions on fruit and greens.
Guinea pigs are herbivorous pets which suggests they solely eat vegetation however that doesn’t imply their eating regimen needs to be boring, removed from it!
A big proportion of your guinea pig’s eating regimen ought to be good high quality hay. Hay ought to at all times be accessible because it helps their digestive system and wears down their regularly rising tooth.
Please bear in mind that regardless of hay being a key a part of your guinea pig’s eating regimen, it is best to by no means feed guinea pigs lawnmower clippings as these will upset their digestive system and will make them unwell.
Alongside hay, guinea pigs require particular guinea pig meals pellets that are simply accessible in pet outlets or from pet outlets on-line.
You’ll wish to make sure the pellets you choose include vitamin C as they lack the enzyme to provide the vitamin themselves.
Offering meals pellets which include vitamin C ensures that your guinea pig is receiving the nutritional vitamins and vitamins they require.
Alongside the above, guinea pigs ought to be fed a good portion of leafy greens as soon as per day. PDSA suggest round a tea cup’s value.
A full record of greens and herbs guinea pigs can eat is listed under, nonetheless it’s value noting that this record has its nuances.
While celery leaves are thought-about okay to feed your guinea pig, it isn’t beneficial you feed your guinea pig celery as a result of excessive degree of oxalates inside it.
Tomatoes are one other one to watch out with. Tomatoes themselves are protected, nonetheless you shouldn’t feed your guinea pig tomato leaves or vines as these are poisonous.
Greens and greens guinea pigs can eat
- Artichoke leaves
- Asparagus (Feed moderately) – excessive in vitamin C
- Child corn on cob
- Basil
- Beetroot
- Bell Peppers – excessive in vitamin C
- Broccoli (Feed moderately, an excessive amount of could cause gasoline) – excessive in vitamin C
- Brussel Sprouts (Feed moderately, an excessive amount of could cause gasoline)
- Cabbage (darkish inexperienced varieties ought to be fed, feed moderately)
- Carrots
- Carrot tops
- Cauliflower leaves and stalks
- Celery leaves
- Chicory
- Collard greens
- Coriander
- Courgette (and flowers)
- Cucumber (Feed moderately as an excessive amount of could cause diarrhoea)
- Dill
- Inexperienced beans
- Kale – (Feed moderately) – excessive in vitamin C
- Lettuce – Butterhead, Crimson leaf, Cos, Little Gem (not iceburg)
- Mint
- Oregano
- Pak Choi/Bok Choi
- Parsley – (Feed moderately)- excessive in vitamin C
- Parsnips
- Peas – leaves and pods
- Crimson cabbage (Feed moderately)
- Rocket
- Romaine lettuce (Feed moderately)
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Savoy cabbage
- Spinach – (Feed moderately) – excessive in vitamin C
- Spring greens – excessive in vitamin C
- Swiss chard
- Thyme
- Tomato (not leaves/vine, as toxic) – excessive in vitamin C
- Watercress
Recent fruit and greens type a big a part of your guinea pig’s eating regimen.
Fruit guinea pigs can eat
With regards to treats, chances are you’ll want to feed a small quantity of fruit now and again. Beware although that fruit is excessive in sugar and due to this fact ought to solely be fed often. A full record of fruit is listed under.
- Apple (not the pips as a result of they’re toxic)
- Bananas (Feed moderately)
- Blueberries
- Cherry
- Kiwi
- Melon
- Oranges (Feed moderately)
- Pears: (Feed moderately)
- Pineapple: (Feed moderately)
- Plums (Feed moderately)
- Squash
- Strawberries (Feed moderately)
For much more info on guinea pigs’ eating regimen, view our guinea pig meals information
The American Cavy Breeders Affiliation recognise 13 totally different guinea pig breed sorts. Nonetheless it’s argued there can also be a number of further “rarer” breeds not recognised.
We’ve listed the 13 differing types under with a small description about classification.
Abyssinian – That includes rosettes evenly spaced throughout their physique, these guinea pigs have a brief however textured coat.
Abyssinian satin- That includes rosettes spaced evenly throughout their physique, Abyssinian satin piggies have a satin sheen coat.
American – That includes a easy and brief coat.
American Satin – Clean and brief coat with a satin sheen.
Coronet – With a single properly centred coronet in the midst of their heads, coronet guinea pigs have a protracted coat that flows from again to entrance.
Peruvian – A protracted coat grows from entrance to again with a number of rosettes. A mature coat covers their face.
Peruvian Satin – A satin sheen lengthy coat which grows from entrance to again and has a number of rosettes.
Silkie – They’ve a protracted coat which flows from entrance to again.
Silkie Satin – They characteristic a protracted satin sheen coat that flows from entrance to again
Teddy – A luxurious, dense coat which has the looks of standing up. The coat Coat is resilient to the touch.
Teddy Satin – That includes a satin sheen brief, plush, dense coat which has the looks of standing up. The coat is resilient to the touch.
Texel – A protracted curly coat with a cobby physique sort.
White Crested – A brief coat that includes a single, cantered white rosette in the midst of the top.
The American Cavy Breeders Affiliation recognises 13 breeds together with the Abysinian as pictured.
Guinea pigs make nice pets and have pleasant personalities. These energetic pets will present limitless leisure and their mild nature makes them an ideal selection for younger and previous alike
They’ve a variety of behaviours through which they specific their emotions and we discover these under.
Noises
Guinea pigs aren’t significantly noisy pets nonetheless there’s a variety of noises they make for varied causes. It’s possible you’ll marvel why your guinea pigs squeak and there could also be a number of causes for this.
A squeak is also called a wheek amongst guinea pig house owners and this often signifies pleasure – often after they know meals is on the best way. Many cavies affiliate the rustling of salad luggage with meals time and can usually squeak or wheek in pleasure. To be taught extra about Guinea Pig noises and their meanings, view our information right here.
Popcorning
One other signal of pleasure in guinea pigs is popcorning. This time period is used amongst guinea pig house owners and obtained its identify because the motion made by guinea pigs nearly seems to be like a chunk of popcorn popping.
Popcorning is used to explain a sudden leap guinea pigs make, often out of pleasure. It could possibly occur after they’re strolling or operating round and can also be accompanied by a change of course.
For probably the most half, guinea pigs popcorn out of pleasure, nonetheless often they could do it out of worry. When you see your guinea pig popcorning, it might be value simply checking their environment to make sure they’re protected.
When it comes to whenever you’ll have likelihood to play and work together along with your guinea pigs, they’re crepuscular pets which suggests they’re neither nocturnal or diurnal.
Crepuscular describes animals who’re most energetic throughout daybreak and nightfall. Guinea pigs usually take naps of between 10 – half-hour all through the day in addition to having adequate durations of being awake all through the day.
They’ll usually stir or get up in case you enter the room or method their cage. That is nice for households with kids who could also be eager to point out them a number of love and a spotlight.
Do you know guinea pigs usually sleep with their eyes open? That is an instinctive behaviour to your pet as within the wild, they’re prey animals. Guinea pigs could often shut their eyes to sleep however for probably the most half, they’ll stay open.
Guinea pigs don’t hibernate due to this fact in case you discover your guinea pig sleeping extra incessantly than common or for lengthy durations, we advise consulting with a vet.
Selecting the best location, hutch sort and bedding to your guinea pig could contain some consideration.
There’s a variety of components you’ll wish to contemplate corresponding to temperature, house and even funds. We cowl all of this in our subsequent part.
The place attainable, at all times choose the biggest hutch you possibly can accommodate and afford to your pet.
In line with PDSA, the scale of a guinea pig hutch ought to be not less than 1.5m x 1m ideally with a 2m x 1m run hooked up if house permits this.
When you’re unable to connect a run to your hutch, it’s advisable to allocate some safe train house to your guinea pig.
This house ought to be free from predators and dangers and ought to be as safe as attainable to make sure no piggies escape.
This can give your guinea pig the chance to train, run, discover, play and have enjoyable.
This house also needs to ideally have shelter so your guinea pigs can cover and really feel as if they’ve a protected house after they wish to chill out.
Guinea pigs require day by day train exterior of their hutch due to this fact it’s essential to make sure you have a protected and safe house for this.
Inside to your guinea pigs residence
Choosing the precise hutch or cage to your guinea pig is tremendous essential however equally as essential is what goes inside it!
Our guinea pig meals information advises the significance of entry to contemporary hay, guinea pig pellets, greens and water. You’ll want to make sure you have house to incorporate these in your guinea pigs residence. Ideally offering pellets in a meals bowl and water by way of a drip-free water bottle.
Alongside this, you’ll want to make sure you have not less than as many cosy/hiding areas as you’ve gotten guinea pigs. Quite a lot of choices can be found in most pet outlets corresponding to tunnels and tubes, hideaway huts and igloo model properties.
It’s possible you’ll want to additional improve your guinea pigs dwelling house with bridges for them to navigate and toys to play with produced from pure supplies corresponding to hay.
Bedding
One other huge consideration is bedding. There are totally different choices accessible and chances are you’ll be questioning what sort of bedding is greatest.
There’s no definitive reply because it’s right down to what works greatest for you and your piggies. Beneficial choices embrace paper-based bedding, fleece, hay, and wooden shavings.
Paper-based bedding is common amongst many guinea pig house owners because it offers gentle bedding to your cavies and helps with odour management.
Along with this, it has little or no mud which is nice because it makes cleansing simpler and can be gentler to your guinea pigs well being.
Many paper-based choices accessible are produced from sustainable sources and are biodegradable and compostable. These make them nice for individuals who are environmentally aware on the subject of their pets.
Fleece is one other common selection. That is arguably probably the most sustainable bedding choice of all as it may be washed and re-used time after time.
Many pet outlets and on-line retailers provide particular guinea pig or small animal fleece bedding. It’s a gentle and cozy bedding choice nonetheless one draw back to fleece bedding is odour management.
It’s beneficial to scrub fleece bedding each few days to make sure your guinea pigs’ residence stays as clear as it may be. When you have a bigger quantity of guinea pigs, you’ll in all probability wish to enhance this frequency to scale back the danger of odours changing into too robust.
Hay is an choice some guinea pig house owners go for, nonetheless it’s argued that hay shouldn’t be used as a guinea pigs’ solely bedding choice.
It may be nice to nestle and forage into and also you’ll have it available anyway because it kinds a big a part of your guinea pig’s eating regimen. Nonetheless, in case you’re choosing hay as bedding, you’ll in all probability wish to use it alongside another choice.
Wooden shavings are utilized by some house owners, nonetheless, in case you go for them, you’ll wish to guarantee they’re pine and cedar free as these might be poisonous to your guinea pig.
Along with this, we’d suggest mud free choices as mud can irritate your cavies nostril and lungs. Due to this, we additionally advise to keep away from sawdust as that is made for smaller mammals and never solely can irritate guinea pigs however might additionally result in well being issues.
Cage cleansing
Do you know a guinea pig produces on common round 100 poop pellets per day? Which means that in case you’re retaining guinea pigs in pairs or small teams, that’s not less than 200+ poops per day. Many guinea pig specialists and house owners suggest “spot cleansing” a guinea pig’s cage day by day.
This entails eradicating as many poops as attainable and if there’s significantly saturated or dirty areas of bedding, eradicating, and changing. Along with this, you ought to be doing a deep clear ideally twice per week.
A deep clear consists of eradicating all bedding, cleansing their cage or hut, ideally with a pet protected cleaner and guaranteeing all surfaces are absolutely cleansed earlier than returning new, or washed bedding if utilizing fleece. Cleansing frequency is essential to make sure your guinea pigs keep glad and wholesome.
Failure to maintain hutches or cages clear might result in all kinds of well being issues.
When it comes to cleansing water bottles and meals bowls, it’s advisable to scrub day by day. Many locations promote bottle brushes to assist make sure you absolutely clear guinea pig’s water bottles.
Do guinea pigs scent?
One other generally requested query is do guinea pigs scent and the brief reply is not any, offering they’re properly cared for. Guaranteeing they’re absolutely wholesome and their cage is recurrently cleaned ought to imply that your guinea pigs don’t scent.
When you do discover any disagreeable odours, it’s essential to research. It would require extra common cleansing of their cage or a visit to the vets to test your piggies are absolutely wholesome!
Can guinea pigs reside outdoor?
When it comes to the place your guinea pigs will reside, they will reside exterior or indoors.
Wherever they’re housed, you’ll want to make sure they don’t get too scorching in the summertime, or too chilly in winter.
You’ll wish to guarantee they’re shielded from the weather within the winter, away from the chilly, wind and rain in addition to snow if temperatures do drop.
Guinea pigs are delicate to temperature so due to this fact getting their residence location proper is vital to making sure your cavy is as wholesome as they are often.
We cowl temperature and safety in additional element in our Guinea Pig Temperature and Safety information
What number of guinea pigs to personal?
Firstly, guinea pigs are social creatures and will reside in pairs or small teams and shouldn’t be blended with different small mammal sorts.
Guinea pigs and rabbits for instance shouldn’t reside collectively. However that’s to not say you possibly can’t personal each sorts, you simply shouldn’t enable them to combine.
Fascinating reality: Do you know it’s unlawful to personal only one guinea pig in Switzerland as a result of they get lonely in the event that they reside alone? This isn’t a regulation within the UK, nonetheless some UK pet outlets decide to solely promote guinea pigs in pairs.
Your guinea pigs’ well being will probably be extremely essential to you as you’ll wish to guarantee they’ve a protracted and wholesome life.
Many advise registering guinea pigs at a vet to make sure they obtain the care they want, in the event that they turn out to be unwell.
One other consideration you’ll wish to make is insurance coverage to your guinea pigs to help with vet payments in the event that they do turn out to be unwell. Wish to be taught extra about guinea pig insurance coverage? click on right here
Guinea pig nails
Like many pets, guinea pigs require common nail filing. Most vets are ready to do that or you would do that your self. If doing your self, we suggest studying a information or watching a video. It is advisable make sure you don’t minimize them too brief as this may result in bleeding.
Guinea pig tooth
Guinea pigs’ tooth are continually rising which can make you marvel if guinea pigs want their tooth trimming.
Offering they get the precise eating regimen and loads of hay, this shouldn’t be wanted. When you discover your guinea pig’s tooth changing into overgrown or discover your guinea pig struggling to eat or consuming lower than common, search help from a vet.
Feminine guinea pigs well being
Feminine guinea pigs have estrous cycles which final round 16 days and inside this, they’re fertile for brief durations of time.
While there could also be some similarities to what people describe as durations, in contrast to people and another mammals, guinea pigs shouldn’t bleed throughout this time. Due to this fact, in case you ever discover blood in your guinea pigs’ hutch, it’s probably an indication your guinea pig is injured or unwell. We’d suggest contacting a vet to test your pet over.
In case your guinea pig does turn out to be pregnant throughout this time, bear in mind that it lasts for 59-72 days. It’s crucial that men and women are separated in case you aren’t planning on breeding your guinea pigs.
Females are prone to a variety of points in the event that they’re first bred over the age of seven months previous or if they’ve further litters after the age of two years previous as their pelvic bones fuse collectively which suggests they don’t unfold as straightforward throughout labour.
As at all times, in case you want help throughout this time to your guinea pig, we’d suggest consulting with a vet.
Widespread circumstances in guinea pigs
There’s a number of circumstances which might be widespread in guinea pigs.
These embrace ringworm which guinea pigs get by way of transmission from pet to pet or contact with contaminated objects corresponding to bedding.
One other situation guinea pigs can undergo with is flystrike the place flies lay eggs round your pet’s backside.
When you suspect your piggie has flystrike, quick vet care is required as this situation might be deadly. It’s essential to maintain your guinea pigs and their atmosphere clear as a way to stop flystrike.
Respiratory sicknesses corresponding to pneumonia will also be widespread in piggies. As talked about, guinea pigs are delicate to temperature due to this fact getting their location right, guaranteeing they’re away from warmth sources in addition to open doorways or home windows is essential.
Along with this, piggies can catch sicknesses from different pets. Due to this fact in case you personal different pets, it’s essential to scrub your arms in-between dealing with.
The next are a number of indicators of sickness we’d suggest seeing a vet for: modifications to respiration, drooling, diarrhoea, blood within the urine or stool, decreased urge for food, discharge from the eyes or nostril, change in exercise degree or lethargy, blood within the urine, scratching or hair loss, bumps or lumps. This record isn’t exhaustive, and we’d at all times suggest seeing a vet in case you assume your guinea pig is unwell.
Find out how to cool guinea pigs down
As talked about above, guinea pigs are delicate to temperature. To assist preserve guinea pigs match and wholesome, you ought to be aware of how scorching they’re, particularly in summer season months.
Offering clear, chilly, contemporary ingesting water is one thing it is best to at all times be doing however that is particularly essential in summer season months.
To chill guinea pigs down, there’s a variety of issues you are able to do. This consists of guaranteeing their location is appropriate and so they’re in a cool, shady spot out of direct daylight. If attainable use a fan to assist preserve their cage cool within the hotter months.
As well as, chances are you’ll want to provide ice packs or frozen water bottles lined securely in towels to assist preserve guinea pigs cool.
Different choices akin to the above are pet cooling mats which are actually extensively accessible in most pet outlets in addition to inside pet sections in lots of supermarkets and varied retailers.
It is best to be sure that these are positioned within the base of your guinea pig’s hutch and ideally are lined with bedding as cooling mats could also be tempting to your piggy to chew.
It’s possible you’ll want to assist cool your piggies down additional by softly spraying them or wetting them with cool, not chilly water. This ought to be achieved softly and progressively as to not shock your guinea pig.
Grooming
Guinea pigs are extremely clear creatures and due to this fact shouldn’t have to be bathed usually.
You can provide guinea pigs a shower in the event that they want it however this could solely be required a number of occasions a yr at most.
When you discover your guinea pig has an disagreeable odour and requires frequent bathing, it is perhaps the signal of an underlying well being situation through which we’d recommend consulting a vet.
When it comes to brushing, it’s beneficial to brush your guinea pig a couple of times per week to assist guarantee their coat stays as wholesome as attainable. It’s possible you’ll want to enhance this frequency in case your guinea pig has an extended coat or in summer season months in the event that they’re shedding extra.
When you’re contemplating proudly owning guinea pig as a pet for the primary time, you’ll in all probability need an concept of prices.
Not solely up-front prices to your guinea pigs and gear but additionally ongoing prices corresponding to meals, bedding, hay and any well being prices corresponding to insurance coverage or remedy.
Prices will differ from location to location, what number of guinea pigs you’re shopping for for and in addition even time of yr. In case your guinea pig is a fan of a sure seasonal fruit or vegetable, chances are you’ll be paying extra when it’s out of season.
The primary issues we advise you issue into funds are as follows.
Upfront
- Guinea pigs
- Hutch/cage
- Run/gear to create a run in case you’re creating your individual
- Cosy areas to your guinea pigs corresponding to tunnels and tubes, hideaway huts and igloo model properties. These are an upfront value however like with most issues, chances are you’ll want to/want to exchange periodically
- Water bottles
- Meals bowl(s)
Ongoing prices
- Hay
- Greens and fruit
- Bedding
- Meals pellets
- Toys
- Cleansing merchandise
- Insurance coverage
- Vets value if required and drugs if wanted.
A few of the above corresponding to hay could also be cheaper to buy in bulk from some pet shops. If shopping for in bulk nonetheless, you’ll desire a dry, cool space for storing the place no different animals can get to it.
We hope this information has been helpful and helps reply your pet care questions.
When you’ve obtained addition questions concerning your piggies well being, as at all times we suggest consulting along with your vet.