The circumstances bringing the guinea pig into our homes means we may not even be sure of how old our cavies are, if they have yet reached sexual maturity or if they have been in contact with a male. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Guinea pigs cannot manufacture vitamin c, so make sure your pet gets enough of this essential nutrient. Website 2 more tips, advice and simple ideas on how to keep guinea pigs healthy and happy. Space requirement for pigs 51 different modelstypes of pig housesheds.
Guinea pigs often show their affection through vocalizations. This allows you a regular special time with your pet. Guinea pigs live for around four to eight years, so their care is a longterm commitment. Thoroughly checked by experts, this book includes everything you need to know about how to care for guinea pigs, from choosing your guinea pig and setting up its home, to playing with it and. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Your pet will depend on you for food, water, medical care, and companionship. Rescues, pet stores, and new pet owners will find great advice for getting a guinea pig off to a good start.
Pigs and children like any pet, guinea pigs need committed, stable, and. If you need additional information, refer to the sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate. These wild guinea pigs are the original ancestors of the domestic pet guinea pig that we see today. Nov 30, 2016 there are two general categories of guinea pigs. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Includes 12 care sheets, checklists and health record sheets to make your daily guinea pig routine easier. My documentszoe files educationguinea pig info helpful hint rabbit mix is not suitable for guinea pigs, as it does not contain vitamin c. However, when using this type of flooring, it is important that the wire should be smooth and of a mesh small enough to preclude injuries to the feet and legs of animals of various ages and sizes.
Your guinea pigs formal scientific name is the cavia. You can also add other veggies if you want, like bell pepper, celery, or tomato add less fruit or more pelletsoats if you do this so theres not too much. Make sure there are plenty of chew toys for your pig. This is the perfect student reader to use if you have a class pet that is.
Guinea pigs make endearing pets especially if well socialized. For example, make half a dozen guinea pig mini cupcakes by pureeing 1 apple with 1 carrot and 1 banana. Make your guinea pigs live for 7 years or more paperback december 1, 2012 by donald wilson author 3. Give your guinea pig 15 minutes and then try again. Guinea pigs live on average for 4 5 years but sometimes as long as 8 years. Surveillance on all rat, guinea pig and other rodent rooms is typically done semi annually. They originate from south america and there are eight species, but only one the domestic cavy is kept as a pet. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and dry your pet immediately to prevent chills. Website 3 print out a guinea pig fact sheet with photos and care advice. Most pet guinea pigs are calm, gentle animals that rarely bite. Cage must be at least 10% larger if housing more than one guinea pig. 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. Routine health care of guinea pigs veterinary manual.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Read anouche himidians article in, june 11 2012, guinea pigs in fiction. Guinea pigs should have 18 cup of pellets each day, along with fresh water. Each additional guinea pig needs and extra two to four square feet. Krqe albuquerques animal welfare department is investigating a hoarding case. To make it easier for you to plan for your new arrival, weve prepared.
Routine health care of guinea pigs merck veterinary manual. Albuquerque animal welfare investigating guinea pig. 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. As creatures of habit, guinea pigs need to be introduced to changes slowly in regards to feedings and routines.
Surveillance on all mouse rooms is performed on a quarterly basis. Guinea pig pellets guinea pigs should be fed fresh, high quality pellets. Female guinea pigs reach sexual maturity at four to five. They may live 5 to 7 years or more, so the decision to bring one into your home must be made carefully.
The information on this care sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. Quarantine any new cavy for 2 to 3 weeks behind closed doors. Timothy haybased pellets are recommended for adults, and avoid those made with nuts, seeds, dried fruits and corn products. Guinea pig general care and husbandry diet guinea pigs should primarily eat timothy hay based pellets 18 cup per day as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
For adult guinea pigs, we recommend a timothybased pellet without added fruits, nuts, or seeds, such as oxbows cavy cuisine. Guinea pigs prefer a routine play, sleep, eating, etc. To pick up a guinea pig, cup one hand gently under the thorax midsection and use the other hand to support the hind end. The best way to interact with your guinea pig is to play with him on the floor. They also like it when you gently stroke their head. Find out how to keep your pet guinea pigs healthy and happy with this handy, practical guide perfect for firsttime owners. Supervise your guinea pig when playing with toys, as parts of the toys can be ingested, causing gastrointestinal problems. Guinea pigs are extremely social animals and they should always be housed in pairs samesex pairs are best to reduce continual pregnancies which can be hard on the females health. Finding a good quality set of kitchen scales helps monitor your guinea pigs health. Even with a guinea playmate, guinea pig pets will form very close bonds with their human companions pet owners should take the time to interact with their. Guinea pigs are colony animals and should not be kept alone as they are happiest living with at.
Bring guinea pigs in once a year for a health check. This is a fantastic interactive student reader that is all about guinea pigs. Some guinea pigs enjoy playing with small toys, like balls with bells inside. Guinea pig care sheet please share, distribute and print this document freely.
Purpose this standard operating procedure sop describes methods for anesthetizing guinea pigs. You also need to ensure that your guinea pig is appropriately fed, groomed, exercised, and remains healthy. Kids pet care charts caring for a guinea pig kid pointz. Transmission gpav is transmitted through direct contact. Teeth guinea pigs teeth can get too long, causing pain and. How to care for guinea pigs with pictures wikihow pet. The most common one is a mite which can cause intense itching and selfharm from the animals scratching themselves raw. Males are known as boars and females are called sows. They are naturally clean, hardy, and are excel lent first pets for.
Guinea pigs guinea pigs welfare tips, advice, health. They were raised by the incas and used as food and in religious ceremonies. Care of guinea pigs ness exotic wellness center 1007 maple ave. Dutch explorers introduced guinea pigs to europe, where fanciers selectively bred them. Guinea pigs this web page contains basic information for the care of guinea pigs. The raising and care of guinea pigs by allen christian smith. Diet guinea pigs need vitamin cfortified guinea pigspecific pellets, ideally made from timothy hay. Pet care costs how much is that doggie or kitty, rabbit, rat, goldfish or guinea pig in the shelter window.
Also, your guinea pig may popcorn bounce excitedly and repeatedly to express happiness. This type of guinea pigs is typically a highmaintenance pet. This section is great because it provides a place for parents and children to utilize for documentation of memorable events, important guinea pig information, or special messages. Ensure you purchase scales that are close to your guinea pigs weight range i.
Recording your guinea pig s weight and medical treatments is a valuable tool for monitoring your pets health. For example, you may hear a sound called wheeking when your pet is looking for a treat, or purring when being held. Guinea pigs may be successfully raised on wire mesh floors. Before we can tend to the needs of our guinea pig, we need to ensure they are indeed pregnant. Responsibility principal investigators pis and their research staff, veterinary care staff. In addition to the initial cost of adoption, theres a whole litany of expenses that the average pet owner will incur within a year. Guinea pigs should never be housed or kept with rabbits as they often get bullied. Always introduce new foods slowly to avoid digestive upsets such as diarrhea. Ratmouse mix is also unsuitable as this contains peanuts and sunflower seeds.
Guinea pigs are diurnal and most active during the day. Bloated abdomenconstipation or diarrheadischarge from the eyes or nosedull look in the eyeslabored breathinglethargyloss of appetiteunexplained weight loss at when happy or excited, guinea pigs will hop or bounce up and down. If you notice scabs, hair loss or itching in any of your guinea pigs see your vet straight away. Guinea pigs should primarily eat timothy hay based pellets 18 cup per day as well as fresh fruits and. While they can teach children the commitment and rewards of caring for a pet, they are not the best choice for a.
Care of guinea pigs introduction guinea pig is the common name for a cavy. An important nutrient, often given as a supplement disqualification 16. Guinea pig care sheet uc davis, vmth companion avian and exotic pet medicine and surgery service 530 75293 natural history guinea pigs are rodents from south america, most commonly known as the cavy cavia porcellus. Guinea pigs are social and can be kept with other guinea pigs as long as there is plenty of room watch for aggression. Cage the cage must be at least 24 long, 18 wide, and 18 high, with 12 bar spacing. More and more continuing education seminars and publications describe advanced exotic medicine and surgery topics such as endoscopy, orthopedics, surgery and others. They also include useful information for making sure your guinea pigs are happy and healthy. Fun guinea pig facts for kids interesting information about. A guinea pig in new surroundings can often appear very reluctant to get close to a human and can often run away when approached. Guinea pig behavior guinea pigs are most active at dawn and twilight, taking naps throughout the day. Avoid mixes with seeds, nuts, artificial colors or sweeteners and fillers.
Also, your guinea pig may popcorn bounce excitedly and. Bathe guinea pigs in a shallow bowl of warm water and avoid getting water or shampoo into their ears and eyes. Weighing your guinea pig weekly is a fantastic way to monitor your guinea pigs health and is highly recommended. 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. Shorthaired guinea pigs are typically easier to care for than longhaired ones. Finally, the guinea pig care chart includes a note section. 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. Six record sheets treatment on one side, weight on the other are included in the cavy health record book, a handy reference, summarizing much of the. Most adult guinea pigs do well with 12 tbspday, bu t your veterinarian may recommend increasing or decreasing the amount, depending on your guinea pigs weigh. Its important to remember that not all treats are created equal.
Matchpig is effectively a guinea pig introduction agency. Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day and sleep only for short periods. Cavy is short for the species name cavia porcellus. My documentszoe files education guinea pig info helpful hint guinea pigs need at least two square feet of cage space including space for their hiding places and food bowls. To print out or view a fun guide, click on guinea pig care guide. Grass hay and fresh, clean water should be available to your pet at all times. Guinea pigs are social companion animals that require daily interaction. Every day, fill your guinea pigs food bowl with fresh hay. It also provides you with the opportunity to check your pet for possible skin problems, injuries, sudden weight gain or loss, dental problems, and other health problems. Every other day, add some salad to their meal with kale, collard greens, zucchini, or shredded carrots pigs.
A guide from a veterinarian on caring for your guinea pigs. Albuquerque animal welfare investigating guinea pig hoarding. Being a prey species it is important to handle them gently so as not to frighten them. Examines guinea pigs around the world, describing their appearance, habitats, feeding and reproductive habits, and life cycles, and providing tips for their proper care addeddate 20101028 23. Guinea pigs under 350 g require a mesh of approximately 10 mm 38 in made of 1012. For more detailed information, please consult other professional resources such as your veterinarian or one of the many books available about guinea pig care. Wild guinea pigs come from an area in south america, in north western venezuela spanning across to central chile.
Longhaired varieties need daily grooming as their coats can quickly become matted and uncomfortable. Guinea pigs are small pets, but they require plenty of space, time, effort, and human interaction. 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. How to take care of a pregnant guinea pig giving birth. Care pamphlet this handy two page brochure is available to download and distribute pending email notification. Guinea pigs, like all pets, require a commitment from their owners to care and look after them throughout their lifetime.
It is currently considered a part of the family, rodentia, and comes from the high plains of south america. In this reader, you will find out about how guinea pigs got their name, where they came from, types of guinea pigs and how to care for guinea pigs. Guinea pig guinea pigs can be the most endearing and wonderful family pets. Website 1 a question and answer guide to how to care for guinea pigs. The guinea pig neither comes from guinea, nor is it a pig.
A healthy guinea pig diet is about 20% vegetables and 5% fruit. Housing system should exceed the minimal space recommendations for a standard shoe box cage 143 sq. Guinea pigs or cavies, to give them their proper name are fascinating, intelligent and, when handled correctly, friendly. Guinea pigs will dirty water dishes quickly, so always serve water from a large bottle. Publication date 2002 topics guinea pigs as pets publisher neptune city, nj. Guinea pigs with long hair need occasional brushing and grooming to keep hair clean and prevent matting. Looking for minnie pig the guinea pig by vivian french. Apr 30, 2010 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. In the end this guinea pig care chart is a great resource for children upon getting their new pet. Aug 09, 2019 you can easily make your cookies for guinea pigs that contain healthy produce. If you have any concerns about your guinea pigs health, seek your vets advice. Sentinel animals in microisolator cages are placed in the rooms.
There are four other members of this genus that exist in the wild. In the early 20th century the guinea pig was used in scientific experimentation, they have now mainly been replaced in laboratories by mice and rats. Guinea pig adenovirus gpav, gav classification dna virus, enveloped family adenoviridae affected species guinea pigs frequency the prevalence is unknown in pet guinea pigs, but the virus has a moderate prevalence in laboratory guinea pigs. Suitable environment companionship guinea pigs should ideally be kept in single groups or pairs. Guinea pigs love a good cuddle but on the first day home, but make sure to give your guinea pig time to settle in. House guinea pigs in solidbottom cages with contact bedding, unless specifically described in a protocol and approved by the facc. Six record sheets treatment on one side, weight on the other are included in the cavy health record book, a handy reference, summarizing much of the information available on this site read more. Speak with your new furry friend in soft, soothing tones.
The project gutenberg ebook of the raising and care of guinea. Offering too many treats can cause your guinea pig to refuse his healthy, essential foods. 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. The guinea pig or cavy is a member of the rodent family with an average life span of 4 to 7 years. Guinea pigs cannot store or manufacture their own vitamin c. Housing the house is really just a bedroom at one end, a toilet and a dining room. From cage setup to a healthy guinea pig diet, create a happy home for your small pet.
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