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HISTORY
Guinea pigs are rodents belong to the family "Caviidae." The guinea pig became a largely domesticated animal around the time America was discovered. First introduced to Europe, the guinea pig quickly became a sought after pet for children and families.
The guinea pig originates from South America, where many still exist in the wild today.
APPEARANCE
Guinea pigs are stocky, short legged mammals closely related to gerbils, flying squirrels and muskrats. Body size is small, measuring only 8-16 inches in length. The hair of the guinea pig ranges from long to short, and can be white, black, brown or a mixture of the three. Guinea pigs have tiny ears and no tails.
GUINEA PIGS AS PETS
Guinea pigs make for low maintenance, low cost pets. Because it is rare for a guinea pig to bite, they are considered excellent first pets for small children. They are a medium-sized rodent, making them easier to handle than many other varieties.
DOMESTICATED BREEDS
There are several varieties of guinea pigs in the United States which make excellent pet material.
AMERICAN guinea pigs are short in stature and have short, smooth coats.
ABBYSSINIAN pigs are also short haired and sometimes "splotchy" in color.
PERUVIAN pigs are very long haired and most often have a coat that parts in the center of their backs.
SILKIES have long haired coats, but no hair on their faces.
TEDDY is a newer breed with coarse, short, thick hair that "kinks."
PERSONALITY
Guinea pigs are social animals that love to be petted and handled. Happy pigs gurgle and grunt loudly with pleasure. Guinea pigs are also highly trainable animals. Male pigs are slightly larger than females and are generally more active.
Guinea pigs thrive on routine, and need to be fed and handled at the same time each day. Properly cared for guinea pigs are social, loving and playful animals.
HOUSING
Each guinea pig you own should be provided with a minimum of 2 square feet. Guinea pigs should never be housed in cages with wire bottoms, as they easily break legs after getting their feet trapped in the wire mesh. Houses or cages which have removable bottom pans and hinged tops are optimal. Such cages provide for easy cleanup and care of your new pet. Cages should be lined with appropriate guinea pig approved bedding materials, such as aspen shavings, corn cob bedding, straw, Timothy hay or commercial alternatives.
FEEDING
Guinea pigs are vegetarians that will require many types of fruits, vegetables and greens. The staple of the guinea pig is hay, which should be fed to your pet several times daily. "Timothy" hay is the most nutritious choice for this animal, but any type of hay grass is fine, as well. Specially formulated pellets, which give your pet a proper balance of vitamins and minerals, should also be given each day. Pigs may also be fed grass, dandelion greens, and fruits and vegetables. Guinea pigs should never be fed iceberg lettuce, raw beans, rhubarb or dairy products.
Guinea pigs should also be provided with fresh water daily. Water should be administered through a water bottle, which easily attaches to the side of the cage.
A NOTE ABOUT VITAMIN C
Guinea pigs are susceptible to scurvy when not provided with enough Vitamin C. It is of the utmost importance that your pet is given at least 10mg. of Vitamin C each and every day. Specially formulated, easy to digest Vitamin C pellets are available at most pet stores. A guinea pig which is provided with fresh fruits and vegetables daily will require significantly less Vitamin C than those which are not.
MISCELLANEOUS CARE
Guinea pigs living environment temperatures should be maintained at a consistent 65-degrees. This animal is incapable of tolerating temperatures which fluctuate to the extreme. There should never be a draft to your pig's cage.
Guinea pigs nails should be clipped regularly. This can be done at home with special clippers or in any veterinarian's office.
Your new pet should be groomed weekly. Guinea pigs happily sit through brushings. Hard, stiff brushes work well to condition your animal's hair and free it from dirt and debris.
HEALTH CONCERNS
GUINEA pigs are susceptible to bacterial diseases of the immune system. Keeping your pig's living environment at a consistent temperature and providing him with adequate daily nutrients will help to stave off most infections.
KENNEL cough is an illness that is often transmitted between dogs, rabbits and pigs. Owners should watch for excessive coughing and wheezing, which may indicate a respiratory infection.
PARASITIC infections are common to this animal. Excessive scratching or hair loss is usually the first sign of infection. Specially formulated shampoos are commercially available to treat these disorders.
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