 Home | Table of Contents Volume 4 Issue 1  
| ||
|
History: Guinea pigs have been domesticated for thousands of years. They originally came from Peru where they were first raised by the Incas for food. They are also called cavies. Diet: Make sure your guinea pig gets plenty of Vitamin C. Special guinea pig pellets have Vitamin C; so do citrus fruits and dark green vegetables. Sometimes liquids Vitamin C can be added to the water. Your pet will enjoy eating guinea pig pellets and needs plenty of water. Since they have front teeth that grew continually, there should always be coarse things to chew on. A block of hard wood or even some hay would be fine. They also need salt, so be sure to include a salt lick in the cage. Housing: One guinea pig needs a cage that is about 2 feet x 2 feet x 2 feet; if you have a few together be sure they have enough space. Wire cages with a removal tray and a raised wire floor are the easiest to keep clean. You can use animal litter or newspaper in the tray. Guinea pigs get tired of walking on wire; each pet should have a thin piece of wood about 8 inches x 8 inches for resting. Although they do not need exercise wheels, they do enjoy shelves or perches. They like covered sleeping boxes and thick bedding. Your guinea pig will store extra food in the bedding; to prevent sickness, be sure to change it often. Food should be placed in a heavy dish. Water dishes tend to be messy; a water bottle on the side of the cage is cleaner and just as easy to use. |
Handling: Pick up your pet by putting your hands over him and hold firmly but gently. He may squirm less if you hold him closer to your body. Like most pets, your guinea pig will be calmer as he gets used to being handled.
Behavior: Guinea pigs are gentle, shy animals and tend to be inactive. They rarely bite or scratch; they do chatter or whistle once in a while. They do enjoy company, so it's nice to keep two of the same sex together. Other Information: - can weigh up to three pounds, but average is one pound - quiet except for a greeting whistle - odorless and easy to keep - common sickness is lack of Vitamin C - not very trainable, but gentle - lifespan averages four to seven years Recommend Reading Great Pets by Sara Stein A Practical Guide to Impractical Pets by Dolensek & Burn Home Book of Animal Care by Guthrie This article was prepared jointly by Peninsula Humane Society and San Francisco S.P.C.A. Reprinted with permission of the Peninsula Humane Society and the San Francisco S.P.C.A. | |
