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Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are a member of the rodent family. Cavia porcellus is descended from the wild guinea pig of the Andes Mountains. Guinea pigs properly known as cavies were domesticated some 7000 years ago and used as a source of food, but they are social animals and make great pets.
5,247 Questions
What is the binomial nomenclature of a guinea pig?
The binomial nomenclature for a guinea pig is Cavia porcellus.
How long is a guinea pig a baby for?
A guinea pig is only a baby, for about 3 months. They become sexually mature around 3 weeks, but they start to grow, and by 3 months are almost full size.
What does a white ear mean on a guinea pig?
A white ear on a guinea pig could be a normal color variation and not necessarily indicative of a health issue. However, it's still a good idea to monitor for any signs of discomfort, discharge, or changes in behavior that could indicate an underlying problem. If you notice any concerning symptoms, it's best to consult a veterinarian for further evaluation.
A guinea pig's enemies are dogs, cats, people, and any animal that tries to eat them.
Answer:
Guinea pigs were originally raised as a food animal making man their chief predator.
My guinea pig bites my hands if i touch his feet what does this mean and how can i stop him?
That is normal with Guinea Pigs. It is their way of self defense. Like in the wild, some animals grab them by the feet, so they bite. You can stop it by not touching his feet otherwise it will annoy him a lot
It's possible that the sneezing guinea pig is allergic to something in its environment, such as dust or pollen. You may want to try using a different type of bedding, like paper or aspen shavings, to see if that helps reduce the sneezing. Ensure their living space is well-ventilated and clean to minimize allergens. If the sneezing persists or worsens, consult a veterinarian for further evaluation.
What will happen if you fed your guinea pig iceberg lettuce?
Feeding iceberg lettuce to guinea pigs is not recommended as it has very low nutritional value and can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea. It is better to offer a variety of other leafy greens and vegetables that are more nutritious and safer for your guinea pig to eat.
Can guinea pigs go into labor early?
Yes, guinea pigs can go into labor early, similar to other animals. It is important to monitor the pregnancy closely and be prepared for potential early labor by knowing the signs of preterm birth. Consulting with a veterinarian experienced in guinea pig care is recommended for guidance.
they eat cherry tomatoes, and it's best to cut the tomato in half first so that they have an edge to nibble on.
Which would you recommend as a pet mouse rat or guinea pig?
I recommend a guinea pig as a pet over a mouse or a rat. Guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy human interaction and are less likely to bite compared to mice or rats. They are also easier to handle and care for, making them a great choice for first-time pet owners.
If there is an emergency and can't feed your guinea pig how long can they survive.?
!IN AN EMERGENCY GUINEA PIGS CAN EAT GRASS FROM YOUR LAWN! As long as you don't use any chemicals or fertilizer on your grass, this would be deadly for them to eat.A guinea pig can eat its own feces, poop. It is not bad for them to eat it on occasion, but it is not recommended to reuse their feces (poop) as a food supply.Grass that you pick or grab from your lawn actually has lots of nutrients according to a website dedicated to guinea pigs, and rabbits. I don't know how long, but if they are in the wild they eat non stop. My guess is they would get ill within a day.
I am sorry, but I lost the reference to this information below. If anyone recognizes the article, please feel free to edit it for me, thanks. I never expected to show it to others, it was for my own use at home.
Diet
A silver agouti guinea pig eating grass. Grass is the guinea pig's natural diet. Their molars are particularly suited for grinding plant matter, and grow continuously throughout the animal's life.[71] Most grass-eating mammals are quite large and have a long digestive tract; while guinea pigs have much longer colons than most rodents, they must also supplement their diet by coprophagy, the eating of their own feces.[72] However, they do not consume all their feces indiscriminately, but produce special soft pellets, called cecotropes, which recycle B vitamins, fiber, and bacteria required for proper digestion.[73] The cecotropes (or caecal pellets) are eaten directly from the anus, unless the guinea pig is pregnant or obese.[46] They share this behaviour with rabbits. In older boars (the condition is rarer in young ones), the muscles which allow the softer pellets to be expelled from the anus for consumption can become weak. This creates a condition known as anal impaction, which prevents the boar from redigesting cecotropes, though harder pellets may pass through the impacted mass.[74] The condition may be temporarily alleviated by carefully expelling the impacted feces.
Guinea pigs benefit from feeding on fresh grass hay, such as timothy hay, in addition to food pellets which are often based from timothy. Alfalfa is also a popular food choice; most guinea pigs will eat large amounts of alfalfa when offered it,[75] though there exists some controversy over the feeding of alfalfa to adult guinea pigs. Some pet owners and veterinaryorganizations have advised that, as a legume rather than a grass hay, alfalfa consumed in large amounts may lead to obesity, as well as bladder stones due to excess calcium, in any but pregnant and very young guinea pigs.[76][77] However, published scientific sources mention alfalfa as a source for replenishment of protein, amino acids and fiber.[78][79]
Like humans, but unlike most other mammals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C and must obtain this vital nutrient from food. If guinea pigs do not ingest enough vitamin C, they can suffer from potentially fatal scurvy. Guinea pigs require about 10 mg (0.15 gr) of vitamin C daily (20 mg (0.31 gr) if pregnant), which can be obtained through fresh, raw fruits and vegetables (such as apple, cabbage, carrot, celery, and spinach) or through dietary supplements.[80] Healthy diets for guinea pigs require a complex balance of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and hydrogen ions; adequate amounts of vitamins E, A, and D are also necessary.[81] Imbalanced diets have been associated with muscular dystrophy, metastatic calcification, difficulties with pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and teeth problems.[82] Guinea pigs tend to be fickle eaters when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, having learned early in life what is and is not appropriate to consume, and their habits are difficult to change after maturity.[83] They do not respond well to sudden changes in diet; they may stop eating and starve rather than accepting new food types.[52] A constant supply of hay or other food is generally recommended, as guinea pigs feed continuously and may develop habits such as chewing on their own hair if food is not present.[84] Because guinea pigs' teeth grow constantly, they routinely gnaw, lest their teeth become too large for their mouth, a common problem in rodents.
[38] Guinea pigs will also chew on cloth, paper, plastic, and rubber.
A number of plants are poisonous to guinea pigs, including bracken, bryony, buttercup, charlock, deadly nightshade, foxglove, hellebore, hemlock, lily of the valley, mayweed, monkshood, privet, ragwort, rhubarb, speedwell, toadflax and wild celery.[85] Additionally, any plant which grows from a bulb (e.g., tulip and onion) is normally considered poisonous.[85]
Where are guinea pig nipples located?
Guinea pigs (both male and female) have 2 nipples on the lower abdomen.
Yes, guinea pigs can get lice. Infestation usually occurs when they come into contact with other infested animals or by bedding material. Symptoms may include scratching, itching, and hair loss. Treatment involves using specialized shampoos prescribed by a veterinarian.
Guinea pig tilting head to one side?
umm i don't know what you mean by this question i think you meant why do do dogs tilt their heads to one side the answer to that is they are listening to what you are saying trying to figure out the word's you are saying.
There are various types of wounds, including abrasions (scrapes), lacerations (cuts), puncture wounds, and incisions (surgical wounds). Wounds can also be classified as open or closed, depending on whether the skin is broken. Additionally, wounds can be categorized based on their severity and whether they are acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-lasting).
How long do guiena pigs live AND I CARE?
Guinea pigs typically live between 5 to 8 years, but some can live up to 10 years with proper care. They are social animals that require companionship and a balanced diet to thrive. It's important to provide them with a clean living environment, sufficient exercise, and regular veterinary check-ups to ensure their well-being.
Why do guinea pigs stop still?
Usually, and most of the time, Guinea Pigs will stop what they are doing and stand still, when they are: Frightened, Curious, and when they hear an un-farmiliar noise. This is totally normal for any guinea pig to do, so don't be worried if your piggy is eating and stops still for a second or two.
How big is the worlds biggest guinea pig?
The world's largest guinea pig breed is the Skinny Pig, which can weigh between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds and grow up to 14 inches long. However, most guinea pigs are an average size of 8-10 inches long and weigh around 2-3 pounds.
Can you handle baby guinea pigs while they are nursing?
It will scare them but you can hold them. Also if away from the mom they will squeal loudly and they can be with the male and if you can hold a baby and the dad guinea pig together they will get along.
hi there lm sorry to hear about your guinea pig and five babies Sadly our guinea pig too has just given birth to six perfectly formed babies but sadly all of them too were born dead lm not an expert at all, but have breed guinea pigs for about 15 years and it really is not very unsual for something like this to sadly happen Five or more is a large number for the mother to give birth too Sometimes this kind of death does not have a real explanation and in a way lm pleased that l was there when the last 2 babies were born there was nothing l could do as l tried they were obviously already dead before they were born and lm sure it was similar with yours just like me even if you had been there it would have been impossible to have helped them lm already preparing myself for the possibility of the mother also dying lm afraid its a sad fact that life and death are closely related and l think you have to tell yourself that there was not anything you could have done because l was there and still couldn't Hope this helps a bit l understand how sad it feels when this happens
A cage is an enclosure, made usually of bars, used normally to hold animals, such as a bird page, a tiger cage.
The word cage can also be used to refer to the goal in an ice hockey match, an automobile, or any kind of inhibitor of individual freedom.
What are the different types of guinea pig?
There are many different breeds. However, you can't just choose one solely on the breed, because each Guinea Pig has its own personality. However, the most suitable ones for beginners are the Teddy and American breeds, as they usually are easier to train and have a more laid-back personality. I hope this answers your question.
Your guinea pig doesnt climb up the ramp?
Guinea pigs are not natural climbers and may have difficulty using ramps. You can try placing your guinea pig at the base of the ramp and encouraging them with a treat to see if they will follow the ramp on their own. Ensure the ramp is not too steep and has a rough surface for better traction.
Why can't i get the guinea pig declawed?
It's highly creul to get a guinea pig declawed!
There are many protests over animal cruelty and this is just one of the many issues!
Please don't get your guinea pig declawed! Clip their nails instead to keep a short and practical nail length.
Guinea Pigs claws are one of its only ways to protect itself not to mention how painful it is to the guinea pig. Getting its claws clipped may be a pain, but it is not that hard and much more humane than declawing it.
What color do guinea pigs come in?
Hiya, Guinea pigs come in all different colours and breeds, but youll never see a pink or blue or green or sumthink stupid like that,
