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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
If your guinea pig was pregnant when you got her how can you tell when she is due?
You can estimate your guinea pig's due date by counting from the day she was bred, which is typically around 63-70 days. Signs of labor include increased restlessness, nesting behavior, and a decrease in appetite. It's important to provide a comfortable nest box for her to deliver her babies in.
Why would one guinea pig hump the other when they are both males?
Raging hormones! Also, homosexuality does exist in the animal kingdom. The "humping" pig is showing his dominance over the other piggy. Keep an eye on them and make sure that they don't fight, as they could hurt each other.
How long does it take for a baby guinea pig to get used to its new environment?
Baby guinea pigs are pretty resiliant creatures it usually takes them about a week or two to become acclimated with the sounds and smells of a new home. Make your you socialize the creatures by spending time with it, petting it, if it will allow iyou to. talking to it. Keeping the pet away in a corner fo the house where people seldom visit is a sure fire recipe for a lonely and antisocial animal. Be very sure to keep dogs away from guinea pigs during their break in. And only very carefully surpervised visits afterwards. dogs think guinea pigs are good chew toys, even the nicest dog doesn't know its own strength when it comes to playing with or hanging around such small critters.
The baby is a lethal guinea pig, this means that it has either dalmation or roan parents. The baby is no where near to opening that eye. Take it to the vet and see what is wrong with it. If it is a lethal guinea pig, it most likely won't live for long
the eyes of a guinea pig should be open at birth, you may need to take him to the vet to have him checked if they are not open after a day or so
How much would it cost to take your guinea pig to the vet if you think it is sick but aren't sure?
The cost of taking your guinea pig to the vet for a check-up can vary depending on the vet's fees and any necessary tests or treatments. It's important to budget for a general examination fee, potential diagnostic tests, and treatment costs if your guinea pig is unwell. It's advisable to call the vet ahead of time to ask about their pricing structure for small animal consultations.
Do guinea pigs eat their young?
According to reliable sources, guinea pigs will not normally eat their young. Male fathers can be with their offspring if the mother allows it. This occurs frequently when a male has been neutered after breeding and is being physically separated from mature females (older than 21 days).
Yes they do, it's very uncommon, but I've seen it recently where a female has started eating her babies. I think by looking at a lot of research it's usually when the babies are unhealthy.
Some Guiena Pigs do when there babys are sick the take them out of pain.
Why does your guinea pig have a sag under one eye?
Call a vet and see if you need to make an appointment. Your guinea pig could be just fine, or have an eye infection. Good luck:)
Answer
It could be something called Pea Eye. This can happen to some piggies. It doesn't hurt them. If you're worried get the Vet to take a look at it.
Is your hamster scared if she poops excessively when picked up or is this normal?
This is pretty normal for a hamster. They do get nervous and the pooping may be more frequent when handled. Hamster do tend to poop a lot and whenever they need to so it doesn't matter if you are picking it up or not. Just check to make sure the poop is solid not runny. Runny poop can be a sign of wet tail. If this happens, bring it to the vet!
It's not likely that an animal would die from sadness or loneliness. You don't say how old the guinea pig was or how long you've had it but perhaps it picked up an illness from somewhere, possibly even before you took the animal. As long as you took good care of her just like your friend did, don't feel guilty about it.
Do guinea pigs like to have their hair rubbed backwards?
No, guinea pigs typically do not like to have their hair rubbed backwards as it can cause discomfort and lead to their fur becoming tangled or messy. It's best to gently stroke their fur in the direction it naturally grows to keep them comfortable and happy.
What is the difference between a guinea pig and a hamster?
The difference between a hamster and a guinea pig is that the hamster is smaller, eats less, sleeps during the day and is active at night, and doesn't eat that much fruit. Guinea pigs NEED vitamin C, fruit, greens, timothy hay, vitamins (lots and lots). They need a certain amount of attention. Hamsters like to be left alone, they also need an outdoors cage so they can get their exercise because they don't run on a wheel. Guinea pigs NEED a buddy to share their cage and meals with, while hamsters PREFER to have a cage to themselves. Also, most hamsters know how to unlatch their cage door, and guinea pigs just sit there and wait to be taken out of their cage.
Guinea pigs don't run on a wheel, in a ball, or climb through tunnels. The reason for that is that a guinea pig has a very fragile spine that can not bend in that much of a "U" shape. Hamsters, because of their small size, are not all that easy to cuddle with. Therefore, they are used to people watching them and holding them, but not cuddling up with them. Since guinea pigs are so much larger than hamsters, they LOVE to cuddle up with the person they are closest to, because it is more comfortable to do so.
What is the white liquid that comes out of a guinea pig's eye?
Guineapigs can secrete a white fluid from their eyes when they wash themselves. This is nothing to worry about. If it forms any sort of crust, or appears to irritate your piggie, you should take them to see a vet
How do you treat a guinea pig's broken foot?
Ice it off and on to alleviate pain and swelling, Motrin is a great inflammatory, rest rest rest!! I broke my ankle 7-7-7 and didnt listen to the rest part! i ended up in a cast or boot of some form for almost 9 months! Also, if you are a smoker i know it sounds ridiculous but it seriously slows down the healing process in a significant way.
Why does a pig die when you lift it up by the front legs?
There is no indication that a pig will die by picking it up by the front legs, but because their legs are stocky and stiff you could well break both legs. Put your arms straight out and then imagine someone lifting your body weight as you held your arms stiff and rigid. Broken bones here we come!
How soon can you touch a baby guinea pig?
Rule of thumb, when the baby is moving around by itself, "Thats not to say you can't touch it", to pick it up, whatever the mother and baby are being held in, and the guinea pig has a lot of fur, you do not want to discourage the mother from nursing the baby. some mothers are very caring and some are ruthless when it comes to nursing. By your question it sounds like you have a caring mother guinea pig.
Why does your guinea pig make purring noises and shiver when you're petting him?
I have a guniea pig... When he makes those noises he is happy.. Its like a happy shivering.. when he gets angry he chatters his teeth.. then again all guniea's are different and you cant really tell what he does..
I have read in many sites and books that the purring noise and shivering means one of 2 things, 1 its horny or 2 its angry, either that or he is just cold so he shivers. But if he was happy he would make a high pitch squeak squeak sound.
Wow guinea pigs do not shake when they ae horny they are never hory ive researched guinea pigs shake when they feel safe or is happy rub it lower bac and it will make purring shakin noises
I have a guinea pig, and whenever he makes those noises, he is happy. I have read that on so many websites, and I have been told by so many people that that's what it means. They do have a sensitive spot on your back, and when you hit it while brushing or petting too hard, they will squeal.
this normally means the guinea pigs happy and realaxed
Do male guinea pigs make purring sounds too?
Yes, male guinea pigs can also make purring sounds, which are a sign of contentment and relaxation. The purring noise is often heard when they are being petted or when they are feeling comfortable in their environment.
Is there any infection if a guinea pig bites you through the skin and it starts to bleed?
Guinea pigs are not filthy, but they do have bacteria just like most everything. I've had many creatures and been bitten many times. Wash it thourouly and put disinfectant on it and wrap it. That will take away the chances of something else getting into it. If it really looks bad and is getting a lot worse than it isgetting better go to the doctor.
Are guinea pigs and hamsters compatible?
I wouldn't try to house them together as the guinea pig is going to get a lot larger then the hamster.
It can be done hamsters can be put with guinea pigs. I had a hamster and a guinea pig together at one time because they were both alone. As long as you watch them a while when you first do it to make sure they don't fight then it should work out fine. I had a golden hamster i wouldn't try it with a dwarf hamster or anything that small. But as long as they don't fight and the guinea pig don't hog all the food then it should be ok. But if you have more then 1 hamster and more than 1 guinea pig i would not try it.
THIS ANSWER IS CRAZY HAMSTERS AND GUINEA PIGS SHOULD NEVER BE HOUSED TOGHETHER. JUST BECAUSE IT WORKED ONCE DOES NOT AND I REPEAT DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL WORK OUT IN MOST CASES!!!!!!!
This answer is horrible. No, they can NEVER be housed together. A guinea pig can only be housed with another guinea pig!
do NOT put a guinea pig and hamster together, the guinea pig is going to get much bigger than the hamster. plus they need different foods.
(MRS.TYLER22) Well first off i have 4 guinea pigs and 2 hamsters and for play time when i do not feel like letting them run around the room i put the inside of this really large plastic tote that i use to use to put my clothes in (very spacious) all of them and they just play in there together no fighting just playin but i do not allow them to sleep with the guinea pigs remind you that this is just for play time.Every animal is different you might just have to try your animals together on a trial basis because noone can say that they cant play or that they can every animal again is DIFFERENT!!!!
What causes male rabbit eyes to weep and how do you treat it?
Your rabbit may be suffering from a Pasteurella infection. You need to take it to the vet so that you can get it treated or the infection will continue to get worse. Depending on the severity, your vet will either give you an eyedrop solution or an oral antibiotic medication (most likely Baytril). Be careful about which antibiotic your vet prescribes, the drugs in the -cillin family (Amoxicillin, Ampicillin) are toxic to rabbits. (A note: if your vet doesn't know that, it's time to get another vet, because if a vet is going to treat rabbits he or she should know this very basic fact about their treatment.)
== == == == If the eye weeping is accompanied by yellowish discharge, redness in or around the eye, or swelling you should probably take the rabbit to a veterinarian as these are all signs of an eye infection. There are ointments a vet can prescribe that you put into the rabbit's eye.
Will your guinea pig's broken leg heal without a splint?
A broken leg in a guinea pig may not heal properly without a splint or some form of stabilization. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian for proper treatment to ensure the leg heals correctly and the guinea pig can recover fully.
Guinea pigs are strict vegetarians, and in addition to their pellets, they will eat fruits and vegetables, bread, and will even nibble on vegetarian dog biscuits.
As Guinea Pigs cannot produce vitamin C, it is important to feed them proprietary food with added vitamin C added. A very good source of vitamin C can be found in oranges, most Guinea Pigs love a segment of orange to eat.
If you have one, and are seeking to feed & care for it properly visit your nearest book-store or library and get a book on the subject of "caring for Guinea pigs/Cavies"
A more general reply is "plant material": leaves, grass, hay, fruit, vegetables etc. Hay comes in several varieties; the best is called timothy. Be sure not to feed them alfalfa though because it can cause kidney problems. They cant eat lettuce because it gives them a bad stomach.
guinea pigs can have rabbit pellets hamster food vegatables and guine pig pellets
Guineas cannot have rabbit pellets or hamster food as it is not nutritious enough stick to guinea food
be sure to introduce new food gradually so u dnt uPset little tummies they need a constant supply of hay and water and vitamin C is essential
fruit and veg is loved. But not too much fruit and they musnt eat potato, onion, parsnip, iceburg lettuce or avacado. THEY LOVE CUCUMBER
Hope this helps :)
- Good foods for guinea pigs to eat are: apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwis, tangerines, yellow plums, oranges, watermelon, grapes, lemons, cauliflower leaves, broccoli, turnips, peppers, parsley, red beets, cucumbers, celery, spinach, tomatoes, and zucchini.
- Bad foods for guinea pigs to eat are: Iceberg lettuce, all varieties of green cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, and red cabbage.
- Poisonous foods for guinea pigs to eat are: Potato peelings and raw beans. As for the actual potato, there has been some confusion about whether they are or aren't poisonous to guinea pigs. To be on the safe side, I would suggest not feeding your guinea pig potatoes.
- Hay is another good food for guinea pigs. It is the basic food for guinea pigs. If you feed them hay along with water, it is suitable for the winter! This is only if no fresh veggies or fruits are available.
- You can gather plants from outside to give to guinea pigs. They absolutely love outdoor greens! Just make sure that there are no flowers or dried tree leaves in the bundle you pick. If there are any leaves or flowers in it, cut them out and give only the plant leaves and stalks to your guinea pig. Grass is also considered a treat to guinea pigs! If you do decide to collect outdoor plants, do not get them if they grow near roads or sidewalks, or have been treated with pesticides!
- Toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes are completely fine for guinea pigs to eat. It gives them something to chew on to help their teeth, as well as something to play with. It is also like an in-between meal for them, when they aren't eating anything else.
- Pellets are a part of a regular guinea pig diet. They have some vitamins and minerals added, so they are really healthy. Guinea pigs don't consider them a treat unless there are extra dried fruits or nuts added to them.
- Salt and mineral wheels are optional. Salt wheels are exactly what they are called. It is salt formed into the shape of a wheel that can be attached to the cage. Then the guinea pig can chew on it anytime it feels like it! The mineral wheel is a mix of minerals and salt. It is usually a reddish color, unlike the salt wheel that is always white.
- Vitamin C is very important to guinea pigs! They can get this from fresh fruits. Oranges have a particular big amount of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight infections in guinea pigs, as well as to heal wounds. It also helps break down and metabolize proteins in the guinea pig's diet.
- Clean andfresh water is necessary for guinea pigs to live. It is pretty much necessary for any living thing on Earth! Change the water whenever needed, preferably once every two-three days.
- The entire digestive tract of a guinea pig is about 2.3 meters long.
- These materials are needed for a guinea pigs' survival: Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, fats, proteins, and of course, water!
- These vitamins are needed for a guinea pig to survive: Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
- These minerals are needed for a guinea pig to survive: Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, and Sodium.
- Guinea pigs are not able to store water for a long period of time, and that is why it is necessary to replenish their water any time the water bottle gets low. Every cell needs the water, so guinea pigs have to drink almost constantly.
- Guinea pigs are also able to eat dirt. This may sound funny, but it is true. Dirt has vitamins and minerals and nutrients that guinea pigs need, and apparently, they seem to like it!
- Guinea pigs will occasionally eat their own feces (poops). The feces still contain some leftover nutrients, and so the guinea pigs eat them. This is sort of a way of recycling. It will not hurt them, and it will actually help them live, because of the materials within them.
- Wow this took a long time.
Guinea pigs eat veges such as carrot, tomato,oranges,green leaf lettuce,grass & dandilion leafs for mostly treats. for regular feeding give them guinea pig pettets that can be purchased at any pet store. they can also eat timothy hay or alfalfa. hope I helped! :)
any vegetable apart from potato
hay and corn
commercial guineapig "cereal" stuff wich is dry an comes in a packet.
clean water
Ok guinea pigs need good pellets. Dont buy anything with dried fruit or anything in it just pellets. Guinea pigs need a cup of lettuce each day and a half a cup of fruits and veggies each day. They also need an unlimited supply of timothy hay. You can get a bale of it very cheap at your local feed store. For the lettuce you can give them romaine lettuce, and springmix. No iceburg lettuce it has no nutritional value. For fruits and veggies they can have green bell pepper (not spicy) blueberrys, apple, cucumbers, and they also love grass. Guinea pigs can not have any dairy products, nuts, meat, or carrots. Many people think guinea pigs can have carrots that is not true. Carrots have a large amount of sugar in them and can cause kidney and bladder stones. You can give guinea pigs treats called nibble rings.
They eat lots of green veggies, carrots, lettuce, apples and pea straw but steer clear of too many acidic foods. They also need to gnaw on bark, salt licks or wood to keep their teeth down
What should you do if your guinea pig has a purple leg but it is not swollen?
If your guinea pig has a purple leg but it is not swollen, it could be a sign of poor circulation or possibly a bruise. Keep a close eye on your guinea pig for any changes in behavior or mobility. If the discoloration persists or if your guinea pig shows any signs of discomfort, it's best to consult a veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment.
What is the lifespan of guinea pigs and what's wrong with them if they have yellow butts?
The average lifespan of a guinea pig is 5 to 7 years.
The yellow butts are probably just the color of their urine on their fur.
Male guinea pigs may have a yellow waxy area above their backsides where a tail would be ( if they had a tail). This is their scent gland and the yellow waxy substance is normal. If the fur is dirty with faeces or if the area is excessively matted then you can clean it gently with a small animal shampoo and warm water. (make sure your pig is completely dry before he goes home though, you don't want him to catch a cold!)
