Is a guinea pig a good pet?

Answer 1

Guinea Pigs are an amazing pet! They are kind, sweet and oh so cuddly. I had one a couple of months ago, but unfortunately it died out of old age, and I was so sad. You can bond really well with them, just like a dog or a cat. Just without having to take them on long walks everyday!

I just got a guinea pig a couple weeks ago & I agree, they are great to hold & play with don't require too much work & don't stink that bad if you keep their cage clean.

Guinea Pigs are GREAT pets they are not a lot of money they are vary easy to take care of. I my self have had a skinny pig (a guinea pig with no hair). And I currently have a Guinea pig she is just turning one and i love them both very much. They smell fine if you keep there cage clean. If you are going out to get a guinea pig make sure you get it a few wood chews as for there teeth keep growing and if they don't eat some thing hard to keep there teeth the right size they can starve to death because there teeth are to long.
guinea pigs are great pets for all ages! they bond well and are very friendly!
Guinea pigs are in many ways ideal family pets!

* Unlike dogs you don't have to walk them daily,

and unlike dogs you can go out all day leaving them safely behind.

* Unlike cats they do not destroy the local wild bird population.

* Unlike hamsters, and some other small rodents they do not sleep all day.

* Unlike rabbits they eat little, can be handled easily, and can even stay indoors.

* Unlike snakes, and other reptiles they do not need extra heat and light.

* Unlike birds they do not make incessant noise.

* Unlike fish they can be handled and give affection.

* Unlike horses they do not need regular veterinary attention or expensive upkeep.

Yes, the domesticated guinea pig can make a great pet - low cost to buy, low cost of upkeep, not noisy, does not demand constant attention, yet are affectionate, cuddly, and can be bred easily.

The pig files

Lifespan 3 to 6 years typically

Size from about 8 inches to 14 inches long

Breeding up to 5 times a year with litter of 2 to 4 or even more!

Menu Guinea pigs are veggie!

prepared guinea pig food from pet store supplemented with carrot, peas, most green leafs, though not lettuce as this is associated with colic in guinea pigs.

Handling handle often for best reaction with children

Types dutch, coronet, texel, sheltie, agouti, rex, abyssinian, American crested, self black

Diet

A guinea pig can be a fussy little creature, expect likes and dislikes, and a bit like some of us, they don't like change!

Staple guinea pig mix from your pet store is the basic diet, but even here beware! - best choose a guinea pig mix that prevents selective feeding, i.e. they choose those bits they like and leave the bits they don't. The consequences of this is that they may lack a balanced diet and can be prone to illnesses as a result!

Next we come to fruit and veg - and here little often is better than too much which can cause diarrhoea. Guinea pigs need fresh fruit and veg, and are partial to green leafs.

A Vitamin C supplement in their drinking water is recommended, but read the instructions so not to over-dose!

Try beetroot (not pickled), carrot, broccoli, celery, cauliflower leafs, cabbage, but lettuce only very occasionally if at all, as it can cause colic.

Offer orange, apple, grapes but not the whole fruit, cut or slice and make this a treat rather than constantly available.

Special hang-up treats from pet stores are also good, and encourage the animal to climb up and use their rodent teeth.

Another essential is a daily fresh supply of clean water.

By all means try other things from time to time, ours like cold peas (cooked), and will even nibble small pieces of bread.

Remember guinea pigs are veggie, so no meat or dairy products, and definitely no sweets or anything with sugar.

Hay is essential and there should always be a supply of fresh grass hay in their home which should be replenished every time their cage is cleaned!

NOW SOME DONT'S

cabbage, iceburg lettuce, uncooked beans, geminating potatoes, Pears, dairy products, and unshelled nuts.

Maintenance/Cleaning

Maintenance is very important, but not difficult.

Your guinea pig hutch will SMELL if not cleaned on a regular basis!

The floor of the living quarters will need the following procedure carried out every two to three days for a single pig in residence, or almost daily if there are two or more!

1. Take g-pig out of home and place where it cannot get back in until you are finished.

2. remove all existing floor covering and discard hygenically, also old fruit and veg.

3. spray the floor with a suitable antiseptic cleanser (your local pet store will sell these)

4. wipe the floor with kitchen paper or a paper towel.

5. place new bedding on the hutch or cage floor to a depth such that all the wood or plastic is covered, and possibly up to a depth of quarter to half inch.

6. allow pet to return home, and reward with treat!

Okay, so your guinea pig will not thank you for a bath, but you will probably want to bath him from time to time, say twice a year!

A bathing regime is not difficult, and here are the key points.

1. Fill a bath or basin to a level where he can paddle but not drown.

2. Temperature should be lukewarm.

3. Use a small pet shampoo as sold by pet stores.

4. Avoid contact with the eyes (both you and the pet!)

5. Keep him supported as he may try to jump out, and could injure himself if allowed to escape from the confines of the bath/sink.

6. Wash gently, using your fingers, pressure is neither necessary nor comfortable.

7. After a final rinse wrap your gp in a clean towel, and hand dry, avoiding drafts especially whilst wet.

8. A hair drier can be used, but carefully, make sure not too hot, and shield the eyes.

9. About twice a year should be about right.

Vital statistics!

body weight-adult male 900-1000 gram

about 2 lb

body weight-adult sow 700-900gram

25-32 oz

birth weight 60-115gram

2-4 oz

breeding life 18-20 months 4-5 litters

sow fertility 4-5 weeks

boar fertility 8-10 weeks

sow cycle length 15-17 days

gestation period 59-72 days

litter interval 96 days

Communications

You enjoyed the film Dr.Dolittle?

Of course Guinea Pigs cannot really talk!

- but they can COMMUNICATE! In their own way, they can "ask" for food, tell you if they are tired, want attention, even sometimes if they are ill!

You watch and learn from your piggy friend, and you will be rewarded.

rabbits Rabbits

Often guinea pigs are housed with rabbits, especially at pet stores.

It is a common practice, but the advice from most expert sources is - DON'T DO IT!

If kept outdoors, they are often considered as company for each other, as the guinea pig can get warmth from the larger rabbit, but a rabbit has very powerful back legs which often does great harm to the more fragile guinea pig!

Also, they are different species, and in general terms should not be kept together, their dietary requirements differ.

Summer living

Hot weather poses special problems for guinea pigs. As a general rule if we humans feel hot, then chances are so will our guinea pigs!

Here are some quick-brief tips to help keep your pet happy in the summer.

1. Always keep out of direct sunlight.

2. Make sure they have a regular and fresh supply of water.

3. If kept out of doors make sure cats or other animals cannot get in at them.

4. Guinea pigs do not like drafts, so make sure they have shelter.

And for those cold winter months, a quick tip is to provide plenty hay for your g-pig to keep warm in! (see also section on diet above)

Living quarters

Some ideas on guinea pig accommodation.

hutch cage

cage possible g-pig homes

many people make their own pet accommodation, and there is also the possibility for outdoor covered runs for use in warmer weather!

What can go wrong!

Guinea pigs are generally fine if well looked after, however look out for the following symptoms. Please note that this author is not qualified as a vet, therefore if you are worried about the health of your pet, seek medical advice from a qualified person without delay.

1. Diarrhoea

This might be a symptom of a serious ailment, and professional advice is advised.

2. Constipation

Might be caused by lack of greens.

Treat with plenty wet veg, or in severe cases, medicinal liquid paraffin. (seek medical advice)

3. Bumble foot

Swelling in the foot and slight redness.

It is not contagious but treatable with antibiotics.

This is potentially a dangerous condition, so do not delay.

4. Worms

Seen as white streaks in their droppings usually comes from grazing on grass.

This is a case for the vet however.

5. Bladder Stones

The symptoms are obvious pain on urination, probably accompanied by unusual squeaking, and arching of the back.

One reason for stones developing could be lack of fluid, and not enough acid in the diet.

Check if your guinea pig drinks regularly, and offer celery, beetroot, apple, but not lettuce.

6. Lice

White in colour, very small, and crawl about on his fur.

Treat with a suitable shampoo available on prescription.

7. Eye problems

sore, runny eyes sometimes occur particularly if the pig is kept in a draught.

Treatment is usually by eye drops or ointment on prescription.

8. Dental problems

We were worried when our Bobby broke his two front incisors, and seemed to be having difficulty in coping with lettuce etc.

However a guinea pig actually has 20 teeth, and will be merely inconvenienced whilst the front ones grow in again (which seemed to happen quite rapidly)

Sometimes the front teeth need to be cut, but do not attempt this unless you know what you are doing!

9. Lameness

Often caused by lack of vitamin C (see section on diet above)

Guinea pigs are not particularly hardy animals, falls must be avoided in particular, and they should never be left unattended if uncaged, for their own good!

Treating your guinea pig yourself is an option if you are experienced and know what you are about, but advice from here must be always seek professional help if in doubt.

books! guinea pig books

gender He or a she?

The sexing of guinea pigs, particularly if young, may not be too straightforward. It may be more reliable to ask someone who knows, but you can make your own mind up!

Pet store staff often do not offer advice on the sex of animals they sell, as they employ temporary and part-time staff who may not be trained in such matters.

It is easier in adult guinea pigs, an examination of the genitalia holds the clue. The "triangular" area will reveal in the middle a "dot" or "button" in the male, which will not be present in the sow. Note however that both sexes have nipples.

Male babies can impregnante their mothers as early as 24 days and must be separated therefore at 21 days!

1. Ask an experienced person - someone who has knowledge of small mammals should be able to tell you, and should not charge much.

2. Get a good book on guinea pigs (preferably by Peter Gurney) and follow the advice given there.

It is often quite difficult with very young guinea pigs but they reach maturity in just a few months, and general advice is that males (boars) should NOT be kept together as they are more than likely to fight. Females (sows) can live together but generally only if introduced at about the same time, or as a mother and daughter combination.

A behavior trait to watch out for in boars is a "stalking" motion usually accompanied by a sort of "purring". In this case he usually senses the presence of a sow, and will attempt to make contact.

Enjoy your Guinea Pig!

A guinea pig is for life, not just for Christmas!

Buy one g-pig on its own only if you intend to make it very much one of the family, keep it in the house, and handle it, look after it well.

If buying more than one, remember that they can be prolific breeders, so check the sex (many pet stores will not guarantee the sex of animals they sell!) and if you intend to breed them, do not expect to make money from this venture, as young guinea pigs have little financial value, and are (in the nicest possible way) common!

They do make lovely pets and are ideal for families with children over the age of about five.

Answer 2

No, never give a living animal as a present to another person. A pet animal takes a lot of looking after and the owner needs to make the choice to do that themselves, not have the duty forced on them.