PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Hello! I’m Gemma Argent

As an introduction, I’d like to say that I have been around animals my entire life. Animals, simply put, are a part of my life. I went to college initially as a pre-vet student, but ended up changing that to a major in wildlife biology and environmental resource management. Growing up, I had a sampling of the usual pets; guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, turtles, fish, chameleons and cats. Then when I grew up and moved out of my parents home, I decided to try something a bit more exotic.

My First Iguana

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Guinea Pigs enjoy tunneling, exploring and interacting with animals and other elements in their environment. Giving them lots of variety will keep them mentally active for those hours you’re away. That helps keep them stimulated, a vital component of an overall health program. Animals with nothing to do all day, even ones as relatively simple as cavies, become lethargic.

Small plastic or wood houses with several entrances and exits are a favorite among many cavy owners. They’re healthy for the pig and amusing for the owner as the animal winds its way in and out of the enclosure. Many have multiple levels with small, low-sloping ramps to give the pig still more to explore and a way to get healthy exercise.

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Guinea pigs need soft, clean bedding that is changed frequently in order to stay in top health. Litter training a cavy is very difficult and, as a result, they tend to eliminate in many areas around the cage. It’s essential for their health that bedding be replaced to keep down ammonia and keep them and the cage clean.

Ammonia is a component of urine. In high concentrations not only does it smell offensive to humans, but can eventually lead to respiratory problems for the guinea pig. Breathing concentrated ammonia will damage their lungs, burn their esophagus and create other health problems.

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Professionals recognize 13 official breeds of guinea pig or cavy, though several more are popular. Within this set is a group of differently colored types that add further variety to this amazing animal. To top it off, there are ’satin’ varieties, in which the hair shafts are hollow, giving them an ultra-shiny appearance and smooth feel.

Abyssinian

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Guinea pigs, or cavies, are like any other species in having a number of distinctive behaviors. Within that broad outline, of course, each pig will have its own peculiarities. It’s the latter that makes detailing the former a little tricky.

Most guinea pigs enjoy companionship, both of other cavies and of humans. How do we judge when a guinea pig is happy? The same way we would judge ourselves or any other animal - by its behavior. Dogs wag their tails when happy, but tuck it between their legs when they’re fearful. Similarly, guinea pigs give a number of tell-tale signs to signal their moods.

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The question posed in the title is a legitimate one. Even though guinea pigs are familiar, they’re neither pigs nor do they hail from Guinea. These rodents, originating from the Andes mountains in South America, are so similar to rabbits they were nearly reclassified. They’re commonly called a “CAVY” .. a derivation of their scientific name.

But whatever their scientific status, their role as pets in the lives of millions is beyond debate. There are a baker’s dozen recognized breeds and several ‘unofficial ones’. But each has unique qualities that make it a far more interesting animal than you might expect.

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By: Dane Stanton

Guinea pigs originated from the Andean region of South America, presently known as Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. They were a food source for mountain tribes around the year 2000BC. They are still to this day used as a food source in that area. They also live off of families scraps and are used as pets or collectors of evil-spirits in healing ceremonies. European trades transported quinea pigs to Europe, people saw them as exotic pets.

Where do Guinea Pigs get their name and why?

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By Florian Ross

Many people would be quick to call a guinea pig just another “dumb animal” but that’s actually not true. Of course, when compared to a human or a dog, guinea pigs aren’t going to astound you with their intellect, but they are much more intelligent than the average person gives them credit for, as any guinea pig owner knows quite well.

For example, if you feed your guinea pig fresh vegetables right out of the refrigerator, it won’t take long for him to equate the sound of the refrigerator opening and him getting a tasty treat. His squeals and whistles will tell you that he wants what you’ve got in there.

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Cleaning Baby Guinea Pigs

By: Dane Stanton

If you have recently acquired a baby guinea pig and are wondering how to clean baby guinea pigs, you definitely aren’t alone. Chances are you even feel a bit uneasy about giving your pet a bath in the sink or tub because it is so huge and the little animal is so small. You might even have a sneaking suspicion that when learning how to clean baby guinea pigs that the traditional form of bathing is not very well recommended for the little creatures.

Cleaning Options

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Guinea Pig Diet

By Graeme Jarry

A Good Diet is the Basis for a Healthy Guinea Pig.

Daily Basics:

Fresh Water
Vitamin C
Good Quality Guinea Pig Pellets
Grass Hay
Correct Fresh Vegetables
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WATER: Should be fresh and cool ,needs to be changed daily, (best provided in a drip bottle to prevent contamination). Avoid using distilled water and avoid water that is high in minerals, especially if high in calcium. Vitamins or medications should not be added in the water.
VITAMIN C: It’s well known Guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C and require 10 to 30 mg daily . Whilst many guinea pigs receive adequate vitamin C from fresh vegetables and pellets, you may wish to ensure your guinea pig gets sufficient vitamin C by giving a quarter of a 100 mg chewable or plain vitamin C tablet. liquid vitamin C drops can also be given to each cavy. Young, ill and pregnant pigs require extra vitamin C. see my book for a complete Vitamin “C” Table
PELLETS: Plain dye free high quality guinea pig pellets (mixes with nuts are considered too rich), formulated with Vitamin C. Allow approx 1/8 cup of pellets a day when also fed adequate hay and fresh vegetables. It’s best to purchase pellets in small quantities and store in a dry cool dark place to preserve the potency of the . Look for a pellet that uses stabilized vitamin C. It’s always best to avoid pellets that use animal byproducts and those whose primary ingredient is corn.
GRASS HAY: Plenty of high quality, grass hay (timothy and orchard grass are popular) should always be available to each and every guinea pig, no matter what age. The Grass hay keeps their digestive system moving. It also helps prevent their teeth from over growing. Alfalfa hay can be given to young guinea pigs, pregnant, nursing or malnourished adults. Excess calcium could contribute to the formation of bladder stones in older guinea pigs.
VEGETABLES: Fresh vegetables in small amounts (about a cup a day) are an important additional source of vitamin C and other nutrients. Parsley, romaine lettuce, a small piece of carrot, tomato, green or red pepper, spinach, and cantaloupe are popular choices. And clean, pesticide-free grass, clover, dandelion greens, corn husks and silk, will be appreciated by your pet. Be sure to Wash vegetables thoroughly. Vegetables must be introduced slowly, to avoid digestive upsets.
Graeme Guinea Pig Enthusiast

www.GuineaPigSecretsRevealed.com

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