BEFORE YOU GET YOUR GUINEA PIG
or
PREPARING FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE
INTRODUCTION:
uinea pigs are playful, gentle companions, and having them can be addicting. This pamphlet is designed to help you decide whether or not they might be the right pets for you. If you decide to "take the plunge," it is strongly recommended that you get one of the many good books on guinea pigs that are available at libraries, book stores or pet stores. COST:
It's never just the cost of the little critter itself, is it? Luckily, setup costs for a guinea pig aren't too bad. You'll need a comfortable cage, a food bowl, a water bottle and hanger, bedding, and food. You'll find more on each item below. Then there's upkeep. More food. More bedding. The occasional trip to the vet. Compared to many other pets, though, you'll find guineas are "cheap to keep."
HOUSING:
Cages - Cages with wire floors are dangerous for guinea pigs. They have delicate little legs and feet which can be broken easily. A waterproof, cleanable surface like linoleum or plastic, with sides extending up at least 6 inches, makes a great bottom. Each guinea pig needs about two square feet of living space. As for sides and top, remember that ventilation is important. Think wire rather than solid. A child's rigid wading pool also works well--provided no cats or dogs can get inside.
Houses - Guinea pigs like a safe, cave-like, den to sleep in. An upside-down plastic bucket with a hole cut for a door works well. So does a wooden or cardboard box. The guinea pigs will enjoy gnawing on either when not sleeping.
Bedding -You'll want to scatter something on the cage floor. Hardwood shavings like aspen, nontoxic paper pulp products, and grass hay like Timothy are best. Kiln-dried pine is acceptable if the cage has sufficient ventilation. Never use cedar. The chemicals that create the pleasant aroma cause potentially fatal medical problems in small animals.
Comfort Range - Guinea pigs are happiest at temperatures between 65-75°F. They also need to be kept out of drafts, since they have a real problem with respiratory ailments.
Toys - Guineas love to play. A bird mirror, a plastic cat ball, a parrot hanging toy, a 4-inch diameter PVC tubing section to crawl through. Guineas have different tastes, just like people. The toys don't cost much, so you can try several.
HANDLING:
Be Gentle! The little critters are timid--and fragile! It's safest (for the guinea pig) to pick it up by sliding one hand under the chest and the other under the rump. You can carry it held against your chest or supported over your forearm. Never grab it by the scruff of the neck, and watch out for its feet so they don't get snagged on something. And remember, you're a pretty scary giant to the poor little thing! A quiet voice, gentle touch, and lots of treats will win its confidence.
Most guinea pigs tend to be "wild," that is, they run away from you. You can
gain their confidence by the following:
- Do not move suddenly,
- Speak softly, they have very sensitive hearing,
- Offer them treats (carrots, leaf lettuce, dandelion greens, etc.),
- Handle them for brief periods of time, petting and stroking gently. Increase the time involved but not past the animals comfort limit.
Also remember, while some guinea pigs may, in time, become housebroken, a towel in your lap while holding one helps absorb accidents. Guinea pigs are the most cuddly creatures around! They love to snuggle in your arms, and up under your chin. Petting a guinea pig is one of the most enjoyable things you can do. They can purr with contentment or chuckle with pleasure, either way, taming your pet has wonderful rewards.
GROOMING:
Most guineas love being combed or brushed--as long as you're careful about tangles. Combing is also a good time to check for skin problems, which a good vet can help you with. Toe nails need occasional trimming. Have your vet show you how, then be prepared for a lot of squealing. Some guineas wear down their claws by climbing on a brick in their cage. Baths can be either fun or traumatic, depending on the guinea. Use slightly warmer temperatures and mild (kitten or rabbit) shampoos, then fluff dry with a towel and blow dry on low. A cold, damp guinea can get sick very quickly
FEEDING:
The main food is guinea pig (not rabbit) pellets. But this is only
the start. Fresh vegetables and fruits are necessary for health, like humans, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C. Parsley, carrots, leaf lettuce and other dark green vegetables, and apples are just a few to keep on hand. If you pick dandelions or other "weeds" from a garden or field, make sure they're free of pesticides, toxic road fumes, and contamination from other animals' urine and droppings. Grass hay like Timothy or oat (not alfalfa, which has too much calcium) is a favorite and provides necessary fiber. Another necessity is a Vitamin C supplement. Some people add a liquid to the drinking water. Others feed chewable tablets. Water should be fresh daily, and the bottles cleaned weekly.
SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Guinea pigs are social little critters and are unhappy alone. In the wild, they live in herds of 25-50. In a home, they're happiest with at least one companion. They'll quickly establish a pecking order, which may involve some fighting. Any time a new guinea is added to your herd, the process will have to be repeated. Having a separate "cave" for each pig allows them to hide, even when the rest of their quarters are shared. 2 females usually get along fine. 2 males may get along or may fight--and neutering them won't make any difference. 1 male and 1 female should get along well--provided one of them has been neutered by a vet. Guinea pigs can produce an incredible number of babies, which is not healthy for the female--not to mention the babies, which must have good homes found for them.
HEALTH CARE:
Guinea pigs, unfortunately, are very susceptible to parasites and diseases. Your best defense is keeping the cage clean and comfortable and the quality of food and water high. Your best offense is a good vet, one who has experience with "exotics" (something other than a cat or dog). Watch your pet at play for signs of sluggishness or limping. While grooming or playing with it, look it over for scaly or bald patches, swellings, or open wounds. diarrhea can prove fatal very quickly. Their teeth, which continue to grow all their lives, need to be worn down by chewing on hard veggies or wood. If this doesn't work, the teeth may need to be trimmed by a vet. Sometimes the teeth can break or fall out--which means a switch to a soft diet until they grow back.
EXERCISE:
Like people, a fit guinea pig is a healthy guinea pig. They need to get out and run, especially if kept in a small cage most of the time. They love to chase each other, play tag, or just hop and spin around in the air called "popcorning". They also love to create a "piggie train" where they explore in single file, this is really cute when there is a small herd of guinea pigs! Due to the problem of housebreaking, you might not want them on a carpet. Bathrooms are great, so are kitchens. Just watch where you step (the little guys are fast and love to explore) and clean up afterwards.
POTENTIAL DANGERS:
Other Animals--Guineas are prey animals--they are small and have no real natural defenses. NEVER trust your cat or dog with your guinea, no matter how well they seem to get along together. If the guinea pig starts to run and play, the natural instinct for a cat or dog is to chase and catch it, which may be fatal for the guinea. Guineas also don't mix well with hamsters, gerbils, rats, etc.
Falls--Far too many guineas have been seriously injured or killed by being turned loose on a sofa, bed, table or other high surface. They have a very poor sense of height. They don't even have to be startled to wander too close to an edge and fall off.
BEHAVIOR:
The way guinea pigs behave and the sounds they make may seem strange at first, but there's a reason for each one. Guineas are great communicators. It's us who have a hard time understanding them.
- PURRING--This is a sound of contentment, made when they meet a friend or when you pet their back. However, it can also be a signal to the herd that danger is near, sudden sharp sounds will usually cause someone to give a very quick purr.
- CHUCKLING--Another sound of contentment, frequently made when being tickled on the tummy.
- WHEEK (WHEEP, QUEEEE)--Loud whistling sound, to another pig it means, "Where are
you?" To a human it means, "Where are my veggies!"
- TEETH GNASHING--"Leave me alone!"
- WADDLING--This has been called the "macho strut" or the "rumblestrut" and is accompanied by a deep purring. It's a mating behavior, though it can involve guinea pigs of the same sex.
- NAPPING--Guinea pigs live on their own schedule, alternating waking and napping all day--and all night.
- EATING DROPPINGS--This worries new guinea pig owners, but it's natural--and necessary. Some vitamins and proteins are produced as byproducts of the guinea pig's digestive systems, then eliminated from the body in a form that resembles regular droppings. The guinea pig must eat these pellets in order to get the vitamins.In fact, these droppings are normally eaten as they are discharged from the body, you should never see one of these softer droppings, if you do, your guinea pig may be sick.
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Page maintained by Dale L. Sigler. Copyright © 1997. Updated: 4/26/00