By guinea-pig-gal, on November 30th, 2009%
Guinea Pigs are wonderful pets with great dispositions. They require little maintenance and make terrific pets for older children. But Guinea Pigs are not for everyone. Here are just a few factors to think about before running down to your favorite animal shelter or pet store to pick one up.

Guinea pigs do not do particularly well living alone. They are social creatures who crave the company of others. Consider the lifestyles and personalities of you and your family. Will your new addition be truly integrated into your family and get lots of attention-not just in the beginning when you first bring it home-but for its entire life? Or will it be largely ignored and become “just an obligation” once the initial novelty has worn off? Or, if you cannot give it enough attention, are you willing to house two or more pigs together so that they can keep each other company?

With the joys of pet ownership also comes responsibility. Are you willing to commit to long-term care and feeding for your new pet for its entire life? Guinea pigs on average, live five to six years – and some can live as long as eight years. So remember, when you bring home a guinea pig, you are bringing home another living being. And ultimately, you will be the one responsible for its health and safety for the remainder of its life.

Are you emotionally strong enough to suffer the loss of your pet in the future? As I said earlier, guinea pigs typically live about five to six years. While this may be a long time in terms of making a commitment to your animal; it is a relatively short time in relation to the life span of you or your children. In other words, as indelicate as it sounds, it is likely that you will someday have to watch your pet die.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs – Are You a Good Candidate For a Guinea Pig Owner?
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 29th, 2009%
Unlike rabbits, Guinea Pigs are not quiet animals. Guinea Pigs make a lot of noise – especially in groups – and are in constant communication with each other and with their owners. As a guinea pig owner, you may be interested in the meaning of some of these sounds.

Loud Squeaking

Loud, piercing squeaking (often referred to as “wheeking”) is generally a cry for food. Your pigs are informing you that they are hungry and asking (actually insisting) that you feed them – NOW. This sound is most often heard around your pigs’ regular feeding time and often starts when your pigs first see you or when they hear the sound of plastic bags “crinkling” or any other clue that sounds like you might be preparing food for them.

Purring

Just like a cat, purring is a soft low-level rumbling sound that generally indicates contentment and comfort. Your pig will often purr when being petted. Listen to the purring for feedback as you scratch your piggy behind the ears or between the eyes. She will tell you when you hit the “sweet spots”.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs – Guinea Pig Sounds – What is Your Pig Saying to You?
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 29th, 2009%
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 28th, 2009%
This report has been written to aid you in recognizing a number of symptoms that pertain to Guinea Pig Health. It’s not intended to substitute the advice of your veterinarian. If you think that your pet is ill or injured please seek the help of your trusted licensed vet.
The best medicine will always be prevention. This is your key to success. Be prepared to give your Guinea Pig the proper diet, exercise and daily attention, and the result will be excellent Guinea Pig Health.
I must mention that most Guinea Pigs are not fond of bathing (much like their feline friends cats). Only when it becomes absolutely necessary should you subject them to the stress of immersing them in water. A clean and sanitary living space free of feces, urine and unwanted food will add years to your Guinea Pigs health. Spot clean the litter material daily and disinfect the entire cage once every ten days. Cavy’s (another name for Guinea Pigs) are much more likely to contract disease and illness when compared to other common household pets. Some believe the size of the cage is responsible for this. If we envision the living space Rex and Fluffy are entitled to, and then look at where the little fur ball sleeps, it begins to make sense. Guinea pigs spend their lives in a much smaller space.
Frequent sneezing and sniffling. The bedding material in the cage can cause allergies. Often times new places and objects like plants, carpet and even the fibers on your sofa may be to blame. Substitute the bedding and stay clear of suspect areas. Constant nose irritation is a sign to make a Vet visit.
Continue reading Things To Know About Guinea Pig Health
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 27th, 2009%
Guinea Pigs are intensely social creatures. In the wild they originally lived in groups called herds. If you are planning on getting a guinea pig, you must realize that, in addition to obtaining a new family member, you are also entering into a binding social commitment. As descendents of herd animals, Guinea Pigs do not do very well in solitary situations. As such, you must be prepared to set aside significant time each and every day as a guinea pig owner to interact with your pet – an easy and enjoyable task for animal lovers. If you are more of a hands-off admirer of animals – or if your busy schedule prohibits rich daily interaction with your cavy, then it is highly recommended that you get a second or third pig to satisfy your pet’s social needs.

As I wrote earlier, owning a cavy should be viewed as a commitment. Either you must commit to spending extensive time with your pet each day or you must commit to being a multiple pig owner. Anything less would be a disservice to the animal.

In addition, in order to maintain good health (like humans) guinea pigs need regular daily exercise. Guinea pigs generally do not tend to use exercise wheels like hamsters or go for walks on a leash like dogs. Instead you must either provide a cage large enough for your pig(s) to run around in – or you must give them daily exercise time. They will need to run freely but supervised in a protected room or other large area. This is important not only for physical reasons, but also to maintain your guinea pigs’ mental health. Just as with children, exposing your cavy to different environments can provide them with much-needed mental stimulation.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs – a Great Pet For Animal Lovers
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 27th, 2009%
Cavies need comfortable bedding to sleep on and will also use it as a bathroom. There are many types of Guinea Pig Bedding you can choose from. Some of these include shavings, paper, and hay. This article will discuss some of the common options for bedding for Guinea Pigs.
Wood Shavings
Wood shavings are a very popular choice for pigs. You can use pine pellets, pine shavings, and aspen shavings. Although using these shavings can lead to a lot of dust, it’s one of the cheapest solutions. If you use pine shavings, it’s best to air them out before use and use them in a well-ventilated cage. You should know that some cavies suffer an allergic reaction to shavings.
Paper
Another popular option for Guinea Pig Bedding is shredded paper. Pigs love it because it’s very comfortable. Its softness also assures that your pig won’t get hurt. Shredded paper is also a good option if you have problems with a lot of dust since it won’t produce any. It’s important that you use shredded paper that’s ink-free so that it won’t be toxic to your pig.
Continue reading Newbie’s Guide to Guinea Pig Bedding
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 26th, 2009%
The cute and cuddly little guinea pig has anything but a cute and cuddly scientific name – Caviidae porcellus. The domestic guinea pig is a rodent and, among others, his relatives are the beaver, the mouse and the porcupine. Just where did this cute, cuddly little rodent come from? If you answered “the pet store”, you missed the meaning of my question completely.

The common guinea pig as we know it no longer exists in the wild. The domestic version is the only variety left today. However, relatives of the guinea pig still exist in the wild and from them we are better able to understand the natural behavior of this family of animals.

Like most rodents and smaller animals, Guinea Pigs are very prolific at reproducing. Due to their high mortality rate in the wild, this ability to reproduce rapidly is necessary to secure the survival of the species.

Guinea Pigs are very social creatures. This is why it is highly advisable to keep pet guinea pigs in groups or, at least in pairs. In the wild, guinea pigs lived in groups called herds with a single male as the dominant leader. As with many herd animals, only the dominant male is accepted as mate by the females in the group. This insures that all offspring will be descended from only the strongest of males – another strategy designed to maximize chances for the survival of the species.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs – Who Are They and Where Did They Come From?
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 25th, 2009%
Pregnant Guinea Pig
When caring for a pregnant guinea pig, there are a lot of things to be careful about. First of all, it’s best not to let a guinea pig get pregnant at all. The females can become a pregnant guinea pig as young as four weeks old, and at any age for the rest of her life. Over a fifth of pregnant Guinea Pigs die. A pregnant guinea pig under 5 months old is at a high risk. If they are over 8 months old and have never bred, they also have a high risk. The male can breed at three weeks old. If a guinea pig is seen attempting to mount his mother or siblings, he should be separated from the females. Females have their “season” and can become pregnant that way every 16 days.
A pregnant guinea pig is pregnant for about 10 weeks. By the time the pregnant guinea pig is heavy, it is probably not too far from her giving birth. She will want more water than usual and something firm in her belly can be felt. It’s important not to squeeze her too much because of possible injury to her or her young.
Another term for the pregnant guinea pig is sow. She needs to be apart from the males. As soon as she gives birth, she’ll be in season again and could become pregnant right away. This type of breeding could kill her.
The pregnant guinea pig’s labor time is very short. She will give a groaning sound when starting labor, so wait by her cage in case help is needed. The baby often arrives right after the groan.
Continue reading Pregnant Guinea Pig
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 24th, 2009%
As a guinea pig owner, you no doubt have a keen interest in learning about their origins, habits, behaviors and characteristics.

1.Guinea Pigs are herd animals – that is, their wild ancestors used to live together in groups called herds. As such, Guinea Pigs are very social creatures and do not do very well in solitary situations. Consider purchasing more than one guinea pig rather than a solitary pig. Two pigs is only slightly more work than one and your pigs will be very much healthier and happier if they live in the company of other cavies.

2.When housing two pigs together, a male a female couple make the best combination – just be sure at least one of them is “fixed” or you will soon be looking at your own private herd. Two females are the next best choice and almost always get along. Two males can sometimes be confrontational and aggressive toward each other unless they were raised together. Be very cautious when introducing two boars to each other as they may not initially get along.

3.As social animals, guinea pigs also enjoy the company of human companions. Your cavy may be shy at first and hide from you – that’s okay. Remember that this was a very useful trait out in the wild where almost everything they encountered was trying to eat them. If you are gentle and affectionate with your pet, they will in time, come to enjoy being petted and spending time with you.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs – 7 Interesting Facts You Should Know
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 23rd, 2009%
When we think of a guinea pig, we usually picture the American Guinea Pig – the “classic” or “standard” guinea pig – and also the most common. But there are also several other breeds in addition to the common American Guinea Pig. This article will introduce you to a few of the breeds commonly found in homes today.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian is a long-haired breed. The coat on this animal is quite distinctive because it tends to curl itself into whirls and swirls. These whirls and swirls are called rosettes. The Abyssinian is one of the oldest breeds that can be found today. If you are looking for a low-maintenance guinea pig, keep looking. This particular breed requires daily attention to the coat to avoid tangles and keep the pig looking well-groomed.

American Guinea Pig

This is the variety that first comes to mind when we think of the words “guinea pig”. It is also sometime called an English guinea pig. This is a short hair breed which makes it suitable for a pet. It does not require grooming and can be handled and petted without messing up its coat.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs – a Quick Overview of Breeds
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 23rd, 2009%
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 21st, 2009%
Guinea Pig Breeding
The guinea pig has been a favorite pet in many western cultures since the late 1700′s. Guinea Pigs originated in the Andes Mountains of South America and are particularly suited as household pets because of their gentle demeanor, easy of care and friendliness towards humans. Guineas are a particularly fertile animal, related to the Caviidae family of rodents but are neither pigs nor from Guinea. Guineas are still popular today in many South American countries as a food source because they require very little resources to maintain and breed extremely quickly.
Guinea Pig Breeding has evolved beyond food production needs and is now considered a popular past time for those keeping guineas as pets. Guinea Pigs come in a variety of shapes colors and sizes from long to short hair and everything in between.
Similar to many rodent species guineas are able to breed year round, though typically have the largest litters during spring pregnancies. Guinea pig breeding is controllable if your take precautions. Guinea litters can contain 1-8 pups but are normally 3-4 pups in size. Guineas are born nearly fully matured with hair, claws and a full range of senses including sight. Shortly after birth they are able to move about freely and eat solid foods. Males reach sexual maturity 3-5 weeks after birth while females typically sexually mature 4-6 weeks after birth. They reaches adult maturity around 8-12 months of age and can live up to 11 years though the average life span is 3-6 years.
Continue reading Guinea Pig Breeding
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 21st, 2009%
Buy Hagen Plastic Replacement clips for Hamster and Guinea Pig Cages, white at Amazon
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By guinea-pig-gal, on November 20th, 2009%
Developing a number of breeds of Guinea Pigs has been a hobby pursued in many countries over the years. Different Guinea Pig Breeds have been created as a result of these breeding efforts. The number of cross breeds and mixtures of Guinea Pigs that are now kept as pets all over the world are a result of successful breeding of the guinea pigs native to South America. Domesticated guinea pigs have been sold for many years.
Trend to breed guinea pigs
Today the trend is to breed guinea pigs in order to supply a growing need for pet owners of small apartments. You see, pet owners who live in apartments love guinea pigs. Not only are they small and cuddily but they also make perfect apartment pets. With this in mind, the breed of Guinea Pigs As Pets will continue to grow and grow.
Continue reading Selecting Breeds of Guinea Pigs As Pets
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 19th, 2009%
If you are thinking of adding a pet to your household then why not consider a Cavy. These small animals can make wonderful pets. Here are the top five reasons why owning Guinea Pigs for pets is beneficial and in some cases surprising benefits.
Space
These small pets do not require a large amount of space to be housed in.
- The cage for a single guinea pig should be no less than 7.5 square feet. It isn’t allot of space to have the benefits of ownership. Check with your zoning that you are allowed to have pets, specifically Guinea Pigs
- Guinea pigs spend a good deal of their time in their own space and enjoy time out of the cage. When you let your guinea pig out of the cage to enjoy play time activities, this doesn’t have to be large amount of extra space.
Lower Cost Of Ownership
- To own a guinea pig does not take a lot of expense. A guinea pig requires a suitable cage, some accessories, bedding and good quality food.
- The first thing you will need to purchase is the cage, or you can build a cubical cage that are cost effective and customizable for your pets needs.
- Next ongoing cost is nourishing food and bedding. Guinea pigs are small and don’t eat a lot but do require nutritious food. Cut bedding costs by buying in bulk.
- Provide your new guinea pigs with the proper care, to reduce your veterinarian bills. Compared a dog or cat which require regular shots and other things, their vet bills tend to be a lot lower.
Continue reading Guinea Pig Pets
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 19th, 2009%
Cavies need comfortable bedding to sleep on and will also use it as a bathroom. There are many types of Guinea Pig Bedding you can choose from. Some of these include shavings, paper, and hay. This article will discuss some of the common options for bedding for Guinea Pigs.
Wood Shavings
Wood shavings are a very popular choice for pigs. You can use pine pellets, pine shavings, and aspen shavings. Although using these shavings can lead to a lot of dust, it’s one of the cheapest solutions. If you use pine shavings, it’s best to air them out before use and use them in a well-ventilated cage. You should know that some cavies suffer an allergic reaction to shavings.
Paper
Another popular option for Guinea Pig Bedding is shredded paper. Pigs love it because it’s very comfortable. Its softness also assures that your pig won’t get hurt. Shredded paper is also a good option if you have problems with a lot of dust since it won’t produce any. It’s important that you use shredded paper that’s ink-free so that it won’t be toxic to your pig.
Continue reading Newbie’s Guide to Guinea Pig Bedding
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 18th, 2009%
Buy Guinea Pig
The first thing you need to think about before buying a guinea pig is if it’s the right choice for you. These tiny little furry animals are adorable but they take a lot of responsibility. If you are a very busy person and will not be able to commit to your furry friend, then you should probably reconsider. First of all, your Guinea Pig Needs lots of exercise, attention, and caution towards other pets. You will also be responsible for grooming, dealing with any health problems that may approach, and the happiness of your pig. These are just some of the responsibilities you will have if you choose to buy a guinea pig.
Ok, so you decided to buy a guinea pig. There are many options when buying a guinea pig. Some places to go are animal rescue centers, friends, breeders, pet shops, and even small ads.
Once you bring your new pig home, let it get used to its surroundings. Try to minimize noise and commotion around it if possible. After a day or two try feeding it tidbits out of your hand so it can work on getting used to you. The guinea pig will eventually become more comfortable around you and you will definitely notice. Once you are ready to try and hold the guinea pig remember it may be very anxious and wiggly but once it knows you and trusts you, it will be happy to be held and not be so frantic. Let your pig run around whether it is in a free open space or a large pin. Don’t forget to name your pig. They are animals just like any other.
A recommendation when owning a guinea pig is to do some research so you can better understand your new addition. Whether it is the internet or a book about Guinea Pigs, these are wonderful sources to check out.
Taking care of a guinea pig can be a task. You need to make sure you have all the proper amenities to take care of your pet such as food, water, cage, etc. You may be wondering what you can and cannot feed your pig so I am going to list items that are good and not good. Guinea Pigs love fruits and vegetables. The following is a list of fruits and vegetables they can eat and this consists of red, green, or yellow peppers, carrots, apples, oranges, leafy greens, cucumbers, broccoli, green beans, grapes, bananas, dandelion greens, and strawberries. Now every guinea pig is different and has different tastes but they generally are accommodated to a variety of foods. There are some foods you absolutely cannot feed your pig and that consists of iceberg lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, potato peelings, raw beans, shelled nuts or beans, rhubarb, meat or fish, dairy products, chocolate, alcohol, cookies, or bread. If you have doubts on anything, contact your veterinarian. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Now that you have the basics for buying and or owning a guinea pig, have fun and enjoy your new friend.
For more information on guinea pigs come to: http://www.Guinea-Pig-Lovers.com
By: Lee Martin
Continue reading Buy Guinea Pig
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 17th, 2009%
Guinea Pig Grooming
A guinea pig can be one of the cutest and loving pets that anyone can have. These delicate little creatures will depend on its owner(s) to provide them with all the TLC that they will need. Providing food, water, and medical care are some of the basic needs that you are required to give your guinea. Guinea Pig Grooming is a must as well. If you have a short haired pig, grooming needs can be kept at a minimum. If you have a long haired pig, you will need to devote more time to grooming. The remainder of this article will go over all of the basics of pig grooming.
To keep your guinea pig’s coat in good condition, you must brush it regularly. This part of guinea grooming can be very relaxing for your pet, so they do not mind it at all. You should brush your pet with a small and moderately stiff brush and also a small metal comb. If you have a long haired piggy, you should brush and comb out its hair every day. If the coat is too long, see a groomer about having it trimmed. If you have a short haired piggy, you should only have to brush it every few days. If your guinea is shedding, try to brush its hair at least every other day. Brushing time is also a good time to check your guinea for skin problems such as lice or sores.
Bathing, at sometimes, cannot be such a good time for guineas . With your guinea grooming, if you do decide to give your piggy a bath, try to find a shampoo that is designed specifically for Guinea Pigs. Some brands of shampoos that are good to use are Bunny Bath by Four Paws, Hylyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo, and Epi-Soothe Shampoo. If you cannot find any of these, then it would be best to use a mild shampoo that is recommended for kittens. Some pig owners even opt to use baby shampoo. If your guinea gets lice, then your veterinarian will recommend a medicated shampoo to use. When bathing your pet, use a shallow pan of lukewarm water and make sure that only the pig’s body is lathered. Also make sure that you do not get any shampoo or water in its eyes or ears. You would want to rinse the pet well and to towel dry it. Keep your guinea pig in a warm place until it is completely dry.
Continue reading Guinea Pig Grooming
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 17th, 2009%
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 15th, 2009%
After a lot of thought and research, you have decided to get a pet guinea pig. Now, all you need to know is how to select the right guinea pig for you and your family. Like most pets, just any old guinea pig won’t do. You also need to know <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.squidoo.com/UltimateGuideToGuineaPigs”>how to select a healthy guinea pig</a>.
The biggest problem that many people run into is not understanding how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. This can lead to problems, especially if you are getting more than one guinea pig, which is advised. The first thing to realize is that you are not alone, and you cannot depend on pet store staff members to know how to determine the sex of Guinea Pigs either.
In fact, if you’ve done enough research, you already know that you should avoid buying your guinea pig from a pet store altogether. Your best bet for getting a guinea pig is to work directly with a professional breeder, or with a Guinea Pig Rescue operation. In both cases, there will be someone who can properly sex Guinea Pigs, so that you end up with what you expected.
Continue reading Selecting a Guinea Pig
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 14th, 2009%
Guinea Pigs are herbivores and grass is their natural diet. Herbivores require a lot of vitamin C because they cannot make their own. Unlike other mammals that synthesize their own vitamin C Guinea Pigs get their daily requirement from raw fruits and vegetables or through dietary supplements.
Hay is an important part of a guinea pigs diet. Hay serves two important purposes. It is high in fiber which aids in digestive system health. A guinea pigs teeth grows constantly, their molars are used for grinding plant matter, a good supply of hay should be available at all times to help keep their teeth trim.
Oxbow Cavy Cuisine pellets are good for adult guinea pigs. They are high in fiber, have a balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio, and are fortified with stabilized vitamin C. However, they are not recommended for guinea pigs under 6 months old. Timothy Hay and Cavy pellet mix is good Guinea Pig Food, but your guinea pigs diet should also include leafy greens, raw vegetables and fresh fruits.
Vegetables and herbs that are safe: Kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, spinach, peas, celery, carrots, parsnip, parsley and basil. Red or green bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C; cucumbers and asparagus have a high water content.
Continue reading Guinea Pigs Diet
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 13th, 2009%
Although they make great pets that seem to be easy to take care there are thing you should be aware of that affect Guinea Pig Health. Diet, your pet guinea pig’s habitat, exercise, and other factors all determine how healthy your cavy will stay. To start with, your Guinea Pig Needs lots of vitmain C, which just like in humans, isn’t produced naturally by their body. Most people choose the option of adding vitamin c drop or tables to their pet Guinea Pigs water. This changes the taste of their water and can actually have two detrimental effects. First, they will drink less water due to the bad taste, and secondly, they won’t recieve the needed vitamin c. To fix this you should feed your Guinea Pigs fresh, green, leafy vegetables daily along with the regular “guina pig food” pellets that you can purchase from a local pet supply store. Vegetable like kale and romaine lettuce have plenty of vitamin c and they will do much to maintain Guinea Pig Health. They will love the variety of different green food and see it as a treat. This can be a little bonding ritual you do with guinea pig that will build trust. Since their teeth and claws grow constantly they will require a gnawing stick and frequent nail clippings. If left unchecked long claws can really affect the health of your guinea pig by picking up dirty material from their cage and digging in to their paws. You can use a fruit tree branch as a gnawing stick or buy an untreated wooden block from a pet store.
Although they make great pets that seem to be easy to take care there are thing you should be aware of that affect guinea pig health. Diet, your pet guinea pig’s habitat, exercise, and other factors all determine how healthy your cavy will stay.
Continue reading Guinea Pig Health – Simple Tips To Keep Your Pet Guinea Pigs Happy
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 13th, 2009%
By guinea-pig-gal, on November 12th, 2009%
Buy Proper Care of Guinea Pigs at Amazon
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