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What Are Guinea Pigs?
Scientifically speaking Guinea pigs are a domesticated form of the cavy which is the name for 14 species of South American rodents of the family Caviidae. The wild cavies are usually small, rounded, and tailless, with fur of a uniform shade of brown. Nocturnal animals, they occupy a variety of habitats, especially dense vegetation. Guinea pigs were raised by the Incas and have long been used as food in South America. They were first imported into Europe from Guiana in the 16th century. There are a number of varieties, some with short, smooth hair and others with longer hair, and a great range of color combinations. |
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Guinea Pigs as Pets
Guinea pigs make a wonderful pet for people of all ages. Very rarely do these docile creatures bite or show aggression. Guinea pigs are long lived, living between 3 and 8 years on average. They grow to be between 1 and 3 pounds, although there are exceptions to every rule! Gentle and shy, loving to be cuddled and hugged, they make a young child's ultimate first pet. Guinea pigs require daily excercise out of their cages. Most people let them run loose in the house under supervised conditions. If this is what you plan to do, do a thorough inspection of the area and make sure there are no cords to be chewed, no holes where your pig could get stuck, and nothing that he could get under and hide in, like couches, chairs and refridgerators. Also make sure to remove any poisonous houseplants from the area that your pig might take a nibble from. There are also harness type leashes available for them if you would like to take them outside, weather permitting of course! The best way to pick up your guinea pig without hurting him is to is to place one hand under the belly and lift, then as soon as they are off the ground, place another hand under the hind legs so he feels secure and supported. Although guinea pigs look like tough little animals, their bone structure is very delicate and they can be very seriously injured if handled incorrectly or dropped. Always supervise young children when they handle them to prevent accidental injuries from squeezing or dropping them.
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Harry
Harry is a 8 month old Sheltie boar |
Obtaining a Guinea Pig
Pet stores are not always the best places to buy a guinea pig, but sometimes it is the only option you have when trying to find one. When buying from a petstore you often find yourself getting more than you bargained for when you realize the female pig you've brought home is going to be a mom. Soon you find yourself the owner of 3 or 4 Guinea pigs instead of one. Alot of petstore employees are totally clueless when it comes to animal care, and therefore will not be much help in providing you information on the animal, from age and sex of the pig, to how to properly care for it. If you are going to buy from a petstore, make sure to properly educate yourself first, and realize the responsibility that comes with owning and caring for a pig. Observe the animal first. Is he bright and active? Does he take an interest in his surroundings? Or is he hunched up in the corner by himself? Pick him up and look him over. His eyes should be wide open, shiny and aware. Check in his ears for excess waxy buildup, look for earmites, which are small bugs with a crablike appearence. They are visible to the naked eye and are ussually covered with a brown cruddy substance. Look at his teeth. They should'nt be overgrown, broken, or crooked, a sign of malcclusion, which is when the teeth overgrow and cause pain and difficulty in eating. His fur should be clean and shiny. Look for bald spots, scabs, and open sores. He should have a mild pleasant smell to his fur. Another option is finding a private breeder in your area, which can be difficult at best. You can also call your local animal shelter to see if they have any pigs in need of homes. I have included a list of breeders and shelters by state on my links page! Check them out!
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Our Shelter Girls
Sundae(R), and Spaz(L), two mixed Abby sows, were adopted from our local Humane Society. Its a great feeling knowing you are providing a home for an unwanted and/or abused animal!
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