Guinea PigsGuinea Pigs

VarietiesVarieties

Abyssinian – Hair is made up of swirls called Abyssinian – Hair is made up of swirls called rosettesrosettes

American – Short glossy hairAmerican – Short glossy hair Peruvian – Long hairPeruvian – Long hair Teddy – Short, Kinky hairTeddy – Short, Kinky hair Texel – Long curly coatTexel – Long curly coat http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1

8+1800&aid=2838

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

RodentsRodents Adults weigh – 1-4 poundsAdults weigh – 1-4 pounds Body is short and stocky with short legsBody is short and stocky with short legs Excellent hearingExcellent hearing Communicate with high pitched squeals and Communicate with high pitched squeals and

whistleswhistles 2 males can not live together2 males can not live together

Apply pressure by genitals to identify if it is a Apply pressure by genitals to identify if it is a male or female. Females have “Y” shaped male or female. Females have “Y” shaped

genital area.genital area.

HousingHousing

Cages should be wide and deep so that they do Cages should be wide and deep so that they do not scatter bedding aroundnot scatter bedding around

HouseHouse Chew ToysChew Toys Food bowl that they Food bowl that they

Can not knock overCan not knock over

Water bottleWater bottle

FeedingFeeding

Guinea pigs are vegetariansGuinea pigs are vegetarians Pellets from pet storePellets from pet store Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C so it Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C so it

must be supplied in their dietmust be supplied in their diet Fresh greens, fruits, green vegetables are great Fresh greens, fruits, green vegetables are great

treats for GPtreats for GP Timothy Hay every dayTimothy Hay every day Guinea pigs drink a lot of waterGuinea pigs drink a lot of water

CAUTION: Food to AVOID at All Costs (Guinea Pigs)

Altered food: cooked, tinned, preserved, etc. Pickled vegetables: sour krauts, dills, capers Potatoes: skin and eyes are poisonous, very starchy, high in oxalic acid Nuts, Seeds, Lentils, Beans (exception are green beans) Rhubarb Mushrooms Red hot chilli peppers, Jalapeno peppers, Hot herbs and spices Collard Greens: could cause gas Bok choy Dairy products, Meat, Fish, Eggs, Bread, Chocolate Alcohol, Teas, Coffee, Carbonated Drinks, Fruit juices (exception can be made on sugar-free or unsweetened juices) Peanut butter, cakes, cookies, baked goods Iceberg lettuce: practically no nutritional value, very fibrous and watery Corn kernels, Popcorn: risk of choking Seeds: risk of choking Tomato leaves Tamarillo leaves Avocado, Coconut: too high in fat Taro: dangerous if eaten raw Jams, jellies and fruit preserves: too high in sugar Any non guinea pig food which often contain seeds and different balance of vitamins and minerals which aren’t suited for a

guinea pig’s dietary needs

InformationInformation

Gestation 69 daysGestation 69 days Litter size 4Litter size 4 Wean 4 weeksWean 4 weeks Lifespan 5-8yearsLifespan 5-8years Sexually mature 6 weeksSexually mature 6 weeks Female must be mated before 6 months or pelvic Female must be mated before 6 months or pelvic

bone fuses and she will never be able to give birthbone fuses and she will never be able to give birth Origin – South AmericaOrigin – South America

Health ProblemsHealth Problems

Common Disease: Scurvy – Lack of Vitamin Common Disease: Scurvy – Lack of Vitamin C – Hair loss, rough coat, diarrheaC – Hair loss, rough coat, diarrhea

Respiratory diseasesRespiratory diseases Malocclusion – Upper and lower teeth grow to Malocclusion – Upper and lower teeth grow to

longlong

HandlingHandling

Grasp firmly around front shoulders with one Grasp firmly around front shoulders with one hand and have its rear supported with the other hand and have its rear supported with the other hand.hand.

Once picked up it should be cradled against Once picked up it should be cradled against the bodythe body

http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig-http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig-eating/eating/

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_andhttp://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and_laboratory_animals/rodents/_laboratory_animals/rodents/guinea_pigs.html#v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt= guinea_pigs.html#v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt=

http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm