KATIE’S CRITTERS

                                          Guinea Pig (CAVY) Fact Sheet

Guinea Pigs, often called CAVY (Peruvian Name) come in several varieties. You have your American/English (short hair), Abyssinian (swirled hair), and Peruvian (long hair), and Teddy (Fuzzy), and Silky (long silky hair). Guinea pigs are rodents, originally found in the Andes Mountains of South America, and now bred in captivity. Guinea pigs are very social animals who live in large groups in the wild. Guinea Pigs are known to be great first time pets for children, and adults as well. They are also relatively easy to care for.

Housing for your Guinea Pig is very important. They are to be kept INDOORS, PLEASE!

The best cage for Guinea Pigs is a hard plastic bottom, with fairly high sides, and wire cage top. (GLASS AQUARIUMS ARE NOT SUGGESTED, DUE TO LACK OF AIR FLOW). The bottom of the cage should be lined with thick bedding, such Aspen, CAREFRESH, or Straw/Hay. . DO NOT USE CEDAR OR PINE SHAVINGS! They contain oils that can cause respiratory problems for your animals. The bedding will need to be changed frequently, ( at least 2 times a week) as guinea pigs are quite messy with their bathroom habits. The cage should be as large as possible, at least two feet by two feet for one animal, four feet by two feet for two animals. It should be kept indoors, away from drafts and areas of temperature extremes.

Guinea pigs enjoy empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, and cardboard boxes ! You can cut a hole in the boxes, and they will hide in it or chew on the box.. A house such as an igloo type house, box, or wooden house, provides a safe place for the guinea pig to run when frightened and helps avoid injury to a panicked animal.

Although not as active as some small mammals, guinea pigs do need consistent exercise opportunities. Allowing your guinea pig to run about the room when you are home is one good way to offer him/her exercise. When the weather is nice out, not too hot or too cold, your guinea pig(s) will love to graze on grass and dandelions. PLEASE PLAY SAFE. BE SURE NOT TO PLACE YOUR GUINEA PIG ON A TREATED LAWN WITH PESTICIDES AND OTHER CHEMICALS. They can be allowed access to an enclosed yard as long as you are there to supervise. Purchasing a small fence/exercise pen with small slots or chicken wire works well to keep them contained.

Guinea pigs are unable to manufacture vitamin C within their bodies. Commercial guinea pig pellets contain vitamin C, however even if they are properly stored, half of the vitamin C is lost within six weeks of manufacture. It is recommended that you supplement your pig’s diet with 200 mgs of vitamin C per one quart of water. This solution should be made up daily, because vitamin C breaks down readily.

Guinea pigs are strict herbivores. They should have pellets available at all times as well as Fresh greens, timothy hay, and alfalfa hay. Small amounts of fruits and vegetables should be offered daily also. Vegetable matter should not exceed 10–15% of the total diet. All vegetables and fruits should be washed prior to feeding, to remove pesticides and bacteria. Rabbit pellets do not contain vitamin C and are not an acceptable substitute for guinea pig pellets. Pellets should be stored in the freezer. This will help prolong shelf life, and prevent the breakdown of vitamin C.

Types of fresh foods to offer your Guinea Pig include: Romaine Lettuce, Green Leaf Lettuce, Dandelion Greens, Parsley, Kale, Green Peppers, Fresh Spinach, Cabbage, Turnip Greens, and Broccoli florets . (AVOID ICEBURG LETTUCE AS IT HAS NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE, AND MAY CAUSE DIAREAH, CELERY AS IT HAS A HIGH SALT CONTENT, AND THEY MAK CHOKE ON THE CELERY STRINGS., RHEUBARB, RAW BEANS, GREEN POTATOES ARE TOXIC TO YOUR GUIENA PIG!!!) You can also offer your Guinea Pig Fresh Cantaloupe, Carrots, Apples, Sliced Oranges. Tomothy Hay should be offered daily—it provides roughage, nutrition and nibbling pleasure. It is also a good idea to offer fruit tree twigs to your guinea pigs to chew on. These will help keep his teeth ground down, for like all rodents, his grow continuously throughout his life. Guinea pigs love to eat, and may have a tendency to put on weight. If this is the case with your pig, do not feed him less. Rather increase his exercise opportunities.

Food should be in sturdy ceramic dishes. These are not as easily tipped as other types of dishes, and therefore lessen the chance of contamination from urine and feces, or a food hopper that is mounted on the side of the cage. Fresh Water should be offered in a water bottle with a sipper tube rather than a water dish.

The average life span of a guinea pig is four to five years, with the maximum being about nine years. Common health problems to watch for include:

Signs– loss of appetite; swollen, painful joints; reluctance to move; bleeding of the gums. What to do–call your veterinarian.

Signs– premolar teeth fail to meet properly; the tongue is entrapped by the teeth; interested in food but can’t eat; or eats only soft food; weight loss; drooling. What to do–discuss options with your veterinarian.

Causes– overweight animals, heavily furred animals, environmental temperature over 85°F, humidity above 70%, inadequate shade or ventilation, animal crowding, stress. Signs–Panting, slobbering, weakness, refusal to move, delirium, convulsions. What should you do in this situation? Bathe your pig in cool water and call your veterinarian.

Daily examination of your guinea pig will help you notice signs of illness. In addition, guinea pigs, like dogs and cats, benefit from an annual examination by a veterinarian. Signs of illness to watch for include: lumps or swellings, decreased appetite, discharge from eyes or nose, labored or rapid breathing, diarrhea, hair loss, weight loss or parasites. If any of these signs are observed, consult a veterinarian.

To pick up your guinea pig, place one hand under his/her chest, and one hand under his/her hind quarters . Hold him/her next to you, supporting his body and letting him/her sit or rest on your chest.. Always handle your guinea pig gently.

Guinea pigs are social, and are best kept in groups of two or more. I have found that Females tend to generally do better with other females than alone. If you want to have pairs of Guinea Pigs, at least one of them is to be neutered. Males generally do well together, however they may have a scuffle over dominance. We have had several males in the same cages, just be sure that they have adequate room. 

Guinea pigs are capable of breeding at six weeks of age and a pair can produce a litter (usually 3 babies) in about 3 months. As with other small mammals, homes are not easy to find for your guinea pigs, and animal shelters receive too many unwanted individuals.. Which is why we encourage same sex pairing, or suggest 2 cages. One for the male and one for the female. PLEASE Think carefully about what you are doing before you allow your companion to breed!

KATIE’S CRITTERS SMALL ANIMAL RESCUE IS AGAINST BREEDING OF ANY ANIMAL! THERE ARE TOO MANY IN RESCUES ALREADY. PLEASE ADOPT AN ANIMAL BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND PURCHASE ONE!!!!

If you would like further information about our rescue, and adoptions, please feel free to contact us.

E-Mail us at Katiescritters@optimum.net