Guinea Pigs as Pets
Introduction and General Characteristics
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are porcupine-like rodents that can make great pets. They live approximately 5-6 years and are very social animals. You can house multiple guinea pigs together and there should not be any major problems. They are usually healthy animals if provided with proper care. There are multiple types of guinea pigs, including English (short-hair), Abyssinian (short hair growing in whorls and rosettes), Peruvian (long, silky hair) and Wooly (short rough hair). Most people are most familiar with the English strain. Female guinea pigs are called sows, males are called boars, and the young are called pups. Guinea pigs are also commonly referred to as cavies.
Guinea Pig Reproduction
Sows are sexually mature at about 2 months of age and boars are sexually mature at about 3 months of age. A female should be bred for the first time before she reaches 6 months of age. After breeding it is normal for the sow to have a copulatory plug present. This will appear as a thick, white discharge present in the vaginal area. Gestation is approximately 2 months long and the pups will nurse for about 3 weeks. The young are very precocious and are born with a full hair coat, open eyes and the ability to move around. The average litter size is about 2-4 pups, but there can be as many as 13! Both sows and boars can be spayed or neutered.
Guinea Pig Husbandry
Guinea pigs should be housed in a large cage with a solid bottom. Hay, pine shavings, shredded newspaper or other absorbent bedding can be used in the cage. However, cedar shavings should be avoided because they can cause respiratory problems. If hay is used as the bedding, it should be changed everyday because wet hay mildews quickly. A large sipper water bottle should be provided and the food dish should be elevated so your guinea pig does not use it as a bathroom! Soiled bedding should be removed from the cage on a daily basis, and the entire cage should be cleaned with the bedding changed weekly. The cage should be stored in an area of your home that is free of drafts and is approximately 75°F. Guinea pigs should not live with or near rabbits because rabbits can pass on a Bordetella bronchiseptica infection (respiratory infection) that is fatal to guinea pigs. It is very important to trim your guinea pigs' nails on a regular basis to avoid ingrown toenails and subsequent bacterial infections.
Guinea Pig Nutrition
Guinea pigs have an absolute requirement for Vitamin C in their diet; they cannot synthesize Vitamin C within their bodies like most animals. You must provide a Vitamin C supplement within their diet. Some guinea pig pelleted feeds may contain Vitamin C, but the food must be less than 90 days old (the Vitamin C degrades in foods older than this). You should also provide one teaspoon of liquid Vitamin C per 12 ounces of drinking water daily. Vegetables such as oranges, kiwis, tomatoes, spinach and cabbage are also a good source of Vitamin C. Scurvy is the condition that occurs when there is a Vitamin C deficiency in the body. Guinea pig diets should generally contain a combination of hay, pellets, and fresh foods and vegetables. Hay is an important source of fiber for a guinea pig.
General Health Information
All rodents have hypsodont teeth, which means they continue growing throughout life and must be ground down mechanically. If the mechanical grinding does not occur properly, the teeth can overgrow each other and result in a malocclusion. Some guinea pigs are genetically predisposed to malocclusion; these animals should not be bred. If you notice that your animal is not eating, is drooling a lot, and seems to be losing weight, you should take him to your veterinarian to have his teeth examined. The veterinarian may need to trim the teeth under anesthesia. However, the normal, healthy guinea pig does not need his teeth trimmed on a regular basis.
Guinea pigs can make great pets because they are generally easy to care for and are usually hardy creatures. They should be offered the opportunity for daily exercise outside of the cage. Proper husbandry is probably the most important factor in maintaining the health of your guinea pig, along with regular veterinary checkups. If you notice a change in your guinea pig's eating or sleeping habits or behavior, it is a good idea to have a checkup by a veterinarian. With a little care you can have a nice pet for a number of years!