Generally, caring for a guinea pig is no different than caring for any other small
extremely fragile mammal. These mammals
are larger than a hamster but smaller than a rabbit. They rarely bite and respond to being treated
gently. They respond well in pairs and
the owner may want to consider a second guinea pig as a companion. Allow the guinea pig to get acclimated to the
new cage without distractions by placing a towel over the cage for a day or
two. Refrain from handling the new
addition for a few days, let the guinea pig get used to being near a new owner
before frequent handling.
Purchase
an adequately sized cage of the guinea pig.
A cage that is 30 x 36 is very adequate.
The cage should be well-ventilated and have a solid floor. The material of the cage should be plastic,
wire, or stainless steel and as escape-proof as possible. A latching door or lid for ease of access
when removing or returning the guinea pig to its home. Wood, paper, and hay are all good cage floor
cover and make good bedding material for a guinea pig. Always avoid cedar, corncob, or straw as
these may be harmful to the pet over time.
General
Care:
Keep
the cage clean through cleaning the cage regularly. Remove droppings and stale food every
day. Scrub the bottom of the cage
thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
Provide sufficient gnawing material, as the front teeth do not stop
growing. Gnawing materials keep the
front teeth trimmed. Feed only a
vegetarian diet, carrots can also be used as a treat or gnawing toy. Add vitamin C to the water to maintain health
and to prevent illness. Brush
long-haired guinea pigs daily to prevent unwanted tangles. Comb short hair daily to keep the fur groomed
and healthy.
Veterinarian
Care:
Know
the guinea pig's regular behavior to be better alerted to any problems. If the guinea pig appears listless, stops
eating, or there is the appearance of blood in the stool or urine get the pet
to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
The sooner the pet is transported to the doctor the better the chances
an illness can be treated or avoided.
Mites or lice may also present a problem and should be treated by a
veterinarian. Annual check ups are also
vital in keeping the guinea pig healthy.
Owning
a guinea pig is fun for people of all ages.
They are very low cost and do not cost much to maintain. Assure optimum health with a good diet and
plenty of chew toys. Provide a play
tunnel for privacy or sleep times. An
igloo can also provide a private place for naps and sleeping. Provide fresh drinking water on a regular
basis. Hang the water bottle where the
guinea pig has easy access. Be sure that
wood chews are free of any chemicals before presenting as a chew treat to the
pet. Food dishes made from heavy plastic
are ideal for guinea pigs.
No comments:
Post a Comment