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One Guinea Pig, Two Guinea Pig, Three Guinea Pig, More
Owning one guinea pig would bring you a lot of amusement, but when you do buy guinea pig, it would be much better if you got a companion for it.
The reason is that guinea pigs are sociable and are better off with a companion. Being alone would be detrimental for their well-being.
Guinea pigs need constant interaction so if you only have one, it is most likely going to want your attention a lot. If it has a companion, you won’t have to worry about it getting lonely.
The Sex of the Matter
Another vital thing to consider when getting more than one is the combination of sexes.
You will not have to deal with this issue if you are getting only one. But the sex will still determine the energy level of your guinea pig, with males being more active than females.
People usually view getting two or males together as a bad idea, expecting them to fight over dominance. But in guinea pigs this is not necessarily so.
Just give them adequate cage space where they can have their own little nooks and they’re good to go.
The males can co-exist with one another, unless you will put in a female with them. This will result in a fight for the female, and the victor is going to hoard all the food and water from the losing male.
Females usually have no problems living with one another since they have rather timid characteristics. But they may still squabble a little over food and water.
Pairing a male and female guinea pig would be the best option since the female would be acquiescent to the male, and the male will behave well towards to female.
The natural conclusion to this pairing, though, might be a problem. Since guinea pigs’ reproduction cycle is rather short, with a cycle of 18 days and a gestation of only 2 months, you might end up with dozens of puppies before a year is over.
I’m staring at my Guinea Pigs… Help!
Pet stores usually have two or more cages of guinea pigs on display since they are in demand and at the same time very prolific. It is advisable to choose from the same cage if you are going to get more than one. This will ensure that no fighting will happen when they are placed in the same cage when you bring them home.
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Guinea Pig Breeding
Not all pet owners would want to go into guinea pig breeding. Doing so would require a bigger space and extra time and money to take care of the pups.
First and foremost, determine how many breeders are in your locality. There might not be enough demand for the pups if there are too many of you.
Make sure you are knowledgeable enough to impart the proper way of caring for guinea pigs to your buyers. Be also ready with a list of things that guinea pigs can eat so that there is little chance for the wee things to get unwittingly poisoned.
Each year, thousands of guinea pigs end up dead because of lack of proper care or excessive breeding. As a breeder, it would be prudent for you to know if there are indeed buyers out there for your pups before you breed them, so you can ensure their proper care.
The Mating
The first time a sow gives birth, it would be best if she is already four to six months old.
It is best to give your babies space when they are about to mate. The sow only has a 16-day cycle, and within that cycle, she can only mate between 8-24 hours.
When you start seeing your male guinea pig walk towards the female with a lowered head, you can be sure he has mating on his mind. He will take deliberate steps towards his intended to get her attention.
Other signs that a male is ready to mate is the rumbling sounds that he makes and the wagging of his rear end.
Be ready to witness a mating dance with the male perching their forelegs on something and start swaying and wiggling.
The dance is actually quite entertaining to watch. But remember that this is actually a mating ritual and they are better off left on their own.
When the female is in heat, she will be open to the male’s overtures and will start making squeaking noises. As the male gets closer, her squeaks will also grow louder in anticipation.
If the female is not yet ovulating, she will spurn all of the male’s advances. She may snap at him or even bite him. Or if he still doesn’t get the point, she will even urinate on his face.
If the reverse happens, the female will make overtures to the male by taking the same deliberate steps that the male would have done, with her head down. In addition, she will turn her rear end up.
If he still doesn’t respond, she will try to back into him to give him a clear signal to mount her. She is, after all, just following on her instinct to propagate her specie.
Know that a male guinea pig has the energy to impregnate up to ten females at the same time. So before you put a boar into a cage of sows, determine how many pups you are able to handle.
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Grooming for your Guinea Pig!
If you want to own a pet that will not require too much of your time, then a guinea pig is ideal for you. Guinea pig grooming needs just a few day-to-day tasks.
The Nails
As in any other pet, you will need to trim your guinea pig’s nails before they become too long and painful.
Another way to keep their nails trimmed is by giving them hard surfaces, such as rocks and bricks, that wear down their nails. Brick would be the best option as long as it doesn’t have holes in them.
Animals have blood vessels in their nails and guinea pigs are no exception. The ‘quick’, as they are called, can be easy seen if the nails are clear. But if the nails are black, you will not likely be able to see its pink color.
If you are cutting clear nails, trim it over the pink area of the blood vessel.
Owners whose pets have black nails, prefer to cut little and more often to make sure they don’t accidentally cut the blood vessel. But you can get used to it in the long run and be able to determine the extent of the blood vessels.
But if you do accidentally clip the quick, you will have the bleeding to attend to. There is a product called the “QuickStop” that stops the bleeding. Or you can dab iodine on the nail.
Trimming your guinea pig’s nails is a little like a wrestling match. Find someone to help you hold him while you do the clipping. It is best to wrap him with a towel with his paws exposed.
If you don’t have an assistant, a racket is going to be a big help. Place him on top of the racket with his nails sticking out and cover him so he will not be jumpy.
The Teeth
Guinea pigs have incisors that naturally grow in most rodents. If they become too long and impede their feeding, have a vet cut them down to size.
Like their nails, giving them something hard to chew on will help in keeping the incisors trimmed.
Stale bread and hay cubes also keep their incisors trimmed, but you will still have to check them from time to time.
Chipped or broken teeth is detrimental to the health of your pet. So if he has any, go see your vet.
Brushing
Your guinea pig’s coat also needs brushing. If his hair is long, daily brushing is needed to keep it clean and healthy. If it is short, a few times a week is sufficient.
Combing your guinea pig’s fur is best with the use of a baby’s comb. Your pet will surely appreciate the soft bristles. However, for long-haired cavies, a metal comb will be able to remove tangles and lessen shedding.
Bathing
Bathing is not natural to a guinea pig. You don’t need to bathe them, in fact, you shouldn’t bathe them. It will just make them highly agitated and can lower their immune system.
Bathing is not a natural part of a guinea pig’s life. So don’t bathe them unless your vet tells you to, or they are covered with muck.
If you really need to bathe them, baby shampoo would be a good choice. Shampoo for kittens would also be good. Don’t bathe them with medicated shampoo unless your vet tells you to.
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Guinea pig health and Common Health Problems
Guinea pig health needs to be taken seriously. This is because these critters have more delicate constitutions than other pets. Here are some of the common illnesses that they may experience.
Sneezing, Discharge of the Nose
Guinea pigs have a tendency to have allergic reactions to their bedding’s. When your pet starts sneezing, change the type of bedding you use and see if his sneezing stops. Or you can try relocating him around your home.
Your pet may also experience having discharges around the nose that he will be rubbing. Have it checked out.
Coughing
Guinea pigs may also have coughing fits. If your pet is also wheezing or is experiencing labored breathing, it may have acquired a respiratory infection. You will need to have your vet treat it.
Labored Breathing or Wheezing of Any Sort
Labored breathing and wheezing signals an infection in the respiratory system. This happens when the lungs become congested. Before it develops into pneumonia, have it treated as soon as you can.
Scratching
When your pet is scratching excessively, it may mean two things. Either it has a fungal infection or lice. Check out the skin for small brown parasites. If it does, there are medicated shampoos available for it. Clean out and disinfect the cage to prevent any infestation.
Milky-White Urine or Sludge-y Bladder
A guinea pig’s urine is normally slightly milky in appearance. If it turns clear or white, or becomes sludgy, he may be having too much calcium in his diet.
Pink or Red Urine
Urine that have pink or red discoloration, brought about by the presence of blood, indicates bladder stones. This is a serious condition that should not be disregarded.
The presence of blood in the urine should tell you to bring you pet to the vet right away.
Diarrhea or Extremely Soft Stool
Diarrhea is deadly for a guinea pig if it persists for hours.
This may be an indication that he has too much wet food in his diet. Increase his hay consumption to promote a balance in his digestion.
Get your pet lactobacillus acidophilus capsules to treat the diarrhea. This is available in any health food store.
Hair Loss
Hair loss in your guinea pig may be caused by a number of reasons. The presence of mites may cause this.
Normally, when a guinea pig is cut or bitten, that area of the skin will experience hair loss.
If your pet is experiencing considerable hair loss, it may be time to seek veterinary care. It may be caused by ringworm’s or even ovarian cysts.
Watery Eyes
Watery eyes can be caused by allergies or irritants that may have gotten into the eyes. Ask your vet what to do to flush them out.
Cysts in the eyelids may also cause eye irritation. Have your vet remove them as they are painful for your pet.
Stiff Joints
When you guinea pig does not get enough vitamin C, it may develop stiff joints due to scurvy. Have your vet treat it right away.
Your guinea pig needs at least 10 mg of calcium daily.
Tilting Head
When your pet is walking with a tilted head, it may be an indication that he is suffering from a middle-ear infection.
Such an infection may become more serious and can damage his hearing if not treated right away.
Seizures
If your guinea pig has a seizure attack and is tilting his head up, it may be caused by mites that affects the nervous system once they burrow themselves under the skin. Don’t be alarmed, just have him treated by your vet right away.
There are many other causes of a seizure, particularly when it is indicated by a curling of the body or when his head is tilted to one side.
Get a blood test right away and have him treated as soon as you can.
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Bringing your Guinea Pigs Home
The First Few Days
When you bring your guinea pigs home, give them 3-4 days to assimilate to their new surroundings before you start to pick them up and play with them.
Guinea pigs take several days to become used to a new environment and the first few days are a frightening time for them. Loud noises will easily spook them at this time, and it won’t help either if you hover over them.
Note:
Guinea pigs are territorial, so if you are bringing more than one home, be sure to give each of them a small nook within the cage that they can claim as their own. This will ensure that no territorial fighting will happen.
Don’t Loom!
Guinea pig owners have a tendency to just perch themselves over their pets’ cage to observe their antics. What they don’t realize is that this “hovering” is very scary for their pets.
When you are hovering over them, you resemble an eagle that is about to swoop in for a kill. Try not scare your pets. Watch your pets from the side of the cage so you won’t seem like a predator but more of a friend.
Bribery
If you want to gain your pet’s trust, the best way to do it is through bribery. So if you want to already be able to cuddle your pet, start bribing it!
So what better way of bribing them but through food. Guinea pigs love to eat a lot of things so you won’t be at a loss as to what treats to use. Look through Chapter Five and find out what those treats are.
Best Bribing Ways?
So are you ready to learn how to bribe your pet?
It may take some time but it’s quite simple. Let your pet see what you brought, then put it just at the opening of the cage. Sit quietly and wait in front of the opening with your hands on your lap.
After a little while, if it doesn’t move towards it, quietly take it away, secure the opening, and leave. You will need to be patient and do this several times before it will learn to come and get the treat.
When it starts coming to get the treat, sit a bit closer each time so it is going to get more and more used to your presence.
Soon enough, it’s going to be trusting enough to get a treat from your hand or even when you offer it directly to him. It’s going to be all worth it when you see your pet excitedly welcoming your arrival.
To Pick Your Guinea Pig Up…
However, do not use a treat to entice your pet to come to you so you can pick it up. It’s not going to get it to trust you and may even destroy your chances of befriending it.
When it is already comfortable enough to get a treat from your hand, you may start stroking it gently until it gets used to this proximity. This will assure your pet that you are not a predator out to get him. Remember that your guinea pig’s instincts would not let you get this close if it were out in the wild.
The Actual Holding
When your guinea pig already trusts you enough so you can pick it up, make sure you are careful. Their body structure is quite delicate and it won’t take much to cause damage to their lungs.
Make sure to fully support their body when handling them. Cup the torso with one hand and the rear end with the other and gently carry them.
Guinea pigs can be easily injured if you drop them because of their delicate bone structure, so be very careful when carrying them. Children also love to handle guinea pigs; when they do, they should be supervised so as not to unwittingly cause harm.
Relaxing Your Pet
There’s nothing better for a guinea pig owner to have their pets comfortable enough to just sit quietly on their laps while they are reading or watching TV. It is possible, but it will take some time to gain their full trust.
Handling your guinea pig for the first time is crucial. Make sure that you do so without any noises around. Give it a treat and try to make it eat on your lap.
Give your pet enough time to get used to you. Soon enough, it will learn to like having you handle it. Some guinea pigs even squeal in delight at the sight of their owners!
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