Holding guinea pigs as pets in your house
As people move into smaller homes guinea pigs as pets can be fun alternatives to larger animals. They have many benefits other than just their small size but there are things to know if you want one to live a long and healthy life. By learning about their needs you can enjoy the companionship of a guinea pig for years to come.
There are a few basic things you need to know before making the decision to keep a guinea pig. As rodents they do have some special needs and personality quirks. All of the different breeds of guinea pigs are essentially the same creatures with similar body shapes. They are all approximately ten inches long and can weigh several pounds. Different breeds have different hair textures and lengths from the short haired American to the long haired Peruvian. There is a middle ground. The Abyssinian has shorter hair than the Peruvian and it has a dishevelled, rumpled appearance.
There are several different types of guinea pigs including the Abyssinian which has fur with a messy, rumpled appearance. It looks like these poor pigs have cowlicks all over their bodies. The Peruvian strain of guinea pig has extremely long hair that hides its body completely as it walks around its pen. Longer hair can mean more care and grooming for you as an owner and this is something you should take into account when deciding which breed to get. The American guinea pig is the breed that many people are most familiar with. It has short, smooth hair which lies close to the skin. All have very similar personalities so it is simply a matter of personal choice which you choose as a pet.
What do Guinea Pigs Need to Feel at Home?
Guinea pigs are larger than many other rodents and they need a pen that is also larger than that used for a gerbil, hamster or mouse. A home-made pen will work but you should keep in mind that guinea pigs are rodents and do need to chew. Frequently, they will chew on their cages even if given other items to wear down their teeth on. This could mean that they are able to make holes in their cages very quickly if it happens to be made of wood or other such materials.
A home-made cage will work as well as a store bought one but you need to be careful of the materials used to make it. If it is chewable, the guinea pig will chew it. They are rodents and need a way to grind their teeth. Also, you should be careful that the materials used do not contain chemicals that could be harmful if eaten.
Bedding can be a special problem for guinea pigs. Their pens need to be kept extremely clean. A guinea pig does have urine which can be quite strongly scented and the bedding should be changed frequently. If not it can lead to health problems which can ultimately shorten the life of the guinea pig.
Food is also something to consider. All guinea pigs should be fed a base diet of good quality guinea pig pellets. Food for other rodents can often have ingredients in the wrong proportions for good guinea pig health or even be missing some important nutrients which can make your pig ill. Guinea pigs love treats of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is better to offer fruit very sparingly since guinea pigs do have a sweet tooth. Wooden chew toys to wear down the teeth are good as are specially formulated rodent treats that are designed for guinea pigs. Leafy greens are an excellent treat but be careful not to feed them too much or they can end up with soft stools. This can lead to health problems.
Like any pet, you should think carefully about whether you can provide the proper housing and diet to keep your pet happy and healthy. Keeping guinea pigs as pets can be an excellent alternative to pets such as dogs or cats, especially when living space is an issue.
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