Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260041
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Karen Davis
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
They are naturally quiet and clean animals, and when handled gently, they rarely bite or scratch.
The guinea pig is not a pig at all, of course, although females are referred to as sows and males are called boars. Their only resemblance to a pig is the squeal they emit when they are hungry or excited.
The guinea pig doesn't hail from Guinea, either. Instead, it is a South American rodent, valued in places like Peru for its meat.
The guinea pig's proper name is the ``cavy.'' The animal's typical life expectancy is five to seven years.
The cavy comes in a variety of colors and coat types. The three main coat types are the long-haired, the short-haired and the rough-haired. The rough-haired variety has medium-length fur with curly rosettes that stand up like cowlicks, giving the coat a ruffled, unkempt appearance.
The long-haired varieties will require occasional grooming to prevent mats and tangles. But the short-hairs can keep themselves well-groomed without any help.
Guinea pigs can be housed adequately in large aquariums or wire cages. The sides need to be at least 10 inches high. Avoid crowding if you have more than one cavy. Provide at least 2 square feet of floor space per cavy.
Ideally, a mesh cage should have a removable bottom for easy cleaning and a low platform or small box for the cavy to rest in. Suitable cages and commercial bedding are available at pet stores.
Change the bedding frequently to prevent ammonia from urine building up in the habitat and causing respiratory problems.
Wood is a poor choice for housing because it is easily chewed. Guinea pigs, like all rodents, have teeth that grow continually. They gnaw constantly to keep their teeth worn down. To satisfy this urge, provide suitable chew toys, such as nylon bones sold in pet stores, clothespins (without the spring), rawhide and clean oak or maple branches.
You can also give them empty cardboard rollers from toilet paper and paper towel rolls to chew up and recycle into their bedding.
Put the guinea pig ``hutch'' in a draft-free area where the temperature will remain relatively constant. Cavies are best off not exposed to climactic conditions cooler than 60 degrees or warmer than 90 degrees.
If you plan to house more than one cavy together, keep in mind that two females probably will get along fine, but two males may fight. Several sows can be kept with one boar, but never put two boars together where there are sows within sight, sound or smell. Competing boars have been known to fight each other viciously enough to cause serious injury, such as dislocating an opponent's jaw.
If you intend to breed cavies, you will, at some point, need a breeding hutch with removable partitions to separate the mother and her young from the other animals. Gestation lasts an average 65-70 days, and the babies are born with fur and with their eyes open.
Young sows should be bred first by the time they are 6 months old, if they are going to be bred at all. After six months the pelvic bones tend to fuse, and older first-time mothers may have more difficulty delivering.
Feed your cavies freshly milled pellets specifically formulated for guinea pigs, not rabbits. Like people, but unlike rabbits, dogs and many other mammals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C. Therefore, they must receive it as a regular part of their diets or they will develop scurvy. Commercial pellet feeds for guinea pigs have vitamin C added, but the vitamin's potency tends to decrease with the age of the food.
To supplement your guinea pig's dietary needs, feed small amounts of high-quality hay, carrots, kiwi, citrus, kale, cabbage and other greens. Be careful not to overfeed greens and fruits, however, or your pet may develop diarrhea. Always remove uneaten food before it gets stale or moldy. Vitamins also are available that can be added to your pet's water. Check with your veterinarian or pet-supply house about this option.
If your cage has a wire bottom, set it on the lawn in summer and, as a temporary treat, let your guinea pig dine on some grass, provided you've used no pesticides or lawn chemicals. Keep an eye out for loose dogs in the neighborhood that might bother your pet, however, as guinea pigs have no natural defenses.
A constant supply of fresh water is a must. Choose a water bottle with a tube over a bowl. Water bowls can become quickly fouled by droppings and bedding.
Like dogs and cats, guinea pigs are sometimes plagued by fleas. Pet shops generally stock flea preparations specially formulated for guinea pigs and small mammals. Before using a flea powder or spray for dogs or cats on your guinea pig, check with a veterinarian. Remember to treat the entire hutch as well as the cavy.
With proper care, guinea pigs are relatively resistant to disease, but signs of illness include listlessness, a dull coat, heavy breathing, excessive salivation, huddling in a corner and refusing food. The animals tend to hide their symptoms until they are quite sick, so prompt medical attention is a must once signs of illness become apparent.
by CNB