Guinea pigs can be lovely pets, but there are a few things you should know before getting a pet guinea pig.
From expected life span to the social nature of guinea pigs, here are some things to consider before choosing a guinea pig as a pet.
Guinea pigs live on average around 5-7 years, sometimes longer, so be prepared to provide care over the long term.
Guinea pigs are very social animals, and will be happiest living with other guinea pigs (and don't worry, they will still bond with their owners, too).
Keep a same sex pair; females can be kept together as can males, though sometimes individual differences will mean certain guinea pigs won't get along.
Introducing them as babies is the best way to get a pair to bond, though even adults can usually be introduced with care.
Guinea pigs need a lot of floor space, and most cages marketed as guinea pig cages are much too small, especially for a pair.
Making a homemade cage is very easy, though, and since guinea pigs are a good size and not escape artists, making homemade cages is a great option.
Guinea pigs make a distinctive wheeking or whistling type sound, often in anticipation of getting a favorite treat or when in need of some attention.
Though generally not loud enough to annoy the neighbors, a wheeking guinea pig can be surprisingly loud.
While guinea pigs may be nervous or skittish at first, with consistent gentle handling, they usually become tame very easily.
Careful handling is a must, and children should be supervised with them, but they are unlikely to bite even when stressed.
Guinea pigs are one of the few animals (humans are another) that cannot manufacture their own vitamin C so need to get adequate vitamin C from the diet.
Choosing a good quality diet and providing a variety of fresh foods is important, but most owners choose to also give a vitamin C supplement -- and tablets are generally a better way to supplement than adding vitamin C to the water.
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Other Information
Originate from South America (Guiana)
Belongs to the rodent family
Scientific name : Cavia porcellus
Gestation period : 9 weeks (63 days)
Litter size : 2 - 4
Birth weight : 85 - 90g
Eyes open : At birth
Wean age : 21 - 28 days
Puberty : Male (8 - 10 weeks), Female : (4 - 5 weeks)
Adult weight : Male (1000g), Female (850g)
Best age to breed : 12 weeks
Best age to retire from breeding : 2 years
Life expectancy : 4 - 7 years
Oestrus : Every 2 weeks (duration 15 hrs)
Male : Boar
Female : Cow
1.There are 3 major varieties of Guinea Pigs and 25 groups of colours...
a. Short smooth coat
b. Harsh coated rosetted (Abyssinians)
c. Long haired silky coated... like : Peruvians (Long silky hair), Sheltie (Hair growing back off its face in a long mane), Coronet (Looks like sheltie but has a crest or rosette on the head)
