How to care for a guinea pig. How to properly care for your guinea pig

The guinea pig is an ideal pet for children and adults who have no experience with keeping any pets. This fluffy and good-natured animal is sociable, willingly plays with people, especially children, is trainable and is great for keeping in an apartment. Caring for your guinea pig is very simple and only takes a couple of hours a week. Even a small child can cope with this task.

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  Features of the animal

  The average lifespan of a guinea pig in captivity is about 3 years, with good care - 5-8 years. A wild animal lives in natural conditions for up to 9 years.

  Despite the word "sea" in the name, pigs do not know how to swim, and this must be taken into account when keeping them.

  Rodent breeds are divided into three large groups:

  1. 1. Shorthaired - coat length no more than 3 cm (in the Rex breed no more than 2 cm).
  2. 2. Longhaired - the length of the hairs on the body is not shorter than 15 cm, on the cheeks - 7 cm.
  3. 3. Rare- recently emerged breeds. The rare group includes skinny pigs - animals with bare skin. Their hair growth is preserved only on the head and legs.

  

  Habits

  The guinea pig is a diurnal animal, it is most active in the morning. In the morning he eats well and contacts a person. At lunchtime and in the evening, activity decreases. The pet will sleep at night.

  Guinea pigs don't fight among themselves. Their "fights" end without blood shedding and are reduced to frightening movements and postures. Two warring individuals become muzzle to muzzle, raise their heads high and grind their teeth. The weak specimen eventually retreats. More serious conflicts can arise only between males when a female is nearby or when dividing a territory. If males were raised together from childhood, they are friendly and never fight.

  When kept in a group, the gilts demonstrate herd behavior. If you keep animals in a large group, you will notice that a separate group of females is concentrated around each male. Strangers from the group are quickly chased away. Within such a "company" may be young males who have not reached sexual maturity.

  Guinea pigs are indifferent to other pets. They only know their own team and ignore outsiders. Such a reaction is destructive if the pet collides with a predator, such as a cat.

  The frightened pig usually runs away to the nearest dark corner and tries to burrow. If all escape routes are cut off, the pig will press its back against the wall and freeze motionless.

  The guinea pig, along with rabbits, dogs and some other animals, is engaged in coprophagia, that is, it eats its own feces. This is due to the lack of trace elements and vitamins in the body. The digestive tract of rodents cannot digest plant food the first time. When feces are eaten, substances not previously absorbed are absorbed in the intestines.

  

  Aggression

  The guinea pig is very friendly to humans. Even if you tap your finger on the nose, it will not bite.

  Despite the extremely peaceful disposition, the animal can show aggression. This happens if the pet is roughly stroked or grabbed. First, he will push his hand away with his muzzle or paw, then click his teeth. If the owner does not react and continues unpleasant actions, the pig may bite, indicating that the harassment is tired. The male can put himself in charge of the flock and will educate the owner with his teeth if he puts the feeder in another place or tries to take food from the leader.

  A tame guinea pig, sitting on its hands, may begin to bite its fingers. This means that she is asking to be back in the cage. The bites will be very delicate at first and then intensify.

  If the pig has bitten a person, it cannot be beaten or punished - the animal will only become more frightened. The animal should be placed in a cage where it will feel safe and calm.

  

  The best housing option for a pig is a cage with a plastic bottom and a removable top. Such a house can be easily washed with hot water and soap.

  Ready-made cages for guinea pigs are on sale. For keeping one individual at home, a cage with a bottom size of 60 by 30 cm and a height of at least 30 cm is sufficient.

  
  

  The cage is placed in a well-lit dry place away from heaters, vents and TV. Darkness, cold and drafts are absolutely unacceptable.

  The cage must contain:

  • a house for rest and sleep - a box without a bottom with a hole on the side;
  • feeder- better ceramic or plastic;
  • drinker - bottle hanging upside down with a ball valve;
  • brush brush for washing drinkers.

  Feeding

  Guinea pigs are typical herbivores. At home they can be fed with lettuce, cabbage and fruit. Suitable for feeding pigs:

  • nettle;
  • plantain;
  • any cereal herbs;
  • yarrow and its roots;
  • sedge;
  • camel-thorn;
  • sow thistle;
  • sagebrush;
  • spurge;
  • melon waste;
  • leaves and shoots of trees and shrubs;
  • potato and carrot tops;
  • leaves of beets, rutabagas, turnips;
  • young green corn;
  • spinach;
  • cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and asparagus;
  • parsley.

  Hay is a must for a guinea pig. Eating it, the animal grinds off the growing incisors and molars. In addition, like any herbivore, guinea pig digestion depends on a constant supply of small portions of food containing a lot of cellulose.

  There should be a drinking bowl in the cage around the clock. The water is changed twice a day or an automatic device is installed.

  Animals willingly eat pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini, watermelons. These vegetables contain a lot of water, so their nutritional value is low, but pigs love them.

  In the pet store you can buy mineral-salt stones, gnawing on which, the pigs make up for the lack of minerals and trace elements in the body.

  To sharpen the teeth, branches of aspen, maple, acacia, mountain ash (with leaves and berries), birch, pine and spruce are placed in the cage. The branches are harvested for the winter in June-July, when the trees are most nutritious. Small twigs (no thicker than 1 cm at the base) are cut, tied into brooms and hung under a canopy to dry.

  Feeding mode

  Animals are fed in the morning and in the evening, always at the same hours, pregnant females - 3-4 times a day. Animals do not tolerate even short-term fasting.

  The approximate daily diet of a guinea pig (g):

  • vegetables - 90;
  • fresh grass and leaves - 30 or hay - 10;
  • potatoes - 25;
  • oats - 40.

  Prohibited foods

  Some wild herbs are highly poisonous and unsuitable for feeding guinea pigs. Among them:

  • henbane is black;
  • dope;
  • celandine;
  • poppy seed;
  • larkspur is high.

  Care should be taken with dandelion and wormwood. They are well eaten by pigs, but harmful to their body. Dandelion should not be more than 30% of the daily value of green food. It is better not to give wormwood at all.

  You can not feed guinea pigs boiled foods from the human table. After that, the pet may at least get an upset stomach.

  Specialized feed

  Commercially prepared foods make feeding guinea pigs easier. The assortment of well-known companies includes products that take into account the needs of the animal, depending on the stage of its development.

  Feed can be divided into:

  • basic - on every day;
  • additives- give at certain periods of the rodent's life;
  • goodies - for entertainment and refreshments.

  Guinea pigs do not immediately get used to the new food and for a while they simply choose familiar seeds from the mixture. Gradually, they will taste the delicacy and begin to eat up the food completely.

  Premium feed:

  Name	A photo	Composition
  Sunburst Gourmet Blend		Field cereals, herbs, vitamins, mineral supplements
  Wild Harvest Super Premium Guinea Pig Blend		Vegetables, fruits, berries, grains and seeds. Enriched with vitamins and minerals, as close as possible to the diet of a guinea pig in the wild
  Grreat Choice Guinea Pig Treat Sticks		A crunchy treat made from crushed and whole grains, sunflower seeds and lentils. Can be used as a main meal
  Versele-Laga Crispy Sticks		A bar of grains, nuts and vegetables glued with honey. Fortified with vitamins and mineral supplements

  Care

  All actions related to caring for a guinea pig should be performed calmly, without rushing. These animals love gentle handling when they are caressed and stroked.

  Guinea pig care includes:

  • feeding - 2-3 times a day;
  • airing the cage, cleaning the feeder - once a day;
  • litter replacement - 2 times a week;
  • general cleaning of the cage - once a week;
  • combing - every 2 days;
  • claw cutting - 1-2 times a year.

  Hair care

  To care for the hair of guinea pigs, special tools are produced: brushes, combs, scissors. Short-haired pigs go about their toilet independently, combing and cleaning the fur coat with claws and teeth. However, the animal will like it if from time to time it is wiped with a dry cloth and scratched with a brush.

  Long-haired pigs are combed more often so that the hair does not become tangled. The tangled wool is carefully trimmed with scissors.

  Bathing

  The animal is bathed only as needed. For example, if he has diarrhea and his coat is soiled with feces.

  Instructions for washing guinea pigs:

  1. 1. Fill a plastic bowl with water at room temperature, the thickness of the water layer is 3 cm.
  2. 2. The animal is lowered into water and washed carefully, making sure that the head is always above the surface.
  3. 3. If the wool is heavily soiled, use a baby shampoo.
  4. 4. The head of the animal is not lathered. Water should not enter the ears, nose and eyes.
  5. 5. Shampoo is thoroughly washed off.
  6. 6. The pig is removed from the water and dried with a towel.

  If the room is colder than 18 degrees, the wool is dried with a hairdryer. The animal is placed in the cage only dry.After bathing, the animal is especially sensitive to drafts and cold and can die from a cold.

  
  

  Teeth

  The pig needs solid branch feed, on which it will grind the incisors. In addition to branches, rodents are given objects made of wood and rubber that are safe for them.

  Guinea pig teeth grow continuously. If the animal has the opportunity to grind them, the teeth will always remain approximately the same size. The sharp ends of the incisors can pierce the tongue or cheek without grinding. After that, the animal will stop eating altogether and the intervention of a veterinarian is required.

  Claw trimming

  Guinea pig claws need almost no processing. Only in old, sedentary animals, they are not erased enough, then they have to be cut with nail scissors. The claw is trimmed so that the remainder is slightly beveled inward.

  To make out the vessels, claws are trimmed under the light of a table lamp.

  If the claws are white, blood vessels are clearly visible on them. Dark brown or black are opaque. It is very difficult to see how the blood vessels are distributed in them. Special care is taken when processing such a nail.

  If blood appears on the cut, the claw is blotted with a cotton swab dipped in water. Severe bleeding can be stopped by overtightening the foot with a bandage. After that, the cage is thoroughly washed and disinfected so that no infection gets into the wound.

  
  

  Eyes and ears

  The guinea pig has relatively small ears. The ear canal gets dirty quickly, especially if the ears are drooping or covered with hair. If you do not clean the ears from the wax, the animal may lose hearing. The first sign that earwax is bothering your mumps is anxiety. The animal rubs its ears with its paws and waves its head.

  The color of the ear discharge depends on the color of the animal itself and varies from yellow to black. If a pig's ears are colored differently, a corresponding color of sulfur will be emitted in each ear.

  Ear cleaning instruction:

  1. 1. Moisten a cotton swab with chlorhexidine and wipe the inside of your ears.
  2. 2. If there are crusts, drip one drop of Bars lotion into each ear, massage a little and wipe with a cotton swab.

  If the pet does not allow touching the ears, bites and screams, it means that he has otitis media or ear mites. In this case, the animal must be shown to the veterinarian.

  You don't need to look after the eyes of your guinea pigs. If the animal is healthy, nothing escapes or flows from its eyes. In summer, pigs transferred to an open-air cage can injure their eyelids with a metal fence. Show the injured animal to a doctor.

  Breeding

  Guinea pigs are sexually mature:

  • in females - at 7-8 weeks;
  • in males - at 8-12 weeks.

  Theoretically, mating can be carried out when the female is 5 months old, and the male is 6 months old, but it is better to use it to obtain offspring of animals not younger than 10 months.

  External sexual characteristics in guinea pigs are very weak, which is why an inexperienced amateur will not be able to determine whether the male is in front of him or the female. To determine the gender, you need to examine the animal.

  To determine gender:

  1. 1. The animal is turned upside down.
  2. 2. Lightly press on the abdomen near the external genitalia.
  3. 3. The male will have a reproductive organ near the anus, while the female will have a slit.

  Preparing for pregnancy

  During the week before mating, the females reduce the amount of fats and carbohydrates in the diet and allow her to run more. Overfeeding and underfeeding gilts before mating is equally harmful.

  Food should be low-calorie, but varied, include juicy and fortified feed. Such a diet will ensure good fertility and fertility in females.

  Caring for a pregnant female

  The pregnant female should be provided with rest. You can not take it in your hands to avoid miscarriage.

  During pregnancy, the female is given food rich in vitamins and protein. Starting in the second half of pregnancy, the guinea pig eats twice as much food as usual. Females are fed 3-4 times a week, always giving sprouted grains of wheat or oats. Tomato juice and rosehip infusion are useful. Besides water, milk can be given.

  A pregnant female needs 24/7 access to water.

  Toxicosis

  The last weeks of pregnancy and in the first days of lactation, females may have toxicosis. He is able to lead the animal to death.

  Signs of toxicosis:

  • lack of appetite;
  • salivation;
  • muscle spasms;
  • paralysis of the eyelids;
  • tousled dull coat.

  Causes of toxicosis:

  • heat in the room;
  • lack of water;
  • inadequate or inadequate nutrition;
  • stress;
  • multiple pregnancy.

  Toxicosis treatment is always unsuccessful. Therefore, the main attention should be paid to prevention - to provide the mumps with the most comfortable conditions of detention and constant access to water and food.

  Childbirth and baby care

  Childbirth does not last long. Cubs are born in 3-4 minutes. The mother tears the fetal membrane and placenta. 1-5 cubs are born in the litter. Each weighs 50-100 g. Cubs are born with fur, teeth and open eyes. After 20-30 minutes they can move freely.

  For the first month, the mother feeds the babies with milk, the lactating female is fed with powdered milk, dissolving it in water. Enough 3-5 g per day.

  Starting from day 4, young animals begin to eat common food, in addition to milk. Cubs are housed in separate cages when they are one month old.

  Diseases

  Guinea pigs are susceptible to infectious diseases. The newly purchased animal needs to be quarantined for a week. If at this time the animal eats well and has normal stools, you can place it in a common cage.

  Signs of a sick animal:

  • rapid breathing;
  • cough;
  • the animal drinks a lot;
  • the wool is sticky, falls out easily;
  • discharge from the nose or eyes;
  • sores on the skin;
  • frequent or loose stools;
  • convulsions and paralysis;
  • unusual behavior - the animal trembles, lies with closed eyes or constantly tries to hide.

  Common health problems:

  Disease	Symptoms	Help
  Pseudotuberculosis	Diarrhea, emaciation leading to paralysis	Isolate the animal and see a veterinarian
  Lymphocytic choriomeningitis	Difficulty breathing, purulent nasal discharge, seizures	The disease is dangerous to humans and cannot be treated. After laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, the animal is euthanized
  Pasteurellosis	Runny nose, sneezing, purulent discharge from the nose. The animal rubs its nose with its paws. Breathing is heavy, wheezing. Possible abscesses on various parts of the body, general weakness, diarrhea and cramps	There is no specific treatment, sick animals are euthanized
  Broken tooth	The tooth has broken off or swayed	A new tooth will grow in 1-2 weeks, no doctor's help is needed

  Bite defects

  Correct bite is very important for guinea pigs. Their teeth grow back at a rate of 1.5 mm per week. Incorrect closing of the upper and lower jaw is called malocclusion. As a result, the teeth do not grind, they become very long and injure the cheeks.

  For teeth to grind, the guinea pig's diet should be 80% dry food and hay and only 20% wet food.

  Correct bite:

  • there is a vertical and horizontal gap between the incisors;
  • the lateral teeth on the upper jaw are closely aligned with the corresponding teeth on the lower;
  • the upper incisors extend 1-2 mm to the lower ones.

  Signs of a malocclusion:

  • molars are erased at an angle;
  • incisors on one jaw are in contact with each other;
  • the upper and lower incisors overlap.

  If the teeth are in the wrong position, the animal will not be able to chew. In such cases, you have to contact a rodentologist to correct the incisors and molars to the desired length.

  

  1 - correct bite; 2, 3, 4 - wrong bite

  Training

  Guinea pigs are smart enough, they can be taught to follow the simplest commands. In training, the method of food reward is used.

  An animal can be taught to respond to its name. To do this, he is offered his favorite food and at the same time is called by name. After several days of such exercises, the pig will begin to respond to the nickname, running up to the call.

  The pig can be trained to stand on its hind legs:

  1. 1. The treat is held over the head of the animal so that it can reach by standing in a column.
  2. 2. Pronounce the command "serve."
  3. 3. Give the treat as soon as the animal stands on its hind legs.
  4. 4. The exercise is repeated once a day until the guinea pig begins to take the desired position on command, without a treat.

  Toilet litter training will take a lot of time and patience. The tray is installed in the corner of the cage, where the pig most often defecates, and a bunch of hay and a few peas of animal feces are placed in it. Noticing that the guinea pig has defecated in the tray, they give a treat. Over time, the animal will understand that there is a reward for defecating in the litter box and will use the toilet regularly.

  The pros and cons of guinea pigs as pets

  There are very few negative qualities in guinea pigs. Occasionally, individuals with an aggressive character come across. The animal's temper deteriorates due to being kept in inappropriate conditions or when the animal is teased. Because of stress and fear, the outgoing and non-spiteful nature of the guinea pig turns into an aggressive biting creature.

  Guinea pigs almost never cause allergies.Studies have shown that more than 90% of people with dog and cat hair allergies do not react in any way to the presence of guinea pigs.

  You don't need to walk with pigs. They spend most of their lives in cells, without disturbing anyone. You can release the animal for a walk around the room every few days and carry it in your arms or hold it on your lap.

Being in their natural environment, guinea pigs take care of themselves on their own. Natural conditions allow animals to keep their teeth, hair and claws in order. To ensure that the animals are properly cared for in captivity, the owner needs to know everything about guinea pigs. This article provides information on how to care for your guinea pig at home. It also contains tips and videos for beginners.

Combing

Tools

It is better if the animal is accustomed to the combing procedure from an early age. Tools are purchased in advance or immediately after the rodent appears in the house:

• soft brush;
• comb with sparse teeth;
• metal comb;
• scissors.

Short-haired pigs

Rosette pigs and individuals with short hair independently clean and comb their hair with their teeth. In spring and autumn, during molting, the pet can be helped by combing out the fallen hair with a special soft brush twice a week.

Long-haired pigs

The coat of long-haired pigs tends to get tangled. To avoid this, the brushing procedure is carried out daily, paying special attention to the lower back, where the coat most often falls off. Felted lumps, if they did form, are cut off with scissors.

• The procedure will be less painful if you slightly wet your hair.
• First, the wool must be untangled with a comb, and then massage with a soft brush.
• To cut off the pellet without touching the skin, it must be lifted slightly.
• Females during lactation need to cut off the hair in the nipple area.
• Angora pigs can be sheared during the warmer months to facilitate movement and avoid overheating.

Holders of long-haired guinea pigs can witness an interesting phenomenon - rodents cut hair for themselves and their relatives. The nature of this phenomenon is not fully understood. To avoid such unplanned haircuts, you can spray your pets with a special zoo deodorant.

Diet

If the pet's diet lacks the necessary vitamins and elements, this will negatively affect the condition of its hair, the coat will become dull and faded. A silky shine to the hair of the animal will give an appropriate diet. In the rodent menu, you need to include sunflower seeds and flaxseeds. Seeds should be fed in moderation, as they can lead to excessive weight gain.

Bathing

As the coat becomes dirty, the pig should be bathed. To do this, adjust the basin or wash your pet right in the sink. The water level in the basin should not exceed 3 cm. Wash the pig carefully, without sudden movements. For washing, it is better to use a special rodent shampoo, which is thoroughly washed off at the end of the procedure. You can dry the animal with a hairdryer, but only at the lowest temperature. Drafts should be avoided after bathing.

Some pigs are very fond of swimming.

Claw care

Clipping the claws is an important procedure. The paws of the animal can be deformed if you do not regularly release it from the processes that interfere with life. The procedure is carried out twice a year, starting from the age of one.

Tools

To trim the claws of a guinea pig you will need:

• nippers - it is preferable to use special for animals, but children are also suitable;
• hemostatic powder or cornstarch;
• hand towel.

Claw cutting

Before the procedure, all inventory must be laid out so as to have quick access to it. Then the pet is taken out of the cage in a calm mood and wrapped in a towel. Then they put the pig on its knees and give it time to recover a little, you can treat it to a treat. After the animal has calmed down, one by one, the claws are cut off from its paws, trying not to hurt the eponychia. If a blood vessel is touched, you must immediately stop the blood with powder or starch.

Dental care

Healthy teeth and grinding

Normally, a guinea pig grows about 20 teeth. The lower dentition should be one and a half times longer than the upper one, and the upper teeth should protrude above the lower ones by a few millimeters. The incisors of a healthy animal do not touch each other, there is a gap between them. From the bottom they look a little convex, and from the top they look concave.

The front teeth require special attention, as they are constantly growing.

The animals are forced to grind them down, otherwise too long incisors will interfere with food intake and may injure the gum, tongue or lip of the animal. To maintain healthy teeth and grind them, the pig needs wooden toys, solid food, twigs of fruit trees. But it is better to limit sweet foods.

Malocclusion

Owners of guinea pigs with an irregular bite have to go to a veterinarian to shorten the incisors. This must be done at least once every three months. The doctor sometimes suggests wearing an elastic bandage on the jaw to help the upper and lower teeth close. The pet can take off the bandage ahead of time, so the breeder needs to monitor this.

Malocclusion can be congenital, as well as a consequence of trauma or an infection in childhood.

Often, malnutrition and the predominance of soft foods in the diet lead to the curvature of the dentition. Therefore, caring for a guinea pig's teeth also includes controlling its menu. It is imperative to give your pet solid food.

Broken teeth

Guinea pig teeth sometimes break. This can be the result of injury, falls, malnutrition, lack of vitamins C and D. Also, teeth can be fragile due to genetic failures and problems with the thyroid gland.

Over time, the broken tooth will grow back, it will take a couple of weeks. But so that the splinter does not damage the soft tissues of the pet, and the infection is not introduced, the animal should be taken to the veterinary clinic, where the edges of the broken tooth will be trimmed.

After an injury, the owner will need to ensure that the tooth grows correctly and provide the rodent with proper nutrition. The food will need to be crushed, and the diet enriched with vitamin C. It is also better to surround the animal with attention and care during the recovery period.

Eye care

Caring for your guinea pigs includes checking the animal's eyes on a daily basis. In a healthy guinea pig, they are clear, clean, without discharge. Corneal redness, swelling and other abnormalities indicate disease. If there are no obvious reasons for the inflammatory processes (there are no drafts, etc.), and the symptoms persist, the mumps should be shown to the doctor.

Guinea pigs are susceptible to a variety of eye diseases:

• Dermoid - located on the cornea, requires surgical intervention.
• Anophthalmia and microphthalmos are a serious malformation.
• Blepharitis is a consequence of fungal infection, it is treated with medication.
• Damage to the eyelids due to a fight or mechanical contact.
• Conjunctivitis - treatment requires the elimination of the root cause (most often a lack of vitamin C).
• Orbital bulge is a pea-sized bulge that does not require therapy.
• Corneal opacities.

Ear care

Guinea pig ears should be checked for ticks and kept clean. You can clean your ears with paper towels. It is prohibited to use sticks and cotton swabs for cleaning. You should not climb far into the auricle, and if you cannot see the sulfur in the ears, then it is better not to disturb the animal at all.

The pet usually scratches the sore spot, and the pig may also show anxiety, tilting its head towards the sore ear.

Other hygiene procedures

When bathing, it is recommended to empty the anal pocket of the pig from the accumulated feces. This is especially true for older individuals. The pocket is located in the anal area. The procedure is carried out by pressing on this area from both sides.

In the genital area of \u200b\u200brodents, villi and hay particles often accumulate. The place of contamination should be carefully cleaned of accumulated debris as necessary.

Care during illness

The first thing to do at the first sign of illness is to show your pet to the veterinarian. Next, you should follow the doctor's recommendations.

• Liquid medicines can be given using a syringe without a needle.
• The tablets are best offered with a hemostat. The device can be purchased at a pharmacy.
• It is more convenient to inject subcutaneous solutions using a butterfly crater.

Eye drops are instilled as follows:

1. The animal is placed on the table with its back to the owner.
2. Drops drift over the head of the animal.
3. With your free hand, the eyelids are pulled apart;
4. Drops are buried on top.

To keep track of the guinea pig's urine and stool, it is placed on a towel during illness.

If your pet experiences chills, it should be wrapped in a warm cloth. Additionally, you can wrap a heating pad in a towel and put it in the corner of the cage.

If the rodents lose their appetite, the guinea pigs are hand-fed. Pets are regularly weighed to avoid exhaustion.

Care during pregnancy and lactation

The female requires special care during pregnancy and feeding the offspring. Pregnancy lasts up to 70 days, at which time the pigs are susceptible to various diseases, the risk of death is high.

• provide silence;
• eliminate glare;
• take the pet in your arms as little as possible;
• maintain the physical activity of the animal, do not cancel walks;
• give the pig pellets and fresh juicy foods, avoid changes in the diet;
• give only fresh clean water, monitor the filling of the drinker;
• carry out additional fortification.

Sociable, friendly and funny animal will be a great pet for both children and adults. But before you take care of a small rodent, you should learn all about guinea pigs in order to avoid many mistakes in keeping them, which are often made by inexperienced owners.

Keeping guinea pigs at home for beginners: tips and tricks

Many people decide to get these rodents, believing that they do not require special care and are unpretentious in keeping. But, like any pet, the guinea pig needs care and attention, and it needs to be provided with comfortable living conditions, proper care and proper nutrition.

Features of the care and maintenance of guinea pigs that the future owner needs to know about:

• a guinea pig cannot live in a cardboard box or wooden box! For a small pet, either a terrarium is necessary;
• having brought a rodent home, you should leave it alone, giving it time to adapt to an unfamiliar environment. You can't immediately take your pet in your arms and stroke it. Or allow him to walk freely around the apartment, because the frightened rodent will definitely try to hide in a secluded place, from where it will be difficult to get it. The animal must first get used to the new home and the owner's smell;
• you can feed animals only with special food, and not food from your table. You should especially carefully study the list of prohibited foods for these rodents;
• or a dog, the owner must make sure that the animal's cage is tightly closed, otherwise the pig may become a victim of a fluffy or four-legged predator;
• letting your pet go for a walk around the house or taking it with you on the sofa, you need to look after him so that he does not chew on wires, furniture or wallpaper;
• guinea pigs are not aggressive and friendly, so the fluffy animal will be an excellent pet for a child. But children who are 8-10 years old should be trusted to care for a rodent, since the animal must be handled carefully and carefully.

Important: pigs need not only the care and care of the owner, but also communication with him. Therefore, if the owner is not ready to devote time and attention to the animal, it is better to refuse to purchase it.

Preparing for the appearance of a guinea pig

You should prepare in advance for the appearance of a small pet in the house and create comfortable conditions for the rodent. The owner must make sure that the animal has a spacious home,.

Before purchasing a guinea pig, it is advisable to study several sources of information on the care and nutrition of a rodent.

Where to begin? First of all, you should choose a suitable corner in which the guinea pig cage will be located. It should be borne in mind that the animals do not tolerate heat well, so their dwelling cannot be placed in the immediate vicinity of the battery or in a place where direct sunlight falls. Drafts are also harmful to the health of a furry pet, as a result of which it is not recommended to place a cage under a window.

- 18-20 degrees.

List of items that need to be prepared for the appearance of a guinea pig in the house:

• comfortable and comfortable cage;
• attributes for feeding a pet (feeder, drinker, sennitsa);
• shelter house;
• feed and hay;
• stone for grinding teeth;
• toys;
• comb (if the pig is a long-haired breed);
• (for visiting the vet or traveling).

Important: when choosing a cage and necessary and additional accessories, the owner must pay attention to their safety. Sharp edges, small holes, coating of housing parts or products with varnish and paint are unacceptable, as they can lead to injury to the pet or provoke food poisoning in him.

Choosing a home for a guinea pig

Housing options for guinea pigs:

• cell;
• terrarium;
• plastic container (dune).

Each of these options has both advantages and disadvantages. And before choosing one of them, the future owner should study all the nuances.

Guinea pig cage

Experienced owners of fluffy rodents believe that it is most convenient to keep these rodents in a cage.

Basic requirements for the cage:

• it should be spacious. Optimal cage dimensions: length - 90 centimeters, width - 60 centimeters, height - 40 centimeters;
• it is advisable to choose a cage with a plastic pallet, and not with a lattice bottom, in which an animal's paw can get stuck;
• housing rods should be metal, not wood or plastic. After all, the pig is still a rodent and it will not be difficult for it to gnaw through wood or plastic to get out of the cage;
• multilevel cages are not suitable for keeping guinea pigs. These rodents are not adapted to climb high shelves and do not know how to jump. Even if the animal climbs onto the shelf, it will not be able to go down on its own. A fall from a great height is fraught with injuries and fractures for him, up to the death of the animal;
• a cage with dimensions 90x60x40 is suitable for one guinea pig. When two or more pets are kept together, the dimensions of the housing must be at least 120x80x40.

The cage has one significant drawback - garbage pours out of it.

The cage can be called an almost ideal home for these rodents. It has good air ventilation. The pig will not be able to get out of the cage and walk freely around the apartment. Such housing has only one drawback: the remains of feed, hay, animal feces and litter pellets fall through the bars, so the floor near the cage will have to be swept every day.

A spacious glass terrarium can be suitable as a dwelling for a fluffy pet if the side walls are made of metal mesh, rather than glass. The good thing about the terrarium is that it is easy to clean and the floor around it will not be littered with sawdust or husk from the feed.

A terrarium can become not only a home for pigs, but also a beautiful room decor

But all-glass terrariums or aquariums are not the most suitable housing for a guinea pig, as they lack oxygen circulation and the litter will always be damp due to poor ventilation.

Pet enclosures and dunes

Some owners keep their pets in open spacious enclosures equipped in the room. In such a dwelling, the pig will be comfortable, but it is worth making sure that the height of the walls is at least 40 centimeters. Otherwise, the animal will easily get over them and arrange a walk around the apartment. Also, such a dwelling is not suitable for furry animals if there is a dog or cat in the house.

The guinea pig will have enough space in the aviary for an active life.

The dune is a structure made of a transparent plastic container with a lattice hinged lid. But experts do not recommend using them for keeping guinea pigs. The dunes are small and cramped, the air flow into them is limited, and rodents in such housing do not feel comfortable.

The advantage of a dune over a cage is that there is no debris around

Arrangement of a guinea pig's home: a list of necessary and additional accessories

A variety of products and accessories for guinea pigs are on the shelves of pet stores. And it can be difficult for a novice owner to navigate with such an abundance of items and decide what will be appropriate in a pet's cage. Therefore, information will be useful to him, and what things can be dispensed with.

Guinea pigs just love different loungers

1. Feeder. They can be floor-standing and suspended, and it is better to opt for the second option. Feeders standing on the floor get animal excrement and filler pellets and contaminate the food.
2. Sennitsa. Hay is the staple food of fluffy animals and it is advisable to put it in a special sennitsa, and not throw it on the bottom of the cage.
3. ... As in the case of the feeder, it is recommended to choose a suspended drinker rather than a regular water bowl.
4. ... The pig needs a refuge where it can hide from prying eyes and intrusive attention.

Additional accessories for the cage:

• toys (wooden cubes or paper balls);
• shelter tunnels;
• soft lounger;
• mineral or salt stone for grinding teeth.

Important: Items such as a running wheel or a walking ball are not suitable for guinea pigs. Animals are not adapted to move in them, and can injure the spine or get a fracture of the legs.

A hammock for a guinea pig can be easily made by hand

What and how to feed a guinea pig

Selection is a very important point. Unfortunately, inexperienced owners do not pay enough attention to feeding the animal, believing that any food intended for rodents is suitable for them.

But the staple food of herbivorous guinea pigs is hay and plants, not grains. Raw vegetables must also be present on their daily menu. Therefore, food for rats or hamsters is not suitable for pigs, moreover, it can harm their health.

Hay, fresh vegetables and herbs should be present in the pet's diet every day.

The rodent diet should include:

• high quality dry hay;
• ... Pigs can do dandelion, clover, nettle, alfalfa, burdock, lettuce, chamomile, dill;
• (pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, cucumber, beetroot, tomato, celery, cabbage);
• twigs of trees and shrubs. For example, raspberries, blueberries, apple, willow, pear, ash, maple;
• fresh berries and fruits (apple, banana, pear, cherry, strawberry).

As for dry food, whether pigs need it or not, experts have not come to a consensus. Some owners feed their pets exclusively with hay, herbs and vegetables. Other owners of gilts believe that grains of barley, oats and wheat are good for animals, so they include a tablespoon of dry grain feed in their daily diet.

Important: if the owner is inclined to give his pet dry food, then he should take into account that such food is quite high in calories and is not suitable for animals that lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Treats for pets

Fresh and dried fruits, berries, nuts are not prohibited foods for little pets, but they are given to animals as a treat, two to three times a week. The animal can be pampered with raisins, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts or a small slice of dried apricots.

These are such funny, and most importantly useful treats you can make for your guinea pig

Tree branches are also fed to rodents no more than three to four times a week. In this case, the owner should know that the branches of oak and conifers are contraindicated for pigs.

List of prohibited products:

• pasta;
• dairy products;
• meat, sausage, fish;
• potatoes;
• sweets;
• bread;
• peas, beans, beans;
• mushrooms;
• onion and garlic;
• eggs.

Guinea pig feeding rules:

• you cannot leave a pet without food even for one day. If the animal goes hungry for 18-20 hours, irreversible changes begin to occur in its digestive system, which often leads to the death of the animal;
• fresh hay should always be in the rodent's cage;
• pets are fed with pieces of vegetables and fruits no more than twice a day;
• the diet of the animals should be varied, so the types of vegetables for daily feeding should be alternated;
• in winter, when there is no fresh grass, sprouted grains of cereals are given to the domestic guinea pig;
• animals should not be overfed. The daily food intake for a guinea pig should not exceed 20-30% of its own body weight. If the daily food intake of the animal exceeds the permissible dose, this threatens the development of obesity in it;
• it is necessary to introduce new products into the menu of pets gradually, observing his condition after feeding. If the consistency of feces changes, skin rashes or lethargy of the mumps, this product is excluded from its diet;
• pigs drink little water, but their drinker should always have clean boiled water.

Important: all products for feeding animals must be fresh and of high quality. Rotten hay, grass collected near highways and rotten vegetables and fruits should not be given to pets.

Berries and fruits must be strictly dosed

Small rodents are very clean and constantly clean their coat, especially after eating. But, the fact that a guinea pig is able to take care of the cleanliness of its fur itself does not mean that it does not need care. After all, caring for guinea pigs includes not only hygiene procedures, but also regular cleaning of their home.

How to care for your guinea pig at home:

• pets with long hair (alpaca, sheltie or angora breeds), it is necessary that their fur does not get tangled and does not fall into tangles. It is not necessary to comb short-haired rodents, but pigs like this massage, so you can periodically pamper them with a pleasant procedure;
• despite their name, these animals do not like to swim and are reluctant to take a bath. And bathing pets is often not recommended, and they do it only when absolutely necessary;
• only in warm water, applying baby shampoo and making sure that no water gets into the ears and eyes. Upon completion of the water procedures, the animal is wrapped in a thick towel and held in the hands until its fur dries. After bathing, it is advisable to comb the pig;
• in the ears of animals, sulfur and dirt accumulate and if they are not cleaned, the animal may even become deaf. To avoid this, the inner surface of the pet's ears is regularly inspected and cleaned with a soft cloth.

Any hygiene procedures are stressful for the animal. Therefore, when bathing or cleaning the ears, the pet is held firmly, but carefully so that it does not break out and is not injured.

Tips for caring for your cage and accessories:

• light cleaning of the cage is carried out every three to four days, and general cleaning - once a month;
• before starting to wash the cage, the fluffy tenant is placed in a box or deep bowl;
• before cleaning the house, remove all objects (feeder, drinker, house, toys);
• pour dirty filler from the pan. Then the pan is washed with clean water and wiped dry;
• plastic or glass utensils are also washed in clean warm water and left to dry;
• it is not necessary to wash the house, it is enough to wipe it with a damp piece of cloth;
• the bars of the cage are also wiped with a damp cloth;
• upon completion of cleaning, return the pallet to its place, fill in a layer of clean filler, set the feeder, sennitsa, drinker and house in place.

During the monthly general cleaning, in addition to washing the cage and accessories, all items are disinfected using soda or vinegar essence for this purpose. Do not use chemical disinfectants.

Games, training and pet taming

Do not believe the popular belief that guinea pigs are boring and lazy, who only do what they eat and sleep. In fact, they are active, playful and sociable pets that will enjoy their time playing with the owner.

Fluffy animals are quite smart and quick-witted, so they are easy to tame and can be taught to perform simple tricks.

Taming the animal

In order for the little one to start trusting him, you should spend a lot of time communicating with pets.

In the early days, approaching the cage, the owner should talk quietly and affectionately with the rodent until he begins to recognize the owner's voice.

If you just bought a pig, then you should not take it in your arms for several days, it needs to get used to a new place

The next stage is hand-feeding the animal with a treat. When the pig comes up for a treat, you should stand still, do not try to grab it in your arms and do not make sudden movements. After a few days, the rodent itself will start running up to the owner's hand, checking if there is any treat there.

As soon as the animal makes sure that the owner does not threaten him in any way, the pet will be happy to sit on his hands or knees.

Guinea pig games

The easiest way to get your pig to get interested in the game is to hide the treats in different parts of the cage. Let the animal feel like a detective looking for a treat.

You can invite the animal to play football by placing a rustling paper ball in its home. It will give a pig a lot of pleasure to push the ball with its head, watching it roll around the cage.

Another funny thing can be an ordinary cardboard box, in which several holes are cut in the size of the pet. The rodent will enthusiastically tinker inside the box, entering some "doors" and exiting others.

So that the guinea pig does not get bored in your absence, you can buy toys for it or make it yourself

Rodent training

Using a delicacy as an encouragement, respond to your name, beg your favorite treat to spin around your axis.

In order for the pet to respond to its name, each time pouring food or treating it with a tasty morsel, you should repeat its nickname. In a couple of days, the rodent, upon hearing its name, will run to the owner, begging for a treat.

You can also teach your pig to turn with a treat. For this purpose, they give the animal a sniff of the treat and slowly turn it around the pig. The rodent will begin to turn behind the owner's hand. And when he makes a full turn, he is rewarded with a treat.

How to properly handle a guinea pig

These fluffy animals are fragile and shy. Guinea pigs like attention and care, but you need to handle a small pet carefully, accurately and delicately:

• these rodents are afraid of loud sounds, so you cannot turn on loud music or TV in the room with their cage;
• it is strictly forbidden to throw various objects into their home! This will lead to the development of nervous stress in the pig, which may result in the death of the pet;
• you cannot shout at rodents or shake their cage;
• animals do not tolerate violent actions. Therefore, you should not pull it out of the cage or take it out of the house against the will of the pet. An exception may be when the animal is sick and has to be examined by a veterinarian;
• it is forbidden to lift the pig by the "scruff" or by the paws;

Important: guinea pigs love peace and quiet. And these quivering gentle rodents will feel cozy and comfortable only in a house where a calm and cozy atmosphere reigns.

Video: how to care for a guinea pig at home

How to care for a guinea pig at home: rules and tips for beginners

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A guinea pig is almost ideal for a first pet. She:

• Unpretentious care
• Easy to maintain
• Neat
• Friendly

But at the same time, the rodent remains a pet that requires care. If you do not know the basics of keeping a Cavi (another name for your animal) and caring for them, then greatly complicate the life of yourself and your pet. A lot of useful information for beginner "pig breeders" - below in the article.

The guinea pig is the friendliest rodent.

Getting ready to buy a guinea pig

Even before the pig appears in your house, you need to acquire the necessary things, without which the maintenance of the pet is almost impossible.

First of all, it is a cage, in which caring for the animal is most simple. Possible alternatives:

• Aquarium, terrarium
• Aviary

Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

It doesn't matter which one you choose. The main thing is the comfort of living.

Pet cage

• The minimum size of the bottom is 60x30 cm per pet (if you take two, the area should be 2 times larger); a more comfortable size for keeping - 90x60.
• The height is about 40 cm (it should be enough for the rodent to stand on its hind legs).
• The bottom must be "deaf" (no holes), otherwise the filler will spill out and the guinea pig's paws will get stuck; in care, the bottom made of plastic is the most comfortable for the owners.
• The grate is metal (rodents straighten out from a wooden one very quickly).
• The top should be easily removable for home maintenance.
• A securely closed door is a guarantee that the animal will not run away and other pets will not get it; check the reliability of the constipation.
• Pay attention to sharp edges, burrs and everything else that can hurt you - this should not be, keeping in such a house is strictly prohibited!
• No paint and varnish on the product - this can lead to rodent poisoning.
• The cage should be single-level: unlike, guinea pigs do not run on floors and shelves.

The advantages of keeping in a cage over other types of housing: easy care, free air access, it is difficult for a pet to escape. There is practically one drawback: the filler will spill through the bars of the cage (the height of the plastic sides is not enough, since the pigs are very active).

Aquariums and terrariums

A glass aquarium or terrarium is a good option for keeping sea rodents. Especially if you equip them in the form of shelving, where a pet or two lives on each floor. Glass housing is easy to care for and the whole life of the animals is in full view. Also, in this version, the filler will not constantly fall on the floor. But it is necessary to think over ventilation: with insufficient air flow, everything in the house becomes damp, and the animal does not have enough oxygen. Space requirements are the same as for cages.

Aviary for guinea pig

If the living space allows, then your pig will be immensely grateful to you for allocating space for the aviary. In fact, this is a fenced-off space for keeping a sea pet of any size. Because of free access, care is as simple as possible, and the rodent has a lot of space.

The main thing is to make sure that the height of the fence is at least 40 cm, otherwise the animal will simply climb over it. "Contraindication" for arranging an enclosure: if there are still pets (cats, dogs) in the house, this method of keeping will not work.

The aviary is spacious and easy to clean.

Rodent dune

Dune is a plastic box with air holes on top. Advantages - filler does not spill out, care is as easy as possible. The main disadvantage is that there is little room for keeping a large rodent. Use dunes only as a last resort for temporary shelter or transportation.

What should be in a cage: a list

Let's list what, without which the care of the mumps and its maintenance is impossible.

• House in a cage. A small, secluded corner in which the sea pet can take refuge if it gets scared or gets tired of prying attention.
• Feeder. You can do with a simple bowl, but it's better to get a hanging feeder: less foreign objects get into it and there is no chance that the food will simply be scattered.
• Drinking bowl. Also take a hanging one so that the water is not dirty.
• Sennik. Guinea pigs chew hay all the time. It is better to purchase a sennik separately so that the animals do not drag the hay across the floor.
• Restroom. It is better to put a separate container for excrement to facilitate the maintenance of the cage. Place the toilet away from food and the house, and gradually accustom the rodent to it.
• Salt or mineral stone. The pet's teeth are constantly growing, they need to be ground periodically.

When you already have the necessary items for keeping, you can take care of the additional comfort of the guinea pig. To do this, acquire:

• Toys (such as balls)
• Hammocks (you can do it yourself)
• Tunnels for play and shelter

Never use running wheels or walking balls - guinea pigs do not, they can injure the spine or legs.

How to clean a cage

A simple cleaning with replacement of filler and rinsing with warm water should ideally be carried out 2 times a week. Once a month, arrange a general cleaning with disinfection of the cage and the objects in it. For the duration of the procedures, transplant the guinea pig into a separate container, for example, a carrier, so that the pet is not present during the "looting" of the home.

It is advisable not to use chemicals in the care at all (give preference to soda). A strong smell can simply scare off a rodent. After washing, be sure to dry all items and the house before returning everything to its original state.

Taming your pet

Most guinea pigs are very friendly unlike other rodents. Sometimes they become so attached to the owner that then they very persistently demand games and affection, just like puppies.

But at the very beginning, the animal can be very scared, because a new place of residence is always stressful. Don't pick up the Cavies for the first few days. Then start hand-offering the treat once a day. Be sure to come up with a name and repeat it (but not loudly). After another week, the animal will get so used to you that you can try to pick it up and stroke it.

Guinea pigs are not very trainable, but some elementary commands can be trained. For example, "serve." To do this, hold the treat so that the pet can only reach it while standing on its hind legs. When doing this, repeat the command. After a while, the rodent will begin to stand up even without being encouraged by goodies.

You can achieve the love of a pet with patience and affection.

How to feed your guinea pig

Cavies are easy to keep, but they are very different from other rodents in terms of nutrition. First of all, remember a very important thing:

If the guinea pig is not fed for 24 hours, it will die!

The reason is the onset of irreversible changes in the intestine. The pet needs to chew something almost constantly.

The second important point: unlike fellows, guinea pigs feed mainly on grass, and not grains. You cannot keep them on a "diet" of only rodent feed: there are a lot of cereals, from which the Cavies get fat and get inevitable health problems.

There are 2 approaches to nutrition. The first is cereal-free and implies a diet exclusively of hay, grass and vegetables / fruits. The second allows the use of dry food containing cereals. Both methods are recommended by professional breeders and have no advantages over each other. Just choose what is most convenient for you.

The ratio of foods in the diet should be as follows:

1. Hay - 50%
2. Vegetables and fruits (juicy food) - 20%
3. Dry food - 20%
4. Fresh grass - 10%

Juicy food must be varied. Change the menu from day to day.

How to feed a Cavie properly

You need to feed your guinea pig 2-3 times a day. The pet is unlikely to eat everything at once - you do not need to clean it up, during the day it will eat everything. It is better to give juicy food in the morning, if you use dry food - give it in the evening.

In just a day, the animal must eat approximately 30% of its body weight. This weight must be distributed among the types of food according to the proportions that we have described.

Cavies should have hay all the time, regardless of the "main" meals. Without dry grass, food in these animals simply cannot be digested.

We cover in all details the nutrition of the guinea pig in.

Pet health

Immediately about the main thing.

At the first sign of illness, contact your veterinarian!

Better if it is a rodent specialist - a ratologist. The lack of timely assistance to a guinea pig can lead to unpredictable consequences.

The most common symptoms in an unhealthy pet are:

• Lethargic behavior, lack of physical activity
• Unwillingness to eat or drink
• Tousled and wet coat for no reason
• Discharge from the ears, eyes, nose.

A timely diagnosis and assistance rendered significantly increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

In general, with proper care and maintenance, the likelihood of health problems is quite small.

Pay attention to any change in your pet's mood.

Guinea pig hygiene

Basically, your pet does not require special care and can take care of itself, but there are situations in which a guinea pig cannot do without your help.

• Combing breeds with long hair. If the fur is not looked after, it will begin to get confused. Short-haired breeds do not need to be brushed, but any pet likes this massage and can sometimes please him.
• Bathing. Cavies are afraid of water and do not like to wash, but it happens that they have to (with severe contamination of the wool, which the rodent cannot remove on its own). Wash in warm water with baby shampoo and do not spill water on your head (especially eyes and ears).
• Ear cleaning. Sulfur in the auricle is something that your pet cannot cope with on its own; care and control of the ears requires constant. Gently clean your ears with a cotton swab or napkin periodically, otherwise it can lead to illness and even deafness.
• Claw trimming. Trim or file very carefully so as not to cut into blood vessels. Where they are can be seen by looking at the claws at the light.

Finally, a few more useful tips for the care and maintenance of guinea pigs.

Your pet loves peace and quiet. No need to shout in his presence, turn on loud music or movies. Warn children not to shake the cage. All of this can lead to deep stress, which will turn a friendly cute animal into a fearful and aggressive animal.

Cavies don't like self-abuse. This means that you should not forcibly pull the rodent out of the house if he does not want to. Do not lift your pet by the scruff or legs. An attempt to take the animal in your arms when it is "not in the mood" can lead to a bite.

Guinea pigs are social animals. In nature, they live in groups (usually 1 male and several females) and it is desirable to keep them with “friends”. At home, you can settle in almost any combination: even 2 males will get along if they live together from the very beginning. Avoid a heterosexual "community" if you do not want uncontrolled reproduction. In the event that you are kept alone, do not forget to pay attention to your pet - he needs a friend.

I can't do without care (

Have you already chosen a guinea pig?

We hope that keeping and caring for Cavies at home did not seem too difficult for you. In fact, these are some of the most unpretentious and friendly pets.

And we will definitely help with advice, because on our site, new materials are constantly being released on how to properly care for your pets. Subscribe to notifications and our groups in social networks so as not to miss new and interesting things.

The guinea pig is like a soft toy, only animated, easy to care for and easy to maintain. A wonderful pet that will brighten up loneliness, give warmth, delight with its tenderness for 5 to 15 years. But only on condition of care and reciprocal love on your part. Caring for her is so simple that even elementary school children will spend no more than two hours a week servicing a pair of toy animals.

Basic rules for caring for a guinea pig

The guinea pig is not only an animal for children's fun. A small, fluffy animal will delight even in the process of caring for him. To avoid disappointment befell neither you nor your guinea pig, follow some guidelines for proper content:

• feeding - two to three times daily;
• thorough cleaning of the cage - once every week;
• litter change - once every three days;
• combing the fur - once every three days (if you wish, you can every other day);
• cleaning the feeder - daily;
• nail trimming - once a year.

In addition, it is recommended to conduct a preventive examination every three days, which will allow you to take emergency measures as soon as necessary. The purpose of the examination is the timely detection of wheezing during breathing, a runny nose, skin wounds, and eye problems.

The pig needs to be provided with daily walks around the apartment. At the same time, be careful not to accidentally injure the little animal, and protect it from other pets that are dangerous for the baby. If you value your furniture, take precautions as the rodent can test the strength of its teeth on it.

Animal nutrition

The guinea pig's diet is not distinguished by the sophistication of dishes, despite the fact that the choice of food is quite diverse. Pet food includes grains, vegetables, fruits, hay, and herbs. Treats are beets, carrots, oats, and various root vegetables. From herbs you can give dandelion, clover, nettle, yarrow. But the nutrients obtained from natural feed are not enough. Provide the animal with additional vitamin C in the ratio of 1 mg of ascorbic acid to 1 ml of water, which must be changed every day. When kept at home, a guinea pig needs 20 mg of vitamin C per day.

It is strictly forbidden to feed the rodent with damp and dirty food, fruits that have lost their freshness, as well as sweets. But flax seeds and sunflower have a beneficial effect on the beauty's fur.

Diet is of no small importance for the health of your pet. For daily feeding, observe the same time in the morning and evening. An exception is made only for pregnant women - transfer the animal to four meals a day. The food should be kept in the trough at all times, as the guinea pig cannot stand hunger.

And do not be confused when the rodent eats its feces. This is normal for this type of animal.

Bathing a domestic pig

Despite the fact that it is a guinea pig, it has a negative attitude to water procedures. Therefore, bathing should be carried out as needed. In case of severe contamination, you can do without washing only the affected part of the animal's body. The water temperature should not exceed 38 degrees, and if you cannot do without shampoo, use a baby bathing product. Be careful, as the pig's head cannot be wetted. After finishing the procedures, wrap the animal in a towel and dry it off. It is allowed to use a hair dryer, especially when your pet is of the long-haired breed.

Combing

Short-haired guinea pigs take care of themselves on their own. With the help of their own teeth, they comb and thus clean their fur. But it will not hurt if at least occasionally you go over it with a special brush. During moulting, mainly in autumn and spring, the coat should be combed twice a week.

But the owner will have to take care of the long-haired animal. This procedure is necessary not only for the aesthetic appearance of the pig, but is also a kind of massage, and also prevents tangling of the coat. If a matted lump does form, carefully trim it off with scissors.

The Angora breed is the most troublesome. Its coat reaches a length of 20 cm and needs to be brushed two or even three times a week with a brush and a special comb. With the regularity of this procedure, the wool acquires a silky sheen. And for the summer season, you can cut it, thus lightening the long-haired coat of the pig.

Train your guinea pig to brush from an early age. Moisten the coat to reduce tugging. Take the animal on your knees and use a comb to detangle the hair, and then continue with a soft brush. For proper care, you need special accessories that can be purchased at the pet store:

• soft brush for small animals;
• comb with sparse teeth;
• metal brush;
• scissors.

Claw care

The claws of the guinea pig also require due attention, the care of which is not at all a tribute to fashion. They, like nails in humans, grow, and at home, the animal does not have the opportunity to grind them off naturally. Over time, long claws cause inconvenience and make it difficult to move, so the owner has to cut them periodically. The procedure is not pleasant for both the animal and its owner. This stage of care requires utmost care and certain knowledge. The upper claw zone is "live", it is here that the nerve endings and blood vessels in pigs are located. If you hit them when cutting too short, you will not only hurt the animal, but also create additional problems for yourself. A wound can become a source of infection and take a long time to heal.

Claw care begins as early as one year of age, once or twice every year. You cannot do without outside help. Someone should hold the animal, and you are directly involved in its manicure. People with many years of experience recommend illuminating the claws from below with a flashlight for convenience. Then you can see the clear border of the permissible undercutting. If you touch a blood vessel, stop the bleeding immediately and clean the cage to avoid infection.

As for claw trimming accessories, scissors and tweezers are available from specialized pet stores.

Dental care

In a guinea pig, front teeth, like claws, are constantly growing, which is characteristic of all rodents. Nature has laid down that the animal must grind the incisors, since long teeth interfere with quality food intake and can injure the tongue. Give your pet a chance to chew on something hard. The problem will be solved if the diet contains solid food, such as grain, or tree twigs (preferably fruit).

In some cases, you have to go to the veterinarian to shorten the incisors. The reason is usually in the congenital arrangement of the teeth. Then plan a visit to a specialist about once every three months.

Eye care

Pay close attention to the eyes when examining your guinea pig every day. If they are clean, without secretions, this is an indicator of the healthy state of the animal. If you have the slightest changes, swelling or even redness, wipe them with soft paper towels and analyze what caused this ailment. The animal does not like drafts, maybe it is worth moving the cage to a more protected place. With repeated repetition of deviations from the norm, the help of a specialist is required, who will prescribe eye drops.

Ear cleaning

Cleaning your ears is one of the important points of care. Check them for mites and keep them clean with a paper towel. Do not use ear sticks or cotton swabs. If an unforeseen illness occurs (an unpleasant smell comes from the ears, and the animal itself tilts its head to the side of the problem ear), this is a signal for the veterinarian to intervene.

Diseases

Guinea pigs, like any living organism, are susceptible to various kinds of diseases, although they rarely get sick. Measures should be taken already when one of the symptoms appears that is not characteristic of the general characteristics of this type of animal:

• cough;
• lies with his eyes closed;
• shortness of breath;
• increased thirst;
• the coat is tousled or falling out;
• shallow trembling;
• runny nose;
• loose stools;
• convulsions.

When these or other signs of the disease appear, you can try on your own (if you are confident in your abilities) to treat a sick pet.

First of all, disinfect the cage. Add two to three drops of potassium permanganate to drinking water so that the solution is slightly pink. Perform a stomach cleanse by giving a tablespoon of castor oil. Switch to a strict diet, but at the same time put a few twigs instead of regular food so that the teeth work, stopping the unwanted growth of the incisors.

Still, the most reliable way to return an animal to a normal lifestyle is to visit a veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home.

As you can see, caring for guinea pigs is simple. At first glance, it seems like a lot of trouble. The main thing - when buying, choose a fluffy animal with shiny coat, clean and dry eyes, and further pleasant worries will fall on you. Providing proper maintenance and nutrition on your part, you will get a grateful and funny little animal in the face of a healthy pet.

Video: caring for a guinea pig