Guinea Pigs

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Most people believe that one guinea pig is just like the next, and this isn't true. In fact, each breed of guinea pig looks completely different from the others. The most common breeds are the Abyssinian, the Peruvian, the Silkie, the Crested Guinea Pig, the Teddy Guinea Pig, the Texel, and the Coronet.

The Abyssinian is the most common guinea pig, and he has a coat of fur that consists of numerous swirls, which are called rosettes. A pure bred Abyssinian will have at least eight of these swirls, and they appear in a symmetrical pattern. The Abyssinian often looks like he just rolled out of bed.

The Peruvian has a coat of fur that is both smooth and straight. The Peruvians hair will grow to be several inches long, and will naturally fall to the sides, with a part in the middle. These guinea pigs require a great deal of grooming, to keep their hair from matting.

The Silkie is also referred to as a Sheltie. His fur is very long and silky, but it does not fall with a natural part in the middle. The Silkies hair falls backward, from his head.

The Crested Guinea Pig is a short haired animal, but he does have one rosette - on his forehead. In this breed, there is also a White Crested Guinea Pig, which is also referred to as the American Crested Guinea Pig. As his name indicates, his rosette is white in color. Other Crested Guinea Pigs are commonly known as English Crested Guinea Pigs.

The Teddy Guinea Pig is another short haired animal, but he does not have a rosette, and his hair has a kinky texture, much like a poodle's fur. He looks much like a well loved teddy bear.

The Texel is not a common guinea pig. His hair is long and curly, giving him a very distinctive appearance. Like other long haired guinea pigs, this particular breed requires a lot of grooming to keep his hair in good shape.

The Coronet Guinea Pig is another long haired animal, but he does have a rosette, which is located in the center of his forehead. He also requires a great deal of grooming.

Aside from these breeds, there are other guinea pigs. Another well loved breed is the hairless guinea pig, which is completely bald. Other guinea pigs include the Merino and the Alpaca. So, as you can see, there really are different breeds of guinea pigs, and each one is unique.

Sponsored by The Ultimate Guide to Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are not only cute and cuddlesome animals but they also make great pets. These lovely little creatures display liveliness and inquisitiveness and are perfect for the new or experienced pet owner. If you trace back their history, you'll see that the domesticated guinea pig have wild guinea pig ancestors from the Andres region. Unlike their wild counterparts, domesticated guinea pigs have been especially bred and domesticated and make perfect pets.

Guinea pigs do not require too much care and can live till five or seven years or even longer. With proper maintenance, adequate food, and suitable supplies (an adequate cage) and quality food and water, guinea pigs can stay healthy and fit, maintain a fine temperament, and make great additions to the family home.

Here's some advice for taking care of your guinea pig:

- Guinea pigs are prey animals in the wild and they prefer spending most of the time in their cages. With this in mind, you must set up their cage so that they feel safe and secure. Like their wild ancestors, they want to remain hidden to avoid enemies or potential threats.
- It is important to provide toys like guinea pig toys or even toilet paper and paper towel rolls. Also, make sure that you Include special chewing toys also.
- Make special made arrangements for them to eat, sleep and play conveniently. Care should be taken to ensure that their cage is at least two feet. Also, you should steer clear of cages with a wire bottom as this could damage their feet.
- Use cob pellets or tissue paper for your guinea pig's bedding.
- Provide your guinea pig with a carefully chosen diet. Grass is the best natural food for your guinea pig as they love to munch on this natural resource. Timothy hay and other grass hay may also be provided if wanted. Other healthy choices are romaine lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, raspberries, apples and oranges without the seeds. Since guinea pigs cannot synthesize Vitamin C in their bodies (just like humans) this needs to be provided to them via diet items. Plants growing from bulbs like onions should be a strict no-no as they are poisonous for the animals.

Developing a number of breeds of guinea pigs has been a hobby pursued in many countries over the years. Different guinea pig breeds have been created as a result of these breeding efforts. The number of cross breeds and mixtures of guinea pigs that are now kept as pets all over the world are a result of successful breeding of the guinea pigs native to South America. Domesticated guinea pigs have been sold for many years.

Trend to breed guinea pigs

Today the trend is to breed guinea pigs in order to supply a growing need for pet owners of small apartments. You see, pet owners who live in apartments love guinea pigs. Not only are they small and cuddily but they also make perfect apartment pets. With this in mind, the breed of guinea pigs as pets will continue to grow and grow.

Currently there are several organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs that have come up worldwide. The objective of such groups is to give rise to superior breeds of guinea pigs i.e. animals with more desirable traits. The breeding of these guinea pigs has given rise to long haired, short haired and rough haired guinea pigs. Multicolored guinea pigs i.e. guinea pigs that are characterized by two or more colors being observable on their bodies are also result of these breeding efforts. According to researchers, temperaments vary according to breeds and individual characteristics.

Guinea pigs make great pets regardless of breed

In conclusion, one can say that although there are selected guinea pigs of different varieties that are available to be kept as pets, one should carefully choose which guinea pig they select. Although these incredible and lovable creatures can be bit noisy they are also playful and inquisitive and will never fail to draw attention and fill the hearts of their human family members.

Many parents get their kids pet guinea pigs - for a multitude of reasons. But is a guinea pig really the right pet for children? Is it fair to the guinea pig - or to the child? Sometimes a guinea pig makes a great pet for kids, and other times, it is a sure death sentence for the guinea pig.

The first thing to realize is that a guinea pig is not a toy. Its purpose on earth is not to 'amuse' your child. It is a living, breathing being, and it has certain care requirements, and it also needs love and attention. A guinea pig is also not a science project. Too many parents see guinea pigs as disposable pets - pets that can easily be disposed of when the child loses interest.

Most guinea pig rescue operations will not allow children to adopt guinea pigs. They prefer for adults who really want a guinea pig as a pet to adopt their pigs. Some operations won't even allow households who have children to adopt guinea pigs.

Can you believe that many parents use guinea pigs to teach their children lessons? They want to teach their kids that pets require proper care and treatment - or the pet dies. They use the guinea pig as an example, knowing in advance that their children will not properly care for the pet, and that it will die.

Another common problem is that many parents really think that guinea pigs are easy to care for - just put it in a cage and give it food and water. This, again, is a death sentence for the guinea pig. Guinea pigs are essentially high maintenance animals, and are usually higher maintenance than a dog or a cat.

This doesn't mean that a guinea pig should never be a pet for a child. It only means that the guinea pig needs to be obtained for the right reasons - for a true love and interest in the animals. Instead of the child being the sole caretaker of the guinea pig, it should be a family pet, where all members of the family are responsible for its care.

Children must be monitored when handling a guinea pig. They should not only be taught how to properly care for it, but also how to handle it correctly, so that the guinea pig is not injured, and the child is not bitten. Children should also be educated concerning the behavior and habits of guinea pigs, and should also be a part of keeping the guinea pig groomed, and the guinea pigs housing clean.

Most experts agree that guinea pigs should not become pets in homes where there are children under the age of nine, while most agree that the age of eleven is more ideal. Younger children cannot be expected to be responsible, and they aren't usually as gentle as a guinea pig may require.

It is important that parents understand that guinea pigs do not require a small amount of space. They actually require a large amount of space. A guinea pig is not easier to care for than a dog or a cat - they are harder to care for. As a parent, only you can determine whether a guinea pig is a good pet for your child. Just make sure that you are choosing a guinea pig for all the right reasons.

Housing for Your Guinea Pig

When you make your mind up to get a guinea pig, it is crucial to supply housing for him, before you bring him to your house. Not just any old cage or housing will work for guinea pigs. It is important that they have loads of space, and that their area is secure and comfortable for them.

Unfortunately, most of the commercially sold cavy cages really aren't passable for guinea pigs. Most breeders and experts endorse planning your own cage, to make certain that the pen has sufficient room. Ideally, you will make available 10.5 square feet for two guinea pigs, and about 7.5 feet for one guinea pig. You should unquestionably steer clear of the use of wire flooring in your guinea pigs pen.

The first thing you would like to do is build the sides of your pen. The best item to use for this is chicken wire. Note that guinea pigs will chew wood, and although they may nibble on plastic, they cannot break hard plastic very easily. In actual fact think about the supplies that you will use for your guinea pigs pen, and look on the Internet to see the materials and designs that other guinea pig owners have used.

It is very imperative that you not make use of wood for the floor of your pen. Odors, including odors from urine and feces, will saturate into the wood, and it won't take long before you have a smell in your house that you cannot get rid of. Plastic is preferable, because it can be washed, and the odor will not percolate into it.

When your pen is complete, it will need bedding. You must shun bedding that is made of cedar and/or pine shavings, as these can be harmful for your guinea pig. Instead, choose Aspen shavings, newspaper bedding, or pellet bedding. Top this with fresh hay, and be prepared to change the hay at least twice a week, and change the bedding weekly. Bedding can be spread over the entire surface of the pen.

After that, you need toys and other accessories. The important thing here is not to place items against the sides of the pen, as this will stop the guinea pig from running around the interior. He needs to do this for exercise, and he will do it often unless his pen is too crowded for running.

The first thing to add to your guinea pigs pen is a hiding place. Guinea pigs fancy to hide, and hiding places can easily be constructed from several materials. The best hiding place is a plastic tub, turned upside down, with a little door cut out. Avoid using cardboard, as it will have to be replaced often.

Your guinea pig wants more complex hiding places as well, such as tunnels. You can purchase different tunnel systems at any pet store, or make your own using PVC pipe and PVC joints. Make sure that there is plenty of airflow. Finish your guinea pigs home with a ceramic water bowl, a pet bed, a water bottle, a hay hopper, and plenty of toys that he can safely gnaw on.

When you make your mind up to get a guinea pig, it's significant to supply housing for her, before you bring him to your house. Not just any old cage or housing will work for guinea pigs. It is important that they have masses of room, and that their area is dependable and comfortable for them.

Unfortunately, most of the commercially sold cavy cages really are not enough for guinea pigs. Most breeders and professionals recommend designing your own cage, to make sure that the pen has ample room. Ideally, you will offer 10.5 square feet for two guinea pigs, and approximately 7.5 feet for one guinea pig. You should unquestionably avoid the use of wire flooring in your guinea pigs pen.

The first thing you would like to do is assemble the sides of your pen. The finest item to use for this is chicken wire. Note that guinea pigs will chew wood, and although they may nibble on plastic, they cannot destroy hard plastic very easily. In actual fact think about the supplies that you will use for your guinea pigs pen, and look on the Internet to see the materials and designs that other guinea pig owners have used.

It is very crucial that you not make use of wood for the floor of your pen. Odors, including odors from urine and feces, will soak into the wood, and it will not take long before you have a smell in your house that you cannot get rid of. Plastic is preferable, because it can be washed, and the odor will not percolate into it.

When your pen is ready, it will require bedding. You must avoid bedding that is made of cedar and/or pine shavings, as these can be harmful for your guinea pig. Instead, choose Aspen shavings, newspaper bedding, or pellet bedding. Top this with fresh hay, and be prepared to change the hay at least twice a week, and change the bedding one a week. Bedding can be spread over the entire surface of the pen.

After that, you need toys and other accessories. The imperative thing here is not to place items against the sides of the pen, as this will stop the guinea pig from running around the interior. He needs to do this for exercise, and he will do it often unless his pen is too crowded for running.

The initial thing to add to your guinea pigs pen is a hiding place. Guinea pigs love to hide, and hiding places can easily be constructed from various materials. The best hiding place is a plastic tub, turned upside down, with a little door cut out. Steer clear of using cardboard, as it will have to be replaced often.

Your guinea pig wants more complex hiding places as well, such as tunnels. You can purchase different tunnel systems at any pet store, or make your own using PVC pipe and PVC joints. Make sure that there is plenty of airflow. Finish your guinea pigs home with a ceramic water bowl, a pet bed, a water bottle, a hay hopper, and plenty of toys that he can safely gnaw on.