How to raise guinea pigs at home?

Guinea pig (from Latin cavia porcellus - small pig) is a domesticated rodent of the pig family, which belongs to the genus of pigs. The animal is a small, usually up to one and a half kilograms, well-fed animal with hanging ears, protruding large eyes and a wide muzzle. The huge popularity of the rodent is due to its attractive appearance, unpretentiousness, good-natured and trusting character and peaceful temperament. Guinea pig is the safest pet for young preschool children.

The rodent received its name, which at first sounded like "overseas pig", in Russia precisely because it arrived from across the sea, and the shape of the animal's head resembled the head of a pig. The animal is also called kevi, keivi or guinea pig.

All individuals of the genus can be conditionally divided into 5 breed subgroups:

1. Short-haired (self, agouti, satin, dalmatian, two- and three-colored, etc.).
2. Long-haired (Merino, Peruvian, Texel, Alpaca, Angora, Coronet, Sheltie).
3. Wire-haired (Rex, Abyssinian, American Teddy).
4. No wool at all (skinny, baldwin).
5. Rare breeds (Cui, Harlequin, Rainbow, Havana, etc.).

Cavies were domesticated in the 5th millennium BC. NS. Indian tribes in the territory of modern Peru, Colombia, Ecuador.Indians worshiped guinea pigs and depicted them in art.

Distinctive features of the genus:

• Dimensions: body length - 25 - 35 cm; weight - from 700 to 1500 gr. Some breeds may vary in size. For example, Kui reach a weight of 4 kg and a length of 50 cm.
• The length of the coat and the color of the animal depend on the breed. The color options are varied: white, cream, agouti, golden, red, chocolate, black, two- and three-color.
• The regime of the day is similar to that of a human: they stay awake during the day, sleep no more than 4-6 hours at night.
• They have a perfect sense of smell, good eyesight (they can distinguish some colors) and excellent hearing.
• They do not like water, but they know how to swim.
• All breeds (even long-haired ones) shed moderately, but throughout the year.
• They prefer to live in a team of their own kind.
• Very clean animals, they wash their paws like cats.
• They love society and the caress of a person, they become smarter in the process of domestication.
• They are afraid of colds, drafts, overheating and falls from a height of more than 20 cm.
• Kevi are caprophages, they eat their droppings, which is due to the peculiarity of the gastrointestinal tract: vitamins are absorbed only after going through the digestive process twice.
• Keeping with birds is unacceptable, especially with parrots of any kind.

Characteristics of a guinea pig: advantages and disadvantages

How long does a guinea pig live?	On average, 5 to 8 years. There are centenarians who live up to 15 years. But this is very rare. The lifespan depends on the conditions of detention and nutrition.
Can a rodent be taught different tricks?	The ability to train is there, but it is difficult to teach. You can teach simple tricks: spinning around your axis, standing on your hind legs to beg for food, etc.
What should be the size of a guinea pig cage?	The animal needs a spacious cage or terrarium. The minimum size of the cage floor for keeping one individual is 30 × 60 cm. The larger the territory, the more comfortable the kevi will live.
What is a guinea pig sick with?	The most common diseases: colds; disorders of the digestive system; eye diseases; parasites (lice, lice, subcutaneous mites).
What is the price of the animal?	From 500 to 10 thousand rubles, depending on the breed. The most expensive are bald guinea pigs - skinny (from $ 80), baldwin (from $ 120).
Does the pig stink badly?	With proper care, the pet does not smell.
What can not be fed to this animal?	Plants, the safety of which you doubt (oak, burdock, sorrel, spinach, dandelion flowers, hemlock, chestnut, etc.). Sweet, salty, fatty, smoked and other foods from the human table. Baking, fresh bread. Some vegetables (radishes, potatoes, cauliflower, garlic, radish, horseradish). Non-seasonal vegetables and fruits - may contain nitrates. Animal proteins (eggs, oil, meat, fish, etc.). Watermelons, plums. Mushrooms. Any flowers. Seeds in the husk.
What is the best way to transport a cavy?	A special plastic container, terrarium or regular carrier for small cats or dogs will do. In cold weather it is necessary to insulate the carrier with a heating pad with warm, but not hot water, a layer of hay or an old woolen thing.
Which drinker and feeder is better to buy?	There should be two feeders - for green food and for dry. Choose stable bowls, preferably ceramic, so that the animal cannot turn them over. Vertical nipple drinkers are very convenient for small rodents. The volume of the drinker is at least 250 ml per bird. It is better to use filtered or special bottled water. It must be changed daily, even if the pet has not had time to drink everything.
What filler should I choose for my pet?	The best option is granular or ordinary sawdust, poured into the bottom of the cage in an even layer of 4 - 6 cm. The filler is changed weekly. You can purchase one at a pet store or make your own. Granular filler absorbs better than regular sawdust.
Should a rodent be vaccinated?	No, pigs are not vaccinated. They are prevented from external and internal parasites.
How to choose the right guinea pig?	It is necessary to choose a moderately well-fed individual with shiny fur and eyes, with a good appetite, at the age of 4 - 5 weeks. The rodent should not have bald spots, scabs or peeling on the skin, stained or sticky hair around the anus, discharge from the eyes or nose. When the pig is handled, it should not pull away or squeal. It is best to purchase a pet from a reputable breeder.

Pros in favor of cavey content:

• Ideal pets for children, they do not take up much space.
• They quickly get used to a nickname or a conventional call (whistle).
• Non-aggressive (biting individuals are almost never found).
• Indifferent towards other animals.
• They are unpretentious in food, do not need walks and physical activity.
• They are considered the most hypoallergenic pets.

Difficulties of maintenance and care:

• Poorly trainable, but some tricks can be taught.
• They are obsessive - begging for food and affection.
• Noisy - they make many different sounds: whistling, screeching, squeaking, grunting, grunting (each sound has its own meaning).
• They are very active, so they throw hay, dung and sawdust around the cage.
• They gnaw furniture, wires and other things.
• While walking outside the cage, they can relieve themselves on the carpet or floor.
• They mark the territory with urine and the secretions of their glands.
• They are afraid of cold and overheating, catch colds easily.
• They do not tolerate loneliness, so a related partner is required.
• They are shy, so they get used to a person for a long time.

Photo of guinea pigs

Maintenance and care

Choosing a cage, location and accessories for it

The guinea pig is an unpretentious pet, the maintenance and care of which is quite simple. The most convenient size of the wire cage pan for keeping a pair of guinea pigs at home is 120 × 60 cm.Sawdust or other filler from a pet store is poured onto the pallet with a layer of 3 - 5 cm.When choosing granular sawdust, mix them with wood, otherwise the pigs will have corns on paws.

The height of the cage should be from 30 to 50 cm, which will give the animals the opportunity to stand on their hind legs. You can install one cage on top of another to save space. The cage should be placed in a bright place, but not in direct sunlight. It is very important to protect the animals from drafts. The optimum average daily temperature for keeping a rodent is 18 - 20C˚. In summer, animals can be kept outdoors, for example, in a garden protected from light.

Many people prefer a closed terrarium to a cage. This is due to the fact that the filler flies from the first over a long distance. The terrarium protects well from drafts, but it is more problematic to fix a hammock, salt stones, a drinker and other accessories in it. On the other hand, the cage is more breathable, and the animal is easier to take out for communication. Mandatory accessories for the cage:

• drinker;
• two feeders;
• flat pebble for grinding claws;
• salt stone or mineral salt wheels;
• tree branches;
• hammock, ladders, shelves, manholes (optional).

In pet stores there are houses for rodents made of different materials: bark, wood, plastic. Although, experts do not recommend buying a house for kevi. The pet can become less tame and contact, he will spend all his free time in solitude.

The cage is cleaned 1 - 2 times a week. Usually, pigs go to the same place when needed, so you can teach them to relieve themselves in a special tray and change it daily.

Joint content

Morspinks feel calm and comfortable only in the company of a relative partner. This is inherent in them by evolution and is due to the life of cavey in the wild. It is easier to keep two or more females in one cage. If you have two boys, they should be provided with sufficient territory, food and water to avoid quarrels.In extreme cases, the animals can be separated by a thin wire partition through which they will see each other and sniff. Keeping opposite-sex couples should not be practiced in order to avoid uncontrolled reproduction.

Members of the Federal Association of Medical Practitioners (Germany) have proven that 50% of Kevi's behavior consists of social interaction with their own kind. In many European countries (Germany, Holland, Austria) it is forbidden to keep social animals alone. This includes the Hawaiian pig.

Walking

If there is enough space in the cage and there is an opportunity to "have fun" (hammock, ladders and other attractions), then it is not necessary to walk the pet. But if the cage is too small or, apart from the feeder and drinker, there is nothing in it, you can periodically organize walks for the pigs. In order to avoid such troubles as gnawed furniture or a damaged carpet, it is better to build a special fenced aviary. You can release the pigs to run into the fresh air, but they must be carefully monitored so that they do not run away into some burrow or become prey to a larger animal.

Dental care

How you care for the front teeth of your guinea pig is very important. They require special attention. Like all rodents, they grow throughout life and require constant grinding. Usually, the animals themselves grind off excess on young branches of fruit trees, but sometimes they need help. The incisors may grow back to a length that can pierce the tongue or gums. It also happens that a kevi from birth has an incorrect position of the incisors. In this case, you have to contact the veterinarian every 3 to 4 months to shorten the regrown teeth.

Ear care

It is enough to wipe your ears with a clean dry cloth every few weeks. If they have an unpleasant odor or discharge, it could be a symptom of an ear parasite. You should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Eye care

When secretions or crusts appear in the corners of the eyes, they are carefully removed with a napkin dipped in boiled water. Profuse lacrimation or redness of the eyelids symbolizes eye disease and requires an immediate examination by a specialist.

Nail care

Claws should be cut from the age of 1 year. Do this 1 - 2 times a year. For clipping, a sharp clipper is used to trim the claws of cats or small dog breeds. In order not to injure your pet, first read on the Internet how the procedure is carried out. You can ask your veterinarian for professional help. A damaged blood vessel passing through the claw heals for a very long time and painfully. The wound can provoke infection and blood poisoning.

Hair care

It is enough to comb short-haired and rosette individuals 1 - 2 times a week. Each time you hold the pig in your hands, a small amount of hair remains from it. This is the norm. Just like the fact that there are small bald patches behind the rodent's ears.

Long-haired breeds are combed daily. First with a long-toothed comb, then with a soft brush. To make combing easier, you can slightly dampen the fur with water from a spray bottle. Felted wool that cannot be untangled is trimmed with sharp scissors.

Bathing

Animals are bathed only if absolutely necessary: ​​if the wool gets dirty in the ground, the animal has diarrhea, etc. A shallow plastic bowl is suitable for bathing. Water is poured into it to a level of 3-4 cm from the bottom. The water temperature should be no higher than 38C˚. The pig is bathed using baby shampoo for the little ones or a special veterinary shampoo for rodents. When bathing, keep your ears, eyes and nose away from water. The repurchased animal should be wiped dry with a warm towel. Long-haired individuals should be dried with a hairdryer using warm, not hot air. A newly bought pet is very sensitive to drafts and cold temperatures.

Feeding

Feeding your pig is one of the most important factors in the harmonious development and good health of your pet. From the wrong menu, kevi quickly fall ill and die. Ideally, a rodent's diet consists of the following types of food:

1. Hay - 60% - should always be in excess of the guinea pig (choose a pleasantly smelling and greenish hay, in no case moldy).
2. A balanced grain mixture from a pet store - 20% - is not recommended to be compiled on your own, since many cereals are prohibited for cavey.
3. Grass - 20% - this also includes fresh vegetables and fruits.
4. Salt or mineral-salt stone.
5. Young twigs - fruit trees or spruce, willow, aspen (in unlimited quantities).
6. Homemade rusks, without flavors and dyes - are occasionally given in small quantities.

In terms of nutrition, the Hawaiian pig is a very delicate creature, therefore, when offering new food to the animal, it is necessary to constantly monitor whether the product has caused a digestive upset. What works for one individual can provoke diarrhea or allergies in another.

Important feeding rules:

• Fresh water with vitamin C dissolved in it should always be poured in the rodent drinker (the required dosage is specified by the veterinarian in accordance with the weight and number of individuals in the cage).
• There should always be hay in the cage, even in summer when there is a lot of fresh greenery.
• Guinea pigs are fed twice a day, large breeds - three times.
• The serving size for feeding per pig is 1 - 2 tablespoons of feed.
• Grain sticks with honey, popular in pet stores, can be given no more than 2 times a week as a delicacy.
• Many rodent herbs are deadly, so you can only give 5 to 10 names you are sure of.

Some poisonous herbs:

• Parsnip.
• Lilac.
• Bindweed.
• Iris.
• Oak.
• Chestnut.
• Ambrosia.
• Buttercup.
• Hawthorn.
• Lily of the valley.
• Laurel.
• Burdock.
• Spinach.
• Sorrel.
• Dandelion flowers and stems (leaves and roots can be given).
• Proleski.
• Poppy.

Allowed herbs for cavey:

• Anise.
• Pansies.
• Plantain.
• Dandelion leaves and roots.
• Melissa.
• Lettuce.
• Peppermint.
• Chamomile.
• Linden.
• Calendula.
• Clover (with caution, there is bloating).
• Strawberries.
• Cowberry.
• Coriander.
• Yarrow.
• Caraway.
• Rose hip.
• Blueberry.
• Alfalfa.
• Wheatgrass.
• Sedge.

Reproduction

Preparing for pregnancy

Despite the fact that the animals reach sexual maturity early, experts recommend bringing them at the age of at least 10 months. When choosing a pair, give preference to individuals of the same breed and age category. Parents-to-be should not be related. Obese individuals should also be excluded. Increase the amount of vitamin E in the animal's diet a week before the intended mating.

It is advisable to plan a future pregnancy so that fertilization takes place no later than November, then the female will have time to feed the offspring before the spring molt. Otherwise, the combination of lactation and molting can become fatal for a female weakened after pregnancy. For the same reason, it is not recommended to cover females more often than three, but rather difficult to care for and breed rare breeds, twice a year.

The heat in guinea pigs lasts 2 days, it is repeated every 12 - 20 days. The most favorable period for fertilization is the first 12 hours. It is not difficult to notice the readiness of the pig to become a mother; it takes a characteristic posture: it raises the back part, spreading its legs and freezing motionless. Males are almost always ready to mate.

The fertilized guinea pig is placed in a separate cage. If the next estrus does not occur, then this indicates a pregnancy that will last about 10 weeks. Multiple pregnancies can result in earlier births.

Toxicosis in the guinea pig

The so-called toxicosis can become a big problem during the bearing of young. This is a painful condition that is characteristic of many individuals in the last weeks of pregnancy or the first days after birth.This condition often leads to the death of the animal. Manifestations of toxicosis:

• Muscle cramps.
• Loss of appetite or complete refusal to eat.
• Profuse salivation.
• Tousled dull coat.

The causes of toxicosis are unhealthy diet, lack of water or vitamins, stress or multiple pregnancies. It is necessary to isolate the pregnant female from all these factors and provide her with special care.

Caring for a pregnant female

• Quiet walks 1 - 2 times a day.
• Stable indoor temperature and humidity.
• Content in a cage with an area of ​​at least 1200 - 1500 cm2.
• Lack of stress - it is not recommended to take the pig in your hands (it can provoke a miscarriage), stroke it, often or for a long time to clean the cage.
• A varied diet - in the first half of pregnancy, the feed rate is increased by 1/3, in the second - 2 times.
• In addition to drinking water, they offer rosehip broth, milk and tomato juice.
• Mineral and vitamin supplements for food (according to the recommendation and dosage of a veterinarian).
• Installation of a house with a nest made from fresh hay in a cage.
• For hygiene reasons, long-haired females need to be trimmed a few days before giving birth.

Childbirth and baby care

Childbirth usually takes place quickly and without features, lasting no more than 30 minutes. Newborns are born sighted, hearing and with developed incisors. Weight ranges from 50 to 140 grams. Litter contains on average 3 - 5 individuals. Cubs grow quickly, on days 2 - 3 they begin to eat the food familiar to adults. By the month they become full-fledged guinea pigs, which can be removed from the mother.

It may happen that the mother dies during childbirth or afterwards from toxicosis. Then the best option would be to plant the offspring with another female, since it is better for babies to be among their relatives. Usually it is possible to feed orphans with diluted dry cream from a pipette. Be sure to provide the crumbs with access to eating the litter of adult pets. If by 17 - 20 days of life the weight of the cubs has doubled, then we can assume that they are saved and develop normally.

Unfortunately, you need to get rid of non-viable babies born with a weight of up to 40 grams. It is almost impossible to get out of them and, even if it succeeds, the individuals will be too weak and painful for a full life.

What is a guinea pig sick with?

• Parasites - internal (worms) and external (fleas, ticks).
• Alopecia (hair loss) - due to improper diet, stress, lack of vitamins, the presence of parasites.
• Wounds and fractures - occur when the conditions for keeping rodents are violated.
• Rickets - the disease is typical for animals suffering from a lack of sunlight and vitamins.
• Colds (acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, otitis media, cystitis) are caused by hypothermia of the animal.
• Anomalies of the incisors - occur at the genetic level or due to improper care of the pet's teeth.
• Disorders in the digestive system (diarrhea, constipation, enteritis, flatulence) - occur due to non-observance of feeding rules, as well as due to infections.
• Eye diseases (keratitis, conjunctivitis) - causes: infection, chemical and mechanical irritants.
• Obesity - triggered by an unbalanced or overweight diet.

Plague

It is a contagious, deadly viral disease. There is no cure, so the animal will have to be euthanized. Symptoms: weakness, apathy, convulsions, impaired coordination of movements, paralysis.

Pseudotuberculosis

This is a bacterial disease common in the mumps family, leading to paralysis of the limbs. A sick animal should be isolated and immediately taken to the veterinarian. Symptoms: diarrhea, refusal to feed, exhaustion.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

It is a contagious, incurable disease that can be transmitted to humans. Symptoms: shortness of breath, convulsions, pleurisy, fever.

Attention! The normal body temperature of a guinea pig is 37 - 39.5 C˚.

Paraffite

The causative agent is a microbe of the genus Salmonella, which causes intestinal infections. Symptoms: diarrhea, lethargy, apathy, refusal to feed.

Pasteurellosis

This is a dangerous incurable disease, the affected individual should be destroyed. The causative agent is a gram-negative, immobile ovoid bacillus. Symptoms: purulent rhinitis, sneezing, abscesses on the skin, wheezing, diarrhea, convulsions.

Signs of a sick animal:

• Apathetic and lethargic behavior.
• The pet's desire to retire, hide in a corner of a cage or a house.
• Dull and tousled coat.
• Discharge from the eyes or nose.
• Dirty or wet fur in the anal area.

Part 1 Preparation for breeding common guinea pigs

1. Be aware of the risks of breeding guinea pigs.

   Breeding guinea pigs carries significant risks, including the high mortality rate of pregnant females.

   Learn about the risks of breeding guinea pigs and consider whether you are making the right decision for yourself and your animals.

   • Never breed guinea pigs for fun. This activity is risky and can injure or even kill your beloved pet.
   • The high mortality rate of pregnant female guinea pigs is associated with pregnancy ketosis, which is a metabolic problem when the female gradually becomes poisoned and subsequently dies of blood poisoning. Cubs of guinea pigs are also quite large, therefore, guinea pigs may experience complications during childbirth (however, more often they die precisely from blood poisoning).
   • If you are considering using your female guinea pig for breeding, adhere to the recommended age limits for animals in this matter to minimize the risk of possible complications.
   • If the female needs a caesarean section due to a complication of labor, then be aware that the survival rate in this case is very low.
   • Do not breed guinea pigs until you have picked up future cubs or those animals that you do not want to keep, potential new owners. Be aware that many people who confidently declare that they will take pets disappear without a trace after their birth.
2. Make sure you have all the supplies you need to breed and care for your guinea pigs.

   If you plan on breeding guinea pigs, the number in your home is likely to increase. Make sure you have sufficient supplies to care for the breeding pair and their cubs.

   • You will need enough space in the cages to accommodate all the animals. Remember that you will need to separate males and females to prevent them from breeding.
   • Cages should have suitable bedding and hay, so consider purchasing these materials for future use so you always have a supply in case you need to clean your guinea pig cage. Also consider purchasing additional accessories in the form of toys and shelters to keep your guinea pigs from getting bored.
   • Make sure you have enough pellets and drinkers to keep your guinea pigs healthy.
   • Allow sufficient time for proper daily, weekly and monthly cage cleaning to keep the animals healthy.
3. Find breeding guinea pigs.

   You need to select the best quality guinea pig breeding pair. The correct choice of animals can ensure the production of quality, healthy and viable offspring.

   • Professionals usually adhere to the “best with the best” breeding rule when choosing a pair for breeding. This means that exceptionally the best female guinea pigs mate exclusively with the best males.
   • Where possible, the pedigree history of both guinea pigs should be checked.There are some hereditary diseases that can affect guinea pigs and their offspring, or lead to death or the birth of seriously abnormal pups.
   • Make sure the male and female are at the right age for breeding.
   • If you are unsure about the sex of your guinea pigs, you can check by looking at the upside-down guinea pig just above the anus. The male will show a groove or pronounced testicles. The female will have a Y-shaped skin fold above the anus.
4. Select a breeding male to mate with the female.

   Part of the selection of a suitable pair for breeding is the selection of a breeding male. A quality breeding male can ensure that the female produces healthy, good quality pups.

   • A good breeding male guinea pig will have a broad head and lively look.
   • On average, males at the age of five months are suitable for the first mating. However, most guinea pigs reach sexual maturity by 10 weeks.
5. Select a breeding female to mate with the male.

   Choosing a good quality breeding female is just as important as choosing a breeding male. A well-chosen female can ensure a high-quality, healthy offspring.

   • The female's head should have the correct shape, lively eyes and a good muzzle.
   • Most guinea pigs reach sexual maturity by 10 weeks of age. However, it is possible to mate a female for the first time only at the age of 4-7 months.
   • It is very important that for the first pregnancy the female is no older than 7 months in order to avoid symphysis and pathological childbirth.
   • When re-breeding, choose a female that has had the opportunity to rest after the previous birth to ensure good quality of the subsequent litter.

Part 2 Breeding the selected pair

1. Check the health status of each guinea pig.

   You cannot mate a male and a female until you are sure that both animals are healthy. Show them to your veterinarian to minimize your risks in case one of the animals becomes sick.

   • If you regularly treat guinea pigs for fleas, then the last procedure should be carried out no later than two weeks before mating to prevent possible effects of ivermectin on the offspring.
2. Quarantine the new guinea pigs for two weeks.

   If you decide to mate your guinea pig with someone else's guinea pig, quarantine the other guinea pig for two weeks. This will make sure that the animal is not sick or infected with parasites.

   • You can keep your guinea pigs in quarantine by simply placing their cages in separate rooms. Also remember to wash your hands after handling animals and touching food and bedding.
   • Keep guinea pigs out of contact during the quarantine period.
   • If you are going to mate your own animals, then there is no need to quarantine them.
3. Introduce the breeding pair.

   After you make sure that both animals are healthy, you can introduce the breeding pair. It may take a few days for guinea pigs to get used to each other.

   • Keep the mate in her usual cage to reduce her stress and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. If the female is not ready to mate, she can reject the male by spitting on him or showing her teeth.
   • Never admit more than one male to a female, as serious conflicts can arise between males.
   • If you keep several females in the same cage, remove the remaining females from the breeding female, which you are not going to mate, to save them from unnecessary stress. Maintain the friendship between the females by allowing them to socialize on walks outside the cage, and keep the breeding pair together the rest of the time.
4. Do not disturb the breeding pair during the duration of the female's sexual cycle.

   The sexual cycle of a female guinea pig is about 15-17 days. The breeding couple should be kept together during this period to increase the chances of pregnancy.

   • A couple can mate several times during this period, but pregnancy can occur only in a short window of the cycle lasting 24-48 hours.
   • Check the breeding couple regularly to keep track of their health and well-being, and to reassure them that you are caring for them.

Part 3 Establishing the fact of pregnancy and providing assistance in childbirth

1. Check if the female is pregnant.

   After at least 18 days, you should check the female's pregnancy. You can do it yourself (for this read the article

   "How to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant"

   ), but only a veterinarian can give you an exact answer to this question.

   • A pregnant female may experience several pregnancy symptoms, including an enlarged belly and an increase in the amount of food and water consumed. During pregnancy, the female can eat 2-3 times more than usual.
   • Your veterinarian will also be able to provide you with an estimated due date.
   • For a female to become pregnant, you may need to wait several of her sexual cycles. Be patient and don't stress your guinea pigs.
2. Take care of the female during pregnancy.

   If your female has a pregnancy, know that this period lasts 63-70 days.

   At this time, it is important to protect the female from stress as much as possible.

   • Do not make sudden changes to the female's cage and shield her from any factors that can cause stress, such as loud noise.
   • Handle the female as little as possible during pregnancy and do not touch her at all in the last two weeks of pregnancy. For childbirth, you can persuade the female to sit on a towel or in a box.
   • For the female's peace of mind, you can leave the male in the cage with her before giving birth.
   • It is recommended that the remaining guinea pigs be removed from the giving birth female to allow her to give birth alone.
3. Increase the amount of food for the female.

   During pregnancy the amount of food and water consumed by the female will increase. Give her an increased amount of food to ensure she is getting all the nutrients she needs for the development of her pups.

   • Increase the amount of fresh vegetables to 1.5-2 cups (240 ml each) per day.
4. Check the female's health during pregnancy.

   Pregnancy carries a serious risk for the female, as the cubs develop very large. Examine the female carefully daily for signs of ailment and weigh her.

   • Signs of illness include discharge from the eyes, nose, or ears, and loss of fur.
   • The female should gradually gain weight, but the exact parameters of weight gain depend on the individual characteristics and the size of the offspring.
   • Make sure the female is eating well. The first sign of developing blood poisoning is loss of appetite. Any pregnant female who has not eaten for more than 12 hours should be seen by a veterinarian.
   • If you notice any problems with your guinea pig, including insufficient fetal movement in the abdomen, see your veterinarian.
5. Prepare for the cubs.

   You should be ready to give birth to a female around the ninth week of pregnancy. By carefully preparing the medical supplies you may need during childbirth, you can better cope with possible complications.

   • Guinea pigs do not show clear signs of approaching labor and do not begin to make any special preparations for them, so it is difficult to determine exactly when your female might start labor.
   • Just before giving birth, you may notice a slight expansion of the pelvic bones in the female.
   • Stock up on a syringe that you may need to cleanse newborn babies.
   • It is a good idea to alert the veterinarian when the female is nine weeks old, so that he is prepared for the fact that his help may be required if the female has complications during labor.
6. If there are no complications, labor should be prompt.

   An uncomplicated delivery usually takes 10-30 minutes. If they drag on and last for more than an hour, call your veterinarian or take the female to him for help.

   • Don't crowd around a giving birth guinea pig. Only one person should observe the course of labor, while he should not touch the female.
   • Between births of cubs should pass 5-10 minutes. Usually, the female gives birth to one to five cubs.
   • The female will give birth while sitting, bending over or dropping to the ground.
   • If there are complications during labor, take your guinea pig to your veterinarian. For example, if childbirth lasts longer than an hour, if there is more than 15 minutes between births, if there is a lot of bleeding, if the guinea pig cries very much.

Part 4 Postpartum handling of guinea pigs

1. Let the guinea pig clean its cubs.

   As soon as the female gives birth, let her scrub her cubs herself. This will reduce the risk of your babies contaminating the babies with your help, or the chances of the mother abandoning the babies.

   • The mother who has given birth or her cage neighbors will eat the placenta and membranes.
2. Expect live and full-fledged cubs.

   Cubs of guinea pigs are born outwardly similar to a fully functional replica of adult animals.

   If the cub does not look normal, consult your veterinarian about it.

   • Newborn cubs of guinea pigs have fur, wide open eyes, a full set of teeth, and they themselves are able to run like other guinea pigs.
   • Babies do not need an incandescent lamp or heating pad for heating if the room is warm. They must be kept at the same temperature that is comfortable for the parents.
   • The mother may abandon one of the cubs, usually the smallest of the offspring. However, he himself may be fine, so continue hand-feeding him and bringing him back to his mother. Try leaving him alone for a while with his mother.
3. Wait 24 hours before picking up mother and cubs.

   Guinea pigs are not very protective or protective of their young, however, you must give the mother a full 24 hours after giving birth before touching them. After that, you can pick them up as much as you like.

   • It is recommended that you handle the cubs to better socialize them.
4. Continue to provide the mother with a nutrient-dense diet.

   Give her alfalfa hay and extra pellets while she nurses her cubs. This will allow her to stay healthy throughout the entire nursing period and minimize the risk of deteriorating milk quality.

   • The female may stop feeding the cubs at about 14 to 21 days of age. However, babies can already start eating solid food from 5 days of age (since they are born well developed), so if the mother abandons one of the cubs, ensure that solid food is always available so that the baby can start eating on its own if necessary.
5. Examine the cubs and mother regularly.

   One day after giving birth, and periodically from this moment on, examine the mother with her cubs. This will allow them to identify deadly conditions and other problems. If you notice problems or have questions, please contact your veterinarian.

   • The size of the pups can vary, they can weigh 70-100 g and be 7.5-10 cm in length. In the first two days, the weight of the cubs may decrease, but on the third day it should begin to increase.
   • The smallest calf in the litter can benefit from one or two fifteen-minute feedings per day alone with the mother.

Tips

• If you need to hand feed the cubs, use kitten formula and a syringe.
• If the mother abandons her babies, you can hand feed them until they are old enough to start feeding on their own.

Warnings

• The female will be ready to mate again immediately after giving birth. If the male is still in the cage with her, he can fertilize her again. It would be better to plant the male to prevent an early re-pregnancy. This will allow the female to recover from birth.

What do you need

• At least two cells.
• Additional consumables including food and bedding.
• Two healthy heterosexual guinea pigs.
• Records of the nearest pedigree of the breeding male and female.

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Breeding guinea pigs at home is becoming more and more popular: the animals do not take up much space, are not demanding on food, and the cubs can be sold at the age of one or two months. Some are engaged in breeding as a home business - depending on the breed and color, the price of an animal can go up to 40 thousand rubles.

Breeding readiness

Females are ready to reproduce much earlier than males. Their sexual maturity occurs at the age of six to eight weeks. Boys are ready to mate no earlier than the twelfth week of life. However, breeders who have been breeding animals for many years do not recommend mating such young pigs. The female's body has not yet fully matured and an early pregnancy can end in the birth of dead cubs, babies with various physical disabilities and even the death of a guinea pig girl. The recommended age for the first mating is no earlier than 10-11 months.

Determination of the sex of animals

How to tell a male from a female guinea pig is a tricky question, especially when it comes to young animals and an inexperienced breeder. However, this point is important for breeding and purchasing mammals. Boys are usually larger than girls, but this only applies to pups of the same litter. In the store, animals can be of different ages, fatness, and a girl may well turn out to be a larger individual. More precisely, it is a boy or a girl - you can when examining the genitals, or rather, the anus. How to determine:

• you need to take the animal with your left hand and turn it belly up,
• the palm of the other hand should clasp the pig in the lumbar region,
• with your thumbs, gently press on the bottom of the animal's belly above the genitals.

When pressed, in boys, the penis is felt, in girls - the genital slit.

Correct sex determination will help to cage the babies from the mother and avoid unwanted close mating and many other problems.

Some breeders claim that with constant observation of young animals, behavioral differences between the sexes can also be noticed. Boys are more active and playful in nature, sometimes they are pugnacious. Girls are calmer. You can also distinguish between females and males by their voice. Guinea pigs are very sociable animals and make a lot of sounds. The voice of females is usually thinner and quieter.

How to match

The successful breeding of guinea pigs, especially for business purposes, requires the correct selection of producers. A boy and a girl should not only be strong and healthy, in good shape, but also have other important qualities:

• correct body structure,
• correct exterior,
• sufficient fatness,
• high quality wool,
• friendly character,
• no bad habits.

The breeder should remember that not only the positive, but also the negative traits of the parents are transmitted to the pups of guinea pigs. When choosing young animals, preference should be given to cubs born in the summer from dairy and large mothers.

Mating guinea pigs

Each female guinea pig is recommended to mate no more than twice a year. Constant pregnancy and frequent childbirth lead to complete exhaustion of the body, a reduction in life expectancy, the birth of weak or dead cubs, and even death. Males should also have their own breeding schedule. Guinea pig sperm can become immobile and unable to fertilize an egg. Not only the number of partners affects the success of mating, but also the fatness of the male.

Obesity, like being underweight, leads to a decrease in reproductive function.

If the conditions are good, then the females are ready to breed for 12 months a year. Heat in guinea pigs occurs every 13 - 18 days and lasts two days, but the most favorable period for fertilization is the first few hours. Many inexperienced breeders wonder how to know if a guinea pig is pregnant or not. The answer is very simple - if the next estrus has not come, then the mumps are in position. It is very easy to notice the heat - the female changes her behavior. She begins to pose in front of the male, crouches and freezes in front of him, spreading her hind legs and lifting her rear.

Guinea pigs mate several times a day. If the female is kept separately, then for mating she is placed in a cage next to the male every three to four hours. This method also has a small disadvantage - you can skip the onset of estrus, which means that the chance of successfully mating animals is significantly reduced.

Couple or family

Guinea pigs can be bred in a monogamous and harem way. With the monogamous method, a male and a female are selected. Such a pair will eventually become inseparable, but this does not mean that the female will not have to be removed from the male. The first reason a female may need a separate cage is the boy's aggressiveness towards newborn babies. The second is re-fertilization. Immediately after giving birth, the female is ready for re-coating, but this will cause irreparable harm to her health, affect the amount of milk and attitude towards the offspring.

If you plan to breed guinea pigs as a business, then you should resort to harem keeping.

In this case, there are up to ten females per male. The harem method is more effective because it allows you to get more offspring. Minus - several separate cells are required for pregnant females at once. The entire harem can be kept in one cage, but its dimensions must be really large. If the family consists of one male and five females, then the cage must be at least two meters long, at least 75 cm wide, and have two tiers, each of which is 40 cm high. The number of houses should be equal to the number of females. With a similar method of keeping, females can feed and take care of all children, without dividing them into friends and foes.

Features of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period

Pregnancy in a guinea pig lasts 60 to 72 days. The exact duration of pregnancy depends on how many cubs a guinea pig carries, as well as on its breed and health. Multiple pregnancy ends earlier, but the birth of one or two cubs can occur only 70 - 72 days. You can find out how many babies a pig will have in the third week of pregnancy. Gently probing the belly of the mumps, you can feel small dense nodules - embryos. Usually, childbirth lasts no more than an hour and the animal does not need additional help.

The female gives birth in a sitting position, quickly tears the amniotic membrane and carefully licks the newborn.However, if a female has 8 to 10 pups, labor can take much longer. Newborn guinea pigs are already fully formed and ready for life: their eyes are open, they have all their teeth, they quickly stand on their legs and after a few hours run around the cage. Cubs of guinea pigs are able to taste adult food already on the third day from their birth, but still they will not survive without mother's milk. Rest is very important for a pregnant guinea pig. That is why there must be a house in the cage. Feed your guinea pig three or four times a day.

Tomato juice or rosehip broth can be a good alternative to drinking water during this period.

In the first time after giving birth, she also needs enhanced nutrition. Fresh herbs and hay should be readily available. It is recommended to give more feeds containing vitamin E (these are succulent plant foods, sprouted oats, barley or wheat), vitamin C (carrots and fruits), and calcium.

Home business

With the right approach, breeding guinea pigs can be a good business. More than three million of these cute and funny animals are sold in Russia every year. The initial cost of acquiring even a very thoroughbred pair and cage will quickly pay off from the sale of the offspring. Each female brings from one to six cubs, however, it is not uncommon if there are up to ten babies in a litter.

However, before starting breeding, a breeder needs to establish good connections with pet stores or find potential customers on the forums.

The success of the sale of young animals depends entirely on this. It is worth remembering that pigs of rare breeds and colors not only cost more, but also sell faster. Another business idea is breeding pigs for meat. In Russia, it is not so popular, however, if you wish, in large cities you can find restaurants wishing to get delicious dietary meat of this animal.

Raising guinea pigs at home: bathing, feeding, caring for and keeping

The ideal pet for anyone, even an inexperienced owner, is a guinea pig. Psychologists have proven that a child, taking care of an animal, develops accuracy and concern. If you need a friendly pet that does not require special skills, take a pig. In order not to get confused when the fluffy is in the family, you need to find out everything about guinea pigs before buying.

The body of this animal has a cylindrical shape. The average height is 22 cm. The largest guinea pig can grow up to 28 cm. When weighed, females and males show different results.

On average, the weight of females is about 1200 g, while that of males is about 1800 g. The head of the animal is large, the teeth of the guinea pig are sharp due to the enamel on only one side.

The length and color of the coat depends on the breed of the pet.

These rodents have nothing to do with either pigs or water spaces. Why did they get this name? Well, they became pigs thanks to the sounds they made. But the word "sea" most likely came from "overseas", since it was brought from overseas. It was just that the word was simplified in the future.

The way of life of the pigs is very interesting for the observer. In nature, they live in families. They can live both in burrows and on the surface of the earth or even in rocks. The leader of the pack is the male.

Since these rodents have developed sense of smell and hearing, it is very difficult to sneak up on the guarded "sentinel" group. In case of danger, the guard makes special sounds to warn the others.

Animals are very clean: like cats, they wash their own fur.

The usual temperature for them is about 20 degrees during the day and 8 at night. However, they also tolerate more significant changes well.

Not everything about guinea pigs is known even to specialists, however, they are well aware of the life expectancy of these animals.In captivity, the pig spends time longer than the life of most rodents.

The average life expectancy is 9 years. However, there were also individuals that lived for 15 years. In nature, animals die a little earlier, because their life is full of dangers, and there is not always enough food.

Thus, the better the care, the longer the animal will live.

The lifespan of the pig depends on the conditions of detention, lifestyle, diet, heredity, care, and so on.

Since guinea pigs are one of the easiest and most friendly animals to care for, they have become the most popular pets. Due to the demand for "piglets", the animals were actively crossed, obtaining new species.

Depending on the length of the coat, guinea pigs are divided into long-haired, short-haired and rare.

Long-haired animals are very beautiful. Their fur differs not only in length and color, but also in the direction of growth of each individual wool. Among the long-haired, Shelties, Coronets, Peruvian pigs, Texel, Merino, Alpaca and other equally interesting breeds are especially common.

Shorthaired can have a coat of different texture and color. Breeds belonging to this species: Self, Dalmatian, Satin, Agutin, English Crested and others.

Rare - these are animals united not by the type of wool, but by other unique indicators. For example, Kui is the largest guinea pig: the weight of an adult animal can reach 3 kg. Skinny and Baldwin are smooth-bodied animals (skinny leaves hair on the hands).

Most new owners are interested in how to determine the sex of a guinea pig. However, when acquiring only one individual, this is not so important - the behavior of females and males is almost identical.

However, if two animals are to be purchased, the gender issue must be resolved. Adult pigs have well-developed sexual characteristics, so it is not difficult to distinguish between them.

When buying babies, you have to be careful:

• The first way is the genitals. To do this, turn the animal over in the palm of your hand and press in the lower abdomen. In this case, a thin vein can be felt in the male - this is the penis. The female will show a fold of skin forming a Y beech.
• The second is the anal sac. In females, it is simply absent, while in males it is quite distinct.
• The third way is feces. Perhaps the easiest way. It is necessary to carefully watch how the animals defecate. The male guinea pig leaves behind a feces, curved at the edges, having an arched shape. Whereas in females it has the shape of an even grain.

If there is no desire to reproduce, but you don’t want to leave the animal alone, you can purchase two (or more) individuals of the same sex. Desirable - female, since males will constantly fight.

Despite the fact that animals are not able to speak with words, they communicate with each other using sounds. Guinea pigs, like many other animals, are fairly easy to learn to understand. And they themselves quickly learn how to make the “breadwinner” understand about their needs.

For example, sniffing pigs means they are anxious or expectant. If this sound is interspersed with a whistling sound, the pet is most likely asking for food.

Rumbling has many meanings; for a more accurate interpretation, it is necessary to take into account the posture. A contented, relaxed pig hums with happiness. If the tone is higher, and the movements are tense or the animal is trembling, this indicates irritation. The abrupt rumbling is emitted by animals that are scared. Angry animals grit their teeth and open their mouths like lions when they growl.

With closer contact, the sounds of guinea pigs, their movements become clear to the owner, so do not regret the time spent with the pet.

The rodent is very easy to care for, even a child can cope with it, because most often such animals are purchased for children.

The main point is the purchase of "housing". The most popular are terrariums and cages with a deep bottom. The main requirement for rodent enclosures is the difficulty of throwing out and pouring out the litter.

Guinea pigs, the care and maintenance of which are not difficult at home, are very clean animals. Therefore, the litter (preferably sawdust) must be changed several times a day so that the animal does not get sick.

With some effort, you can teach this rodent to relieve itself in a certain place, this will simplify care.

Being generally unpretentious, guinea pigs sometimes die due to improper nutrition. Care and maintenance at home should provide for a serious approach to the rodent's diet.

It is necessary to introduce new food gradually. Most of the diet is hay. The rest comes from special food made from various grains, which are sold at the pet store, fresh vegetables and grass.

Water and hay should be readily available at all times, while cereals and vegetables should be given twice a day.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of fresh grass, you should limit yourself to the indicated species: nettle, wheatgrass, plantain, dandelion leaf, sedge, clover. Other herbs can be toxic to your pet.

It is impossible to learn everything about guinea pigs, but you need to know at least a little about diseases. Most of them are easy to diagnose. With any ailments, the rodent becomes lethargic, loses its appetite, its eyes are watering. In order not to play "Russian roulette" with the health of your pet, it is best to immediately go with him to a specialist who will prescribe treatment.

Before breeding, you need to think carefully whether you are really ready for such a volume of work, because rodents breed often and stably. Not every pet store will be happy with such a flow of live goods, even if it is offered a white guinea pig. Therefore, even before purchasing a pair of animals of different sexes, it is worth considering what to do with the offspring.

How to determine the sex of a guinea pig is already known. Now it is necessary to equip housing for the future family. It is better to keep a pregnant female separately until the pups are weaned from her.

Keep in mind that pregnant animals consume more food, so more hay and feed needs to be prepared.

It is recommended that only healthy animals that have reached the age of 8-10 months be allowed to mate. Usually 1-5 babies are born. If childbirth lasts more than an hour, it is better not to hesitate and take the animal to the doctor.

For proper development, animals need to move and play more. Therefore, the cage must be equipped with various devices for climbing, jumping, and running. If there are a lot of animals, they need to be given a place for joint games, one animal needs more inventory so that it does not get bored.

Despite the fact that everyone thinks little good about guinea pigs: they are boring, stupid, they only sleep and eat, this is all a lie. With patience, you can teach the animal some tricks. And just watching a healthy moving animal is very interesting.

These animals are very friendly, sociable, so they will be happy to spend time with the owner, who, in turn, can conduct training in a playful way.

Before starting training, it is necessary to establish a friendly contact with the pet so that it is completely calm and is not afraid of either the voice or the movements of the owner.

The main commands that all pigs are capable of performing are: "place", "ask", "paw", "spin". Often, the owners teach the pet to sleep in a hammock, jump over a hoop, swim, sit on the shoulder and many other fun things. Any command should be taught slowly, repeating what has been learned daily. A smart pet should be encouraged with a treat, but never scolded.

Show quite a bit of hard work, patience and love, and your pig will become your loyal and funny friend.

How to properly care for your guinea pig

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, please 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 primary 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, neither you nor the guinea pig, adhere to some recommendations for the correct 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, wounds on the skin, 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.

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Animal nutrition

The diet of a guinea pig 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, 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.

The diet is important for the health of your pet. Observe the same time in the morning and evening for daily feeding. An exception is made only for pregnant women - transfer the animal to four meals a day. The food in the trough should be constantly, since the guinea pig does not tolerate hunger.

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

Bathing a domestic pig

Despite the fact that the guinea pig is a guinea pig, it has a negative attitude towards water procedures. Therefore, bathing should be done 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 procedure, wrap the animal in a towel and dry it off.

The use of a hairdryer is allowed, especially when your pet is of the long-haired breed.

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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 shedding, 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 must 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 area of ​​the claw is "alive", it is here that the nerve endings and blood vessels in the pigs are located. If you hit them when you cut them 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 can't do without outside help. Someone must 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 limit of the permissible undercutting.

If you touch a blood vessel, stop the bleeding immediately and clean the cage to avoid infection.

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

Dental care

In a guinea pig, the front teeth, like the 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 there are 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.

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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 easy. 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.

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: caring for your guinea pig

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

Today we'll talk about how to care for a guinea pig.
Caring for your guinea pig is pretty simple. Even a child can be trusted to feed this pet. But adults still need to know some points about caring for this pet, so that it always feels cheerful, active and healthy.

CONTENT:

- How to care for a guinea pig; - Feeding guinea pigs during care and maintenance; - Important features of keeping a guinea pig; - VIDEO: Guinea pigs care and maintenance;

How to care for a guinea pig

Caring for your guinea pig is pretty simple. Even a child can be trusted to feed this pet. But adults still need to know some points about caring for this pet, so that it always feels cheerful, active and healthy. The rules are pretty simple.

Care and maintenance of guinea pigs

- At the bottom of the cage in which your pet will live, you need to pour wood shavings or pressed sawdust, you can also use cat litter.

- These pets need a cage clean at least once a week... To do this, you must completely remove all sawdust, shavings or filler from the bottom of the cage, completely wash not only the house, but also the toys, and then dry them thoroughly. Next, place new filler on the bottom.

Feeding guinea pigs for care and maintenance

- The main food for pigs is hay and whole grains, so make sure that this food is always present in the cage.
Grain mixes and hay can be purchased at any pet store.

If you are afraid that unwanted insects or some kind of infection may get into your house along with purchased hay, just keep it in a preheated oven for a while.

By the way, you can prepare hay yourself, it's not at all difficult.

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

If, after some time, the hay darkens or becomes damp, as a result of which an unpleasant odor appears, it must be thrown away immediately, as the pet may be poisoned by it.

- Guinea pigs can lure with dried or fresh dandelion, plantain, nettle, chamomile, yarrow, tansy, sunflower, oats, celery, dill, millet and some other herbaceous plants.

But poppy seeds, nightshade plants, dope, celandine, bleached, lily of the valley, mustard, etc. You can't feed the pig.
Before adopting this animal, carefully study all the plants and herbs that can be given to these animals, and which can be dangerous to its health.

- Pig is obligatory buy a special stone on which she will grind her teeth.

After all, they grow in this pet all his life, and if they are not grinded, then the pig simply will not be able to chew food.
- These cheerful pets are very fond of gnawing tree branches.

Branches of acacia, hazel, willow, birch, oak, maple, etc. are suitable for them. You can give twigs of fruit trees, excluding apricot and cherry.

- In addition to hay and grain, pigs can be given vegetables: cucumbers, potatoes, apples, cabbage, pumpkin, zucchini etc. But be sure to find out in advance how much they can be consumed by your pet.

- In the drinking bowl the water must always be fresh... Water is one of the basic conditions for the proper digestion of guinea pigs. Therefore, you need to change the water in the drinker every day.

- All feed that the pig has not eaten must be removed.

Important features of keeping a guinea pig

Despite its name, you should know that this decorative rodent cannot swim at all. Many do not know this, so you need to immediately explain it to the children.
By and large, guinea pigs are not demanding on care and maintenance, but if you have tamed this animal, please find out more about its needs.

Bathing guinea pigs: care and maintenance

They need to be washed rarely, so as not to disturb the natural fat balance of the coat.

If an unpleasant aroma comes from the animal, you can get rid of it with the help of a special zoological shampoo or a baby hair wash.

It is strictly contraindicated to use other detergents for these purposes, since their use can cause severe itching and hair loss in the animal.

During the bathing procedure care should be taken to avoid getting water in the eyes, nose and ears rodent. In addition, they can often get colds.

Therefore, after taking hygienic baths, it is strictly forbidden to keep an animal with dry hair in a draft. The coat of the pig dries perfectly an ordinary hair dryer.

You should not use cosmetic sprays to make it easier for yourself to comb her coat, as she can lick them off and get stomach poisoning from their chemical ingredients.

VIDEO: Guinea pigs care and maintenance

Habitat (guinea pigs care and maintenance)

An enclosed space with dimensions is sufficient for one animal. 60 and 70 square centimeters... In a smaller area, the guinea pig will not get enough freedom of movement for it. In the form of cage filler, you can use a soft rug or sawdust, or special diapers.

Hay is not suitable for bedding, as it can cause diseases in the animal such as conjunctivitis and skin dermatitis. The use of newsprint poses a real danger to the well-being of a pet, sometimes even fatal, since the composition of printing ink contains such a dangerous chemical as lead.

In the dwelling of the pig, in addition to the feeder, there must certainly be sennik and drinking container... You should use metal feeders and you should never forget that this cute pet is from the breed of real rodents. To drink a guinea pig, you need a ball-shaped container with a chrome tip. Every day you need to pour only clean boiled water about 1 cup.

Guinea pigs are usually dirty. Therefore, once or twice a week it is necessary to clean up the habitat of the animal.

Strong teeth

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

For strong and healthy teeth, be sure to add to her daily diet. hay... It is also necessary to give her vegetables, branches of fruit trees, as well as fruits for food. Vegetables and fruits immediately before feeding the animal, it is recommended to rinse thoroughly in warm water and chop them coarsely.

It is forbidden to give him baked goods, sausages, meat products, milk. Such products can be harmful. It should be remembered that animals that cannot be fed food with a high content of chemical additives include Guinea pigs. Care and maintenance of small pets must comply with the accepted recommendations of veterinarians and the animal's standard of living.

Even bigger chocolate, tea, cookies and drinks with gases can bring harm to the pig.
If the animal does not come to the feeder for about 7 hours, then it must be shown to a ratologist specializing in the treatment of rodents.

Helpful advice regarding care and maintenance of guinea pigs include
careful walking with a guinea pig. You should not let the pig go into the grass, as it can be quite difficult to find it, and for dogs or cats, the animal can become prey.

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

Guinea pigs care and maintenance

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"Guinea pigs care and maintenance"

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Guinea pigs - care and maintenance

This is what a guinea pig looks like

Surely, it will not be a secret to anyone that the news that guinea pigs are one of the most popular species of rodents that lovers of livestock keep in their homes. Well, there is no dispute about tastes - someone likes to keep spiders at home, someone snails, and someone prefers to keep a guinea pig in the house ...

If you are just thinking about whether to get a guinea pig, or you have already been given such a pet, then our publication on how to care for guinea pigs at home, and what you need to know about the special conditions of keeping these rodents is a must it will come in handy ...

Benefits of keeping guinea pigs

First of all, it is the simplicity of maintenance and care that made these rodents such popular candidates for the role of pets. Even if you live in a one-room apartment and spend a lot of time at work, caring for a guinea pig will not cause you any particular difficulties. By the way,

if you spend a lot of time outside the house, then in order for your pet to not get bored, you can purchase several rodents at once. Indeed, in nature, guinea pigs live in flocks. Thus, your pet will not experience a lack of attention and communication, even during your absence ...

Otherwise, these cute hand-made creatures are ready to accept your love and give you their favor and affection. By the way, some guinea pig owners even manage to teach their pets a couple of tricks, which turns them into quite "reasonable" family members who can distract from sad thoughts and bring a smile on their lips ...
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Disadvantages of keeping guinea pigs

Despite the fact that caring for guinea pigs is easy and simple, you still need to take care of them and take care of them on a daily basis.

Moreover, this concern includes cleaning the cage in which you keep the pig, feeding, as well as hygienic procedures (combing - if the pig has long hair, cutting claws, etc.), taking care of the pet's health if he suddenly gets sick.

Therefore, you must be prepared for the fact that you will need to allocate time and money for all this. Are you ready for this? If not, then for now you should refrain from such a responsible step as the appearance of a pet in your house. Because

pets are always a responsibility and new responsibilities for caring for them ...

Another drawback that arises as a result of improper care of these pets is the smell ... However, if you regularly clean and clean the cage in which your rodents live, you can get rid of this smell.
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Features of keeping guinea pigs in the house

So, if you thought that the advantages of keeping guinea pigs at home are greater than the disadvantages, and the difficulties do not scare you, we suggest that you move on to the specific points and aspects of keeping such pets.
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Guinea pig cage

Guinea pig cage

Despite the fact that many owners of these pets keep them out of the cage, we would not recommend that you do this. Firstly, the cage will protect your pet from possible dangers in the face of inattentive family members who inadvertently stepped on the guinea pig and from other pets who wanted to get to know her better.

Secondly, each animal has the right to its own personal space, and such a space for a guinea pig is its cage. As for the size of such a space, no matter how many guinea pigs live in your house, each of them should have at least 40 centimeters in length and 40 centimeters in width of the area.

If you have 2 guinea pigs - this minimum area should be multiplied by 2 ...

As you can imagine, a cage for such a pet should be spacious, durable and reliable. There must be a "refuge" in it, in which the animal can take refuge - due to their natural instincts, in case of danger, guinea pigs hide in holes and shelters in their natural habitat.

By the way, experts do not recommend purchasing wooden cages for keeping guinea pigs, as they absorb moisture and odors and dry longer after cleaning and disinfection, which you must carry out regularly.

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Cell filler

We recommend that you use straw, shavings or hay as the bedding you will use to line the bottom of the cage (by the way, it’s good if the cage has a pull-out tray that will make it easier for you to clean it).

As for small sawdust, although they are softer, but as the experience of those who keep guinea pigs in their house shows, they often get into the eyes, into the respiratory tract of pets, so it is better not to risk the life and health of the pet.

By the way, in veterinary stores and in zoo pharmacies you can also find special fillers - they absorb moisture well, eliminate odors and facilitate cleaning the cage.

We would call this option the best, since a feature of guinea pigs is frequent urination - for them this is the norm, therefore, so that the cage is dry and there is no specific pungent smell in the room, it is better to use such fillers (you can take an ordinary cat litter for the toilet if there is no special or filler for hamsters).

There can be no question of any paper, fabric as a bedding ...

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Temperature conditions for keeping guinea pig

The optimal temperature for the comfortable keeping of guinea pigs, we would call a temperature of 20 degrees above zero Celsius.

These animals do not tolerate heat well, however, they also treat the cold negatively, therefore, in winter, the temperature in the room where they are kept should not be lower than 10 degrees above zero Celsius. As for the humidity indicators, they should be at the level of 50%.

If there is dry air in the room where the cage with guinea pigs is, it must be additionally humidified.

In the summer months, if you go out of town to the dacha and take the pigs with you, you can take them outside in the cage.

And, if you have the opportunity and time, you can even build a small aviary in the shade for them in the country, with a top protected from the rain.

Guinea pigs will be delighted with such a summer house, and since they themselves are very active by nature, the size of such an enclosure should be made with a margin so that the pigs can run and frolic there to their heart's content.

To comply with safety measures, do not forget to cover the top of the aviary with a metal mesh to protect your pets from birds of prey, cats and dogs.

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What do guinea pigs eat?

How to feed your guinea pig

A feature of guinea pigs is their long intestines (this is a natural feature caused by the need to break down cellulose), its length is more than 2 meters, therefore, the digestion processes take a long time for them.

Entering the stomach, food lies there in layers and enters the intestines only after an hour, and can lie there for up to 7 hours. But, the process of passing food through the entire intestine can take a whole week.

Why do we need to know all this? All this indicates that

Guinea pigs are conservatives in terms of nutrition and a change in diet can cause digestive upset in them, therefore, in relation to these pets, it is better not to experiment with the diet.

It is better to immediately choose a balanced food (you can take a specialized one), and adhere to such a strict menu. Otherwise, if you feed your guinea pig with anything, the animal can get sick and die.

It is also very important in relation to guinea pigs to observe the feeding regime, and feed them 2-3 times a day at strictly defined hours. Violation of the feeding regimen can cause diseases of the digestive system.

As for the products that can be given to such a pet, in addition to specialized feed, these are wheat bran, carrots, oats, green food, hay. At the same time, in order for you to have an idea of ​​how much 1 guinea pig should eat per day, we give an approximate menu for an adult -

this is 0.5 kilograms of green food, 100 grams of vegetables or fruits, 50 grams of bran or grains. Green forage can be replaced with hay, then it needs up to 60 grams per day. As for the ready-made pelleted feed, then a guinea pig can be given 10-20 grams of such feed per day.

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Foods that should not be given to guinea pigs

The list of foods that absolutely should not be given to guinea pigs for food includes red cabbage, spoiled or unripe fruits and vegetables, food from the human table, sweets, spoiled food, animal feed (except milk and cottage cheese, which can be given to a guinea pig during the lactation), eggs, meat, sausage, cheese ...
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Vitamins for guinea pigs

Guinea pigs also need to be given vitamins, in particular vitamin C. Every day, along with food, the guinea pig should receive 5 milligrams of vitamin C, diluted in drinking water. Also, during pregnancy, the need for glucose in gilts increases.

As for the owners' comments that often young pigs eat their own or their mother's droppings, then you should not worry about this. Thus, the rodents colonize the intestinal flora with the beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that they need.
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Guinea pig adaptation

Long haired guinea pig

At first, you should be prepared for the fact that your pet will be afraid of you, loud sounds, bright light ... This is normal, since these creatures are very shy by nature.

However, if you are patient, treat your pet in a friendly manner, avoiding sudden movements, and take care of the guinea pig, then soon it will become completely tame and get used to you.

Moreover, she will even begin to recognize you, learn to respond to her nickname and will greet you with her joyful whistle. Yes, guinea pigs are unusually "talkative" and you should be ready for this ...

In case the guinea pig bothers you with its "talkativeness" - you can simply move its cage from your room to another.

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Guinea pig health

If you follow the recommendations regarding the rules for keeping guinea pigs, with proper care for them, and also subject to a balanced diet for them, your pet can live from 4 to 8 years. However, if such recommendations are not followed, the guinea pig may start to get sick and die.

Very often, as a result of non-compliance with sanitary conditions for keeping such rodents, they suffer from ticks, skin parasites and skin diseases. Guinea pigs are also sensitive to hypothermia and overheating, they are afraid of direct sunlight and drafts.

In case you suddenly notice that your pet behaves differently, refuses food and water, his coat looks untidy, and he himself sits huddled in the corner of the cage - you should not postpone a visit to the veterinarian until tomorrow. Contact him today so that he can examine your pet, establish the cause of his condition, diagnose him and prescribe treatment ...
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Breeding guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are distinguished by good fertility, but if you are going to breed them professionally, you should not buy a pair - a male and a female, but take several females and one male. It will be possible to keep such a family of guinea pigs in an arena cage - it is well suited for these purposes.

about guinea pigs

Today we talked about the peculiarities of keeping guinea pigs at home.

About how to care for them, how and what to feed them ... We hope that our publication will help you decide on the answer to the question - is it worth having such a pet, and if you still get a guinea pig in your house, then you you will take proper care of her and take care of her, and your pet will live a long and happy life to your delight ...

Perhaps one of our readers can supplement our publication with their notes on keeping guinea pigs at home or tell us their story about how such a pet lived in his house. We are looking forward to your comments and feedback.