JSPCA GUINEA PIG FACT SHEET

History and Biology

The pet guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is descended from the wild guinea pig that used to live in the Andes Mountains.  Guinea pigs (properly known as cavies) were domesticated some 7000 years ago and have been kept as a source of food by people in the Stone Age, by the Incas and today, by people in the highlands of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

Guinea pigs are rodents.  Many rodents are born blind, but guinea pig babies are fully developed with fur and open eyes and can feed themselves from birth.  In the wild they live in small social groups of five to ten animals.  They can run quite fast, but cannot jump or climb.  On average guinea pigs can weigh 750 –1000 grams and can live five to seven years. 

Guinea pigs may have a number of different hair types and colour varieties.  Three of the most common hair types include smooth coated varieties (Short hair), wiry coats that form rosettes (Abyssinians) and very long fine hair (Peruvians).  Coat colouring can be solid single colours (‘selfs’) or blocks and bands of colours.  Agouti guinea pigs have hair with several different bands of colour.

Housing

Guinea pigs are social animals and are best housed in pairs or small groups – either single sex or mixed sex groups with the males neutered.  Provided the animals have been reared together from a young age, they will form stable groups and fighting is rare.  Entire females and males can fight, but neutering will often resolve such problems.

Guinea pigs are best kept in a hutch, with either a large run connected to it or a separate pen for daily exercise and grazing.  The hutch should have an enclosed solid-sided nesting area for shelter and a mesh-fronted section.  The hutch should be around four to five times the length of the guinea pig when it is stretched out.  This will need to be much larger if you are keeping more than one guinea pig.  Glass aquariums do not provide sufficient ventilation.  The hutch should be placed in a position that is sheltered and out of direct sunlight.  Extremes of temperature can cause stress, which may result in discomfort or illness.

If kept outdoors, a solid rainproof hutch, off the ground, with access to a run is required.  Ensure the roof is sloping, waterproofed and overhangs slightly to avoid poor drainage. They need protection from extremes of heat, cold and damp. Alternatively, guinea pigs can be kept indoors in a light hutch, using a pen for exercise in the day. The hutch should have a sleeping area (for example a cardboard box) and a hay rack.  Dust free sawdust for litter should be used and good quality dry hay or straw for bedding.  Do not use cedar or pine chips because the oils they contain can be dangerous to a guinea pig.  Be sure to change the bedding often enough to keep it dry and odour free.  Flooring should be smooth and solid.

Enclosures must be strong enough to exclude cats and other predators.  Ideally, they should also prevent the entry of wild birds, which may be sources of bacterial infection.

Hutches must be cleaned frequently, typically two or three times a week, as guinea pigs are rather messy animals.  This is especially important in warmer weather in order to prevent flies being attracted to the hutch, as this may result in an infestation of maggots.  In the wetter months, bedding can become damp and mouldy from extreme weather.

Guinea pigs can become apprehensive in large open spaces and so hiding places and shelter, such as a section of plastic drain pipe, boxes and logs (natural wood – willow, beech, hazel or apple) should be provided in the run.  A guinea pig’s natural instinct is to forage, explore and socialise.  Hide food in different places and your guinea pig will be encouraged to find his food – this helps to prevent him from becoming bored.

Guinea pigs' teeth grow continuously, just like those of all other rodents.  So it is important for you to give your guinea pig a piece of wood to gnaw on and wear his teeth down.  It is best to provide a tree branch, such as from the apple tree, that has not been painted or treated with pesticides or other chemicals.  

It is best not to keep guinea pigs with rabbits, as cross infection with bacterial agents can occur between the rabbit and the guinea pig.  There also may be bullying, as rabbits are naturally dominant.

Diet

Guinea pigs need feeding twice a day, every day (in the morning and in the evening).  A good quality earthenware bowl is essential to keep the food dry and clean, and to prevent the guinea pig from tipping the food on to the floor of the hutch.  Their bowls must be cleaned after every use.  Water should be available at all times and should be offered in a bottle.

Guinea pigs are selective feeders so complete specially formulated pelleted guinea pig diets are preferable, as they help to ensure that the animal receives a balanced diet.  Daily supplementing with hay and fresh vegetables is necessary.  Hay or grass MUST be available at all times – hay in their diet provides fibre to aid digestion and helps to wear their continuously growing teeth. Green food should be offered every day.  Cabbage trimmings and lettuce (in small amounts) are suitable.  In summer, fresh grass and dandelions can be given.  Root vegetables, like carrots, are ideal, but NOT potatoes.  Fruit, such as apple, helps to provide essential vitamin C.  However, you must make sure that you remove any leftover fresh food before it spoils.

It is essential that guinea pigs receive an adequate intake of vitamin C, as they are unable to make this vitamin naturally and will fall ill without it.  Guinea pig pellets are supplemented with it, where as rabbit pellets are not, so you must buy only guinea pig food.   Some forms of vitamin C are unstable so the amount of vitamin C in pelleted diets can reduce rapidly in food stored for long periods of time.  Therefore, it is important to observe the manufacturers recommendations for shelf life and storage condition of pelleted diets.

Handling and Behaviour

Guinea pigs make wonderful companions.  However, they must be treated very gently as they dislike being handled and are quite nervous and easily stressed.  When handling your guinea pig, talk to him as you approach him.  Gently, but firmly, place your hand across its shoulders with the thumb behind the front legs on one side.  Slowly lift the guinea pig and place your other hand under his rump and then place him on your lap or hold him to your chest.

Guinea pigs are sociable and constantly communicate with each other using different squeaks.  Guinea pigs tend to whistle when someone coming into the room excites them or when they are offered a treat.  Guinea pigs need company.  Adult males fight, but a father and son can be kept together.  They breed from three months of age so males and females should not be kept together, unless neutered, thus preventing creating the problem of unwanted pets.

Guinea pigs groom themselves, but brushing them on a regular basis will help keep their coat clean and remove loose hairs.  Long-haired guinea pigs, such as the Peruvian breeds, must be brushed regularly in order to prevent tangles and knots.

Neutering

Neutering will help prevent unwanted pregnancies.  Male guinea pigs can be castrated from approximately four months of age, but it is also preferable to ensure that he is a good, healthy weight before he undergoes the operation.  Male guinea pigs can be introduced to females after castration, but only after a minimum of four weeks after their operation. 

Neutering females is a more complicated operation with a slightly higher degree of risk.  However, the development of ovarian cysts in females can cause hair loss and subsequent neutering of  females with this condition will result in hair regrowth.

Contact your veterinary surgery for further information and advice about neutering guinea pigs.

Common Diseases and Ailments

Dental problems – As all rodents, guinea pigs' teeth continue to grow throughout their life.  Guinea pigs require a high fibre diet to ensure their teeth are evenly worn and to prevent overgrowth.  If the teeth are not worn, they grow incorrectly, leading to discomfort, abscesses and lack of appetite.  Indication of dental problems may be saliva around the mouth, chest or front paws, and an inability to eat or teeth grinding.  Seek veterinary advice if you are at all concerned.

Abscesses – These can be caused during knocks or fights, or even by food that is sharp and has injured the mouth.  The abscess will be feel like a hard lump. The guinea pig should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, so that the abscess can be treated.

Parasitic skin complaints – Guinea pigs are prone to skin conditions, perhaps the most common of which is mange.  Mange is caused by a little mite that burrows into the skin surface.  There will be small raised spots on the skin that can become dry.  The guinea pig will scratch at these itchy areas, which will develop into scabs and cause its hair to fall out.  Lice can also be a problem for guinea pigs and may cause dermatitis.  If you suspect that your guinea pig may have either lice or mange, it is important that you take your guinea pig to the vet for treatment.  All unaffected guinea pigs that are in contact with the affected guinea pig should be treated and the cage environment should be thoroughly cleaned.   

Fly strike – flies are attracted to guinea pig droppings, whether they are in the hutch or around the rear end of the guinea pig.  Fly eggs will hatch into maggots, initially feed on the droppings and may then burrow into the guinea pig and eat its flesh.  This will result in discomfort, pain, and often death.   Avoid fly strike by removing droppings regularly from the hutch, grooming your guinea pig daily and ensuring good ventilation to the hutch, as this will prevent flies becoming attracted to, and then trapped in the hutch.  Seek veterinary attention immediately if you suspect fly strike.

Overgrown claws – inspect claws regularly and clip if necessary. Contact your veterinary surgery for advice.

Colds – usually caused by damp and draughts.  Unless treated quickly, respiratory infections can result in pneumonia and death.  Contact your veterinary surgeon immediately if you think that your guinea pig may have a chest infection. 

Always consult your vet if you have ANY reason for concern about your guinea pig’s health.

 

 

 

JSPCA working to

“prevent cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for aged, sick, lost and unwanted animals.”

Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Inc.)

Founded 1868 – Incorporated 1936

89 St Saviour’s Road, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4GJ         

Tel: 01534 724331          Fax: 01534 871797

E-mail: info@jspca.org.je          Website: www.jspca.org.je

 

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