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This site is last modified on 09/01/2003 |
[amount] [needs] [food] [health] [looking after] Guinea pigs belong to a group of animals called rodents which include hamsters, mice, gerbils, chincillas, porcupines and rats. They have teeth that grow throughout their lives. Some guinea pigs have short hair, while others have long hair that covers their eyes. There are even some with curly fur. They have a good sense of smell and hearing which help them escape from predators. Guinea pigs can grow to a size of a small rabbit and live for 4 to 8 years. So if you plan to keep one, make sure you are able to take care of them for that period of time and please DO NOT abandon them halfway. Guinea pigs are active in night and rest in day. They are shy and timid and do not usually bite. Loud noises or sudden moves can scare them and make them hide in a corner or stand very still. Guinea pigs do not like to be picked up. They prefer to rest on your lap or play on the floor. They need a patient and gentle owner who spends quiet time stroking them. They do not like to be ignored or left alone for too long. Guinea pigs make squealing noises when they are hungry. They clean themselves using their paws and saliva. [behaviour] [needs] [food] [health] [looking after] Guinea pigs love companies, so it is better to get two of them, preferably of the same sex. DO NOT put them with rabbits as the rabbits may kick them and they do not make good friends. [behaviour] [amount] [food] [health] [looking after] Guinea pigs spend their entire lives in cages so make sure to make them as comfortable and as fun as possible. Newspaper, sawdust and sand are not good beddings while wood shavings and aspen are the best.
[behaviour] [amount] [needs] [health] [looking after] Guinea pigs, like us humans, need to maintain a balanced diet, so do not feed them only one kind of food. They are herbivores which eat ONLY plant matter, but do not feed them too much vegetables, or they might get a tummy ache. Remember not to feed them too much or they will get fat and unhealthy.
[behaviour] [amount] [needs] [food] [looking after] If your guinea pig is sick, you need to take them to an animal doctor, known as a veterinarian. A veterinarian will be able to answer all your questions about your guinea pig. [behaviour] [amount] [needs] [food] [health] Guinea pigs have very small feet compared to rabbits and it is dangerous for them to live in cages with bars at the bottom as their feet could fall and get stuck. Their bedding needs to be changed daily or it would be very smelly. You can feed it 1 to 2 times a day and make sure it always have a fresh supply of water from a water bottle. When their nails grow too long, you would need to trim them. Bathe your guinea pig when they are dirty, but not too often.
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