http://www.care2.com/greenliving/guinea-pig-health.html
Guinea Pig Health
Adapted from Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets? by Deborah Straw (Inner Traditions, 2000).
One of the most popular pocket-sized pets–especially with small children–is the guinea pig, or cavy. These pets are relatively easy to care for and are very small. They generally live to be between five and eight years old.
Find out the basics on guinea pig care, here:
1. Diet. Guinea pigs should eat a balanced diet of hay, pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The latter are especially important because guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C. Pellets contain vitamin C, but most experts believe it is important to supplement them. Other C sources include red and green bell peppers, broccoli, kale, cabbage, spinach, chicory, and leaf lettuces.
2. Feeding bowls. Ceramic dishes are best for feeding, as is true for most animals. Do not feed in plastic, because this can precipitate various conditions.
3. Symptoms to watch for. These might warrant immediate attention by a veterinarian: decreased appetite, weight loss or gain, discharge from eyes or nose, diarrhea, limping, lethargy, hair loss, and lumps or bumps.
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add your comment »Happy to say that I now have a very bonded pair of piggies. I took my first one to meet a foster piggy I found on petfinder, and they hit it off right away! They're both males, the new one slightly younger (exact age unknown, as he was found in someone's garage), and it's difficult to tell which one is the dominant since they tend to act as equals. I put them together in a large C&C cage, with a divider to keep them next to each other but separated for the first few days. They would have none of it. Tried to dig under it, chew through it, anything to be together. And now they are the best of friends!
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Overpopulation is as much a problem for guinea pigs as it is with more common pets. Please do not breed guinea pigs or purchase them from pet stores or breeders. There are guinea pig rescue organizations who will gladly work with you to find the best pet-owner match and who will provide the special care instructions that these exotic pets need to live health happy lives. To find one in your area go to Petfinder.org. There you will find many pets who need loving homes.
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why is this inappropriate?
Overpopulation is as much a problem for guinea pigs as it is with more common pets. Please do not breed guinea pigs or purchase them from pet stores or breeders. There are guinea pig rescue organizations who will gladly work with you to find the best pet-owner match and who will provide the special care instructions that these exotic pets need to live health happy lives. To find one in your area go to Petfinder.org. There you will find many pets who need loving homes.
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I tryed to breed 2 females with a male guinea pig .. but for some reason the male didn't breed so they all live happily in a BIG cage.. couldn't ever separate them now they are close.. was gonna get the male neutered after he mated them so they coudl be together.. but its been 2 years now & no babys.. oh will Faith & Hope are better for it.. probably to SPOILT to breed.. I have always had guinea pigs all my life... they are so neat & loving to have...
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We bought a Guinea Pig at the fair & when we went to pick it up someone had stolen it so they gave us another to take that ones place..she was the BEST EVER she had the run of the house & was even potty trained to paper..sad tho that we also raised Rats & they don't mix.. we are sorry that this happened..WE Miss Weeter to this day..
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We put a baby male with an older male. One established dominance (the baby!) and now they live happily together. The older male is happier than when he lived alone. He grooms and purrs more often.
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We put a baby male with an older male. One established dominance (the baby!) and now they live happily together. The older male is happier than when he lived alone. He grooms and purrs more often.
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Pellets for adult guinea pigs should be timothy based, not Alfalfa based. Alfalfa should be given sparingly to pigs over 1 year old, as it can cause calcium build up and bladder sludge. Make sure pigs have plenty of TIMOTHY hay around the clock!
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Pellets for adult guinea pigs should be timothy based, not Alfalfa based. Alfalfa should be given sparingly to pigs over 1 year old, as it can cause calcium build up and bladder sludge. Make sure pigs have plenty of TIMOTHY hay around the clock!
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Boris is getting to cross the Rainbow Bridge--he is approaching his 8th year--what is the lifespan of a guinea pig?
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