The guinea pig is a species that belongs to the class Mammalia (mammals), order Rodentia (rodents), family Caviidae, genus Cavia. The genus Cavia has five species. These are the following:
Cavia tschudii (Fitzinger, 1857)i c g
Cavia aperea (Erxleben, 1777)i c g
Cavia fulgida (Wagler, 1831)i c g
Cavia magna (Ximinez, 1980)i c g
Cavia porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)i c g
The native places of this species are the plateaus and rocky regions of the Western states of South America: Peru, southern Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, northern Chile.
Guinea pig feed
The guinea pig will have permanent access to drinking water. It is wrong to say that he does not need water. There's a big difference between surviving, or living healthy!
Although greens, vegetables and fruits contain a significant amount of water, it is difficult to judge what amount of liquids would provide its daily needs, these needs being influenced by the environment temperature, air humidity, weight/condition of the pig, etc.
The best choice will be an adapter that can be installed at the edge of the cage. Piggy can easily learn to use the adapter, and we are sure that the water will not be dirty or overturned. There are several types of adapters.
Careful! The adapter with a metal beak is the right choice, the one with a glass beak can break easily. If you don't have the opportunity to buy adaptors, you can use a thicker and heavier dish that it can't turn over. Piggy has the special talent to dirty and to overturn the tray with water.
It is very important that the recently bought pig not to change his diet suddenly, so his body will adapt without risk to the new diet. It is preferable to receive food from the breeder for about a week. In this way we will be able to mix the two foods and we will be able to gradually switch to the new food, if the change in diet is necessary.
The fan has a special role in the digestion of the pig, keeping it healthy. It will give fresh fan every day and throughout the year. Food specially designed for pigs can not replace the fan, whatever type of food they consume, the fan must be permanently in front of him!
Some greens, vegetables and fruits that can be given to the pig – alternatively – besides green grass and hay: – carrots (if it is organic/bio product, a smaller piece can be given daily) cucumbers, dill, kale, kale leaf, parsley, parsley leaf, carrot leaf, bell pepper, broccoli leaf, fodder beets (and leaf), tomatoes, cauliflower leaf, cauliflower, parsnip, eggplant, lettuce, cabbage, apples, cherries, peaches, grapes, plums, Tangerines, oranges, bananas, kiwi, lubenita, melon, pumpkin, zucchini, tender corn silk, tender corn cob peel, green corn leaf, asparagus, tender peas in pods, turnips, mustard leaf, beetroot, celery leaf, radish leaf, spinach, chicory leaf, endive, etc.
We will never give the pig hot food or vegetables that come from bulbs (onions, garlic, etc.). We will introduce new foods gradually and only one new food per day.Guinea pig behavior
In nature guinea pigs live in groups of 5-10 individuals, this life form is advantageous for them, having a greater chance of survival in the wild.
In the genes of these cute little mammals, the sociable instinct remained ingrained, the domestic variant also prefers group life. If we want our little piggy to have a good time, let's give him a friend.
Pigs kept in separate cages, but placed in close proximity feel better than lonely ones, because they can smell and hear the sounds of their partner (s) – being sociable animals, it is important to maintain olfactory and auditory contact with their own species.
If we deal with him, if we take him more often in our arms, lure him with various small rewards (a slice of cucumber or another favorite food), sometimes feed him on his lap talking often with him, slowly he will tame and will not be scared to manipulation. He will recognize our voice, feeling the smell of our skin he will calm down, and with his specific grunt he will show us his affection.
Whenever we approach the cage, shall we say a few words to him ? it's good to hear our voice before it's taken out – so he won't be scared. The pig has a well-developed sense of hearing, it can recognize us even by the way we walk, distinguishing our steps from others.
Rumbling ,rumbling – makes sounds similar to the motorboat) - this sound we hear in both males and females, and is used in different situations: arousal, excitement, greeting, expression of dominance, etc.
Screaming-sound of hunger, loneliness, pain, fear. Thanks to living with Man, The Pig has acquired a conditioned reflex. Hearing the noise preceding the feeding (the noise of the nylon bag, the opening of the refrigerator, the arrival of the master, etc.) The Pig makes a sharp, impatient scream (often even then, when he is not hungry )
With a crying scream he expresses loneliness, depression. If he is scared or afraid (panics), he screams with fear.
Appearance guinea pig
Although those with long fur seem much nicer to you, before adopting him, think about how much time you can spend on caring for him every day.
A piglet with short fur is suitable for a very busy person or for a child. Instead, one with long or very long fur, requires special care and daily combing. Otherwise his fur will get tangled very much uncomfortable.
In this case you will have to take it to the veterinarian to take it off or to trim it, if necessary. It is also recommended that pigs with long fur be trimmed regularly, because it grows quickly (in some breeds exceeding 2 cm per month).
Breeding guinea pig
Females may be pregnant immediately after reaching the tender age of 4-5 weeks, which is not recommended. Because of this at the age of 3-4 weeks they will separate from males, such an early pregnancy is dangerous and dangerous.
For breeding is recommended age 5-6 months, up to the age of 8-10 months. If by the age of one year the female has not given birth (!), no longer recommended for reproduction, after this age the vast majority will die during childbirth. The pelvis does not dilate properly and the female will no longer be able to give birth without a C-section.
The gestation period is 59-73 days (generally 68 days), and on average 3-5 Cubs are born.
We will pay attention to her nutrition during gestation, the female will need a double amount of Vitamin C during this period. Calcium intake is also increased during the last two weeks of gestation and during breastfeeding.
It will be kept in a suitable environment where it can be active, we will create conditions, so that the pregnant female can move a lot, to give birth more easily. We will give him greens, vegetables and fruits with high content of Vitamin C.
