Guinea Pigs
Varieties
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Abyssinian – Hair is made up of swirls called
rosettes
American – Short glossy hair
Peruvian – Long hair
Teddy – Short, Kinky hair
Texel – Long curly coat
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18
+1800&aid=2838
Characteristics
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Rodents
Adults weigh – 1-4 pounds
Body is short and stocky with short legs
Excellent hearing
Communicate with high pitched squeals and
whistles
2 males can not live together
Apply pressure by genitals to identify if it is a
male or female. Females have “Y” shaped
genital area.
Housing
Cages should be wide and deep so that they do
not scatter bedding around
 House
 Chew Toys
 Food bowl that they
Can not knock over
Water bottle
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Feeding
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Guinea pigs are vegetarians
Pellets from pet store
Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C so it
must be supplied in their diet
Fresh greens, fruits, green vegetables are great
treats for GP
Timothy Hay every day
Guinea pigs drink a lot of water
CAUTION: Food to AVOID at
All Costs (Guinea Pigs)
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Altered food: cooked, tinned, preserved, etc.
Pickled vegetables: sour krauts, dills, capers
Potatoes: skin and eyes are poisonous, very starchy, high in oxalic acid
Nuts, Seeds, Lentils, Beans (exception are green beans)
Rhubarb
Mushrooms
Red hot chilli peppers, Jalapeno peppers, Hot herbs and spices
Collard Greens: could cause gas
Bok choy
Dairy products, Meat, Fish, Eggs, Bread, Chocolate
Alcohol, Teas, Coffee, Carbonated Drinks, Fruit juices (exception can be made on sugar-free or unsweetened juices)
Peanut butter, cakes, cookies, baked goods
Iceberg lettuce: practically no nutritional value, very fibrous and watery
Corn kernels, Popcorn: risk of choking
Seeds: risk of choking
Tomato leaves
Tamarillo leaves
Avocado, Coconut: too high in fat
Taro: dangerous if eaten raw
Jams, jellies and fruit preserves: too high in sugar
Any non guinea pig food which often contain seeds and different balance of vitamins and minerals which aren’t suited for a
guinea pig’s dietary needs
Information
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Gestation 69 days
Litter size 4
Wean 4 weeks
Lifespan 5-8years
Sexually mature 6 weeks
Female must be mated before 6 months or pelvic
bone fuses and she will never be able to give birth
Origin – South America
Health Problems
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Common Disease: Scurvy – Lack of Vitamin
C – Hair loss, rough coat, diarrhea
Respiratory diseases
Malocclusion – Upper and lower teeth grow to
long
Handling
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Grasp firmly around front shoulders with one
hand and have its rear supported with the other
hand.
Once picked up it should be cradled against the
body
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http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pigeating/
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http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and
_laboratory_animals/rodents/guinea_pigs.html
#v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt=
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm