All about guinea pigs: how they look, where they live and how to keep them?

Guinea pigs are small pets. These rodents owe their origin to the genus of pigs. It is worth noting that they have nothing to do with farm pigs. The natural habitat is considered the South American continent. Today they are very popular among animal lovers, due to their calm disposition and the complete absence of aggression towards humans.

It is known that guinea pigs in the wild live in South America. In this regard, the tribes living in this area made a huge contribution to the domestication of these animals. This happened a few thousand years ago, around the fifth millennium BC. Modern inhabitants of the northern part of South America added these animals to food.

For some time, these mammals were considered sacrificial animals. The Inca people sacrificed guinea pigs to the sun god. South American tribes had a special love for rodents that had white or brown coat color.

In the modern world, breeders have bred a very large number of new breeds. They number about six thousand species of guinea pigs. These little animals came from Cavia aperea tschudi. The animal lives in modern Chile.

The ancestor of guinea pigs externally has significant differences from the usual pets for us. This is due to the characteristics of the natural habitat. Animals have access to a feed base saturated with cellulose, but the region is very poor in water.

These animals live in small colonies. As a dwelling, they choose rather spacious burrows underground.

Guinea pigs come from a family of half-hoofed rodents. They have the appropriate appearance and body structure.

• The body shape of rodents resembles a small cylinder. In length, it can reach 22 centimeters. Sometimes there are representatives of larger sizes.
• The spine of pigs has a complex structure and consists of cervical, lumbar, sacral, thoracic and caudal vertebrae.
• The collarbone in these animals is completely absent, the same applies to the tail.
• Boys are much larger than the female half of animals. An adult guinea pig weighs an average of 1.2 kilograms.
• The limbs of small guinea pigs. The hind legs are longer than the front.
• On the hind legs in animals there are three fingers, and on the forefoot - four. They look like little hooves.
• An animal’s hair can grow half a centimeter in a week.
• The shape of the head is very large. It has a high degree of brain activity.
• The teeth of animals grow continuously throughout life. For a week, the incisors can grow by 1.5 millimeters. The teeth of these mammals are very powerful, so animals can easily bite root crops and plant stems.
• The digestion process takes a fairly long period of time. This is due to the long length of the organ.
• Guinea pigs can be found both with a long coat, and with a short one. The color of the cover is not limited to one color and can be varied.
• In the wild, the maximum age of the animals does not exceed seven years. At home, it is determined by proper care and maintenance of the pet. The life span of a domesticated rodent can reach fifteen years.

Wild guinea pigs are energetic animals; they usually show their activity in the morning or in the evening after sunset. To catch these animals by surprise is almost impossible. They are restless and nimble. Guinea pigs live in the highlands. They can also be found in forest areas.

If the animals do not find large and deep holes, they equip their homes in the form of a nest. The place is chosen quiet and secluded. Rodents strengthen their home using thin twigs of plants and dry grass.

Guinea pigs do not tolerate loneliness, so they unite in colonies and live on the same perimeter. The number of females in a pack is usually several times greater than the number of males. Pets mostly live in large cages. They need a lot of space for walking. Guinea pigs sleep several times a day. In some cases, the animal can rest with its eyes open.

Guinea pigs tolerate high and low temperatures, as well as their fluctuation. Immature rodents may not survive the onset of cold weather.

Animals also know how to swim. It is not difficult for them to cross a small body of water. Also, animals normally tolerate high humidity, they are not afraid of rains. Some representatives of guinea pigs equip their homes near a reservoir. Algae and other plants growing in water can be their food.

Interesting fact: Guinea pigs are considered not only pets, they are also widely used in research activities.

Breeders brought a huge number of breeds of guinea pigs. This is due to the great popularity of animals as pets.

• Alpaca. This guinea pig breed is characterized by the presence of long and curly hair. It is very thick and has an incredibly beautiful appearance. On the back of the rodents are two outlets. It can also be found on the forehead. The paws of the animal are completely overgrown with hair. The cover is located upward.

• Texel. The fur of representatives of this breed of pigs has a beautiful appearance. It curls quite strongly and gives the effect of perm. These rodents are often found as pets.

• Abyssinian. This wonderful animal is considered one of the oldest representatives of its kind. The coat is very hard, there are several outlets on it. These pets are quite energetic, therefore their appetite is very good.

• Merino. This breed has a long wavy fur. Closer to the muzzle, it resembles whiskers. On a small head are very large eyes. The ears of a guinea pig are also famous for their large size. Merino is distinguished by his strong physique.

• Angora. This guinea pig breed is characterized by the presence of a long drooping bangs and stiff whiskers. The eyes are dark in color, the ears are small. Smooth guinea pig has a rather diverse cover color. Often there are representatives of this breed, the wool of which has a white or black color.

• Rex. Externally, these guinea pigs can resemble a plush toy. This is because the hair of these rodents is very short. On the back, the cover is distinguished by a rigid structure.

• Californian. This breed was bred in Peru, but a huge amount of breeding work falls on California. In its physique and coat, it is very similar to the classic representatives of guinea pigs. This breed is characterized by the presence of hanging ears, rounded in shape.

• Sheltie. This breed of animal has a long coat. Its structure is direct. On the head is the so-called mane. Until a certain age, the hair of guinea pigs remains short.

• Selfie These short-haired animals are considered the most popular among pet lovers. The animal captivates by the fact that the color scheme of its cover is very diverse and contrasting.

Immediately after acquiring a guinea pig, the pet goes through the process of adapting to new conditions. Therefore, do not be surprised if at first the animal will behave very quietly and calmly. Rodents at this time are afraid of any rustle and practically do not move. Also at the initial stage of adaptation, pets eat very poorly.

The animal must eat well, it is necessary that the diet consist of four meals. One serving is 2 tablespoons. At first, the guinea pig may not eat everything. But this does not mean that the portion size should be reduced. The fullness of these animals is the key to excellent health.

Guinea pigs feed on hay, and in the summer - fresh grass. During pregnancy, females and feeding offspring are fed no more than twice a day. Parsley is contraindicated in this period. In water intended for pets, it is recommended to add vitamin C, in case the feed does not contain this component.

Products that should be in the diet of a pet:

• cucumbers
• salad;
• beet;
• pears
• corn;
• pumpkin;
• apples
• Bell pepper;
• carrot.

It is best to give cabbage to animals in limited quantities. Dried rosehips can be added to the feed. As additives, you can also use the leaves of herbal plants. You can also add salt in small quantities (up to 2 grams) to the animal’s food.

Pure grain crops are strictly not recommended for pigs., as this can adversely affect health, and subsequently lead to obesity pet. They must be mixed with vegetables or herbs.

One guinea pig can be placed in a small cage; it must be at least one meter long. It is desirable that its rods be stained. It is also necessary to take care of the presence of a small door for the animal.

The animals are not able to move in height, therefore, cages multi-tier in structure are not suitable for guinea pigs. In the cage should place a drinking bowl for them with a volume of 0.25 liters and a container for food. It is recommended to purchase a pet carrier.

Such animals are easy to train if you deal with them daily. You can teach a guinea pig to your hands in a short period of time, these animals quickly get used to their owners.

It is best to train animals using a variety of goodies. Also, you need to play with animals, because guinea pigs live in packs and alone can easily be stressed. Even a single workout will be enough to tame.

In order for the animal not to be sick, it is enough to adhere to the basic rules for keeping pets. The most common diseases among guinea pigs are related to the digestive system. Guinea pigs may also be exposed to colds.

Symptoms of the disease:

• thirst;
• unusual behavior;
• trouble breathing
• cough;
• decline in activity;
• loose stools;
• the formation of ulcers on the skin;
• the animal may begin to molt;
• runny nose
• parasites in the wool.

After acquiring a guinea pig, it is best to keep it in isolation and prevent contact with other pets for two weeks. Usually, domesticated rodents do not need vaccination. In some cases, you can do vaccination against bordetellosis. This does not mean that the animal will be protected from this disease. The vaccine will only alleviate the symptoms of the disease. For this reason, many do not resort to this prophylactic method at all.

Guinea pigs are considered not to be picky about care. The process will not take you much time and effort.

• Long-haired guinea pigs must be combed at least once a week.
• It is necessary to regularly inspect the body of the animal.
• Do not forget to cut the guinea pig's nails. This is done very carefully so as not to injure the pet. You can cut them with a special nail clipper or manicure tweezers.
• It is recommended that you ventilate the room where the pet is kept from time to time.
• Cleaning is done once every 4 days.
• If the coat is very dirty, it must be washed with shampoo.
• At least once a month, anthelmintic preparations should be given to the pet.

Guinea pigs are capable of rapid reproduction. The main thing is to properly care for the female and her offspring, otherwise the animals may experience complications. In one litter there can be a maximum of 8 cubs.

At the age of five months, the animals are ready for breeding. Weight should not be less than 700 grams. Animals of only one breed are crossed. Breeding can be done no more than twice a year. Animals mate when the female begins to estrus. On average, this process takes six weeks. No human intervention is required. Knitting can last no more than two seconds.

The gestation period lasts depending on the number of cubs. Usually this process takes 65 days. It is strongly not recommended to disturb the pregnant female in every possible way, since any such actions can lead to a miscarriage. Before delivery, the cell should be disinfected. The bottom must be filled with hay.

Birth in a guinea pig lasts for an hour. Small animals are born already with hair and sighted. In most cases, the shell in which the cub is born is bitten by the female. In some cases, this process requires human intervention.

At first, the mother herself feeds the offspring with her milk. Small guinea pigs begin to eat food a week after birth. Separate mother and offspring after one month.

Few people know that guinea pigs were named so not because they like ponds or water procedures, but because in the old days they were brought to our region from distant sea voyages.

It is interesting to know that guinea pigs have a unique language of sounds. Thus, by the sounds, you can easily determine the mood of the animal.

• Continuous eating indicates that the pet is hungry.
• When the pigs greet each other, they begin to grunt. It also means that animals study each other.
• If the pigs knock their teeth or growl at each other, this indicates irritation of the animals.
• Guinea pigs can even cluck. This behavior indicates a good mood pet. This also applies to cooing.
• If you heard a long squeal, then this indicates that the animal is experiencing pleasure. In this case, the animal may whistle.
• Before mating, individuals of the opposite sex begin to coo.
• When the pet groans very loudly, this may indicate that he is in pain. If in this case he will be practically motionless and be in a state of drowsiness, then the animal is sick. Also evidence of illness may indicate the formation of nitrous in the eyes.

Many owners buy guinea pigs for breeding. Often such animals are very expensive. But you can not do without it, because for successful crossing it is recommended to purchase animals with a good pedigree.

Owners of such pets do not recommend crossing animals of different breeds.

As a result, the offspring will relate to low-quality decorative animals. Also, in the case of crossing guinea pigs of different breeds, the offspring can be born with various defects, and their development will be very slow.

Many are also of the opinion that it is much more practical to get a guinea pig than a cat or a dog. Such an animal is less trouble and takes up much less space in the house.

Some complain about the aggressiveness of guinea pigs. In this state, they can even bite. Basically, this kind of problem is faced by owners who do not pay enough attention to the pet.

Recently, pet lovers have begun to give preference to original animals. Exotic species of animals are beginning to be in demand more and more. Therefore, pig breeding today is gaining momentum, there are many breeding work in this industry.

If you are still in doubt whether to purchase a guinea pig or not, then the following video will help you make the right choice. It talks about all the pros and cons of keeping and breeding.