Guinea Pigs are one of the world's most popular household pets and are
domesticated all around the world. Their sweet, docile nature and highly
affectionate and sociable personalities make them a firm favourite
animal particularly amongst children, who are able to care for these
little creatures with relative ease (providing they have the constant
supervision of a responsible adult). Originally from the Central Andes
Mountains of South America where they were first domesticated by local
people, they were introduced to the rest of the world by the Spanish
after their South American "discovery" in the 1500s.
Guinea
Pigs (also known as Cavies) are herbivorous and highly sociable animals
that spend many hours grazing on grasses, leaves and other plant
materials such as seeds, flowers and bark. Although naturally diurnal,
they are most active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn when
there is less of a threat from potential predators, who find it
difficult to hunt in the drastically changing light. They have sharp
eye-sight and an exceptional sense of smell and hearing ensuring that
they can pick up on approaching danger effectively.
Looking after
Guinea Pigs at home can be a highly rewarding experience but it is
always essential that it is a task you are fully committing too, as it
is the owners legal responsibility to ensure that any animal in their
care is well-treated and that their basic welfare needs are met - the
most important things being:
- having a suitable and safe environment to live in;
- a healthy, appropriate and well balanced diet;
- the ability to express their normal behaviours;
- appropriate companionship;
- protection from pain and suffering, injury and disease.
HousingGuinea
Pigs are very active animals and need space to run around. In the wild,
they reside in burrows or crevices in the rocks to keep them both safe
from predators and warm during the cold nights. Ensuring that your
Guinea Pigs have the right sized hutch is essential to their wellbeing.
Guinea Pigs can either be kept in a secure wooden hutch outdoors that is
raised from the ground to prevent it from getting damp, or in a hutch
indoors ensuring that there is somewhere for them to hide and sleep.
They need space in which to exercise so whether that's a run in the
garden or a play pen in the house it is important that they are able to
have a wander around. They may also be left to roam indoors in a room
but it is essential in this case that there are no small gaps for them
to get stuck in or wires that they can chew.
DietGuinea
Pigs are herbivores and only eat plant materials. Their natural diet
that includes a range of grasses, leaves and flowers is naturally very
high in vitamin C which is essential in maintaining a healthy immune
system to protect them parasites and disease. Domestic Guinea Pigs need
to have constant access to a good supply of grass and hay (they not only
eat it but also use it to nest in to keep warm or hide in to feel
safe). Dark leafy greens should be provided on a daily basis with kale,
broccoli, herbs and dandelion leaves being among their favourites. They
can have a wide variety of vegetables such as green beans, carrots,
pepper and cauliflower leaves but it is always advisable to double check
with your vet or in a Guinea Pig care guide before feeding them
something you are not sure of. Fruits such as apples, pears and grapes
are loved by Guinea Pigs but should only be given as occasional treats
due to their high sugar content. It is always recommended to supplement
their diet with specialist Guinea Pig food on a daily basis. Along with
ensuring that your Guinea Pigs have access to plenty of both fresh and
dried food, it is essential that they have clean water at all times.
BehaviourGuinea
Pigs are natural grazers and have four long incisors at the front of
their mouths that grow constantly. The backs of their teeth are made up
of a softer material than the hard enamel on the front and wears down
with gnawing to ensure that their teeth remain sharp. In order to ensure
that their teeth remain sharp and healthy, it is essential that they
have plenty of things to gnaw on including wooden toys and willow balls.
Providing lots of little toys and hiding food around their hutch will
also stop them from getting bored when you are not around. Guinea Pigs
use a wide variety of vocalisations in which to communicate with each
other including chirping, squeaking and burbling. When they are really
excited (particularly when they are young) they are prone to
"popcorning" - they jump in the air in between running and quickly
changing direction to jump again to display their excitement. Guinea
Pigs are known to freeze when they become scared and then often run
away. It is important to understand that this is a normal behavioural
trait for them but with enough handling they often calm. If they become
very scared and therefore angry they make a noise that sounds like them
grinding their teeth together. This is a warning from them telling you
they are annoyed and it is best to let them calm down and relax and not
pester them further.
CompanionshipGuinea
Pigs are highly sociable animals that reside together in the wild in
small groups of up to 10 individuals. In most instances, domestic Guinea
Pigs are most happy when kept in pairs or small groups. The most usual
combinations are two females (known as sows), or a group of females or a
neutered male (boar) with a single female. They can often be heard
chatting away to each other and enjoy cuddling up and feeding together.
However, they are also incredibly sociable and affectionate towards
people and may start to squeak or purr when they see their owners. They
love being cuddled and held which is something that should be done on an
at least daily basis.
ProtectionAs their
owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are safe in their
environment and lead a healthy lifestyle. Guinea Pigs can suffer easily
from upset tummies so it essential to introduce new foods slowly to
prevent them from getting poorly. Sodden and soiled sawdust and bedding
should be removed on a daily basis with a full clean of the hutch using
an animal-safe disinfectant happening once a week. It is important to
check their nails and teeth regularly, with annual health checks at the
vets being highly recommended for all owners to ensure that they are
healthy and thriving.
