Your guinea pig will love all the food you offer, but if sits in their bowl for more than four hours, its time to take it away. Kellyville pets has a range of guinea pigs for sale in sydney, nsw. The guinea pig neither comes from guinea, nor is it a pig. A good breeder will make sure the babies are socialized well and handled from an early age. Apart from improving your kids coloring skills, compiling guinea pig coloring sheets will also help your child understand the animals habitat and daily life better. Guinea pigs prefer to live with the companionship of. Breeders are your best option if looking for a showquality pig, a specific breed, and even petquality pigs. You should be sure that the walls are high enough that hedgie cannot climb out, and be sure to line any mesh floors with coroplast, tile. Your guinea pig is a herbivore, which means he eats only plant material.
Like other members of the rodent family though, they have open rooted teeth. They are unique amongst the rodent family in that they require vitamin c to be added to their diet, like primates. Cavy is short for the species name cavia porcellus. Teeth guinea pigs teeth can get too long, causing pain and. You can read additional info about cages on guinea pig cages page. Guinea pigs have 4 toes on the forefoot and 3 on the hind foot. Each guinea pig has five different types of hair that makes up their coat. Caring for guinea pigs 6 do not feed mueslistyle dry food a mix of seeds and flakes because it can cause a lot of problems. Here at the animal welfare league qld, we are very proud of our guinea pig adoption program and the way in which our piggies are cared.
Your pet will depend on you for food, water, medical care, and companionship. Caring for guinea pigs 10 parasites guinea pigs can pick up parasites. Your guinea pigs formal scientific name is the cavia porcellus, so many people call them cavies. Faecal impaction in guinea pigs faecal impaction is a condition seen most commonly in entire male guinea pigs after 23 years of age. Guinea pigs prefer to live with the companionship of another guinea pig and can be housed together with the same gender. We have designed these popular downloadable and printable guinea pig care sheets to help keep on track with the daily care of these amazing pets. Learn the 10 best care practices which guarantee guinea pigs longterm optimal performance.
Guinea pigs have been domestic pets for over 400 years. The life span of a guinea pig is 56 years under optimal conditions. Hairless guinea pigs benefit from a small amount of nontoxic aloebased lotion rubbed onto skin to keep it soft. The guinea pig is a native of peru, brazil, and argentina that was domesticated by the inca indians. At least 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, 16 inches high. You will need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement to your rabbits water as rabbits cannot produce their own vitamin c. Guinea pig cage first rule of correct guinea pig care. The exact reason for its occurrence is unknown, but it is thought that the increased size of the testicles and fat deposit in. Oxbow essentials young guinea pig food for guinea pigs under six months of age. When full grown, they weigh around 12 pounds and are 810 inches long. Keep fruits and vegetables low in calcium, low in oxalic acids and to aim for a good balance of calcium. The care of guinea pigs guinea pigs belong to the rodent family and originate from south america. Guinea pigs are lively, lovable pets that require relatively easy care. Guinea pigs need their nails clipped approximately once a month.
Guinea pigs have been kept in captivity for hundreds of years, originating from the forests and grasslands of south america where their wild relatives still roam. Described as cuddly and comical, guinea pigs love to vocalize with squeals, chirps, squeaks, and whistles. They will start wandering around an hour after birth and can take solid food within a day or. The only way to talk to an actual person was if i knew the exact name or extension to reach someone. Print single sheet, flip paper, print on back, cut and fold. Why not bookmark this guinea pig care sheet page so you can easily reference it for guidance on feeding and housing your guinea pig. Guinea pigs also known as cavies are a species of rodent native to the south american andes. Logo usage 2 color logo 1 color logo logo files will be supplied upon request by aspca creative services see page 14. A descendant of the wild guinea pigs of south america, todays domesticated guinea pig is viewed by many as an easypet for children. We recommend the all living things 24inch wire cage sold through. The guinea pig s endearing personality provides delightful companionship for both adults and families. Overview the guinea pig or cavy is a south american.
Here is what you need to know and expect from your new furry family member. Use the other hand to support the animals hindquarters. You will also find important advice about breeding them and taking care of them when they are ill. Pup a young guinea pig is born fully developed with a full coat of hair and eyes open. Guinea pig care sheet because we care 1250 upper front street, binghamton, ny 901 6077232666 congratulations on your new pet. My documentszoe fileseducation guinea pig info introduction congratulations on the adoption of your guinea pig. On first arriving home, your pet will appreciate being left alone for a day to adjust to the new environment. Require 30 to 50 mg of vitamin c daily from highquality food, vitamin. This bearded dragon care sheet will cover just about everything you need. Lisle, il 60532 630 7371281 guinea pigs cavia porcellus, also known as cavies, are friendly rodents from south america that were domesticated between 500 and a.
The american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals national headquarters 424 east 92nd street, new york, ny 101286804 2128767700. Care of guinea pigs introduction guinea pig is the common name for a cavy. It is currently considered a part of the family, rodentia, and comes from the high plains of south america. Oftentimes, a multilevel cage is best since guinea pigs can be very active and. Guinea pig pellets are the basis of your pets diet. Each additional guinea pig needs and extra two to four square feet. Also, clean food and water containers dailyand change their bedding once a month. Just remember that he is like a little kid in the way he approaches any new foodwith curiosity and a. Uc davis, vmth companion avian and exotic pet medicine and surgery service 530 75293 natural history guinea pigs are rodents from south america, most commonly known as the cavy cavia porcellus. Color care pamphlet caring for your guinea pig click here to open color pdf file.
This outline of how to care for your cavy the proper name for a guinea pig will help your pet have a healthy long life. Cavies cannot manufacture their own vitamin c and require 10 to 30 mg daily to prevent scurvy. Aspca guinea pig care sheet i called the aspca number a few different times and each time i entered automated attendant nightmare land. Petco is committed to responsible companion animal ownership. Includes 12 care sheets, checklists and health record sheets to make your daily guinea pig routine easier. The guinea pig care sheet will provide you with basic knowledge to begin your new life with a guinea pig, ranging from diet to. No guinea pig care sheet would be complete without some discussion of h ow to feed your little fellow. The most common one is a mite which can cause intense itching and selfharm from the animals scratching themselves raw. We recommend feeding your rabbit a rabbit and guinea pig mix along with fresh fruit and vegetables. Provide your pet with optimal or larger sized cage. Timothy haybased pellets are recommended for adults, and avoid those made with nuts, seeds, dried fruits and corn products. Kids pet care charts caring for a guinea pig kid pointz. Shopping list for needed supplies guinea pig pellets food bowl wood chews water bottle vitamin c supplement appropriate sized cage pine shavings or appropriate litter no cedar timothy hay guinea pig treats book.
For the first few days make sure you talk to him regularly before introducing your hand into the cage or stroking him. The keys to a good diet for your guinea pigs are to use a. They thrive on interaction with other guinea pig companions and people. Behavior guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are very social and curious animals. Bearded dragon care sheet introduction welcome to our bearded dragon care sheet. Grass hay and fresh, clean water should be available to your pet at all times. Although they are commonly thought to be easy first pets for children, they require plenty of attention, care and time, and a wellresearched approach to their care.
Shelters have guinea pigs more often than you might think. Guinea pig care sheets for beginners to help you get organized. Children love these care sheets it helps them feel a sense of responsibility for their pets. Found in various shades of beige brown rust, black and white, your kid can use their imagination to color guinea pig as they please. Our care sheets provide important information about the proper care of your animal. My documentszoe fileseducation guinea pig info helpful hint guinea pigs need at least two square feet of cage space including space for their hiding places and food bowls. Guinea pigs weigh between 700 and 1200 grams, and measure between 20 and 25 cm in length. They also include useful information for making sure your guinea pigs are happy and healthy.
Guinea pig care sheet always wash your hands after handling your guinea pig or its housing to help maintain sanitary conditions. Care of the pregnant guinea pig breed the female guinea pig at a relatively young age the birth canal of the female guinea pig also known as a sow is relatively narrow. To pick up a guinea pig either place hand dorsally over the shoulder area or ventrally under thorax with thumb and forefingers directly behind the front legs. Read below to learn what to feed your guinea pig, as well as other.
Use both hands, one under the chest with the rabbits. Guinea pigs are tailless rodents with long, short, or sometimes wild hair that ranges in color. Caring for guinea pigs the animal welfare foundation. As the guinea pig grows, the pelvic canal fuses to become a permanent bony bridge in males and unbred females. Now you can give your pet the very best care, from our home to yours, with clarks care sheets. Learn how to take care of your small animal with these great care sheets. Petsmart is currently offering the following pets limited numbers available if the pet is not offered as a selection on the application, that means all of those particular pet grants have been awarded for this school year. Soon enough, parents and children discover that this new companion animal requires substantially more care than the childs favorite stuffed toy.
Many guinea pig health problems are preventable with proper diet and care. The guinea pig is a docile rodent native to south america. Wild guinea pigs today can still be found in colombia, venezuela, brazil, argentina, papguay, and peru. Their scientific name is cavia asperea so they are.
If you notice scabs, hair loss or itching in any of your guinea pigs see your vet straight away. Once settled in their new home they are inquisitive, friendly and talkative. Hamster care guide pet ownership has many benefits for children, from teaching them responsibility, to developing language skills and providing support in times of stress. Guinea pigs have delicate feet, so proper cage substrate is important. This is a great way to give a guinea pig a second chance at life. Guinea pigs prefer to live with the companionship of another. It is up to you how you look after your guinea pig, but you must take reasonable steps to ensure that you meet all their needs. Your guinea pig s formal scientific name is the cavia porcellus, so many people call them cavies.
Top 25 free printable guinea pig coloring pages online. Guinea pig care sheet clarks pet emporium has taken pride in sharing quality pets with our community for over 40 years. This is a normal, healthy behavior that provides essential vitamins and nutrients. Before you bring home your new cherished pet, be sure to make sure it has everything it needs to be happy and well. To ensure a healthy, happy life, your guinea pig will depend on you for a few things. There are also advantages for the family as a whole. A petsmart grant is redeemable only at your local petsmart store for specific items to support your classroom pet. They communicate by making various sounds that have different meanings and popcorn, or jump in the air, when happy. Guinea pigs stay clean and rarely need baths, but can be spotcleaned with a damp washcloth or unscented baby wipes if needed. Their home needs to have a solid floor that is large enough to hold a water bottle, food dish, a hiding area, and space for exercising. Guinea pigs are social companion animals that require daily interaction. Oxbow has provided this basic care guide to help you keep your pet guinea pig healthy and happy.
They are social inquisitive creatures and make lovely pets. For example, you may see your guinea pig eat its own poop. Guinea pigs guinea pigs welfare tips, advice, health. Care should be taken not to apply too much pressure to the thorax to avoid compromising respiration. Boar adult male reach sexual maturity at 35 weeks sow adult female can reach sexual maturity as early as 4 weeks and can carry litters before they are adults. Finally, the guinea pig care chart includes a note section. Feacal impaction in guinea pigs the unusual pet vets. Guinea pigs life span is generally between 45 years, but may live as long as 79 years.
Hamster care sheet always wash your hands after handling your hamster or its housing to help maintain sanitary conditions. In the end this guinea pig care chart is a great resource for children upon getting their new pet. Care of guinea pigs ness exotic wellness center 1007 maple ave. The keys to a good diet for your guinea pigs are to use a wide range of vegetables and a bit of fruit. This section is great because it provides a place for parents and children to utilize for documentation of memorable events, important guinea pig information, or special messages. Flat bottom cages with newspaper, aspen bedding, or recycled newspaper lining the bottom is recommended. Information sheet guinea pigs are great click here to open pdf file. Guinea pigs often pick out the bits they like and leave the rest, leading to an unbalanced diet and some guinea pigs may eat too much and become overweight. Guinea pig care sheet guinea pig introduction and origin. Guinea pigs make great pets for children and adults.
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