Care Sheet for Small AnimalsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 3.43 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 09/18/2005 |
Main Category: | Non-Reptile/Amphibian |
Sub Category: | Small Animals |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Sunshine_Sparks |
Years Experience: | 15 to 20 Years |
Species: | Guinea Pigs |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Gently hold guinea in hand and turn him/her over. Put one finger on each side of genital area. Gently push down and together. If something pops out its a boy if not then its a girl. |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Always make sure they have fresh water daily in bottle hanging on cage. Never use cedar bedding as this will cause many problems. Pine bedding is ok...I have always used this. You can line the bottom of cage with newspaper, but never the glossy sections. |
Lighting and UVB: | No heat lamps or such. They need light as much as us humans. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Never ever put in direct sunlight as they will have heat strokes. Their normal body temp is between 99- 103 F. So imagine days that are 90 F. |
Heating and Equipment: | Always make sure nails are trimmed. They will sometimes kick so maybe a vet would be good with this. Give them wooden things to keep teeth trimmed. Their teeth are always growing. If you let them go they will not be able to eat and will die. |
Caging Provided: | I keep mine in wire cages. I line the bottom with newspaper then bedding. They enjoy this. Watch with the wire floors cause their feet will sometimes get caught and will break. |
Diet: | Herbivorous |
Description of Diet: | I feed Kaytee brand since it has the highest vit. C they need. A commercial pelleted guinea pig diet containing 18 to 20 % protein, 4 % fat and 16 % fiber is highly recommended. Can give turnip greens, parsley, broccoli florets, orange or cabbage .
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Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Vit C, Vit C, and Vit C....never enough of this. Use as directed by vet or bottle. |
Maintenance: | All must be cleaned often. They should be kept away from drafts, chills, excessive heat (over 85 degrees F), temperature fluctuations (maintain between 65 and 75 degrees F), and other environmental disturbances. |
Some Words on this Species: | Fossil records of the existence of Guinea Pigs date back to the Miocene period over 18 million years ago. Guinea Pigs (or cavies) are known from ancient times. They originated from South America, where today they still live in the wild. Buy at least two guinea pigs. They get lonely on their own. Guinea Pigs need and love attention. I strongly advise you to hold and pet them more than once in one day.
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