Guinea pigs are rodents, just like chinchillas and porcupines, which originated from the Andes Mountains in South America. It was first introduced in Europe by Dutch explorers in 1500, at which intense time selective breeding and captive rearing began. These activities have continued up to the present. In scientific terms, they are called Cavia Porcellus or Cavies for short.
Top Considerations before buying one:
1. Guinea pigs need to be handled carefully.
They violently struggle when they are being picked up, but this is only a rare case, on the other hand, they often make their "squeal of protest" which sounds like a pig to many (this is the reason why they are called “pigs”). Nevertheless, great care should be taken in order for them not to be injured during this activity. Hands must be use in lifting, one is placed under the guinea pig's chest and abdomen and the other supports its hindquarters. Adults and those that are pregnant should receive maximum care.
One of the most desirable features of guinea pigs as pets is that they rarely bite when being handled or restrained.
2. Proper shelter is a major factor.
They can be accommodated within cages made of wire, stainless steel, durable plastic or glass. The latter three materials are ideal because they resist corrosion. Wood and similar materials should not be included in the construction because of the difficulty in cleaning and the problem in withstanding the destructive gnawing of the occupant(s). Furthermore, the cage must be free of sharp edges and other potential hazards and it must be spacious.
Although guinea pigs can be housed on wire mesh (that which is suitable for housing rats can be used), avoid it as possible. Such material will allow urine and most fecal pellets to drop through, thereby keeping the bedding and the resident "pig(s)" cleaner. However, guinea pigs housed for long periods on wire tend to develop serious injuries in the bottom of their feet. In addition, broken legs are observed when they fall through the mesh. This is most often a problem with guinea pigs that have not been reared on wire mesh, and occurs soon after they have been introduced onto it.
3. Noise can really affect them.
Guinea pigs exhibit two types of reactions when startled by a loud noise and these are sudden movement or strange environment. They may "freeze" for up to 20 minutes or panic. The latter reaction involves unpredictable running and leaping, often accompanied with harsh squealing. Groups of guinea pigs will stampede in a circle, often trampling the younger residents within the enclosure.
4. Food and Water Intake
The exact nutritional requirements of the guinea pig are known and commercially available pellet foods provide all of the essential nutrients, as long as the pellets are fresh and wholesome when offered. Some guinea pig owners will be tempted to feed rabbit pellets, assuming that they are roughly equivalent to guinea pig pellets. They are not equivalent.
All foods should be provided in heavy ceramic crocks that resist tipping over. The crocks should possess high enough sides to keep bedding and fecal pellets out of the food or the crocks should be elevated slightly above the bedding.
Water is most easily made available and kept free from contamination by providing it in one or more water bottles equipped with "sipper" tubes. They tend to contaminate and clog their water bottles more than other pet rodents by chewing on the end of the sipper tube and "backwashing" food particles into it. For this reason, it is imperative that all food and water containers be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
5. Breeding Considerations
The single most important breeding consideration is that female guinea pigs should participate in their first breeding before seven months of age. If the first breeding is delayed beyond this time, serious (sometimes life-threatening) problems with delivery are encountered. Female "pigs" should be first bred between 3 and 7 months of age. Males should be 3 to 4 months old at their first breeding.
