Regarding pets, guinea pigs are one of the most popular choices. They’re easy to care for and make great companions.
If you’re looking for a pet that won’t require much maintenance or attention but still wants some company, this article will help you get started!
Guinea pig types
There are many different types of guinea pigs, so if you’re unsure which one is right for your family, keep reading.
The most common types of guinea pigs are:
The American Guinea Pig
American Guinea Pigs are domestic guinea pigs bred in the United States.
They’ve had a long history as pets, but today they’re most commonly kept as show animals.
The American Guinea Pig has a thick coat of hair that can be anywhere from two to four inches long, making it a popular choice for those looking for something different from the more common pet guinea pigs available on the market.
The Abyssinian Guinea Pig
Abyssinians are also known as the “cameleopard” guinea pigs.
They have black spots and stripes on their coats, which can be any color combination of white, black, or brown.
These markings make them look like leopards! Abyssinians are small and stocky, with short, thick coats of hair; this makes them great for indoor living because you don’t have to worry about your pet getting dusty when you’re not looking at them.
Abyssinian guinea pigs have a gentle temperament but can be very vocal when they want something from you!
They love attention from their owners and will make lots of noise if they feel ignored or bored by your company (which isn’t often!).
The Peruvian Guinea Pig
Peruvian Guinea Pigs are a breed of guinea pig that originated in Peru. They are one of the oldest breeds of guinea pigs and were first domesticated by the Incas.
Peruvian Guinea Pigs have a very thick coat, either short or long (depending on your preference).
The most common color is brown, but there are also black and white varieties available as well.
Their fur can be silky smooth or coarsely textured depending on how it’s groomed, so if you want something more bouncy than soft underfoot, opt for something with shorter fur!
The White Crested Guinea Pig
The white-crested guinea pig is a breed of domestic guinea pig. It combines the white guinea pig and the Abyssinian guinea pig.
The name comes from its markings, which resemble those of a crestfallen cow (hence “white”), but some also refer to it as “white-faced” or “crested” due to its distinctive head shape.
The first generation was bred in the United States by Dr. Herbert Shultz after he saw an imported albino specimen at his university’s animal research facility in 1953.
However, it was not until 1959 that he started breeding them himself using various wild-caught animals as models for his breedings.
Coronet Guinea Pig
Coronet guinea pigs are a hybrid of the American and the Abyssinian guinea pig.
They have leaner bodies than their parents, but they’re not quite as long as their cousins.
Their ears are also slightly larger than the American or Abyssinian guinea pigs (but not by much).
Coronets tend to be more active than other breeds, so they’ll need plenty of space! If you don’t have much room in your home for these little guys, they may not be right for you; however, if you have plenty of space, this breed deserves consideration.
Teddy Guinea Pig
Teddy Guinea Pigs are a hybrid of the American and Peruvian guinea pigs. They have short, white hair and large ears that make them look like teddy bears!
They are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them perfect for families with children.
Guinea pig grooming
Your guinea pig needs to be groomed regularly. They have a soft, short coat of fur that they shed once or twice a year.
This can be done by brushing the fur with a brush or comb; it’s important to keep their skin clean and dry at all times, as this will help them stay healthy and happy!
Sure, guinea pigs may not be the most active or neat around their home, but when it comes to grooming themselves, there are rarely any stray hairs.
They enjoy dressing up on any given day.
However, regular brushing can help keep their coat in good shape and allow you to check for concerns such as fleas or skin ulcers.
Nail Clipping
Like rabbits, guinea pig nails grow rapidly and can become unmanageable sooner than expected.
Regularly trimming their toenails is also beneficial, as it prevents the nails from curling and growing back into the pad, which can cause pain and infection.
Bathing your Guinea Pig
In general, guinea pigs do not enjoy baths. Fortunately, you often only need to bathe them a few times a year.
And when you do, you should use a shampoo designed for animals, such as Aristopet Shampoo for Small Animals.
Guinea pigs are prone to skin problems, so you shouldn’t use a shampoo designed for dogs or humans, for instance.
You should thoroughly clean their cage for optimal results when cleaning your guinea pig.
This will not only keep them clean, but it will also eliminate parasites and reduce the danger of fungal illnesses.
When bathing your guinea pig, make sure to rinse them thoroughly.
Then, towel-dry them as much as possible and set them in a warm location until they are entirely dry.
You can also try wrapping them in a towel and blow-drying them gently. You may most likely observe your pet snuggling into the towel as they are dried.
Guinea pig breeding
Guinea pigs can be bred at any time of the year. However, it is best to wait until after their first birthday and when they are in good health.
Guinea pigs are pregnant for about four months and should be kept separate from other guinea pigs.
The gestation period for guinea pigs is approximately 30 days long (though this may vary depending on the individual female).
If you’re planning on breeding your female guinea pig, you must purchase an additional cage or space to house her new litter once they arrive.
Guinea feeding and diet
The suggested basic food for guinea pigs is an unrestricted amount of Timothy or other low-calcium hay supplemented with a commercial, high-fibre, Timothy-hay-based guinea pig pellet.
Each day, vitamin C (see below) should be administered. The availability of hay should be unrestricted throughout the day.
Fresh, well-washed, leafy greens or colorful vegetables should be added to hay and pellets as a supplement (especially those high in vitamin C, such as bell pepper, tomato, and asparagus).
Green and red leaf lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, Romaine lettuce endive, kale, carrot tops, cilantro beet greens, squash, and carrot are other excellent vegetable options.
Iceberg or head lettuce has minimal nutritional value and is primarily water; hence, it should not be served.
The suggested basic food for guinea pigs is Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with Timothy-hay-based pellets in lower amounts.”
Fruit should also be consumed in moderation, as their high sugar content can lead to an imbalance of intestinal flora and cause life-threatening diarrhea if consumed in excess.
Fruits strong in vitamin C, such as orange (citrus) and kiwi, and fruits high in fiber, such as pear and apple, are some of the suggested fruits to provide sometimes. Avoid oats, seeds, nuts, and dry cereals, as they are too heavy in carbs and fat.!
Guinea pig enclosure, habitat and cage
The enclosure should be large enough for your guinea pig to have plenty of room to run around, play and sleep.
Make sure you have a floor of some kind so they can’t slip under the cage or get trapped in a corner.
Also, ensure there are no gaps between the walls where they could escape if they feel their environment is not safe enough for them to stay.
The best way to keep your guinea pig happy and healthy is by providing an appropriate habitat that encourages them to exercise daily while protecting them from predators who might threaten their safety at any time during the day (such as cats).
Should you get a guinea pig as a pet?
The best way to bond with a guinea pig is to spend time with them.
They need regular handling, interaction, and mental stimulation (such as toys).
If you have a pair of guinea pigs, they should be kept in the same room so they can get used to each other’s smell if they haven’t met before.
You might also want to use an enclosure with plenty of hiding places for your pet(s) – this will help ensure your pets are happy and healthy!
Summary
We hope this article has inspired you to adopt a guinea pig as your next pet. The wonderful things they can do for you are endless, but one thing is certain.
You will never regret taking care of one of these adorable creatures!
Now that we’ve covered everything from what type of guinea pigs there are, how to choose the right one for your home environment and more, it should be easy to make up your mind about getting one for yourself.
