How can you resist?

Tue., Nov. 14, 2006

Carolyn Morrill Correspondent

Cats and puppies aren’t the only pets in many homes across the country. Guinea pigs are another favorite.

Guinea pig facts: Guinea pigs are not related to pigs in any way, and they don’t come from the African country of Guinea. No one is quite sure how guinea pigs got their name. It may be the “schweek” sound they make which sounds a little like a baby pig.

Guinea pigs are rodents in the Cavy family, and they come from South America. The Incas raised them for food, but they have been popular as pets for hundreds of years. Because we all call them “pigs,” males are known as boars and females as sows. (However, babies are called pups, not piglets.)

Keeping guinea pigs as pets: A large enclosure with a solid floor but ventilated sides and top is ideal. Solid flooring requires a little more cleaning but prevents painful foot infections caused by wire flooring. Guinea pigs need room to run around at full speed. Even if they have room in their enclosure to do this, they should spend some time every day outside their enclosure as well. They should have hiding places and tunnels in the enclosure. Hay and/or paper based litters are good bedding material for guinea pigs. Wood shavings can be irritating to air passages and skin. Litter should be changed and cages cleaned weekly.

What do guinea pigs eat?: In the wild (yes, there are guinea pigs running wild in the Andes) they eat grasses, roots, fruit and seeds. In captivity, they should be fed Timothy hay, guinea pig pellets and a variety of vegetables (Romaine lettuce, kale, zucchini, carrots, etc.) Fruit and grains should be fed in smaller quantities. Humans and guinea pigs are two exceptional species in that both must rely on getting vitamin C in the diet or they will suffer from scurvy. Guinea pig pellets contain vitamin C, but must be stored in a dark, cool area to preserve the potency. Fresh veggies and fruits are another source, and water can also be supplemented with vitamin C. Scurvy causes joint pain, skin lesions and bleeding gums. If not too far advanced, guinea pigs can recover when adequate vitamin C is added to their diet.

My child wants a pet guinea pig. Should I get a male or a female?: First of all, you should get a pair of guinea pigs because they are social animals and the solitary life is not ideal for them. Both males and females make nice pets, so get either a pair of the same gender, or a sow and a neutered boar. When raised together, they will usually not fight.

Should my female guinea pig have a litter of pups?: The short answer is no. There are always risks involved in breeding pets. Guinea pig females older than 7 months who haven’t already had a litter should never be bred because their pelvis is fused by this age and they will be unable to deliver the pups. There are no significant health benefits from having a litter.

Guinea pigs are fun, gentle, little animals. With proper care, they can be happy, healthy members of the family.

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