- What should be considered when choosing a guinea pig?
- Types and breeds of guinea pigs
- How long do guinea pigs live?
- Caring for guinea pigs
- Grooming of guinea pigs in the V.O.G DOG SALON chain of salons
Guinea pigs are one of the cutest pets that have lived with humans for over three thousand years. Their homeland is considered to be South America, but the animals gained their popularity in Europe. They got there through oceanic trade, which contributed to the emergence of the name “guinea pig”.
In this article, we will dive into the wonderful world of guinea pigs: how to choose a pet, what you need to know about their breeds, lifespan, care and even professional grooming.
What should be considered when choosing a guinea pig?
Before getting a guinea pig, it is important to answer the question: “Are you and your family ready for responsibility?” These animals should not be bought if you do not have time to care for and communicate with them, because guinea pigs are very social and do not like to be alone. In the wild, they always live in groups. And you also need to teach young family members how to handle guinea pigs carefully, and make sure they understand that their actions can affect the health and emotional state of the animals.
If you answered yes to the above question, then you should consider the following question: “Do you want one or more guinea pigs?” The answer will depend on the amount of attention you are willing to give each day to the little furry one. For example, if you get one guinea pig, she will need more communication and care from you to feel safe and happy. If you want to do better for the pig itself, start a couple of one article. Then they will always have something to do. Males are usually more active and playful, while females are more gentle.
It should also be taken into account that a guinea pig needs a spacious cage with areas for rest, physical activities, eating, which will be away from batteries, drafts and sunlight. Therefore, it is necessary to think carefully about where to place the guinea pig’s housing in order to comply with these rules and not provoke hypothermia or overheating of the small body. In addition, it is necessary to purchase bowls, a drinking bowl, toys, a running wheel, suspension bridges, feed, mineral chalk for sharpening teeth and claws, treats and filler.
And, finally, when you have prepared well and are already choosing your favorite among different guinea pigs, pay attention to their appearance and behavior. Healthy guinea pigs are active, have bright eyes, a correct bite, and clean fur and skin.
Types and breeds of guinea pigs
Guinea pigs can be divided into three main categories: long-haired, short-haired, and rare. Each of them has its own special appearance, but they are all united by friendliness, sociability and playfulness.
Long-haired Guinea Pigs
Have a long, luxurious coat that needs regular grooming to prevent shedding.
The Peruvian guinea pig is impressive with its long, silky coat that can grow up to 50 cm. It is interesting that this wool often grows forward, forming a kind of “bangs”.
The Coronet also has long hair, but its distinctive feature is the “crown” of hair on its head.
The Sheltie is similar to the Peruvian Guinea Pig, but its fur is directed backwards rather than forwards, giving the impression that it has been combed in one direction.
The Texel attracts attention with its long, curly, plush-like coat.
Short-haired guinea pigs
These breeds are easier to care for due to their short coats, making them ideal for beginners.
The American guinea pig is one of the most common breeds and has a soft, smooth coat.
Rex looks like a teddy bear thanks to his short, but thick and slightly curly coat that does not shine.
The Abyssinian guinea pig is easily recognizable thanks to the peculiar “rosettes” on the fur, which are on average 6-8 pieces. This feature gives them a curly look.
Rare breeds
If you’re looking for something unique, the skinny breed is for you. She has no fur except for a little fluff on her nose and paws. But this does not mean that her care is insignificant. These guinea pigs are extremely sensitive to temperature and external stimuli, so they need additional skin hydration, insulation in the cold season and protection from the sun in the summer.
Baldwin is also a hairless breed, but it has its own peculiarity. Babies are born with fur, which eventually falls out completely, leaving the body smooth.
The Ridgeback is a short-haired breed. The highlight of these guinea pigs is easy to see right away – the crest of fur along the back.
How long does a guinea pig live?
The lifespan of a guinea pig is usually 5-8 years. However, with proper care and good housing conditions, some guinea pigs live up to 10 years. The Guinness Book of Records even records information about the oldest guinea pig that lived to be 14 years old!
Caring for guinea pigs
Guinea pigs are quite unpretentious pets. Owners only need to take care of nutrition, physical activity and grooming of pets, cleanliness of their home.
Food. What do guinea pigs eat? Guinea pigs need a balanced diet rich in fiber and vitamin C, which they cannot synthesize on their own. The basis of nutrition should be high-quality hay, which will ensure proper digestion and help sharpen teeth. In addition, pigs need to eat fresh vegetables, greens and fruits. Do not forget to check the presence of water in the drinker, it should always be freely available.
Physical activity. For good health and ensuring daily activity, we advise you to purchase a variety of toys, tunnels, bridges, and running wheels for your pets. In addition, it is important to regularly let the guinea pigs out to run around in a safe place under your supervision. This will help them explore the space, play and interact with you.
Grooming. Hair care depends on the breed. Long-haired guinea pigs need regular brushing to prevent tangles. A haircut for non-exhibition pets is also possible. Short-haired pigs only need a periodic examination of the condition of the coat and skin. And such breeds as skinny and baldin do not have wool at all, so the main attention is directed to moisturizing the wool.
In addition to grooming, any guinea pig needs to have its claws trimmed to avoid injury and discomfort when moving around. And bathing should only be done in case of extreme need, because this procedure can cause stress in the animal and drying of the skin.
Hygiene. Guinea pigs are very tidy and take care of themselves most of the time. However, they need help in keeping the house clean. The cage should be cleaned at least once a week to avoid the appearance of unpleasant odors and harmful bacteria. And once a month, general cleaning and disinfection should be carried out. You can choose any filler. The main thing is to avoid materials that contain dust, because it can cause allergies.
Grooming of guinea pigs in the V.O.G DOG SALON chain of salons
If you are the happy owner of a guinea pig, the V.O.G DOG SALON network can offer the following services for your pet:
Combing wool and untangling coats. It is especially relevant for long-haired guinea pigs, in which, due to insufficient home care, the wool gets tangled, forming both separate coats and a whole blanket of them. The danger to the animal’s health lies in the fact that the skin does not have access to air under the coat, the protective barrier and thermoregulation are disturbed.
In some cases, the groomer can untangle the coat and preserve the beauty of the coat, in some cases, he will coordinate with you their cutting. Why? Everything is simple. The skin of guinea pigs is sensitive and thin. If the collar has fallen off, is close to the skin, pulls it and causes discomfort when moving, the correct solution will be to cut the collar itself. Reddened skin or wounds on it are almost always visible after this procedure. This is due to the snoring, which stretched the skin to the point of pain for a long time.
Haircut. We have already talked about trimming the tails, but we did not touch on the topic of a full haircut for guinea pigs. This procedure is relevant for long-haired breeds that do not participate in exhibitions. Usually, owners ask for a haircut to make it easier to take care of their pet and avoid a specific unpleasant smell. Long-haired guinea pigs often have filler or feed mixed in their fur, and their fur changes color and odor due to constant contact with urine and feces.
Hygienic care. Cleaning the ears, trimming the claws, as well as bathing the guinea pigs using safe products for sensitive skin can be done both in a complex and separately. We remind you that bathing guinea pigs is often not recommended, so as not to cause skin dryness and irritation.
If you have questions or doubts about the need for certain procedures for your guinea pig, you can always contact us for a free consultation. V.O.G DOG SALON aims not only to provide quality services, but also educational activities. We work to ensure that each owner can make informed decisions about any matter concerning their pet based on the information we provide.
