Guinea pig: features of keeping and description of rodent care (155 photos)

The guinea pig is a species of semi-ungulate rodent. The second English name is “kewi”. The pet is affectionate, easy to care for and can become a good friend to a child. The animal teaches the baby care and responsibility. The pig is larger in size than mice, hamsters and rats. She has short legs with claws, a small neck, hard fur and practically no tail. A rodent's teeth are small and grow throughout its life.

There are breeds with long and short hair. Photos of guinea pigs are presented in nurseries and other sources. Small individuals have difficult to distinguish sexual characteristics.

Experts have learned to determine by the lower abdomen. Two males cannot live in one cage. It is better to choose either opposite-sex pairs or two females.

Breeds

Currently there are more than 80 varieties. Each breed of guinea pig has its own characteristics in appearance and habits.

The most popular ones can be identified:

American. Short fur of different colors, large eyes and a crooked nose. Affectionate and playful animal.

Peruvian. The most ancient breed. The wool can reach a length of up to 50 cm. The colors are different.

Skinny. The rodent has no fur at all. The animal is afraid of direct sunlight and cold. In appearance they resemble hippopotamuses.

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Alpaca. They are distinguished by fluffy and curly hair. The eyes are shiny, usually matching the coat, and the ears are large and hanging. Smart pet.

Teddy. The breed appeared by chance in 1978, but has already gained popularity. This pet guinea pig looks like a teddy bear and children adore it. In small individuals, the fur is curly, but straightens with age.

Satin. The rodent's fur shines in the sun and feels like silk. The color is usually monochromatic. An unusually beautiful pig.

Kui. It can reach very large sizes and weight. The breed is equated to rabbits. The cage will be very cramped for your pet; it is better to keep it in a pen.

Himalayan. An animal with red eyes and white fur. There are spots on the nose and ears. Requires ambient temperature control and appropriate care.

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Rosette. This breed got its name from the type of wool. The entire cover consists of small rosettes. The ears are large and do not stick out.

Rex. It is also called the royal pig. It has short fur of various colors. The breed is prone to obesity.

Additional accessories

There are certain products for guinea pigs that are aimed at diversifying the animals' lives. These include various kinds of toys, comfortable loungers or hammocks.

Toys are not just for kids!

Guinea pigs are playful animals. Pet stores offer a large number of balls and coils that make ringing sounds when rolled.

Tunnels

An active animal needs certain sports activities. Guinea pigs have a special affinity for tunnels: they are made of fabric or plastic, and the rodent will actively move in them. You can connect several parts, thereby constructing a labyrinth. A curious animal will be happy to explore it. You can make a tunnel yourself.

DIY tunnel equipment sequence:

Take a metal wire and make several rings. Their diameter should allow the guinea pig to move freely between the elements.
Each ring is covered with thick fabric. Fleece is often used for this purpose.
The rings need to be connected to each other. For this purpose, fabric pieces are used.
The edges of the rings are equipped with hooks. This is necessary to secure the tunnels to the rods.

For the maze, you can use cardboard or thick paper. An ordinary box is taken, holes are made, various kinds of barriers and places for shelter are equipped. This will be worthy entertainment for the rodent, but, of course, not for long: the animal will chew it with the same joy.

A lounger - to have somewhere to rest after the game!

To sleep, guinea pigs climb into the house. But rest can also take place on special beds. You can make interesting mattresses yourself or purchase ready-made options at pet stores.

How to make a sleeping bag for a rodent:

Take fabric from which squares are cut out. Their sizes are determined by the dimensions of the guinea pig. Traditionally, 10 cm should be added to the body length.
The inside of the bag is equipped. A soft cloth is used for this.
The top of the bag is covered with padding polyester. Leave 10 cm on the side of the hole.
A denser material is used for the outer part. The inner part together with padding polyester is placed in the outer bag.
The previously left 10 cm of fabric is wrapped and hemmed.

A sleeping bag will serve as a reliable shelter for your guinea pig. That is why animals often prefer them to a house. The products will have to be washed frequently, so the fabric must be prepared for this: you need to choose a thick, good quality option. Bags of bright and unusual colors will look stylish.

Hammock - heavenly pleasure!

You can hang a small hammock in the cage for your guinea pig. This is a convenient product where your beloved pet will love to relax. The hammock is hung at a height of 10-15 cm. Otherwise, the animal may suffer if it falls.

Outfits

Many guinea pig owners like to photograph their pets in interesting clothes, so the clothes are purely decorative. You can buy bright dresses and suits in pet stores. Some owners sew outfits to order. You can try making clothes yourself.

How to make a stylish costume for a guinea pig from a sock?

The top of the sock is cut off down to the heel.
There are holes for the paws.
Next, you need to tuck the edges and stitch around the perimeter of both edges.

The decoration of the fabric depends on the tastes of the owner. You can use beads, rhinestones, buttons, bright scraps of fabric of a different color - whatever your imagination allows.

Leash and harness: for the adventurous

To walk the animal, a special device is used - a leash. The most convenient option is a model in the form of a T-shirt. It allows you to tightly fix the body of the rodent. It is more convenient for the owner to use a tape measure that has a lock. You can also purchase a simple leather leash.

Combing brush

For long-haired breeds, you will need to purchase a brush. This is a necessary element of caring for a guinea pig. It will help rid the fur of dirt and keep your pet looking neat.

As we can see, not much is needed for a comfortable life for a guinea pig: besides, not every accessory from the above is required. The main thing is that the animal is healthy, and any loving owner will think about its leisure time.

Habits

In most cases, very calm and affectionate animals. Rodents show their character in an unusual way. If they are happy, they may jump around the cage and make squeaking noises.

Small individuals are afraid of people and constantly hide in a safe place. It is necessary to accustom the animal to hands carefully without stress.

Aggression manifests itself only after the birth of offspring. For a month, the female will not let anyone near the babies and will defend herself in all known ways.

If the pig is chewing on the cage, then it is bored or there is not enough space. You can expand the cage, play more often, or add another individual. It is dangerous to chew on a cage.

The norm for these animals is to eat their own droppings. Thus, the animal saturates its body with the remaining beneficial substances.

But it’s better to clean the cage in time and expand the diet with vitamins. Your pig may chatter his teeth, which is a sign of stress. It is necessary to temporarily remove irritants.

Tips for beginners

For a guinea pig to be comfortable in an outfit, it should be spacious and light. Under no circumstances should you decorate your pet with strings of beads or other bulky items! Only small accessories, we must not forget that guinea pigs are rodents, they can ruin most materials. Therefore, you should carefully monitor your pet’s clothing before it becomes his lunch.

Synthetic fabrics are completely unsuitable for animals. The same applies to fur, they are already hot in clothes, there is no need to create additional stress on the heart. When trying on hats, you should not forget about the ears - they should not be damaged, the hearing organs are very delicate.

Lifespan

In the right and comfortable conditions for keeping guinea pigs, the animal can live up to 10 years. There are also individuals 15 years of age. It all depends on diseases, care, breed and other factors. In nature, rodents live much shorter lives. Heavy weight and natural selection have an effect.

Pet accessories

Modern manufacturers of accessories for keeping a pet are trying to release a variety of gadgets that no one had ever thought about before. They even produce diapers for guinea pigs. And this is just one example of accessories for keeping an animal.

Additional products for caring for a guinea pig may be:

claw stone;
branch for chewing;
brush for caring for fur lint;
tunnels made of plastic pipes (with a diameter larger than the cross-section of the animal’s body);
toys (ropes, swings, ladders);
diapers (store-bought or homemade from fabric);
leashes (which are used for small breed cats).

Cage requirements

Guinea pigs can be kept in terrariums and aquariums. But the most common home is a cage. The larger the size, the better for the rodent. The cage should be placed in a bright place, but not exposed to direct sunlight.

It is advisable to keep it quiet, but people should be in sight. There should be no tall structures in the cage itself. Any fall is dangerous to health and life.

The bottom must be covered with sawdust or pebbles. You can hang a hammock and a house for shelter.

Where to buy clothes and how much do they cost?

You can buy clothes for your pet in specialized stores; there are a large number of sites on the Internet with products for animals. But clothes for rodents are very difficult to find. Some foreign sites offer a small assortment of clothing, prices start at 200 rubles and above. You can find various sundresses, jackets, and overalls.

But having sewing skills, making an outfit with your own hands will not be difficult.

We sew a hammock for a guinea pig.

Nutrition

It is important to know what guinea pigs eat so that there are no health problems for your pets. In nature, the rodent feeds on seeds, berries, leaves and roots.

At home, pigs need to eat hay and ready-made balanced feed. For dessert, you can give him nibble on fresh vegetables, salad and fruits.

To allow teeth to be ground down, cherry branches are placed in the cage. It is more convenient to pour water into the sippy cup every day, so it will not spill and will provide the pet with the necessary moisture.

Types of leashes

A harness for guinea pigs is the most difficult thing in preparing for walks with your pet. The fact is that a collar is strictly contraindicated for them: the neck muscles of rodents are extremely fragile

One careless movement and a fracture will occur. Therefore, harnesses are selected for them that wrap around the body, safely distributing pressure

The easiest way to get a harness for your guinea pig is to go to a pet store. If the product you are interested in is not available, you cannot buy goods for other animals - even if the seller assures you otherwise.

For a guinea pig, design is not important - convenience is important to him. There are several acceptable harness options for them:

A vest attached to the bottom is the best option for them in terms of convenience. It does not restrict movement and even protects from damage. There is only one downside - if the pig grows up or changes a lot of things, the clothes will not fit her.
A figure eight harness is an original solution for walking your pet. Reliable fastening and practicality. A vest, for example, needs to be washed sometimes - guinea pigs are mobile, but a figure-eight harness - much less often.
If the pet is still growing, a harness in the form of stripes is best suited for it - they are adjustable and fit tightly around the animal's body.

It is worth remembering, however, that during a walk the pet’s comfort is a priority. A finger should fit freely between the harness and the rodent's body; in no case should the fabric fit tightly. They have delicate skin, so only moderately spacious, but strong harness.

Other care

Your guinea pig's nails need to be trimmed as they grow.
It is often not worth bathing an animal. Pigs are clean.
Long hair is brushed once a week.
Clean the cage every 4 days and whenever it gets dirty.
The body must be examined for injuries, cuts and parasites.

Best solutions

The best decision would be to buy an enclosure made taking into account all the needs of guinea pigs. Such cages have a plastic bottom, which is equipped with a pull-out tray. This feature will make it easy to clean up your pet’s home, and the plastic sides will prevent sawdust from flying around the room.

The walls are made of metal, and special places are equipped with fasteners for feeders and drinkers.

Enclosures presented in pet stores can be equipped with a second tier. This adds more space for your guinea pig to move around. The two-story structure allows you to place many passages inside the enclosure and divide the space into zones.

Diseases

The animal does not get sick often, but when the first signs are detected, it is necessary to begin treatment. It is better to trust a professional doctor who will select the optimal treatment.

The most common diseases are: worms and parasites, gastrointestinal disorders, colds, dental anomalies and eye infections.

How to sew clothes for a pet with your own hands

The easiest way to make clothes for guinea pigs with your own hands is to use a baby sock. To do this, you need to cut off the blind edge, this will be the neck. Cut holes on the sides for the legs. Now you need to cut off the excess on the other side of the sock. Then you can tuck the edges and the blouse is ready. All that remains is to decorate it with beads, bows, ruffles and other elements.

Clothing for rodents can be made from small costumes for dogs and cats.

A more complex option is clothing pattern. First you need to decide on an outfit, find the right patterns. On the Internet you can find different options for patterns of dresses, blouses, skirts and other outfits. Then take the necessary measurements and sew the suit. Natural fabrics, felt, and yarn are used as materials for outfits. Hats are made from bottle caps, cardboard, or you can simply buy decorative hats at craft stores.

A stylish and comfortable suit can also be knitted.

There are also various videos on the Internet in which the authors show in detail how and from what to sew or knit an outfit for a pet, including a guinea pig.

Reproduction

Animals can start mating at 10 months. After mating, it is recommended to remove the pig before the birth of offspring. Pregnancy lasts on average two months (the exact period depends on the number of babies). During this period, the female should be left alone.

Labor usually occurs naturally within an hour. If the pig cannot give birth, then you need to call a veterinarian. If the birth is successful, the pet will gnaw the umbilical cord itself. If this does not happen, then it can be cut with sterile instruments.

What clothes can you dress your pet in?

Training

The guinea pig is trainable. Different individuals may need additional time to learn.

What clothes can you dress your pet in?

Animals look great in any clothes. They can be dressed up in casual looks or comical ones - crowns, capes or hats. You can arrange a themed photo shoot with your pet for Halloween or New Year.

Guinea pigs should feel comfortable in clothes, first of all. Therefore, too tight suits will harm them. You should also not use too much Velcro, as there is a high risk of pulling out the fur. Even the most beautiful clothes should not cause pain to your pet!

Guinea pigs have sensitive and delicate skin; it is very easy to cause allergies from synthetic materials. Therefore, it is advisable to check the quality before dressing the pig. You should not try on costumes on children at all, only on adults.

Guinea pigs know how to show their emotions, so if the animal tries to get rid of clothes or acts agitated, you should immediately remove the suit. The psychological state of the animal is most important, so it is better to limit yourself to a funny hat for him than to make him feel stressed.

Photos of guinea pigs

How to sew it yourself

A simple version of clothing for a guinea pig is made from an ordinary baby sock.

We sew new clothes from socks.
Choose a sock according to the size of the animal, the main thing is that the outfit does not interfere with the pig’s free movement and does not squeeze parts of the body.
Make holes for the paws; the outfit should not cover the eyes. Make sure the product does not put pressure on your pet's neck.

Then decorate with bows, beads, rhinestones. Do not use jewelry with sharp edges or chips to avoid injury to the animal.

The look is completed with a decorative hat.

A more complex model can be ordered from specialized craftsmen who will make the outfit in a short time. The price of such services starts from 1000 rubles.

Good decorations are made from felt, for example, I make angel wings from cardboard and material. Will create a cute and gentle image for your pet.

Do-it-yourself knitted items, crocheted or knitted, are also popular. There are a large number of knitting patterns, different patterns and threads.

also use clothes designed for decorative dogs, alter them to fit and you will get an excellent costume for an exhibition.

Fashion trends are certainly good, but you should not neglect the rules and well-being of your pet. Veterinarians do not share the desire of owners to dress up and decorate their pets. Since the skin is quite delicate and sensitive, unnecessary details can provoke skin diseases or allergies.

Use only natural materials, choose models that will be as comfortable as possible. You should not keep the animal in clothes for a long time, especially in the warm season.

Also, an uncomfortable position affects the psychological state of the pig; if it resists in every possible way and tries with all its might to get rid of the outfit, you should not insist on this. After all, each animal has its own character, and they express their dissatisfaction in every possible way. Listen to your pets and treat them with care - we are responsible for those we have tamed.