GUINEA PIG FAQ
Frequently answered questions
Before I even set up this web site I have always been asked many Guinea Pig related Questions. That is why I set up this site for many people who are considering to own piggies and for people who already own the cute little cavies. If you want a question answered, simply email me @ suikakjyu_19@yahoo.com.au For your questions to be answered. Sorry to anyone who doesn't get an immediate reply, but do expect one with 2 - 5 days.
Q: I know Guinea pigs need Vitamin C, but how much? and what other vegetables have high amount of Vitamin C? Anon. QLD
A: Yes, it is important for guinea pigs to have a large intake of Vitamin C, since they cannot produce or store it on their own, and like us, they can get a Vitamin C deficiency called Scurvy. So they need it on a daily basis. They need up to 10mg a day and double for a pregnant sow. Some other foods besides carrots are Apples, Broccoli, tomatoes, dandelion greens, parsley, raspberries, spinach.
Q: I want to get a Guinea Pig, where is a good place to get one, from? a pet store? Cavy Lover, WA
A: Firstly, if you look hard enough, pet store's should have those furry little animals for a small price from $5 - $20. Otherwise look in the local paper for Give-A way's or the RSPCA. You wrote that you wanted ONE? It's best to have two, since Guinea Pig's a social herd animals and house well together, plus it brings out their personalities because then they'll be able to play together.
Q: What food's are poisonous to Guinea Pigs? Cavy Lover, WA
A: Foods which you should not feed your guinea pigs are, CHIVES, GARLIC, LEEKS, ONIONS, BUTTERCUPS (extremely poisonous), VELVET GRASS (thin grass), any shelled nuts or seeds (guinea pigs can choke on the shell fragments), rhubarb (extremely poisonous) , raw beans (poisonous), green pigment in potato.
Q: Help, I think my Guinea Pigs are drinking too much water? I have to fill the bottle up 3-4 times a day, and this bottle is not small. Do they have a bladder or Kidney problem? Kylie, Cleveland
A: Well it's hard to say if they have a executory problem of some sort, since I'm not a vet, but I do know that Piggies like to play with their water, especially on hot summer days. Some like to dribble water all over them to keep cool, and some like to spit tiny pieces of food into the water bottle. Just may sure your keeping fresh water in it all the time. Maybe the water bottle has a leak? Could these be the reasons for the frequent empty bottle?
Q: Is kitty litter a good bedding for guinea pig cages? Anon.
A: This is definitely a no no, your guinea pigs will more than likely try to eat it, and most cat litters contain chemicals to mask odours that could be harmful to a cavy's health. If you insist on using a cat litter, however, you can opt for some of the "environmentally safe" products, made from recycled paper. Otherwise pine or aspen shavings is recommended.
Q:
Our guinea pig has been in our house for 1 month. He is
now 3 months old.
He likes to stay around the house during the day and during the night he goes to
his cage.
When we sit on the floor next to him, he comes to sniff us and stay around us.
But when we try to pet him, he runs away!!!
We only can pet him when he is eating in his cage. It is the only time we can
get closer!!!
Is this normal? What can we do to be closer to him?
Thanks
Cristiane
A:
Since you have only had your guinea pig for a month, he is still probably not
used to being handled. In time he will get used to you.
It sometimes their
personality that makes them behave as if their scared,
but don't worry.
My advice is to you, when he comes up to you, Hold some food in your hand and
let him feed from you. He will eventually get used
to you and let you pat him if
you apply this.
Q: How do you clip guinea pigs toe nails? Do you need anything special to clip them with?
Thanks Tamara
A: Normal toe nail clippers you have at home will do the job. Sit you guinea pig down on your lap, and gently, support their feet when you clip them. Be careful not to cut too close to the cuticle. It's sometimes hard to see where it is on dark nailed guinea pigs. If you do accidentally cut too close to make him bleed, dab some baby power onto the nail. It will stop bleeding after a few minutes. And at the end of each nail clipping session, which is about every month, reward your piggy with their favorite food.
Q:
My
guinea pig is pregnant, but I do not know what to do when the cavies are born. I
know to help get the sac off and cut the cord, but do I just let the mom take
over after that? She is a first timer and only 5 months of age. I did not know
she was pregnant when I got her a month ago.
I am also giving her lot's of wheat grass everyday for Vitamine C. Is that good
enough? She get's Kale too.
How much food should I put in her bowl? Do pregnant pigs need more pig chow as
well?
One more question. My vet for her is about 30-45 minutes away, if she starts
having complications at birth, can I make it to the vet in time?
Thank you, Concerned Cavy Owner.
A: You shouldn't worry
so much. The chance your going to see the birth is actually slim. She'll do it
all herself. There's no need to cut cords or to get the sac off. She does it all
herself. She will also eat the placentas or most of them in large litters. 5
months of age is the recommended age in some books. You would be worried if she
was 6 weeks old and pregnant.
All you can really do for now is feed her food high in Vitamin C, such as
carrots. Give her hay, which is required, I recommend alfalfa hay, which is high
in calcium and iron, during the pregnancy and after to assist with breast
feeding. If you want to give her an extra boost of vitamin C, put some diluted
Ribena in her water bottle.
Give her as much food as she needs, near the end of pregnancy you will notice
that she will demand for more food.
Sadly enough if any complications do happen, you could assist and you will be
able to over come any complications yourself, I haven't had any complications
with the mothers, but still-borns are possible and there's really nothing anyone
can do.
Q: It's been very cold where I live and I was wondering about the most suitable bedding for my guinea pig, do you have any advice, Brett
A: I recommend timothy hay, as it has an important nutritional benefit aiding to your guinea pigs digestion, making them chew down their growing incisors and will keep them warm through winter. If you have pregnant or lactating sows alfalfa hay is important as it is rich calcium and protein.
Q: Hi. How do you actually tell if a guinea pig is pregnant? I'm a first timer and I have both a male and female. Also, if pregnant, do I need to separate the male from the female after the babies are born? Thanks. Cindi
A: Well you can tell if your female guinea pig is pregnant when to she begins to bulge out the sides, gently feel her every week or so and you will find hard lumps in there. Also when she is close to giving birth, you will tell as she will demand food and eat more, separate the male from her hutch. Its not a good idea to keep the male in with the female as he can impregnate her hours after birth and cause too much stress on the mother.
Q: Thank you so much for your advice and quick response. One more question, when will it be safe to rejoin bo and baby together? They really like each other's company. Will he just keep impregnating her over and over as soon as they are together or is there such thing as "fixing" a female guinea pig? Cindi
A: Hey, Well yeah, its a male instinct and he will keep on impregnating her over and over. You can get your male neuted at the vet, I'm not too sure of fixing the female. It can be very expensive, In Australia is about $100! If you do, make sure the vet specialises in rodents and exotic animals and have experience in neuting guinea pigs before. It can be a risky and costly operation. It would be a lot easier just to buy or make a cage and sit it beside each other.
Q: I was wondering if a guinea pigs was breed in october how long would it take for the babies to be born. The female was in with the male since the middle of october. thanks connie
A: Its not surprising that she is not pregnant yet, it can take time for the female to become pregnant. She will be ready to conceive when she is on 'heat'. This is when the mucus plug sealing her vagina dissolves. Sows come on heat every 15-17 days from 24 to 48 hours. So there will be plenty of time for your guinea pigs to breed. Its takes roughly around 70 days from conception until the babies are born.
