Almost every family has a pet. Busy people prefer unpretentious animals that do not require special care. In this article, you will learn how to determine the sex of a guinea pig.
How to choose a healthy animal?
Immediately, we note that it is better to go to a specialized pet store for an animal. After all, only there you can get comprehensive recommendations on the maintenance and care of a future pet. By purchasing a small animal in the bird market, you run the risk of acquiring a sick animal.
Those who do not know how to determine the sex of guinea pigs will probably be interested in what age it is better to take the cub from the mother. It is advisable to do this no earlier than he turns eight weeks old. By this age, the baby will grow up enough and learn to take food on its own.
People who decide to buy two animals at once should be prepared for the fact that the males will have to be seated in different cages, as they will begin to arrange fights for the territory. But females can coexist peacefully in one house. Therefore, it is so important before buying to figure out how to determine the sex and age of the guinea pig.
Carefully observe the behavior of the individual you like. A healthy animal should be curious. Also try to wait for feeding time. Usually these animals are very voracious and drink quite a lot of water. The baby's coat should be shiny and smooth.
Content Recommendations
Those who want to know how to determine the sex of a guinea pig should understand that it requires appropriate conditions. Often, new owners make a mistake by settling their pet in a small glass aquarium. The animal needs a spacious, durable cage with metal rods and the same floor. At the bottom of the home of a new pet you need to pour sawdust or shavings. You can also purchase a special filler that absorbs unpleasant odors.
In the dwelling of a guinea pig, two feeders and a drinking bowl should be installed. In the corner between the rods of the cage, it is advisable to attach a strong rope, about which the animal can sharpen its teeth. Since these animals do not like direct sunlight, sharp temperature fluctuations and drafts, you need to carefully consider where to install their house.
Power Features
Those who decide to buy a small fluffy pet and want to understand how to determine the sex of a guinea pig will not hurt to find out what these animals eat. The diet of the animal must be carefully balanced. It is necessary to exclude sweets, cookies and similar products from it.
In order to avoid obesity, the animal needs to provide two meals a day. Do not forget to strictly control the portion sizes. It is advisable for the pet to leave as much food as he can eat for two to three hours. The basis of the ration of the animal should be vegetables, fruits, root crops and hay. From the menu of the guinea pig, it is recommended to completely exclude sweets and meat products. It is useful to give her fresh grass, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage leaves, beets, carrots, potatoes and brown bread. It is important that the pet has free access to clean drinking water.
How to determine the sex of guinea pigs?
This can be done in several different ways. Whichever of them you choose, you must act extremely carefully so as not to harm your pet. Turning the animal upside down, gently press near its external genital organs located in the lower abdomen. If it is a female, then you will see a Y-shaped gap, if it is a male, then when pressed, the reproductive organ will appear.
Those who want to learn how to determine the sex of a guinea pig (the photo of the animal is presented in this article) will be interested to learn another way. When researching your pet, do not forget about accuracy. Having taken the animal in its hands, turn it over so that its tummy is on top, and look at the distance between the anus and the urethra. In females it is less than in males.
In addition, you can pay attention to the behavior and appearance of the guinea pig. Males are large, they are messy and do not show emotions. Females are more accurate, active and sociable.
How to determine the age of the animal?
One of the most accurate indicators of the age of a guinea pig is its weight. A monthly individual (it is this age that is considered optimal for acquiring a pet) weighs no more than 400-500 grams. Full sexual maturity in pigs occurs at 15 months. The maximum weight of females at this time is 700-1000 g, males - 1000-1800 g.