Guinea pigs - these peace-loving and funny animals hailing from South America, have long been the favorite pets in many families. An important role in this was played by the fact that caring for guinea pigs does not require much effort. Children cope with this.
The pig of this land animal was called for the squeal that it emits during a fright, as well as for the characteristic "grunt" when it is calm.
Guinea pig housing
The cage or terrarium can serve as housing for guinea pigs, depending on the breed of the animal. One or a couple of pigs will coexist perfectly in a cage-box with a height of 40-50 cm and an area of โโ40x70 cm. But for breeding animals, special cells with two sexes are required: the lower one is solid, the upper one is rack. In the case of group keeping, one male is housed in one cage for 5-6 females. Guinea pigs are quite peaceful animals and get along well together.
According to veterinarians, caring for guinea pigs is not difficult, but it is important to remember that when keeping animals the litter plays an important role. It is recommended to use small sawdust only of deciduous trees, as sawdust conifers can cause allergies in these animals.
Guinea pig menu
When keeping a guinea pig, you must carefully monitor its diet. These animals must receive various types of feed (succulent, solid) and hay. Typically, they are fodder: grass, hay, beets, carrots, oats, slightly moist wheat bran with the addition of salt, dairy products, bone meal or chalk. Also, a vitamin complex should be mixed daily in feed or water in guinea pigs.
Due to the fact that guinea pigs eat enough root vegetables and succulent herbs, they do not need water. However, it is necessary for a pregnant female to put a drinking bowl with clean water approximately 2-3 days before lambing.
Guinea pig: care and maintenance
Guinea pig housing must be thoroughly cleaned twice a week. However, do not forget about the daily cleaning, which must be done before feeding (replace water, wash the feeders, remove the toilet corner).
In order to avoid lice, careful care of guinea pigs is necessary. To do this, wash them using baby shampoo. Also, as necessary, you need to cut the nails of the animals. In this case, only the light tip of the nail is cut off, without affecting its dark part.
Pairing
It is not recommended to mate these animals before 4 months. Pregnancy lasts about two months, after which 2-4 well-formed, fur-coated cubs are born. When dry, the kids are already able to stand firmly on their feet. Within a month, motherโs milk serves as food for them.
Guinea pigs and children
Caring for guinea pigs is a pleasant activity that gives children only joy. But it is important for them to explain that these cute animals need a careful attitude. They can not be lifted by the scruff, shake. And the fall of a guinea pig even from an insignificant height can lead to its death. It is especially necessary to protect these animals from other, larger pets, such as cats.
Observing these simple but important recommendations for the maintenance and care of guinea pigs, you can enjoy the company of these funny and cute animals for a long time.