Adopt-a-Rescued-Guinea-Pig Month

Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. **
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=2041&articleid=3465
March 2006
News<http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=0&cat=2041>
[image: Adopt-a-Rescued-Guinea-Pig Month]March, 2006 is
"Adopt-a-Rescued-Guinea-Pig Month," which is sponsored by the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Petfinder.com.
Many people may not realize that hundreds of guinea pigs are relinquished to
shelters each year when their owners decide they no longer want them or
cannot care for them.
Domesticated guinea pigs are also known as cavies. Guinea pigs are generally
gentle animals, and make good family pets, especially for children over six
years of age. As with all other pets, small children, should be supervised
by an adult while handling a guinea pig.
Guinea pigs may live as long as 10 years, so the decision to adopt one must
be made carefully. Guinea pigs require daily care including feeding,
watering, cage cleaning, exercise, and companionship. They are social
animals, and will definitely want to be a part of your family.
There are 13 breeds<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800&articleid=2838>of
guinea pigs, differing in hair types, colors, and markings. The
variety
certainly is remarkable.
In most cases, the process of adopting a guinea pig, or any animal, involves
an application process and an application fee. Shelters and rescue
organizations want to be sure you understand the commitment and appropriate
care guinea pigs require:
Housing: Guinea pigs enjoy play and are capable of jumping 12 inches high.
Therefore, ideally, the
enclosure<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800&articleid=1633>should
provide a minimum of
7.5 square feet (30 inches by 36 inches) for one guinea pig. More space
should be provided for additional guinea pigs. If wire-bottom cages are
used, wood, grass mats, or other materials should be placed on a portion of
the floor to protect their
feet<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800&articleid=3066>.
The wire floor mesh should be fine enough to prevent feet from getting
caught. Glass aquarium enclosures should never be used because they do not
allow proper ventilation. Cages should be located away from direct sunlight,
drafts and temperature extremes. Always line cages with bedding such as
sawdust or wood shavings.
Toys: Guinea pigs love to hide, so include cardboard or PVC tubes, or other
types of hide boxes in the cage. For playtime, you may also use a large
indoor exercise run, or "guinea pig-proof" a single room. Always supervise
playtime outside the cage.
Diet: Feed a diet<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800&articleid=1630>that
provides quality timothy hay at all times. In addition, provide fresh,
quality, commercial pellets made especially for guinea pigs every day.
Guinea pigs require daily vitamin C, which rabbit pellets do not contain.
Fresh vegetables and clean fresh water should also be provided daily. The
water should be provided in an inverted bottle that attaches to the
enclosure.
Grooming and general care: Guinea pigs' teeth grow
continuously<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800&articleid=3078>,
and they need to chew to keep their teeth the proper length. Provide pigs
with a piece of wood to gnaw on. Use a pesticide-free tree branch or an
unpainted piece of wood that has not been chemically treated. There are also
a number of chew toys that are available commercially.
Brush your guinea pig regularly to keep his coat smooth and to remove loose
hair. Long-haired guinea pigs should be groomed daily to prevent tangles and
matting.
For more articles on the behavior, housing, and feeding of guinea pigs, see
our entire section on Guinea
Pigs<http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800>