Choosing The Proper Bedding For A Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are very susceptible to respiratory illnesses, which may be aggravated by oily or dusty bedding. Here are the proper bedding materials for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs make ideal family pets, especially for families with small children. With their docile natures and natural sociability, guinea pigs make a great addition to the family unit. They have minimal food and water requirements, and relatively long lifespans for such small animals.
Their droppings are not offensive, and are easily disposable. Many guinea pigs become 'housebroken', learning to save any eliminations for their cages. Since they spend much of the time in their cage homes, choosing the proper bedding is essential. The wrong bedding can not only make a guinea pig uncomfortable, it can also cause potentially fatal illnesses. Here are the most common types of pet bedding used today, along with advice on whether or not to use the material in a guinea pig's cage.
1. Cedar shavings:
Commonly found in pet stores, cedar shavings are certainly one of the least expensive bedding materials available, and are usually used in situations that require a large amount of bedding. But cedar contains a very high concentration of tree oils, which is not good for a guinea pig's overall health. Cedar shavings are NOT recommended for a guinea pig's cage.
2. Pine shavings:
Lighter in color than cedar shavings, pine shavings are usually kept in stock at most pet stores. Some shavings look like flakes, while others may seem more like wood that has been 'ground up' by machinery. Very absorbent and fragrant, pine shavings are not a bad choice for guinea pigs, but not perfect, either. Pine also contains wood oils, which can irritate a guinea pig's system, plus can be a bit dusty. Excessive dust exposure can cause respiratory problems for small animals. Therefore, standard pine shavings are MARGINALLY ACCEPTABLE for guinea pig owners on a budget.
3. Aspen pine shavings:
This is the best compromise available at most pet stores. Aspen pine shavings are nearly oil-free, and the dust is negligible. Most guinea pig reference books will recommend Aspen pine bedding as the best choice for guinea pigs. A little pricier than the standard pine shavings, but worth it in the long run. Make sure you are indeed getting the Aspen variety of pine shavings when shopping. Because of its low oil content and dust-free nature, Aspen pine bedding is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for guinea pigs.
4. Natural hay bedding:
Guinea pigs go crazy for hay as a snack, so the use of it as bedding is bliss for guineas. Not nearly as absorbent as the wood chip beddings, but definitely popular with the one intended to use it. For those who prefer an all-organic approach to pet raising, hay is a good choice. But owners must be aware of any signs of mold or other spoilage. Natural hay may also have pollen or other dusty substances, so that may be a consideration. For the benefits of an organic bedding, natural hay is a GOOD choice, but more owner diligence may be required.
5. Newspaper:
Those pet owners who have observed gerbils or hamsters eagerly tear into newspaper and build nests may be surprised that the guinea pig does not share in this practice. Guinea pigs will chew newspaper, but will usually swallow it. They do not make nests with the lightly chewed remnants. Newspaper also traps urine in the upper layers, which can lead to odor troubles and 'urinary scalding' on the tender bellies of the guinea pigs. As a temporary fix while transporting a sick guinea pig to the vet or as a stopgap until regular bedding can be obtained, newspaper is an acceptable choice. But it should not be used as the permanent bedding. The inks can cause intestinal distress for the pig when ingested, and the potential for pneumonia is increased with wet bedding. For those reasons, newspaper is ACCEPTABLE as a temporary solution, but NOT ACCEPTABLE as a permanent bedding choice.
Some pet owners have suggested using cat litter under the bedding as a absorbent layer. While some may find this practice acceptable, the dust factor cannot be ignored. Baking soda is a more organic choice, and is better tolerated by the guinea pig. Cages should only be cleaned with acetic or citric acid products, such as white vinegar or orange-based cleaners labeled as safe for pet use.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Choosing A Pet Guinea Pig
Choosing A Pet Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs make wonderful pets, but not every breed may be suitable for your particular needs and lifestyle. Here is what to consider when choosing a breed of guinea pig for your family.
Because of their roles as laboratory test animals, guinea pigs have gained an unfair reputation as completely docile, lifeless pets who just sit in a cage and stare blankly at the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Guinea pigs are very social animals and provide hours of entertainment with their curious antics and interaction with humans. They are less fragile than hamsters and gerbils, which is good for active children, and are very close in temperament to a rabbit, but not as "high maintenance." They rarely bite and are natural vegetarians. But not all guinea pig breeds are suitable for specific households and lifestyles. Before purchasing a guinea pig as a pet, consider the following differences between the three most common types of guinea pigs sold in America today.
One common breed of guinea pig is the short-haired variety. This is probably the first image of a guinea pig that will pop into your mind. The short-haired guinea pig is very sleek and clean in appearance, with a closely cropped coat of soft fur. It does have variations in color, mostly combinations of white, brown, cinnamon, and black. They resemble oversized mice in many respects, or large hamsters. Short-haired guineas do not shed much, which is a consideration if you prefer to keep a very tidy household. They are extremely easy to hold but can be a little slippery. Small children who do not have as much experience holding animals may find the short-haired variety a bit too challenging. I would recommend the short-haired variety for people who like their pets clean and sleek in appearance, with minimal shedding, and have older children who have handled animals in the past.
The second breed of guinea pig you might consider is the rough-coated variety. These crosses between the smooth-haired and long-haired variety are a little easier to hold for little hands because of their rough coats. There is a little more shedding involved, so you may notice a few more hairs around the house if the pet is handled often. The color scheme for a rough-haired guinea is the same as the smooth-hair, but occasionally the colors come out in tufts, which can give a rough-haired guinea a more comical appearance. Their fur's texture contains many whorls and cowlicks, so you'll never be able to completely groom a rough-haired guinea pig to "showroom quality." I recommend the rough-haired guinea pigs to parents with smaller children, and those who aren't as concerned with a pet's aesthetic qualities or shedding tendencies. Rough-hairs are wonderful pets but will always look like they just woke up with bad bed hair.
For the guinea pig enthusiast, long-haired guineas are usually the choice. With hair very similar to cats, the long-hairs are beautiful animals to behold, and very affectionate. Their colors can range from a solid white, black, brown, or cinnamon to a three-colored collage of shades. If you prefer an animal that is breathtakingly attractive, you may want to purchase a long-haired guinea pig. Although they still make wonderful family pets, the long-hairs may be too much work for small children. They require daily and diligent grooming because they are highly susceptible to matting. Trimming is not recommended because a guinea pig does not grow hair quickly. Whatever cuts you make in a guinea's fur are going to be there for a long time. Shedding is also considerable in a long-haired guinea. A long-haired guinea is not the sort of animal that can handle a three-day vacation with just some extra food and water. Other varieties may be left alone for several days if necessary, but long-hairs must be groomed religiously if you want them to maintain their beautiful coats. Therefore, I would recommend a long-haired guinea to the real guinea enthusiast who has the time to groom his/her pet and does not mind a buildup of pet hair around the house. Small children can enjoy a long-haired guinea but should be instructed on proper care and maintenance.
Guinea pigs make wonderful pets, but not every breed may be suitable for your particular needs and lifestyle. Here is what to consider when choosing a breed of guinea pig for your family.
Because of their roles as laboratory test animals, guinea pigs have gained an unfair reputation as completely docile, lifeless pets who just sit in a cage and stare blankly at the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Guinea pigs are very social animals and provide hours of entertainment with their curious antics and interaction with humans. They are less fragile than hamsters and gerbils, which is good for active children, and are very close in temperament to a rabbit, but not as "high maintenance." They rarely bite and are natural vegetarians. But not all guinea pig breeds are suitable for specific households and lifestyles. Before purchasing a guinea pig as a pet, consider the following differences between the three most common types of guinea pigs sold in America today.
One common breed of guinea pig is the short-haired variety. This is probably the first image of a guinea pig that will pop into your mind. The short-haired guinea pig is very sleek and clean in appearance, with a closely cropped coat of soft fur. It does have variations in color, mostly combinations of white, brown, cinnamon, and black. They resemble oversized mice in many respects, or large hamsters. Short-haired guineas do not shed much, which is a consideration if you prefer to keep a very tidy household. They are extremely easy to hold but can be a little slippery. Small children who do not have as much experience holding animals may find the short-haired variety a bit too challenging. I would recommend the short-haired variety for people who like their pets clean and sleek in appearance, with minimal shedding, and have older children who have handled animals in the past.
The second breed of guinea pig you might consider is the rough-coated variety. These crosses between the smooth-haired and long-haired variety are a little easier to hold for little hands because of their rough coats. There is a little more shedding involved, so you may notice a few more hairs around the house if the pet is handled often. The color scheme for a rough-haired guinea is the same as the smooth-hair, but occasionally the colors come out in tufts, which can give a rough-haired guinea a more comical appearance. Their fur's texture contains many whorls and cowlicks, so you'll never be able to completely groom a rough-haired guinea pig to "showroom quality." I recommend the rough-haired guinea pigs to parents with smaller children, and those who aren't as concerned with a pet's aesthetic qualities or shedding tendencies. Rough-hairs are wonderful pets but will always look like they just woke up with bad bed hair.
For the guinea pig enthusiast, long-haired guineas are usually the choice. With hair very similar to cats, the long-hairs are beautiful animals to behold, and very affectionate. Their colors can range from a solid white, black, brown, or cinnamon to a three-colored collage of shades. If you prefer an animal that is breathtakingly attractive, you may want to purchase a long-haired guinea pig. Although they still make wonderful family pets, the long-hairs may be too much work for small children. They require daily and diligent grooming because they are highly susceptible to matting. Trimming is not recommended because a guinea pig does not grow hair quickly. Whatever cuts you make in a guinea's fur are going to be there for a long time. Shedding is also considerable in a long-haired guinea. A long-haired guinea is not the sort of animal that can handle a three-day vacation with just some extra food and water. Other varieties may be left alone for several days if necessary, but long-hairs must be groomed religiously if you want them to maintain their beautiful coats. Therefore, I would recommend a long-haired guinea to the real guinea enthusiast who has the time to groom his/her pet and does not mind a buildup of pet hair around the house. Small children can enjoy a long-haired guinea but should be instructed on proper care and maintenance.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Guinea Pig Information
Guinea Pig Information
Here's some information on a guinea pig's average life expectancy and the factors involved.
Guinea pigs make excellent housepets because of their docile natures and natural curiosity. Because they are strictly vegetarians, they rarely bite the hand that feeds them, which makes them safe for even the youngest owners. Owning a guinea pig is akin to owning a combination of a cat and a very large hamster at the same time. They are also very close in temperament to a rabbit, but not quite as high-maintenance. Guineas are affectionate, in their own way, and will develop a definite bond with their owners. Guinea pigs reach full size by their first year, and are content to live in a caged environment throughout their entire lifespan.
But what is the average lifespan of a guinea pig, and what events can change that expectation? In the wild, a guinea pig could only hope to survive the slowest predator on the hunt. A wild guinea pig would be lucky to see his third birthday, which is why they are such prodigious reproducers by nature. A baby guinea pig grows up very quickly, to help keep it indistiguishable from its adult counterparts. Wild guineas travel in packs, to keep predators unable to concentrate on a single member. Even so, guinea pigs have few natural defenses except for the ability to run quickly. Guinea pigs in the wild tend to hide in burrows for protection, a habit the domesticated variety will still exhibit.
A domesticated guinea pig's lifespan, however, is generally 8 to 12 years. This is assuming that the guinea in question has led an exemplary life, free of disease and stress. The best thing that can happen to a guinea pig is to die of old age. If the animal's diet is strictly monitored and it gets the proper amount of exercise, most owners should see a guinea pig celebrate at least his eighth birthday. But there are some factors that can cut this life expectancy down to as little as a year or so. Some are environental in nature, while other can be caused by neglect or owner mistakes. Here are some factors that might keep your guinea pig from living a normal lifespan.
1. Mishandling
This is the factor most likely to cause an early death in a very young guinea pig. Guinea pigs enjoy human contact, and will usually allow their owners to pick them up after a short 'fight'. Great care must be exercised when handling a guinea pig. Their limbs do not move in the same positions as a human, and can become dislocated easily. An undiagnosed and untreated broken bone can lead to more serious complications, such as infections and circulatory problems. Also, guinea pigs tend to jump when leaving an owner's grasp, which could lead to a serious fall or blow to the head. An injury from a fall could lead to internal bleeding and death. If a guinea pig is mishandled, this can reduce his life expectancy to under a year.
2. Dietary abnormalities
Guinea pig diets are usually a combination of dried pellets and fresh produce. The food pellets do contain a certain amount of fat, which can lead to obesity if overdone. An obese pig can expect to live half as long as a normal weight pig. Conversely, guinea pigs often stop eating as a result of other illnesses or stresses. Anorexia is a common disorder among domestic guinea pigs, possibly associated with the stress of living in a caged environment for so long. Anorexia will cause a pig to die within a month of onset. Certain foods, primarily raw beans and potato skins, contain certain enzymes that are poisonous to guinea pigs. Although most owners will take the time to consult manuals before feeding any new food to a guinea pig, occasionally mistakes can be made. Food poisoning is difficult to treat, but easily avoided.
3. Environmental factors
A guinea pig thrives on fairly warm, but not hot, room temperatures. They can easily become overheated and dehydrated in a room heated past 80 degrees. Dehydration is a major killer of guinea pigs, whatever the root cause. Conversely, guinea pigs are also susceptible to respiratory ailments caused by colds. Drafts and air conditioning can turn their cages into cold, damp disease centers. If a guinea pig is left to sleep in a cold, urine-soaked environment through owner neglect, it may contract a fatal case of pneumonia. Guinea pigs do not respond well to most traditional antibiotics, so treatment for a respiratory ailment is expensive and risky.
4. Internal factors
Guinea pigs have their own set of problems that could shorten their lifespan considerably. Much like a rabbit, a guinea pig's teeth grow continuously. They must wear their teeth down through chewing. Occasionally, a guinea pig's teeth will suddenly grow uncontrollably. This can cause an inability to eat food properly, which leads to anorexia and eventual death. Surgery may correct the problem, but the overgrowth may return at any time. Guineas also may develop what is called a megacolon. Although not necessarily a fatal condition in and of itself, a megacolon can indicate a growing dependence on outside help for a guinea pig's health. Basically, a guinea pig's large intestine develops a bulge, which overtaxes the guinea's sphincter muscle. The result is an inability to force out solid feces that builds up in the intestines. The owner must gently squeeze the area surrounding the anal opening, which should encourage the expelling of feces. This task must be performed regularly while the condition exists. This may mean the rest of the guinea's life. Such dependence on outside help may lead to a more lethargic and depressed pig in general, which can mean a reduced lifespan due to emotional stress and depression.
Here's some information on a guinea pig's average life expectancy and the factors involved.
Guinea pigs make excellent housepets because of their docile natures and natural curiosity. Because they are strictly vegetarians, they rarely bite the hand that feeds them, which makes them safe for even the youngest owners. Owning a guinea pig is akin to owning a combination of a cat and a very large hamster at the same time. They are also very close in temperament to a rabbit, but not quite as high-maintenance. Guineas are affectionate, in their own way, and will develop a definite bond with their owners. Guinea pigs reach full size by their first year, and are content to live in a caged environment throughout their entire lifespan.
But what is the average lifespan of a guinea pig, and what events can change that expectation? In the wild, a guinea pig could only hope to survive the slowest predator on the hunt. A wild guinea pig would be lucky to see his third birthday, which is why they are such prodigious reproducers by nature. A baby guinea pig grows up very quickly, to help keep it indistiguishable from its adult counterparts. Wild guineas travel in packs, to keep predators unable to concentrate on a single member. Even so, guinea pigs have few natural defenses except for the ability to run quickly. Guinea pigs in the wild tend to hide in burrows for protection, a habit the domesticated variety will still exhibit.
A domesticated guinea pig's lifespan, however, is generally 8 to 12 years. This is assuming that the guinea in question has led an exemplary life, free of disease and stress. The best thing that can happen to a guinea pig is to die of old age. If the animal's diet is strictly monitored and it gets the proper amount of exercise, most owners should see a guinea pig celebrate at least his eighth birthday. But there are some factors that can cut this life expectancy down to as little as a year or so. Some are environental in nature, while other can be caused by neglect or owner mistakes. Here are some factors that might keep your guinea pig from living a normal lifespan.
1. Mishandling
This is the factor most likely to cause an early death in a very young guinea pig. Guinea pigs enjoy human contact, and will usually allow their owners to pick them up after a short 'fight'. Great care must be exercised when handling a guinea pig. Their limbs do not move in the same positions as a human, and can become dislocated easily. An undiagnosed and untreated broken bone can lead to more serious complications, such as infections and circulatory problems. Also, guinea pigs tend to jump when leaving an owner's grasp, which could lead to a serious fall or blow to the head. An injury from a fall could lead to internal bleeding and death. If a guinea pig is mishandled, this can reduce his life expectancy to under a year.
2. Dietary abnormalities
Guinea pig diets are usually a combination of dried pellets and fresh produce. The food pellets do contain a certain amount of fat, which can lead to obesity if overdone. An obese pig can expect to live half as long as a normal weight pig. Conversely, guinea pigs often stop eating as a result of other illnesses or stresses. Anorexia is a common disorder among domestic guinea pigs, possibly associated with the stress of living in a caged environment for so long. Anorexia will cause a pig to die within a month of onset. Certain foods, primarily raw beans and potato skins, contain certain enzymes that are poisonous to guinea pigs. Although most owners will take the time to consult manuals before feeding any new food to a guinea pig, occasionally mistakes can be made. Food poisoning is difficult to treat, but easily avoided.
3. Environmental factors
A guinea pig thrives on fairly warm, but not hot, room temperatures. They can easily become overheated and dehydrated in a room heated past 80 degrees. Dehydration is a major killer of guinea pigs, whatever the root cause. Conversely, guinea pigs are also susceptible to respiratory ailments caused by colds. Drafts and air conditioning can turn their cages into cold, damp disease centers. If a guinea pig is left to sleep in a cold, urine-soaked environment through owner neglect, it may contract a fatal case of pneumonia. Guinea pigs do not respond well to most traditional antibiotics, so treatment for a respiratory ailment is expensive and risky.
4. Internal factors
Guinea pigs have their own set of problems that could shorten their lifespan considerably. Much like a rabbit, a guinea pig's teeth grow continuously. They must wear their teeth down through chewing. Occasionally, a guinea pig's teeth will suddenly grow uncontrollably. This can cause an inability to eat food properly, which leads to anorexia and eventual death. Surgery may correct the problem, but the overgrowth may return at any time. Guineas also may develop what is called a megacolon. Although not necessarily a fatal condition in and of itself, a megacolon can indicate a growing dependence on outside help for a guinea pig's health. Basically, a guinea pig's large intestine develops a bulge, which overtaxes the guinea's sphincter muscle. The result is an inability to force out solid feces that builds up in the intestines. The owner must gently squeeze the area surrounding the anal opening, which should encourage the expelling of feces. This task must be performed regularly while the condition exists. This may mean the rest of the guinea's life. Such dependence on outside help may lead to a more lethargic and depressed pig in general, which can mean a reduced lifespan due to emotional stress and depression.
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