Guinea Pigs

Some other furry friends who are part of the rodent family are guinea pigs. These friendly pets can be loads of fun and are easy to care for. Guinea pigs are not pigs nor are they from the country of New Guinea. They belong to the family caviidae and are also known as cavies. These friendly pigs have been around for quite some time, 5000 years to be exact. While we think of these cuddly cavies as pets; they did not serve the same purpose for tribes in the Andean region of South America. The first domesticated guinea pigs were not only a food source but they were worshipped by the Moche people of ancient Peru. The guinea pig can be seen in their early art work dating back as early as 200 AD. Today many Andeans still raise guinea pigs as a source of food. But here in America we choose to purchase them as our devoted pets for sheer purpose of entertainment and enjoyment.

So where did the name guinea pig come from? Although it is unclear-there is one theory that the first guinea pigs were transported to Europe by way of New Guinea. And the idea that they can stay in closed pens for long periods of time, much like a pig leads us to believe that's where that part of their name originated. What we do know is that European traders brought these cuddly pets to Europe during the late 1500's. They became very popular and became known as an exotic pet among the upper class and royalty. Even Queen Elizabeth owned a guinea pig!

So you want to own a cavy? Where should you start? The best place to start is your local pet store. Feed stores also carry pets and may have guinea pigs too.

You're in the pet store and you just can't make up your mind. They're all so cute! Not to worry…why not purchase two or even three guinea pigs? They just so happen to be social animals and actually do better in a herd. Observations have concluded that these cavies are happier when paired with a friend. If you want a happy cavy then perhaps you should plan to leave the pet store with at least two of them! Should you purchase a male and a female or can you buy same sex breeds? Same sex breeds that are less than 6 months of age could possibly turn on each other as they mature. It's best to pair the opposite sex if you don't want problems. If you don't want babies to enter the picture then make sure you purchase a spade or neutered guinea pig.

What Size Cage should I purchase?

If you want happy cavies then you'll want to make sure they have adequate room. A single cavy would need at least 7.5 square feet to roam around in. If you decide you want 2 cavies then you would need to double that size.

Now that you have the proper size cage, don't forget to play with your new cavy or cavies (depending on how many you decide to bring into your home). Guinea pigs are social animals and need some time outside their cage. Take time to play with them and give plenty of hugs. You can purchase roll around balls for them so they can have time to explore outside their home. If you have other pets like cats or dogs then your cavy will be safe inside his roll around ball! You cavy will love all his attention and this is a great time for you to bond with your new furry friend.

What should I feed my guinea pigs?

First and foremost-make sure your cavy's have plenty of water to drink! The best thing to feed your guinea pig is a diet of timothy hay, fresh veggies, and pellets. If you can't find timothy hay then you can feed your cavy alfalfa. But be careful; too much alfalfa can cause bladder stones. Only feed your guinea pig plain pellets without nuts and dried fruit. Most fruits and vegetables are okay, except iceberg lettuce. This type of lettuce will leave your cavy feeling bloated and gassy. Not to mention the unpleasant odor that will fill your room.

Unlike his cousin the hamster, your cavy has a longer life expectancy of around 4 – 8 years! There are many breeds to choose from. Some popular breeds are Abyssinian, Agouti, Short-Hair, Angora, and White-Crested guinea pigs. These breeds are determined by many factors such as color, length, and fur patterns. Guinea pigs also vary in color. Some are brown or sandy colored, black, or white, and some are multicolored too! There are also albino cavies. An albino cavy has white fur and pinkish red eyes. What ever breed or color you choose, as long as you have plenty of love to share-your new cavy will be a happy camper!

For more information on guinea pigs visit the links on this page and read about the history of the guinea pig! Above all: have fun with your new furry friend!