WhitneyGuinea Pigs for Kids and Caring for Guinea Pigs
May 18th 2008 00:30
Guinea pigs are one of the best pets for younger kids. Most parents opt for the much smaller hamster or gerbil, but guinea pigs are much friendlier and less likely to bite. The major turnoff to most parents is that they are much larger than hamsters, which means that they require a larger cage. But, in general guinea pigs are a much better pet than a hamster...
When caring for a guinea pig, you always want to oversee your child's care of the pet. Just because it is your child's new pet, it doesn't mean that you can leave all responsibility to the child. You want to make sure that the child really is caring for the pet.
For the most part, guinea pigs have a pretty simple care schedule. Make sure that you go over the care and maintenance with your child, so that he/she fully understands how to care for his/her new pet.
When caring for guinea pigs, they require a cage that is at least 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 25 inches deep. It's best to use cages with good ventilation; Most pet stores sell cages that have plastic bottoms that are usually about 3 to 4 inches tall with a full wire lid, usually with at least two doors: 1 in the front and 1 on the top. These cages tend to range from $50 to $100, depending on the size, design, and brand that you choose. Just remember that with larger cages, the guinea pig will be more than likely be more active.
Never use aquariums to house guinea pigs. They are a very poor source of ventilation and the urine can build up causing respiratory concerns.
Also, never use cages with mesh or wire floors because it will hurt the guinea pig's feet, possibly causing bumble foot.
When picking out a bedding, use Carefresh or Aspen wood shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they have oils that can cause respiratory problems with the guinea pig breathes in the oils and smells.
The main accessories that a guinea pig needs in his cage are:
* Food bowl
* Water bowl
* Shelter
* Chew sticks (necessary to keep a guinea pig's teeth from growing in excess)
Guinea pigs don't need a wheel. If you put a wheel in the cage, the guinea pig will more than likely sit on it or hide under it, but they will not run on it. (The same goes with the animal balls; guinea pigs just really don't use them.)
Guinea pigs do not need more than one level in their cage, either. They need more floor space versus height.
Remember that no matter what you put in the cage, make sure that it is non-toxic because guinea pigs constantly chew to wear down their teeth.
Try to avoid plastic houses because, again, guinea pigs will chew just about everything and you don't want your new guinea pig to chew his house and get plastic stuck in his digestive system.
When feeding guinea pigs, there are tons of commercial diets that are great for guinea pigs. You, also, want to make sure to provide hay. Guinea pigs love timothy hay, and it's great for them.
The one thing that you want to add to your guinea pig's diet, no matter what brand of guinea pig food that you choose, is Vitamin C. Guinea pigs require more Vitamin C than other herbivore species. You can supplement Vitamin C in your guinea pig's diet by putting Vitamin C drops in the water bottle. Also, make sure to provide the guinea pig with fresh fruits or vegetables such as oranges, melons, apples, kale, and cabbage. Make sure to remove the seeds in the oranges, apples, and melons, as they are toxic.
When handling guinea pigs, you want to be careful becuase they can be easily stressed. So you want to teach your children how to properly pick up and handle a guinea pig.
When handling guinea pigs, you want to pick them up by placing one hand under the guinea pig's chest just behind the front legs and gently cupping your other hand under his back legs. Once you have a firm, yet gentle, grip on the guinea pig, lift him out of the cage and immediately pull him close to your chest or lap so that he feels safe. Otherwise, he may thrash around and try to get away from you.
You want to make sure to clean your guinea pig's cage at least once a week, to include changing the bedding as well as scrubbing and disinfecting the cage.
Because guinea pigs use their cage bedding as the bathroom and bed, you want to make sure that the guinea pig is kept with fresh bedding as best as posisble.
Clean the water bottle daily to prevent algea and bacteria from growing in the bottle or sipper.
As for the guinea pig, itself, they usually keep themselves clean, but occassionally the medium and long haired breeds require brushing and baths with a gentle small animal shampoo.
Guinea pigs like company, so when you get one guinea pig,, get two. Guinea pigs do well in same sex pairs. You want to make sure that the guinea pigs will get along, as well. For example, two males may fight.
When caring for a guinea pig, you always want to oversee your child's care of the pet. Just because it is your child's new pet, it doesn't mean that you can leave all responsibility to the child. You want to make sure that the child really is caring for the pet.
For the most part, guinea pigs have a pretty simple care schedule. Make sure that you go over the care and maintenance with your child, so that he/she fully understands how to care for his/her new pet.
Tri-Colored Guinea Pig
When caring for guinea pigs, they require a cage that is at least 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 25 inches deep. It's best to use cages with good ventilation; Most pet stores sell cages that have plastic bottoms that are usually about 3 to 4 inches tall with a full wire lid, usually with at least two doors: 1 in the front and 1 on the top. These cages tend to range from $50 to $100, depending on the size, design, and brand that you choose. Just remember that with larger cages, the guinea pig will be more than likely be more active.
Ware Manufacturing Patio Home for Guinea Pigs and Rabbits
Ware Manufacturing Deluxe XL Home Sweet Home Cage
Never use aquariums to house guinea pigs. They are a very poor source of ventilation and the urine can build up causing respiratory concerns.
Also, never use cages with mesh or wire floors because it will hurt the guinea pig's feet, possibly causing bumble foot.
Guinea pig cage made of cloropast and cubes
When picking out a bedding, use Carefresh or Aspen wood shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they have oils that can cause respiratory problems with the guinea pig breathes in the oils and smells.
The main accessories that a guinea pig needs in his cage are:
* Food bowl
* Water bowl
* Shelter
* Chew sticks (necessary to keep a guinea pig's teeth from growing in excess)
Guinea pigs don't need a wheel. If you put a wheel in the cage, the guinea pig will more than likely sit on it or hide under it, but they will not run on it. (The same goes with the animal balls; guinea pigs just really don't use them.)
Guinea pigs do not need more than one level in their cage, either. They need more floor space versus height.
Remember that no matter what you put in the cage, make sure that it is non-toxic because guinea pigs constantly chew to wear down their teeth.
Try to avoid plastic houses because, again, guinea pigs will chew just about everything and you don't want your new guinea pig to chew his house and get plastic stuck in his digestive system.
When feeding guinea pigs, there are tons of commercial diets that are great for guinea pigs. You, also, want to make sure to provide hay. Guinea pigs love timothy hay, and it's great for them.
The one thing that you want to add to your guinea pig's diet, no matter what brand of guinea pig food that you choose, is Vitamin C. Guinea pigs require more Vitamin C than other herbivore species. You can supplement Vitamin C in your guinea pig's diet by putting Vitamin C drops in the water bottle. Also, make sure to provide the guinea pig with fresh fruits or vegetables such as oranges, melons, apples, kale, and cabbage. Make sure to remove the seeds in the oranges, apples, and melons, as they are toxic.
When handling guinea pigs, you want to be careful becuase they can be easily stressed. So you want to teach your children how to properly pick up and handle a guinea pig.
When handling guinea pigs, you want to pick them up by placing one hand under the guinea pig's chest just behind the front legs and gently cupping your other hand under his back legs. Once you have a firm, yet gentle, grip on the guinea pig, lift him out of the cage and immediately pull him close to your chest or lap so that he feels safe. Otherwise, he may thrash around and try to get away from you.
You want to make sure to clean your guinea pig's cage at least once a week, to include changing the bedding as well as scrubbing and disinfecting the cage.
Because guinea pigs use their cage bedding as the bathroom and bed, you want to make sure that the guinea pig is kept with fresh bedding as best as posisble.
Clean the water bottle daily to prevent algea and bacteria from growing in the bottle or sipper.
As for the guinea pig, itself, they usually keep themselves clean, but occassionally the medium and long haired breeds require brushing and baths with a gentle small animal shampoo.
Grooming Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs like company, so when you get one guinea pig,, get two. Guinea pigs do well in same sex pairs. You want to make sure that the guinea pigs will get along, as well. For example, two males may fight.
Guinea pigs like company
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