The guinea pig is the cutest animal. Care and maintenance

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

What to do if, due to lack of time, it is not possible to keep a dog in the apartment, but you really want to have a small, fluffy and smart friend? In such a situation, a guinea pig can be an ideal pet. This cutest animal with small intelligent eyes is perfect for apartment keeping, caring for it does not require much time and money. Guinea pigs are very friendly, sociable and able to become a good friend for both a child and an adult. They are absolutely unpretentious, therefore they are very popular among lovers of domestic animals.

Guinea pig cage

These little pets don't need any special houses. In a cage measuring 1x0.7 m, it is quite acceptable to keep 3-4 pigs. Such a simple dwelling can be made independently or purchased at a pet store. Preferably, metal cages with a sliding plexiglass tray. This greatly facilitates cleaning, as they are easy to clean using any disinfectant, durable, rodent-resistant and let in enough light. The bottom of the cage is covered with sawdust, which is changed twicein Week. It is very practical to use cat litter as bedding.

It is important to choose the right place where the pig's home will be located. It should be dry, light and warm. It is unacceptable to keep these animals in basements or in a draft.

Guinea pig feeding

In food, guinea pigs are completely unpretentious. They are herbivores, so in nature their main food is grass and shrub branches. At home, they are happy to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, preferring cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, apples.

Features of the digestive system in these animals are such that they absorb food in very small portions, but quite often. In addition, guinea pigs are unable to produce vitamin C, so a daily intake of 5 mg must be ensured by adding ascorbic acid to the water. Adding cereals to the animal's diet will become an additional source of vitamins. By winter, hay is prepared for the pig. It is necessary to feed the animal 2-3 times a day, always at certain hours. Failure to comply with the feeding regimen can lead to disruption of the intestines and even death.

Water treatments

Although this cutest animal is called a guinea pig, it has nothing to do with the sea, does not recognize bathing and does not tolerate it well. But there are situations when, due to severe contamination of wool, such a procedure is simply necessary. In this case, you should try to wash only that part of the animal thatdirty, and do it very carefully so as not to wet your head. You can use baby soap or shampoo that does not contain aggressive ingredients. The water temperature should be 36-38⁰С. After bathing, dry the animal thoroughly with a soft towel and put it in a warm place.

If the coat is long, you will have to dry it with a hair dryer, first making sure that its noise will not scare this cute pet.

Care and communication

Guinea pigs do not cause any particular trouble to their owners. But positive emotions give a lot. It is very interesting to observe their behavior. These quite sociable and very cute animals behave quite funny, especially when surrounded by their relatives. If the pig lives alone, then it is better to install its cage in the room where family members most often gather together. Do not turn on loud music, TV or a vacuum cleaner next to the animal, because sharp sounds scare him very much.

Any cutest animal responds to affection and care. The guinea pig is no exception and also loves to communicate with a person. If you do not take the animal in your arms from time to time and do not talk to it, then the animal may become homesick. Therefore, if a guinea pig appears in the house, you will have to set aside time in your schedule not only for feeding it, but also for communication and games so that the animal does not feel lonely.

Despite the fact that guinea pigs are very calm and quiet animals that sleep most of the time, no one canceled the need for movement. Sometimesyou need to give the animal the opportunity to walk around the room or even on the street.

It is extremely rare that guinea pigs show aggression and only towards other animals. Any unfamiliar environment or danger forces them to flee or assume a completely immobile posture. In nature, this feature often helps to keep them alive. This cutest animal is just the perfect solution for any kid dreaming of a little friend.

Traveling with a guinea pig

When you have to go to the country or to nature, the guinea pig will only be happy to have an active holiday. For transportation, it is best to purchase a special container. At the resting place, as a house, you can use a wooden box without a bottom, which is placed tightly on the grass, and is closed on top with mesh material to protect against insects. The main thing is to make sure that the animal does not run away, does not overheat or freeze. After the walk, conduct a thorough inspection to identify ticks.

The guinea pig is a great pet option for lonely seniors too. This animal that appeared in the house will give a sea of \u200b\u200bpositivity and the joy of communicating with him.