PIGGIES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What age is the best age to buy a Guinea Pig?
The earliest age gp's should be available is 4 weeks old, preferably though 6 to 12 weeks are better, at this age they are very independant, don't need mamma anymore, but are young enough to be tamed, providing they are handled often and very gently.

2. What should I look for when selecting a new Guinea Pig?
Wherever you are getting your gp from, be it a pet shop or from friends etc, look at all the gp's in the cage and see which one's are the most alert, interacting with the others, very active and nosy, next check for signs of illness by checking out the eyes which should be bright, make sure the ears are clean, the teeth are clean and not to long, the nose is not dry or blocked by nasal discharge, the fur should have some shine to it, including the rough-haired breed's of gp's and all gp's coats should be sleek, the skin smooth with no scaly parts, visible wounds sores or abscesses. Also check their bottom end to make sure it's as clean as you would expect with no visible signs of diarrhoea, the gp's should be walking or running without any difficulty, and always hold the gp to see how it reacts to you, listening for any signs of wheezing, if the gp has any of the above symptoms it is in poor health. This could mean vet bills in the near future.

3. How do I tell the sex of my new Guinea Pig(s)?
Hold the gp in the crook of your arm, turned so that you can see between the legs, then press gently around the genital area, the opening will show like a Y shape for females (sows), and guess what the males (boars) have? yes the same little thing all males have, so it's not to difficult, but just be very sure if you are keeping more than one gp together that you are 100% sure they are both the same sex, or mamma mia you will have a menagerie soon!!!! it will be your responsibility I'm not liable OK.

4. What are the different breeds?
There are short-hair breeds called English, American or Bolivian, these are the easiet types to groom, the straight back and side gp's, there are rough-hair breeds usually called Abyssinian, there can be certain mutations of the coat type which most typically look like they have little rosettes stamped on their fur or as I like to think of them as the punk gp's then there is the long-hair breeds called Peruvian, or Sheltie and Coronet who are the hippy gp's with all that long hair man!! So if you do not want to spend to much time brushing and grooming, go for the shorties, but they are all so cute and cuddly, just make sure you love your little gp no matter what type of hairdo it has, for a more detailed explanation on this subject, go to my Colours and Patterns page.

5. What foods do they eat?
Specially formulated dry pellets, which include Vitamin C which gp's are unable to produce themselves, therefore this type of food is so important, along with raw fresh fruit and vegetables , with plenty of top quality hay as they are grazing animals, they like to chew most of the day, alfalfa can also be given but only in small quantities if they eat to much of this they can end up with urinary tract infections so give very sparingly. Avoid onions and garlic this causes gas phew!! and only small amounts of cabbage and iceberg lettuce as this causes diarrhea!!! poo poo!! also never give them beetroot tops as they contain an element toxic to gps, They can also eat wild plant foods such as grass, dandelion leaves, and clover, but only if they have not be treated with weed killer, and fertilizer etc, if the grasses have been treated do not give them to the gp's under any circumstances it could poison them.

A HUNGRY LITTLE PIGGIE

6. How often does the cage need cleaned?
This is really a matter of choice on the owner's part, it depends on how many gp's you have living together, and how messy they are. I'd say at the least once per week, if there is one particular corner being soiled more than others, you can clean it daily, by putting down more sawdust etc, the bedding and/or hay can be taken out every few days and replaced with fresh, then weekly take all the sawdust, newspaper and soiled bedding, wash the inside of the cage, then replenish with all fresh items. If the cage is kept quite clean it will mean that the wee piggies don't need a bath hardly at all, only needing the monthly nail trimming and whole going over to make sure that they do not have unwelcome visitors (fleas), if they do then go to the pet shop and get the correct shampoo to get rid of the pests, if there is any problems at all with their fur or skin and it wont clear up then a visit to the vet will be required.