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A QUICK GUIDETO GUINEA PIGS
FERTILITY
Male guinea pigs can be sexually mature at threeweeks of age. Determine each pet’s sex, and keepmales and females separate at all times to preventunwanted babies. Because it is difficult to find enoughappropriate homes for them, breeding guinea pigs isstrongly discouraged. If a male and female are kepttogether, the male guinea pig should be neutered by anexperienced veterinarian who specializes in exotics.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
•Penicillin-based drugs, commonly prescribed forother pets, are toxic to guinea pigs.•Exercise wheels and balls can cause injury toguinea pigs and should never be used.•Never leave your guinea pigs unsupervised wherea predator or other pet could harm them.
MORE INFORMATION
Guinea Pigs: AComplete Pet Owner’s Manual
,byKatie BehrendGuinea Pig Care: www.guineapigs.info
DIET
Ahealthy diet for adults is based on guinea pigpellets and quality grass hay, such as timothy hay.Both should be freely available at all times. Babiesunder six months and pregnant sows need alfalfa hay.Aconstant supply of hay provides fibre, vital to keepthe teeth and digestive system in good shape. Guineapigs must have adequate vitamin C in their diet.Look for plain pellets containing vitamin C butwithout seeds, nuts or coloured treats. The bagshould be date stamped to ensure freshness andvitamin C potency.Also provide each guinea pig with a cupful of mixedfresh vegetables and fruit daily. Choose produce witha high vitamin C content, such as parsley, romainelettuce, bell peppers and dandelions, occasionallyadding a piece of carrot. Fresh water in a sipperbottle should be available at all times. Nutritionalsupplements are not necessary if a good, varied dietis provided.
HEALTH
Find a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals andexperienced in treating guinea pigs before you havean emergency. Guinea pigs try to hide signs of illness,so by the time you notice something is wrong, theillness is usually well advanced. The following signsmean your pet needs urgent veterinary care: noteating or drinking, lethargy, sneezing, wheezing,crusty eyes, fluffed up fur, diarrhea, blood in urine,loss of balance, tilted head, excessive scratching orhair loss. Keeping a weekly record of your pet’sweight will alert you to weight loss, which oftenindicates a health problem.
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| Upload Date: | 01/18/2009 |
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