Breeds of guinea pigs: choose a friend

Guinea pigs are very ancient animals native to South America. To tame and breed them began another Inca. According to legends, they were considered magical animals that are able to treat patients, and help the dying to relocate to the world of the dead. By popularity today, these charming rodents are only slightly inferior to decorative rabbits.

Modern domestic breeds of guinea pigs are not at all like their wild ancestors. It is interesting that they are called marine only in Germany and Russia, at home - gouis or aparea, in Europe they are called Peruvian, and in scientific terms they are called Cavi. Outwardly they resemble domestic breeds of guinea pigs, but only larger and more mobile. Their color is only one-color: brown, brown, gray.

Care for the guinea pigs is not at all difficult, even younger schoolchildren can cope with it, so the popularity of animals grows every year. How can you not love these charming pussies ?! And what amusing and touching names for guinea pigs children are able to come up with! The animals quickly get used to the name and start reacting with a comical grunting.

The breeds of guinea pigs vary in length and type of wool. There are with smooth, short, soft or tough hair (American, rosette, Abyssinian). And there is a soft, long and even curly, just like a lamb (Angora, Peruvian, sheltie).

As the first pet for a child, it is better to buy a pig with short hair. For example, very beautiful look rosette. Due to the peculiar direction of growth of the wool, the flower's rosettes are formed on the body. The content of guinea pigs with this type of wool is much simpler. The animal can be combed only once a week, combing out the dead hairs and sawdust from the litter. At the same time, you need to carefully examine the skin of the pet, so that there are no combs, open wounds and a scab. But the long coat will have to be combed every day with a special brush, otherwise it falls into untidy "coils". Many older pathetic girls like this daily opportunity to play in the hairdressing salon, and they choose this breed. After all, you can not only comb the hair, but also twist it on the hairpins, fix it with rubber bands and clips, make real hair. Pigs quickly get used to the procedure and behave calmly.

All breeds of guinea pigs can be tricolor, and two-color, and one-color. If the pig does not participate in the exhibition, then it is short-cut hair on the hind legs and hips. Wool does not absorb urine, the animal remains clean and neat. Summer haircut on the sides saves from heat and overheating.

Attention to the claws of the animal deserves special attention. Without regular manicure the guinea pig can not do without. The claws have an interesting property: to curl when growing. Pig is difficult to walk, it can scratch not only yourself, but also the owner. Claws are trimmed monthly with special or manicure tweezers, and on their hind legs they should stay a little longer.

Communication with these cute and friendly animals can give a lot of positive emotions, teach the child to be attentive, sensitive and responsible for someone else's life.