Maintenance and care of guinea pigs

Guinea pigs - these peace-loving and funny animals from South America, have long been a favorite pets in many families. An important role in this was played by the fact that caring for guinea pigs does not require much effort. With this cope and children.

The guinea pig of this land animal was named for the screech that it publishes during the fright, and also for the characteristic "grunting" when it is calm.

Dwelling for guinea pig

Dwellings for guinea pigs can serve as a cage or terrarium, depending on the breed of the animal. One or a pair of guinea pigs will perfectly live in a box-cage 40-50 cm high and 40x70 cm in area. But for breeding animals special cells with two floors are required: the bottom one is solid, the upper one is reticular. When grouped in one cell, one male is planted per 5-6 females. Guinea pigs are quite peaceful animals and get along with each other.

According to veterinarians, care for guinea pigs is not difficult, but it is important to remember that when keeping animals, litter plays an important role. It is recommended to use small sawdust of only hardwoods, as the sawdust of coniferous species is able to cause allergies in these animals.

Guinea Pig Menu

When keeping guinea pig, you must carefully monitor its diet. These animals must receive a variety of types of feed (juicy, hard) and hay. Usually, for food they serve as grass, hay, beets, carrots, oats, slightly moist wheat bran with the addition of salt, dairy products, bone meal or chalk. Also daily in the feed or water guinea pigs should be mixed vitamin complex.

Due to the fact that the guinea pigs eat a sufficient number of root crops and juicy grasses, they do not need water. However, a pregnant female needs to put a drinker with clean water about 2-3 days before lambing.

Guinea Pig: Care and Content

The dwelling of guinea pigs must be thoroughly cleaned twice a week. However, do not forget about the daily cleaning, which must be done before feeding (replace water, wash the feeders, remove the toilet corner).

In order to not have wounded lice, you need careful care for guinea pigs. To do this, you should wash them using baby shampoo. Also, as necessary, it is necessary to cut the nails of the animals. In this case, only the light tip of the nail is cut off, without affecting its dark part.

Pairing

It is not recommended to pair these animals before 4 months. Pregnancy lasts about two months, after which 2-4 fully formed, wool-covered cubs are born. When dry, the kids are already able to stand firmly on their feet. For a month for them mother's milk serves as food.

Guinea pigs and children

Caring for guinea pigs is a pleasant activity that gives children only joy. But it is important for them to explain that these cute animals need a careful attitude. They can not be lifted by the scruff, shaking. And the fall of the guinea pig even from a small height can lead to its death. Especially it is necessary to protect these animals from other, larger domestic animals, for example, cats.

Observing these simple but important recommendations on the maintenance and care of guinea pigs, you will be able to enjoy the society of these amusing and cute animals for a long time.