Our feathered and furry friends live lives that are far too short for most of us; we are greedy and want them with us forever and ever. Even when they reach their senior years and die of natural causes, we sometimes feel ripped off, and when we are talking about our typical "pocket pets," guinea pigs, hamsters and such, that is particularly true. Little Tiki was a cute, chunky, squeaking ball of joy- a guinea pig who shared her life with one of my dear friends, Happy. Happy sent me an email today to let me know that Tiki had passed away, surrounded by her loving family. I know she had a great life, even though we might feel it was far too short. Her wonderful humans gave her just the right care and she had the essential companionship for a happy piggie with her buddy, Kona, and two Labradors (yes, the big dogs!) Opal and Meile. In fact, Opal and Meile gave her big sloppy wet kisses as she passed from this world. Tiki is at peace now, buried in a small, open area in her backyard where the sunshine can warm her from above. Such a little life can make a huge impact on the lives they leave behind.
The average guinea pig only lives about 4 to 7 years. While they are classified as rodents, these "cavies" are more closely related to porcupines and chinchillas than to rats and mice. Since they are generally very sweet-tempered, (rarely biting or scratching) relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain, and easy to take care of if you know the basics, guinea pigs make excellent pets. They are, however, one of the most allergenic animals-children or people with asthma or other severe allergies probably should avoid them. We commonly find short-haired or the English variety as well as the shaggy, rough coated Abyssinian (whose hair is often in a spiral or rosette pattern) and the longer haired Peruvian breeds-all in an abundance of colors and patterns.
These little piggies (no, they are NOT related to pigs or hogs) are not inclined to climb, so housing them in open-top cages with sides at least 10 inches high is fine, as long as there are no predators (hungry or curious kitty cats or dogs) with access to them. They do need room for exercise, though, so the cage should be at least 8 square feet per adult animal. Solid flooring is safest with wood or paper shavings for bedding. They shouldn't be in drafty areas, or in direct sunlight and room temperatures should be about 65 to 75 degrees F.
Solid, heavy crocks for food dishes are best so they can't be tipped over or chewed and result in sharp edges as plastic can. Free choice grass hay should be available, as well as fresh, clean water, usually via a water bottle. They tend to "back-wash" food particles into the tip of the bottle, so they need it cleaned and changed daily. Guinea pigs are known for their inability to manufacture their own vitamin C, so require a daily source of this in their diet. It is not enough to give it to them in their pellets as these quickly oxidize or age and can't be relied upon to provide the levels our pigs require. Pellets alone also make for very fat little pigs-a common problem of our house pets. Fresh veggies and fruits are the best sources of vitamin C, but vitamin supplements can also be given. I don't generally like to add things to their water for fear it will make them drink less than they should.
Guinea pigs live in groups in the wild-they are very social little guys. They do best if they are kept in pairs, preferably two females to decrease the tendency to fight, especially if the owner is away for long periods during the day. They really bond to their humans, often learning their voices and squeak excitedly when they come home.
It is possible to breed guinea pigs, but females must be bred about the age of 3 to 5 months. This allows for a 59 to 70 day length gestation and birth before the pubic symphisis or pelvis joint fuses. If bred for the first time as an older animal, (females are referred to as "sows" and males are "boars") the pelvis can't expand during delivery and dystocia or difficult birth results, usually requiring a c-section. Baby guinea pigs have what we call "precocious" development-they are born fully haired with their eyes open. They can walk and eat solid food within a few hours. They can reach puberty as early as 4 weeks, so young males and females should be separated so they don't breed too early.
Like most pocket pets, most of the more common guinea pig ailments are related to husbandry or management issues. Scurvy results when they aren't provided with enough vitamin C, and can develop rapidly. They can get distended joints, act achy, unthrifty, get diarrhea and not eat or move. Pigs get pododermatitis or bumblefoot, sores on the undersides of the feet, developing most commonly when housed on wire-meshed flooring, especially if the wire is rusted or soiled.
Alopecia or hair loss occurs will occur over the flanks and back in all sows in late pregnancy, and thinning of the hair over all will occur near the time of weaning. It can be a pathology when associated with stressful conditions, such as when the pigs are housed in very noisy area of the home, or when they are "watched" or teased by cats or dogs or other perceived predators. Poor diet, even "over nutrition", is a stressor, too. Guinea pigs will "barber" their hair or chew it off themselves or their cage mates. You can generally tell if it is self-inflicted or done by the other pigs due to the location of hair loss on the body-can the pig actually reach that area on their own? Skin mites can be transmitted through bedding materials or by contact with infested animals. These can be contagious to other animals, even humans.
Ptylism or excessive drooling is often referred to as "slobbers." It occurs most often due to malocclusion or malalignment or overgrowth of the teeth which grow continuously through the guinea pig's life. These need to be monitored and trimmed or floated (filed) as needed as it can lead to pain in the mouth, abscesses, anorexia and weight loss.
Guinea pigs are great little pets-Tiki was a prime example. We know her humans will miss her a lot, but are comforted in knowing she was a very fortunate little girl, loved and cared for and never knowing a moment of fear or pain or hunger. That is saying a lot in what can be a big scary world. Our sympathies go to her family, animal and human.
Peace,
DrReneigh
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