GUINEA PIG 2014

 Guinea Pig (Sea Pig)
(Cavia porcelus)

Guinea pigs originate from South America. In the 16th century Spanish conquerors brought them to Europe where they became beloved home pets. That is how guinea pig or sea pig got its name: it was brought across the sea and it produces sounds like a small pig. There are several variants of colour and fur: short-haired, those with soft hair, silky hair, long hair and curly hair. Their life span is six to nine years.
Guinea pigs are pretty active small animals that need a lot of motion which can be achieved by letting them out of cage. However, on such occasions you must keep an eye on them since like all rodents they love to nibble anything they can get hold of. They love to be cuddled and those with long hair also to be combed, which is also necessary because their hair can get tangled and disentangling is not quite simple.
Feeding guinea pigs is simple – the basis is hay which they adore, and which must always be accessible to them in abundance. There are also ready-made mixtures of seeds and they also like to eat fresh grass. Besides, they can be given all kinds of fruit and vegetables with the exception of cabbage and kale and they also like to nibble the fruit- tree twigs. They are big eaters so that the quantity of seeds should be limited to a spoon and a half a day so that they don’t get fat. They also need fresh water which maybe they will not drink frequently if they have enough fresh plants.
If we want to keep in cage two or more guinea pigs we have to get them while they are young, because then they can get along more easily and live peacefully together. However, two or more male animals can not be put together if with them there is a female because they fight for her when they become sexually mature. In nature guinea pigs live in groups of several females with one male.
Guinea pig is an ideal home pet to all who love contact with animals because it asks for attention and cheers up at appearance of family members. It shows its joy by vivacious squeaking and running across the cage. Then it is good to give to it a titbit – a few dandelion leaves, a carrot or the like.

Boris Cebović
Small animal breeder