1. Guinea Pigs

2. Varieties Abyssinian – Hair is made up of swirls called rosettes Abyssinian – Hair is made up of swirls called rosettes American – Short glossy hair American – Short glossy hair Peruvian – Long hair Peruvian – Long hair Teddy – Short, Kinky hair Teddy – Short, Kinky hair Texel – Long curly coat Texel – Long curly coat http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18 +1800&aid=2838 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18 +1800&aid=2838 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18 +1800&aid=2838 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18 +1800&aid=2838

5. Characteristics Rodents Rodents Adults weigh – 1-4 pounds Adults weigh – 1-4 pounds Body is short and stocky with short legs Body is short and stocky with short legs Excellent hearing Excellent hearing Communicate with high pitched squeals and whistles Communicate with high pitched squeals and whistles 2 males can not live together 2 males can not live together

6. Apply pressure by genitals to identify if it is a male or female. Females have “Y” shaped genital area.

7. Housing Cages should be wide and deep so that they do not scatter bedding around Cages should be wide and deep so that they do not scatter bedding around House House Chew Toys Chew Toys Food bowl that they Food bowl that they Can not knock over Water bottle

8. Feeding Guinea pigs are vegetarians Guinea pigs are vegetarians Pellets from pet store Pellets from pet store Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C so it must be supplied in their diet Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C so it must be supplied in their diet Fresh greens, fruits, green vegetables are great treats for GP Fresh greens, fruits, green vegetables are great treats for GP Timothy Hay every day Timothy Hay every day Guinea pigs drink a lot of water Guinea pigs drink a lot of water

9. CAUTION: Food to AVOID at All Costs (Guinea Pigs) Altered food: cooked, tinned, preserved, etc. Pickled vegetables: sour krauts, dills, capers Potatoes: skin and eyes are poisonous, very starchy, high in oxalic acid Nuts, Seeds, Lentils, Beans (exception are green beans) Rhubarb Mushrooms Red hot chilli peppers, Jalapeno peppers, Hot herbs and spices Collard Greens: could cause gas Bok choy Dairy products, Meat, Fish, Eggs, Bread, Chocolate Alcohol, Teas, Coffee, Carbonated Drinks, Fruit juices (exception can be made on sugar-free or unsweetened juices) Peanut butter, cakes, cookies, baked goods Iceberg lettuce: practically no nutritional value, very fibrous and watery Corn kernels, Popcorn: risk of choking Seeds: risk of choking Tomato leaves Tamarillo leaves Avocado, Coconut: too high in fat Taro: dangerous if eaten raw Jams, jellies and fruit preserves: too high in sugar Any non guinea pig food which often contain seeds and different balance of vitamins and minerals which aren’t suited for a guinea pig’s dietary needs

10. Information Gestation 69 days Gestation 69 days Litter size 4 Litter size 4 Wean 4 weeks Wean 4 weeks Lifespan 5-8years Lifespan 5-8years Sexually mature 6 weeks Sexually mature 6 weeks Female must be mated before 6 months or pelvic bone fuses and she will never be able to give birth Female must be mated before 6 months or pelvic bone fuses and she will never be able to give birth Origin – South America Origin – South America

11. Health Problems Common Disease: Scurvy – Lack of Vitamin C – Hair loss, rough coat, diarrhea Common Disease: Scurvy – Lack of Vitamin C – Hair loss, rough coat, diarrhea Respiratory diseases Respiratory diseases Malocclusion – Upper and lower teeth grow to long Malocclusion – Upper and lower teeth grow to long

12. Handling Grasp firmly around front shoulders with one hand and have its rear supported with the other hand. Grasp firmly around front shoulders with one hand and have its rear supported with the other hand. Once picked up it should be cradled against the body Once picked up it should be cradled against the body

13. http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig- eating/ http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig- eating/ http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig- eating/ http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig- eating/ http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and _laboratory_animals/rodents/guinea_pigs.html #v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt= http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and _laboratory_animals/rodents/guinea_pigs.html #v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt= http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and _laboratory_animals/rodents/guinea_pigs.html #v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_and _laboratory_animals/rodents/guinea_pigs.html #v3309936?qt=&sc=&alt http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm