Guinea pigs are South American rodents that have no tails. Many people assume that these animals belong to the family of pigs, but it is not so. Guinea pigs are domesticated species, and they have been used as home pets or pocket pets, just like Chinchillas or Sugar gliders, from as early as 16th century onwards. Read on to know more about the top 10 facts about guinea pigs, to be better informed about these pets and care for them in the best possible way.
Top 10 Mind blowing facts about guinea pigs
1. Guinea pig origin
Guinea pigs are actually neither pigs nor are they from Guinea as people think. They are originally coming from the Andes Mountains in South America. They belong to the rodent family, but their body structure is far fatter and stouter than the usual rodents. Their physical structure is quite similar to pigs, which is why they are named as guinea pigs.
2. Guinea pig Cage and bedding
Guinea pigs are pets that love to roam around freely. They need a lot of space to remain active. You have to remember that they need cages that are far bigger than what you would usually buy for other rodent pets. When you buy cages from a pet store or online, you should specifically choose the ones that are designed for guinea pigs, so that you can be assured of getting a cage that is big enough for your pets.
Fleece and paper-based beddings are great choices when you are looking for a comfortable bed for your pets. In the earlier days, wood shavings were used as bedding options, but veterinarians have confirmed that these cedar and other wood shavings can cause a lot of damage to the pets. Therefore, now, fleece is the most popular guinea-pig bedding material used by many pet owners. They urinate and excrete a lot. Therefore, they need material that absorbs the waste well. You can also wash the fleece bedding easily.
3. Guinea pig Popcorning
Have you seen your guinea pigs hop up and down with a lot of excitement? As a new pet owner, you might be surprised and worried to see this behavior from your pets. However, rest assured knowing that this is not a cause of concern at all. Guinea pigs keep jumping up and down many times, only when they are happy about something. Closely observe their actions, and you will be thrilled to note that they do this when you are back from a long trip or when they have missed you a lot.
4. Guinea pig Proper Diet
You need to feed Vitamin-C rich food to your guinea pigs. They need Vitamin C intake every day for their overall growth and development. Most of the guinea pig supplements found in the pet store are fortified with Vitamin C to help the pets get their nutritional dose properly. Timothy hay is a great option to feed your pets, as these small animals love the roughness of the hay. Ensure that you don’t feed them sugars and other treats because they can easily cause gastrointestinal problems in guinea pigs.
5. Very communicative – verbally and non-verbally
Guinea pigs are pets that demand a lot of time and attention from you. When they are cared for properly, they can live up to 8 years. This means they need a long-term commitment from you. They are very social animals, and they love to chat with you through different sounds and gestures. One of their favorite sounds is
Sometimes, you might notice your guinea pig startled. During those times, the pet stands motionless. This freezing position indicates that the pet is scared about a potential danger that it has noticed. They also sniff a lot, as they are very curious about their surroundings and the people who enter its area.
6. They are very social
Guinea pigs that aren’t domesticated always live in herds. You can find at least 5 guinea pigs in a group. They love to play and communicate with each other in different sounds and non-verbal gestures. So, when you are thinking of getting one of these as a pet, you should always think of buying more than one. They grow and develop well when they have company.
7. They are coprophagic
Are you wondering what coprophagic means? It means they own excreta! As weird as it sounds, guinea pigs have the habit of eating their own poop in a bid to utilize the nutrients in their foods, to the maximum extent possible! If you see your pet eating its poop, don’t feel embarrassed or worried. It is a very natural process, and the digestive system of the guinea pig is well-equipped to handle this.
8. Continuous growth of teeth
Guinea pigs witness continuous teeth growth all through their lifetime. Therefore, they need to be properly cared for. You have to ensure that you have enough chew toys spread out all over the cage of these pets so that they have something safe to munch on to, whenever they feel the need to bite. When they don’t give proper exercise to their teeth, they feel acute pain when the teeth grow through the cheek muscles.
9. They bite rarely
Though guinea pigs are very friendly and warm animals, they may bite you occasionally when they are disturbed. When you stroke or pet them too much, it may cause extreme discomfort for them, especially, when they already have mites or other skin ailments. Sometimes, they may also bite you when they are scared or threatened.
10. Regular health checks are a must
Though they love your attention, guinea pigs don’t want you to know when they are sick or uncomfortable. So, they hide their ailment from you. So, it becomes very important for you to take them for regular health checks to spot issues and diseases if any.
Conclusion:
Some of these top 10 facts about guinea pigs might be familiar to you. However, it is important to pay attention to these facts, especially when you are thinking of bringing them home as pets.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can guinea pigs eat honey?
No, guinea pigs should not eat honey as it is too high in sugar content and can lead to obesity, dental problems, and other health issues. A guinea pig’s diet should mainly consist of hay, fresh vegetables, and a limited amount of pellets. Treats should be given in moderation and should be safe for their digestive system.
Can guinea pigs eat ice?
No, it is not recommended to give ice to guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are sensitive to cold and sudden temperature changes, and consuming ice can cause discomfort and potential health issues. It is important to provide guinea pigs with fresh water at room temperature to keep them hydrated and healthy.
Can guinea pigs eat dates?
While dates are a good source of fiber and vitamins, they are also high in sugar and can cause digestive problems for guinea pigs. Therefore, it is not recommended to give dates to guinea pigs. A guinea pig’s diet should consist mainly of hay, fresh vegetables, and a limited amount of pellets.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
what is funny i have one name rosa and when i give her a bath she jumps out and every thing falls in
so cute and funny for sure
What about skinny pigs?
you mean another top 10 facts about skinny pigs?