Can you give me some advice on guinea pig? What sex is better a boy or girl?

Answers:
Guinea pigs require lots of care. They are herd animals, and do much better in a same-sex pair than alone. Guinea pigs live, on average, 5 to 7 years. Do NOT house your guinea pig on a cage with a wire bottom. These types of cages can cause bumblefoot, which is a serious and painful foot injury. Make sure you have a large enough cage to house your new friend. Pet store cages are often too small. You can build your own cage, which will be bigger and less expensive than anything you can buy in a store. See www.guineapigcages.com for information.

Guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diet. Make sure you are feeding a high quality pellet, such as Oxbow, with fortified vitamin C. Stay away from food with colored bits and dried fruit/nuts in it. This is just like junk food and doesn't have very high nutritional value to it.

Do not put vitamin drops in your guinea pig's water bottle. Vitamins degrade quickly in water. Also, the drops can change the taste of the water so your pig will not drink as much. It is much better to feed your guinea pig foods high in vitamin C rather than add supplements. Guinea pigs should get one cup of fresh veggies per pig per day. Again, stick with foods high in vitamin C, such as bell peppers, cilantro, parsley - and feed dark leafy greens like kale, romaine lettuce, dandilion greens. THINGS TO AVOID are iceburg lettuce (can cause diahreah), broccoli and cabbage (too much can cause bloat).

Your pig will also need hay at all times. If you are getting a younger pig (under 1 year), alfalfa hay is good. If your pig is older than one year, stick to timothy hay or orchard grass. Alfalfa is high in calcium which is good for a growing pig, but too much calcium is believed to lead to bladder stones in adults.

Things NOT to buy: Do not buy a leash for your guinea pig. They absolutely hate them. Most pigs will either run right out of them, or hurt themselves trying to get out of them.

Do NOT buy one of those large running balls or wheels. Guinea pigs' backs do not bend like hamsters or rats do. Both can cause serious back injury. Guinea pigs can also get their little paws stuck in the bars of the wheels and break them.

Do NOT buy a salt wheel. It is not necessary and guinea pigs rarely use them. Save your money.

Do NOT buy seed sticks or any other type of processed treat. Seeds are very high in fat and pose a choking hazard. A much better and more natural treat is fresh fruit. My pigs go absolutely nuts for apples!

After owning guinea pigs for ten years, I've found that pet stores know next to nothing when it comes to animal care. Their main goal is to get you to buy stuff in their store. Also, many of the food and exercise items sold as being safe for guinea pigs really are not. Again, these companies are trying to get you to buy their products so that they can make money.

Guinea pigs need time outside of their cage. Make sure you have a room blocked off so that they can run around and exercise.

I know it is a lot of information, but it is very important to research the animal you want to keep so that you can give it the best care you can. Please visit the links below for more detailed information. There is really quite a bit to know about guinea pigs than most people realize.

Lastly, visit your local animal shelter or Petfinder to find your new pal. There are so many guinea pigs already in shelters waiting for a forever home. Please do not buy from a petstore. Petstores often sell sick animals. Don't promote the cycle of reckless breeding.

It is a myth that two boars will always fight. I have two boars that get along famously with each other (and no, they aren't siblings). Many people have had sucess bonding two boars. See the Cavy Spirit link for introduction information.

---

I don't know which is better, but, we had a male that lived 9 years.

---

Well i have heard its better to have girls cause they get along better as a group or pare. I had two females and they were to peas in a pod.
with males they may get territorial and fight.

---

Hi, I have had both and the diffrence is tiny, choose the one you like



http://guineapigs.info/

How to Care for Guinea Pigs


Guinea Pigs
Animal Aid

Adapted from Animal Sheltering Magazine.

A descendant of the wild guinea pigs of South America, today's domesticated guinea pig is viewed by many as an "easy" pet for children. Many parents select a guinea pig as a first pet for their child, believing a small pet needs only a small amount of care. It is important to understand that these little guys have lots of requirements, including a roomy cage, specialized diet, daily cleanup, and gentle handling, and that an adult should be the primary caretaker.

1. Make Room at the Inn

They may be small, but guinea pigs require ample space to move about. Make sure their living quarters are at least 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 25 inches deep. Guinea pigs housed in larger cages are more likely to be active. Do not use aquariums, as they provide poor ventilation, and mesh or wire-floor cages hurt guinea pigs' tender feet.

When choosing floor linings and cage furnishings, keep in mind that guinea pigs will chew on just about anything to wear down their constantly growing teeth, so everything placed in the cage must be nontoxic. Use plenty of lining material—shredded ink-free paper or commercial nesting materials available at pet-supply stores, for example—because guinea pigs will use the material as both bedding and bathroom.

Remember also to provide plenty of high-quality hay, which these rodents use for nesting and snacking. Do not use materials such as sawdust, cedar chips, or fabrics that may cause respiratory or other health problems. Finally, provide your guinea pig with a gnawing log (such as an untreated fruit tree branch), tunnels to crawl through, and platforms to climb on. Add a heavy food bowl resistant to tipping and gnawing and a water bottle with a sipper tube.

2. Get a Little Closer

Guinea pigs are easily stressed, so they require careful handling. To pick up a guinea pig, slowly place one hand under his chest just behind the front legs, and gently cup your other hand under his hindquarters. Once you have a firm but gentle grip on the animal, lift him. Then immediately pull him close to your chest or lap so he feels safe and doesn't thrash around.

3. Give 'Em Their Greens

Feed your guinea pig a commercial guinea pig food, formulated especially for the species. These herbivores require a lot of vitamin C, so provide veggies such as kale and cabbage and ask your veterinarian about vitamin supplements. Treat guinea pigs to fruits, including melon slices and apples (but remove the seeds, which are toxic).

4. Help with the Cleanup

Guinea pigs try their best to keep clean, fastidiously grooming themselves with their front teeth, tongue, and back claws. But pigs—particularly the long-haired breeds—require frequent brushing and combing to stay clean and tangle-free.

Also, because their cage lining doubles as bedding and toilet, guinea pigs require daily housekeeping assistance. Scrub and disinfect the cage, then let it dry before lining the floor with fresh bedding and replacing the cage furnishings. Also clean the water bottle and sipper tube daily to prevent buildup of food, algae, and bacteria.

5. Pair Them Off

Guinea pigs are happiest when with other guinea pigs, so many pet care books urge owners to keep two or more together. Choose pairs that are the same sex and compatible. (For example, more than two male pigs together are likely to fight.)


Guinea Pig Care Sheet

Physical Description

Guinea pigs are not really pigs but belong to a group of rodents called cavies.

They are small stocky animals with short legs and short necks. This design keeps their mouths close to the ground for eating grass.

Guinea pigs come in a variety of colors and can have from one color to five or more.

Their hair can be short and wavy to long and flowing.

Adults weigh up to 3 pounds and live an average of 4-7 years.

Behavior

Guinea pigs are usually very quiet animals.

When scared, threatened, or nervous they will hide in the closest safe place (i.e. an enclosed tube, box, etc.).

Guinea pigs will communicate with squeaks or whistles, showing distress or contentment according to the volume.

Guinea pigs will give a “purr” or a vibration of the whole body when they like something, such as a pet.

Their teeth are constantly growing and they will spend lots of time gnawing on things. If they cannot keep their teeth worn down, they will become overgrown and may need veterinary attention.

Guinea pigs almost never bite unless mishandled, irritated or taste something on the handler.

Diet

Store bought 1/4 - 1/2 cup guinea pig pellets containing approximately 18-20% protein and 10-16% fiber. Timothy hay should be fed as free choice and they should have as much as they want.

Pellets can be supplemented with fresh foods orange, kale, celery, rutabaga, snow peas, alfalfa sprouts, turnip, cauliflower, parsnip, brussel sprouts, cucumber, carrot, apple, chicory, spinach, tomato, melon, grapes, corn, bell pepper, peas and pear. Be sure these foods are pesticide free.

They will also eat pesticide-free grass and wild plants such as sorrel, dandelion, clover, and plantain.

Too many greens or fruit can cause diarrhea. It is best to provide fresh treats in small amounts — no more than a handful a day.

Guinea pigs need vitamin C in their diet. Kale, cabbage or citrus fruits should be offered daily.

Untreated fruit tree branches such as plum or apple are good for guinea pigs to gnaw on.

Needs

Guinea pigs need physical attention every day.

They must have at least several hours to themselves each day and time to sleep.

They need a clean cage (about 28” long x 14” wide x 14” tall) with fresh water and food.

They enjoy spending time outside in the sun and shade on grass in an appropriately confined and protected structure (walls to stop escape, a roof to protect from hawks, cats, etc. and a place out of the sun to cool down). Do not take them outside if it is over 80 degrees.

They need good bedding (Carefresh or shredded black and white newspaper) that they can burrow in. Never use cedar shavings.

They need veterinary care as any domestic pet might.

Purchasing a Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs can be obtained from pet or feed stores, animal shelters, animal rescue foundations, or breeders.

A few things to remember when you take an animal home:

* Wait at least two hours before you handle the animal — the car ride makes them nervous and they need some time to recover.
* Place the cage in a place that is free from drafts and not in direct sunlight.
* It is best to take the animal out of the cage in the bathroom or kitchen. There are fewer places for the animal to hide and it is easier to clean up any mess that may be made.
* The animals should get fresh food, water and bedding everyday.
* Always place the cage on the floor when you take the animal out.
* Take off the water bottle when moving the cage because the water bottle will leak.
* Please carry the cage from the bottom.

Additional Resources

ASPCA Pet Care Guide for Kids; Guinea Pig, by Mark Evans. $9.95

Guinea Pigs-Proper Care and Understanding; Expert Advice for Appropriate Maintenance, by Kathrin Behrend. $6.95

Taking Care of Your Guinea Pig; A Young Pet Owner’s Guide, by Helen Piers. $5.95

updated 2/03
[ back ]

---

Either one by itself is great. There is more upkeep for males, impaction for one. A female is best if you plan to have more than one in the same cage. Males are real territorial and have very blood fights.Only once in a great while will 2 males get along.

There are some good webs posted, check them out.