Diet
Lots of soft hay/ dried grasses should be at least 80% of their feed.
Dry food should be a properly balanced feed but on its own isn't ideal and can be fattening.
> For pregnant and lactating sows offer slightly higher calcium rich veg (spinach and kale) and veg high in vitamin C (peppers, fresh grass, dandelions, parsley, coriander other herbs, broccoli, various green leaves)
Only offer a very small quantity of wet food like cucumber or any lettuce.
> A not uncommon complication during pregnancy or the first week after birth is toxaemia and this is often lethal. Caused usually by a lack of appetite or lack of movement in the last few weeks of pregnancy which puts them into ketosis due to a lack of sugar. Occasionally it might be an hereditary condition in the sows where they do not have properly developed blood vessels in the uterus.
Note this can also occur in overweight Guinea Pigs of either sex.
Helpful hints for pregnant sows:
>Offer a small slice of banana including the skin, apple (no pips) a grape, melon etc every other day.
However, please do not overdo the sugary fruits otherwise this could lead to bloat which is often fast and lethal
>A good supplement to have on standby is liquid Osteocare (1ml approx. 3-4 times a week if the sow has a large litter or looks to be struggling)
> I keep frozen full fat goats milk in the freezer using the bags you can make ice cubes in. If the mother is struggling to feed or the mum has died it is the next best alternative. The babies will lap it from a teaspoon to start with, then soon realize when you put it in a shallow container/saucer. I often mix some up warm with bran.
Housing
Our guinea pigs live in large hutches outside but under cover of a large roof and three sides protected by hedge, fences and tarpaulin. The fourth side remains open to encourage good air flow and is only covered up in extreme weather (driving snow or heavy rain).
The preferred bedding is chopped hemp a natural product, please click here to read more Bedding
We found wood shavings if eaten can cause severe gut issues such as blockages. Whilst paper pellets can swell in the stomach. Sometimes a layer of chopped straw infused with lavender or similar is sprinkled over the Aubiose in Summer (although Aubiose is said to be a natural fly deterrent).
Just remember to clean out often and more so in the Summer months as their dung creates its own heat (think of a compost heap/bin) and attracts more flies. Even piggies can get fly strike especially the boars if they are prone to anal impaction.
For indoor cages Kavee C&C grids can be used to construct any shape and now are available with proper liners . Please do not use blankets!
The preferred bedding is chopped hemp a natural product, please click here to read more Bedding
We found wood shavings if eaten can cause severe gut issues such as blockages. Whilst paper pellets can swell in the stomach. Sometimes a layer of chopped straw infused with lavender or similar is sprinkled over the Aubiose in Summer (although Aubiose is said to be a natural fly deterrent).
Just remember to clean out often and more so in the Summer months as their dung creates its own heat (think of a compost heap/bin) and attracts more flies. Even piggies can get fly strike especially the boars if they are prone to anal impaction.
For indoor cages Kavee C&C grids can be used to construct any shape and now are available with proper liners . Please do not use blankets!
Hemmed ears.
Whilst this is considered a fault in showing it is not an issue for your pet Guinea Pig. It is believed to be hereditary so do not use one exhibiting this fault if you are breeding to show!
Whilst this is considered a fault in showing it is not an issue for your pet Guinea Pig. It is believed to be hereditary so do not use one exhibiting this fault if you are breeding to show!
Common skin conditions
Mites: These nasties burrow under the skin, causing intense itching, hair loss, and crusty or bleeding sores.
Treatments purchased over the counter or online include various forms of Ivermectin. It is to be applied on the skin (but do not overdose as can prove fatal). This should be repeated as indicated as it needs to break the life cycle of the mites and their eggs.
Lice: These are external parasites that live (and can be seen) on the skin and hair shaft, causing itching, hair loss and scabs. Again, Ivermectin or specialised shampoos are available.
Ringworm: Is a fungal infection that can cause circular, crusty patches of hair loss, particularly on the face, on the nose as a strip of baldness, feet, and body. Caution humans can catch ringworm! Can be treated with specialised anti-fungal shampoos or creams used for athlete's foot (or other fungal infections)
Some Teddy guinea pigs can be prone to dry skin. Please be sure that this is the cause and not any of the above skin ailments. If so, there are some lovely conditioning shampoos available for them.
Occasionally the ear flaps may appear dry, when this occurs, they enjoy having some coconut or olive oil massaged into both sides of the ear. Please note guinea pigs have a natural bald spot behind their ears.
From time to time, you should inspect in their ears as they may have a build-up of dead skin cells (you may think it is ear wax but the colour of this will be the same as their ear skin colour). If required a gentle massage with some oil and a clean with a cotton bud will suffice (Don’t push down the ear just work the folds).
Some piggies can get a build-up of grease from the grease gland at the end of the spine (where if they had a tail). To clean this apply some oil, allow it to sink in for a few minutes, massage gently then wipe away with a cotton bud. Alternatively a little bit of washing up liquid applied using the same method, however they will then require a rinse off to remove it.
Treatments purchased over the counter or online include various forms of Ivermectin. It is to be applied on the skin (but do not overdose as can prove fatal). This should be repeated as indicated as it needs to break the life cycle of the mites and their eggs.
Lice: These are external parasites that live (and can be seen) on the skin and hair shaft, causing itching, hair loss and scabs. Again, Ivermectin or specialised shampoos are available.
Ringworm: Is a fungal infection that can cause circular, crusty patches of hair loss, particularly on the face, on the nose as a strip of baldness, feet, and body. Caution humans can catch ringworm! Can be treated with specialised anti-fungal shampoos or creams used for athlete's foot (or other fungal infections)
Some Teddy guinea pigs can be prone to dry skin. Please be sure that this is the cause and not any of the above skin ailments. If so, there are some lovely conditioning shampoos available for them.
Occasionally the ear flaps may appear dry, when this occurs, they enjoy having some coconut or olive oil massaged into both sides of the ear. Please note guinea pigs have a natural bald spot behind their ears.
From time to time, you should inspect in their ears as they may have a build-up of dead skin cells (you may think it is ear wax but the colour of this will be the same as their ear skin colour). If required a gentle massage with some oil and a clean with a cotton bud will suffice (Don’t push down the ear just work the folds).
Some piggies can get a build-up of grease from the grease gland at the end of the spine (where if they had a tail). To clean this apply some oil, allow it to sink in for a few minutes, massage gently then wipe away with a cotton bud. Alternatively a little bit of washing up liquid applied using the same method, however they will then require a rinse off to remove it.
Breeding Guinea pigs.
Like any other type of animal breeding it should be carefully considered as with all animals there are things that can go drastically wrong. Can you afford an emergency or weekend vet fee should be paramount in your thoughts.
Important factors to consider for the sow;
> Age. Ideal between 8 and 14 months.
> Weight. She should weigh at least 800 grams.
>Health and condition, as a sickly sow will have many problems in both her pregnancy and birthing if she is in a poor condition.
> The lethal gene. Some can be a 'hidden' roan, especially if showing a lot of white in their coat.
> Older sows struggle with a first litter. Whilst the 'fused pelvis' is nonsense they do become less elastic.
Further reading below;
Important factors to consider for the sow;
> Age. Ideal between 8 and 14 months.
> Weight. She should weigh at least 800 grams.
>Health and condition, as a sickly sow will have many problems in both her pregnancy and birthing if she is in a poor condition.
> The lethal gene. Some can be a 'hidden' roan, especially if showing a lot of white in their coat.
> Older sows struggle with a first litter. Whilst the 'fused pelvis' is nonsense they do become less elastic.
Further reading below;
| interpubic_joint.pdf |
Sows are pregnant for around 65-72 days. They come in to season about every 16-23 days, so unless you see them mating assume it could be anytime.
> Remove the boar after 6 weeks by which time you could see the sow becoming heavier.
> The sow once given birth will come back into heat 15 hours after giving birth.
This is called postpartum oestrus which means that whilst they are nursing a litter they will mate again.
Litters can range from 1-8 pups, but 3 or 4 is normal.
As Guinea Pigs are prey animals and they don't live or birth in a burrow, so the pups are born, dried off and able to move around in less than 20 minutes. They are mini adults in appearance.
They rely on their mothers milk for two weeks but start eating solids after two days. Although you may see them nibbling on veg after just a couple of hours.
The pups can easily be sexed from birth, but leave them alone for a few hours at least!
Baby boars should ideally be separated after three weeks of age as they are capable of reproducing this young.
The young boars can be housed together in another hutch or bonded with their father if he is amenable (watch them interact for a while)
Below is a useful link from the RVC about hand rearing babies.
> Remove the boar after 6 weeks by which time you could see the sow becoming heavier.
> The sow once given birth will come back into heat 15 hours after giving birth.
This is called postpartum oestrus which means that whilst they are nursing a litter they will mate again.
Litters can range from 1-8 pups, but 3 or 4 is normal.
As Guinea Pigs are prey animals and they don't live or birth in a burrow, so the pups are born, dried off and able to move around in less than 20 minutes. They are mini adults in appearance.
They rely on their mothers milk for two weeks but start eating solids after two days. Although you may see them nibbling on veg after just a couple of hours.
The pups can easily be sexed from birth, but leave them alone for a few hours at least!
Baby boars should ideally be separated after three weeks of age as they are capable of reproducing this young.
The young boars can be housed together in another hutch or bonded with their father if he is amenable (watch them interact for a while)
Below is a useful link from the RVC about hand rearing babies.
| guinea-pig-hand-rearing-guide-rvc-march2020.pdf |
Useful links
avygenetics.com/wp-content/uploads/Cavy-Genotypes.pdf
This site seems very comprehensive. I have tried numerous times to contact the author to no avail. However, as she, Amber Wiseman, states in her postscript it is free to share for educational purposes.
I hope if any one knows her please pass along my thanks. This is an American site so some colours are not named the same as the UK. Even the European exhibitors have different names for some colours.
BCC will explain breeds and colours and useful info.
www.britishcavycouncil.org.uk/
The link below takes you to a PDF with lots of useful and interesting colour info.
https://britishcavycouncil.org.uk/Resources/Cavy%20Genetics%20Article%20October%202008%20rev%20A.
A useful medical & care guide. They also have a forum.
https://www.guinealynx.info/sitemap.html
This site seems very comprehensive. I have tried numerous times to contact the author to no avail. However, as she, Amber Wiseman, states in her postscript it is free to share for educational purposes.
I hope if any one knows her please pass along my thanks. This is an American site so some colours are not named the same as the UK. Even the European exhibitors have different names for some colours.
BCC will explain breeds and colours and useful info.
www.britishcavycouncil.org.uk/
The link below takes you to a PDF with lots of useful and interesting colour info.
https://britishcavycouncil.org.uk/Resources/Cavy%20Genetics%20Article%20October%202008%20rev%20A.
A useful medical & care guide. They also have a forum.
https://www.guinealynx.info/sitemap.html