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It is possible to become addicted to them.
Guinea pigs make wonderful companions. Once you start using them, it is easy to become addicted to them because they are so addictive. Many people, including myself, have started with a pair of piggies and ended up with more than six of them after a year or two.
The wheeking sound they make, as well as the gesture they make, is something that cannot be ignored.
Some people can become obsessed with their guinea pigs to the point where they devote the majority of their time to caring for the guinea pigs.
The cost accumulates fairly quickly.
Despite the fact that you may have read or heard that guinea pigs are a low-cost pet, this is only partially correct. Yes, guinea pigs are inexpensive, and you can set up their entire environment for a couple of hundred dollars.
However, the maintenance, food, and veterinarian costs that are incurred on a regular basis can add up quickly.
It is true that guinea pigs require fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. The same situation arises during certain off-seasons in some places, such as mine, when vegetables and fruits become prohibitively expensive, but there is no other option.
If you didn’t already know, guinea pigs require specialized care from an exotic veterinarian. Given that not all veterinarians are trained in treating guinea pigs, you may have a difficult time finding one.
Keep in mind that veterinarian visits can be extremely expensive, so prepare yourself financially for them as well.
Boars (boys) are not fond of their cage mates.
Many people believe it is a myth that two male guinea pigs cannot live together because they are different species. The reality is that the statement is only partially correct.
There are instances in which you can obtain two male guinea pigs and place them in a single large cage, and they will function perfectly well.
Based on my own personal experience and observations in the community, I believe there are hundreds of people looking for a solution simply because their boars don’t get along and end up fighting with one another.
Keeping a male and female together is also not recommended because they will eventually breed, and for a beginner, it can be difficult to deal with the time period involved.
Either getting two or more females or keeping males separated in a large cage can be the best solution for this situation.
Instead, if you have a Command and Control cage, you can build a barrier in the middle to keep them separated in case they end up fighting with each other.
Their pupils are directed upward.
This was one of the bizarre facts about guinea pigs that a member of the community’s veterinarian brought to our attention. When I heard this, I immediately went to my guinea pigs’ cage to see what was going on. (I thought that was hilarious.)
But then I made the decision to look into the matter further to find out why this was happening. What I discovered is that their pupil is pointing upward from the moment of their conception.
Increasing their viewing radius allows them to better protect themselves from predators in their immediate vicinity. Despite the fact that they do not have good vision, this is a significant additional benefit for them.
Guinea pigs popcorning can be quite frightening.
You should definitely learn about popcorning guinea pigs if you have recently acquired a pair of guinea pigs or are considering purchasing one for yourself.
If you are unfamiliar with what it looks like, you may be surprised if you witness one taking place. The first time I saw that, I assumed that my guinea pig was having a seizure or something along those lines.
The fact that it was common among guinea pigs completely freaked me out, so I immediately went out to talk to the people in the community and found out what it was.
I’m willing to bet that even if you were aware of what was going to happen, the moment it occurs will leave you in complete disbelief.
Top-Rated Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks! Recommended Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks!
Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:
Boars have active grease glands that produce a lot of fat.
If you are still unfamiliar with the term “grease gland,” allow me to provide you with a brief overview of the term. They have a grease gland that is located at the lower end of their spinal bone, which is also known as the tail bone.
A liquid gel-like substance is usually secreted by these glands, which is used by guinea pigs for territorial marking.
Normal for boars is that they have active grease glands. As a result, the grease can get all over their fur and create a patch that needs to be maintained on a regular basis. Failure to do so may result in the health of your guinea pigs deteriorating.
If they produce a large amount of grease, the grease also has a foul odor. Along with that, it creates a hard patch-like structure wherever it is attached within their enclosure.
This useful resource will provide you with additional information about the guinea pig’s grease gland.
The guinea pigs’ enclosure does have a strong odor.
Guinea pigs are caged animals, and just like any other caged animals, their cages can become smelly if proper maintenance is not performed on a daily basis in order to keep them healthy. But why does it have a foul odor?
There can be a variety of reasons for this, including the fact that your guinea pigs have an active grease gland that has spread throughout the cage, or the fact that you have not properly maintained the cages, resulting in a large amount of pee and poop buildup. There are a variety of other reasons for this.
However, even for those who are not particularly sensitive to smell, some sort of odor will always be present.
There are several possible sources of the odor, including their pee and poop, their food, such as hay and pellets, and even guinea pigs themselves.
You may also be interested in learning how often Guinea Pigs pee and poop. (+When You Should Be Concerned)
To learn more about guinea pig smell and how to control it, I strongly advise you to read this article: Is it true that guinea pigs have a foul odor? What is the best way to keep a Guinea Pig Cage from smelling? (Avoid Using Risky Thoughts)
They require a much larger cage than you might imagine.
Guinea pigs mature at an alarmingly rapid rate. If you are a beginner who is purchasing a guinea pig for the first time, you may be deceived by their size and believe that the standard cage available at pet stores will be sufficient for you. This is not necessarily the case. Believe me when I say that they will outgrow the cage very quickly.
Guinea pigs grow at an alarming rate. A young guinea pig is approximately 3-4 inches long after birth, but they can grow up to 8-10 inches in just 16 weeks, and up to 12 inches in the next couple of weeks, depending on the species and environment.
As a result, when purchasing a cage for their guinea pigs, most beginners take their current size into consideration or underestimate their growth rate.
Everything You Need to Know About Eglu The Go Hutch is a straightforward way to keep pets that is simple, stylish, and easy to use. This will make an excellent home for your new guinea pig friends, as it will accommodate two to three of them. The house is a wonderful place to eat, sleep, and cuddle up in during the winter months.
The Omlet has been meticulously designed. The purpose of the Eglu is to keep your pets warm during the winter months. Because it is fox and badger resistant, you can rest assured that your pets will be safe even when you are not at home with them.
They consume a large amount of food.
Guinea pigs are like a well-oiled machine when it comes to eating. I have the impression that they can do anything because they are simply forced to eat, poop, sleep, and eat again.
When you sneak a peek into their cages, you will find them eating their hay and pellets, or begging you for vegetables and treats, just like the majority of the time.
Guinea pigs require a lot of hay to survive. In an average, healthy guinea pigs can eat anywhere between 6-8 ounces of hay every week. For starters, purchasing a large bag of hay would be a wise decision.
It is also necessary to provide them with a cup of fresh vegetables on a daily basis, as well as fruits and pellets on occasion throughout the week. Hay is a staple part of their diet, and they will consume it the majority of the time.
If you are interested in learning more about their diet, I strongly advise you to read this article: A to Z of Guinea Pig Diet if you haven’t already.
They can be quite audible at times.
Guinea pigs are known for having a calm and docile personality, but they can also be quite vocal at times. When they become accustomed to their owners, they can be quite vocal if you are late for their vegetables, especially in the beginning.
Some guinea pigs are also very vocal when they are communicating with one another. So, if you are not the type to get up early in the morning, you should keep them away from your bedroom. It is common for guinea pigs to become quite vocal in the early morning and late evening.
Also read: Are guinea pigs a noisy species?
So, I hope you found the quick facts about guinea pigs to be informative, and I hope I was able to learn a few new things about them in the process. If you like what you’ve learned, please spread the word to your friends and family using your preferred social media platform. It took me more than three days to gather all of the information and data that I needed to put together a useful resource for you all. Thanks!
Personally, we were very pleased with these product.
It is the ideal place for guinea pigs to relax and snooze in the evenings. A minimum of one pad made of two layers of cotton molton, which is a perfect absorbent material, is included with the purchase of this item. All of the items sold in The Cosy Hut stores are made by hand with a lot of love.
Guineadad fleece liners are the best choice for guinea pig bedding if you want to keep your pet warm and cozy. For more than a year, the GuineaDad Store has consistently ranked among my top recommendations.
The GoodWoodByNadezda shops stock a wide range of toys made of high-quality wood, as well as chew toys for children. It is made of Apple tree Willow and Birch plywood, and it includes a fence as well as two ramps for Guinea pigs to use. You’ll be fooled by your furry companion, and you’ll fall for it.
Gift Basket with Natural Chews In addition, it makes an excellent chew toy for Guinea pigs. This basket contains a variety of textures and chews that are perfect for determining your pet’s preferences. Other entertaining toys and accessories can be found in the WinniGuineaPoo store.
