Guinea Pigs

By Robert J. Russell and Jim A. Stunkard.

Since guinea pigs have a number of different and attractive coat colors, patterns and hair textures, they hold a special appeal for breeders and fanciers. From top to bottom: Short-haired, rough- haired and long-haired guinea pigs.

The guinea pig, Cavia porcellus) or cavy originated in South America and was first domesticated by Andean Indians.

Guinea pigs are very docile, nonaggressive animals that appeal to many individuals, although their larger size is not as amenable to urban living as the smaller rodents. Their bodies are bullet-shaped with very short limbs. They have a number of different and attractive coat colors, patterns, and hair textures that appeal to breeders and fanciers.

Guinea pigs usually are housed in plastic, stainless steel, or galvanized metal cages, large bins, or pens.

Both solid bottom and wire mesh floors (1 1/2" x 1/2") are used, although foot problems are more common on mesh floors.

Open bins with 7" to 12" high sides often are used, as guinea pigs rarely try to escape. You should insure that other animals (dogs, cats) do not gain access to the open cage. Adult animals need at least 101 square inches of floor space and breeder females 180 square inches.

Wood chips, shredded paper, or hay bedding is used. Wood chips and ground corncob bedding occasionally interfere with breeding by lodging in the prepuce and vulva and may also lodge in the anus and under the eyelids. Poor appetite is seen occasionally in animals housed on cedar chip and pine bedding. The cause is unknown, although switching to another bedding may stimulate the appetite.

Control of temperature fluctuations and drafts is particularly important in guinea Pigs. Temperatures between 64 and 75 F are acceptable if fluctuations are minimal. Guinea pigs are quite susceptible to overheating. Control of ventilation and indoor temperatures and provision of shade for animals housed outdoors are essential.

A Little Messy

Generally, water bottles with sipper tubes and suspended feeders are used. Guinea pig cages and equipment require frequent cleaning, as guinea pigs are quite messy animals. They often will spit food back into their water bottles, kick food out of the cage, scatter feed, and defecate in feed bowls.

Good quality guinea pig feed is available commercially and will meet the animals' needs if stored away from heat and direct sunlight and used within 90 days of manufacture.

Guinea pigs like man, nonhuman primates, and several other species of animals require a dietary source of vitamin C. If they do not receive this vitamin, they develop scurvy.

Initial clinical signs of this disease are dehydration, poor appetite, diarrhea, rough hair coats, lethargy, and weight loss. Small pinpoint hemorrhages develop on the gums, and joint swellings with lameness also occur. The animals have severely reduced resistance to other infectious agents, especially those causing respiratory disease.

The guinea pig's daily vitamin C requirement is 16 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) body weight for maintenance and 30 mg/kg during pregnancy. Scurvy can be treated by administering high levels of vitamin C.