Post by Dawn - Admin on Jan 6, 2006 12:33:16 GMT
Source: www.freewebs.com/aaguineapigs/FAQ.htm
Q: How long do guinea pigs live?
A: About 6 to 8 years and more than that isn't unusual.
Q: How many guinea pigs will I get if my guinea pigs mate?
A: You will end up with about 2 to 3 guinea pigs.
Q: Is it ok to put two guinea pigs together whose ages are different by a couple of years?
A: Yes. If for example you were to get a guinea pig that was about 2 years old and you had one that was only about 5 months old, it would be ok to put them together, providing that they are of the same gender. I actually did this with a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old and they've gotten along just fine, it just takes some time, as with most guinea pigs, even of the same age..
Q: Are flowers, leaves, and dirt okay to feed guinea pigs?
A: Flowers and leaves are poisonous to guinea pigs, but surprisingly, dirt is ok for them to eat!
Q: What foods are poisonous to guinea pigs?
A: Potatoes, raw beans, flowers, and leaves.
Q: Can I give my guinea pig a bath?
A: Yes, you can give your guinea pig a bath. But there is a certain way to do it. For the shampoo, there are many cleansers that you can buy at most pet stores. Just ask someone at a local petstore for a guinea pig/rodent shampoo and they might be able to show you one. If you prefer not to buy shampoo, what you can do is take a bucket, maybe 15-20 inches in diameter and fill it with luke-warm water, and add some soap to it. The water should be no more than 1 inch deep, so that your guinea pig doesn't get any water in its mouth or nose. Then take a clean tooth brush, or maybe just your hands and wash its underside gently. This should clean it somewhat. But always keep an eye on your guinea pig while it is in the bucket/tub. After you wash it, be sure to hold it in a towel until it is COMPLETELY dry (no hair dryers!). This is necessary because a major reason why guinea pigs get colds is from baths.
Q: Are two guinea pigs better than one?
A: Yes, two is better than one. Guinea pigs are social animals and get along well in groups. Two females would be the best. If you get two males, try to get ones that are brothers or have been in the same cage since they have been born. Males that don’t know each other are going to fight.
Q: What do I do if my guinea pig gets bitten or scratched by another guinea pig?
A: First, immediately take the bitten guinea pig out of the cage. Wash the bitten area with water, and take to a vet as soon as possible.
Q:Do I have to clip my guinea pig’s toenails and teeth? If yes, can I do it myself?
A: Yes, it is necessary to clip a guinea pig’s toenails and teeth. If the toenails get too long, they curl under, and puncture its foot, which may cause infection. This actually happened to one of my guinea pigs. It was put on antibiotics and I always clipped its toenails after that. You also need to clip their teeth. If the teeth get too long, they will also curl under and the guinea pig will be unable to eat, and may die. You can wear down their teeth by giving them salt and mineral wheels and empty toilet paper roles. You cannot clip the teeth yourself. Take your guinea pig to a vet. You CAN clip their toenails by yourself. Hold them underneath the stomach with one hand, and clip their toenails with the other. You should give them a treat afterward so they won’t mind the clipping as much.
--NOTE: If you do give your guinea pig a salt and/or mineral wheel, there is less chance that you will need to take it to a vet to get its teeth clipped. You can usually tell when the teeth need clipping because the guinea pig will stop eating and possibly drinking.
--NOTE: There are certain types of nail clippers that you can buy for guinea pigs. But you can also use regular nail clippers or scissors.
Q: Can guinea pigs live outside?
A: Yes, but they can only live outside on certain conditions. They cannot live outside unless they live in a firm hutch that no predators like cats or birds could get into to eat the guinea pigs. It shouldn't be too cold or too hot outside, either. A good temperature range for guinea pigs would be 64° F to 72° F. The winter and the summer are probably not good times to keep your guinea pigs outside. Late spring and early fall are probably the best times. Most of the time, it is better and safer to keep your guinea pigs inside. There is less risk of disease, sickness, and likelihood of getting eaten or killed.
Q: What is a good temperature for guinea pigs?
A: A good temperature for guinea pigs is 64° F to 72° F. A little cooler and a little warmer won't kill them, though! They just prefer and are more comfortable at that temperature range.
Q: Is it ok if my guinea pig eats its feces (poops)?
A: Yes, it is just fine! Even though it is really disgusting to us, guinea pigs will eat its own feces for the leftover nutrients still in them. Eating them is actually good for guinea pigs!
DID YOU KNOW...
Guinea pigs are diurnal; they are awake during the day and sleep at night!
A guinea pig can get up to 2 pounds in weight and 11-14 inches in length.
Baby guinea pigs (pups) are born with their fur and eyes open!
A guinea pig is most comfortable at 64 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
Abyssinians are NOT larger than short haired guinea pigs. They just appear bigger because of their fur.
Guinea pigs LOVE to be groomed with toothbrushes.
It says in The Guiness Book of World Records that the oldest guinea pig known was 14 years old, 10.5 months and was named Snowball.
Very interesting I don't agree with it all as I know for sure that they have between 2 and 8 pups, but very interesting to find out the age of the oldest Guinea Pig hey?
Q: How long do guinea pigs live?
A: About 6 to 8 years and more than that isn't unusual.
Q: How many guinea pigs will I get if my guinea pigs mate?
A: You will end up with about 2 to 3 guinea pigs.
Q: Is it ok to put two guinea pigs together whose ages are different by a couple of years?
A: Yes. If for example you were to get a guinea pig that was about 2 years old and you had one that was only about 5 months old, it would be ok to put them together, providing that they are of the same gender. I actually did this with a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old and they've gotten along just fine, it just takes some time, as with most guinea pigs, even of the same age..
Q: Are flowers, leaves, and dirt okay to feed guinea pigs?
A: Flowers and leaves are poisonous to guinea pigs, but surprisingly, dirt is ok for them to eat!
Q: What foods are poisonous to guinea pigs?
A: Potatoes, raw beans, flowers, and leaves.
Q: Can I give my guinea pig a bath?
A: Yes, you can give your guinea pig a bath. But there is a certain way to do it. For the shampoo, there are many cleansers that you can buy at most pet stores. Just ask someone at a local petstore for a guinea pig/rodent shampoo and they might be able to show you one. If you prefer not to buy shampoo, what you can do is take a bucket, maybe 15-20 inches in diameter and fill it with luke-warm water, and add some soap to it. The water should be no more than 1 inch deep, so that your guinea pig doesn't get any water in its mouth or nose. Then take a clean tooth brush, or maybe just your hands and wash its underside gently. This should clean it somewhat. But always keep an eye on your guinea pig while it is in the bucket/tub. After you wash it, be sure to hold it in a towel until it is COMPLETELY dry (no hair dryers!). This is necessary because a major reason why guinea pigs get colds is from baths.
Q: Are two guinea pigs better than one?
A: Yes, two is better than one. Guinea pigs are social animals and get along well in groups. Two females would be the best. If you get two males, try to get ones that are brothers or have been in the same cage since they have been born. Males that don’t know each other are going to fight.
Q: What do I do if my guinea pig gets bitten or scratched by another guinea pig?
A: First, immediately take the bitten guinea pig out of the cage. Wash the bitten area with water, and take to a vet as soon as possible.
Q:Do I have to clip my guinea pig’s toenails and teeth? If yes, can I do it myself?
A: Yes, it is necessary to clip a guinea pig’s toenails and teeth. If the toenails get too long, they curl under, and puncture its foot, which may cause infection. This actually happened to one of my guinea pigs. It was put on antibiotics and I always clipped its toenails after that. You also need to clip their teeth. If the teeth get too long, they will also curl under and the guinea pig will be unable to eat, and may die. You can wear down their teeth by giving them salt and mineral wheels and empty toilet paper roles. You cannot clip the teeth yourself. Take your guinea pig to a vet. You CAN clip their toenails by yourself. Hold them underneath the stomach with one hand, and clip their toenails with the other. You should give them a treat afterward so they won’t mind the clipping as much.
--NOTE: If you do give your guinea pig a salt and/or mineral wheel, there is less chance that you will need to take it to a vet to get its teeth clipped. You can usually tell when the teeth need clipping because the guinea pig will stop eating and possibly drinking.
--NOTE: There are certain types of nail clippers that you can buy for guinea pigs. But you can also use regular nail clippers or scissors.
Q: Can guinea pigs live outside?
A: Yes, but they can only live outside on certain conditions. They cannot live outside unless they live in a firm hutch that no predators like cats or birds could get into to eat the guinea pigs. It shouldn't be too cold or too hot outside, either. A good temperature range for guinea pigs would be 64° F to 72° F. The winter and the summer are probably not good times to keep your guinea pigs outside. Late spring and early fall are probably the best times. Most of the time, it is better and safer to keep your guinea pigs inside. There is less risk of disease, sickness, and likelihood of getting eaten or killed.
Q: What is a good temperature for guinea pigs?
A: A good temperature for guinea pigs is 64° F to 72° F. A little cooler and a little warmer won't kill them, though! They just prefer and are more comfortable at that temperature range.
Q: Is it ok if my guinea pig eats its feces (poops)?
A: Yes, it is just fine! Even though it is really disgusting to us, guinea pigs will eat its own feces for the leftover nutrients still in them. Eating them is actually good for guinea pigs!
DID YOU KNOW...
Guinea pigs are diurnal; they are awake during the day and sleep at night!
A guinea pig can get up to 2 pounds in weight and 11-14 inches in length.
Baby guinea pigs (pups) are born with their fur and eyes open!
A guinea pig is most comfortable at 64 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
Abyssinians are NOT larger than short haired guinea pigs. They just appear bigger because of their fur.
Guinea pigs LOVE to be groomed with toothbrushes.
It says in The Guiness Book of World Records that the oldest guinea pig known was 14 years old, 10.5 months and was named Snowball.
Very interesting I don't agree with it all as I know for sure that they have between 2 and 8 pups, but very interesting to find out the age of the oldest Guinea Pig hey?
