Post by Dawn - Admin on Apr 20, 2006 21:08:42 GMT
Selecting A Healthy Guinea Pig
When you buy your guinea pig you need to make sure that it's healthy. When you pick it up it should either try to run away or investigate you. There should be no bald patches and you should look in the hair for small white bugs that could be lice. The guinea pig shouldn't limp and the eyes should be clear. There should be no open wounds and the head should not be tilted. It's a good idea to check if the store or breeder has a return policy if the guinea pig doesn't get along with you.
Quarantine Period
All new cavies need to be quarantined for at least 4 weeks before being introduced to other guinea pigs. You need to put them in a separate cage and room as far away from your other guinea pigs as possible. Wash your hands before and after handling the quarantined guinea pig to prevent any germs spreading between them.
You also need to have a veterinarian examine your new guinea pig. This not only verifies your guinea pig is healthy, the record of the visit helps the veterinarian later on if your guinea pig gets sick. Even after a vet says the guinea pig is healthy, you still need to quarantine it. Failure to quarantine a guinea pig can cause all your guinea pigs to come down with an infection when treating just the new, quarantined guinea pig would have been much cheaper.
Getting To Know New Cavies
To create a quality relationship with your pet you need lots of patience. They need a house or covered area they can hide in when they're frightened. An old towel, PVC pipe, grocery bag, or wooden house will work.
You need to get your cavy comfortable with being petted in their cage. Before you pet your cavy, slowly put your hand in front of their nose so they can smell and recognize you. Be careful to take away your hand if they try to bite you. After having them smell you, gently pet the top of their back. Don't touch the sides or belly because these areas tend to be very sensitive. To get your cavy used to you, pet it every time you walk by the cage or have an extra minute. The more you pet your cavy, even for only a minute or two, will drastically help them get to know and trust you.
To hold your guinea pig in your lap, carefully lift them up, after they have smelled you, and place them on your chest with one hand supporting the rear and the other on their shoulders. Most guinea pigs hate to be picked up, but love to be petted. To prevent them from having to pee or poop on you, pick them up about a foot off the ground, and set them down for a minute so they know they will be held and can go to the bathroom. As they grow older they will stop peeing on you and even act edgy when they have to go. To prevent your clothes getting wet from an accident and to keep hair off them, place an old towel underneath your guinea pig.
When you buy your guinea pig you need to make sure that it's healthy. When you pick it up it should either try to run away or investigate you. There should be no bald patches and you should look in the hair for small white bugs that could be lice. The guinea pig shouldn't limp and the eyes should be clear. There should be no open wounds and the head should not be tilted. It's a good idea to check if the store or breeder has a return policy if the guinea pig doesn't get along with you.
Quarantine Period
All new cavies need to be quarantined for at least 4 weeks before being introduced to other guinea pigs. You need to put them in a separate cage and room as far away from your other guinea pigs as possible. Wash your hands before and after handling the quarantined guinea pig to prevent any germs spreading between them.
You also need to have a veterinarian examine your new guinea pig. This not only verifies your guinea pig is healthy, the record of the visit helps the veterinarian later on if your guinea pig gets sick. Even after a vet says the guinea pig is healthy, you still need to quarantine it. Failure to quarantine a guinea pig can cause all your guinea pigs to come down with an infection when treating just the new, quarantined guinea pig would have been much cheaper.
Getting To Know New Cavies
To create a quality relationship with your pet you need lots of patience. They need a house or covered area they can hide in when they're frightened. An old towel, PVC pipe, grocery bag, or wooden house will work.
You need to get your cavy comfortable with being petted in their cage. Before you pet your cavy, slowly put your hand in front of their nose so they can smell and recognize you. Be careful to take away your hand if they try to bite you. After having them smell you, gently pet the top of their back. Don't touch the sides or belly because these areas tend to be very sensitive. To get your cavy used to you, pet it every time you walk by the cage or have an extra minute. The more you pet your cavy, even for only a minute or two, will drastically help them get to know and trust you.
To hold your guinea pig in your lap, carefully lift them up, after they have smelled you, and place them on your chest with one hand supporting the rear and the other on their shoulders. Most guinea pigs hate to be picked up, but love to be petted. To prevent them from having to pee or poop on you, pick them up about a foot off the ground, and set them down for a minute so they know they will be held and can go to the bathroom. As they grow older they will stop peeing on you and even act edgy when they have to go. To prevent your clothes getting wet from an accident and to keep hair off them, place an old towel underneath your guinea pig.
