WillPig.com--V.4

Background Information. Guinea pigs (or cavies) are one of the larger "pocket pets." Their closest relative is the giant rodent the Capibara. Really, guinea pigs look more like the Capibara than they do other rodents, like hamsters and gerbils, but for people who don't spend a lot of time around rodents, everything is a hamster... Guinea pigs are from South America, and in many of their native countries they are considered a delicacy. The cultures that eat them believe that guinea pigs have magical powers, and that by eating them, one can gain their magic.

Although the origin of their name is unknown, many historians have speculated that it comes from their history of being used in the place of one guinea--a unit of currency--by the Spanish conquistadors when trading with the natives. The pig part of the name probably comes from the fact that they squeal like porcine pigs and look a lot like them, too. There are many different breeds of guinea pigs (13 to be exact). The most common breed is the American, but it's not hard to find Abyssinians and Crested piggies in petstores everywhere. The most interesting breeds are probably the hairless ones.

Pigs as Pets. Although guinea pigs are adorable animals who make great pets, they only make great pets if you know what you're doing. Despite what many people think, guinea pigs are not a good first pet for children. Piglets are too high-maintenance for children to take care of by themselves. Kids usually want an animal that they can cuddle and squish and love on, and because of their small size guinea pigs just don't make sense. Try a dog if you're thinking about a pet for your child. Piggies require an awful lot of time and care and attention, and they can end up being more expensive to take care of than a dog or a cat. There are a number of diseases and health problems that guinea pigs are prone to having, and unless you really feel that you have the time and the money to spend on these little guys, you should probably just stick with the easier animals. Of course, once you go cavy you're stuck on 'em for life.

Something in Common. Sadly, one of the more common causes of death in pet guinea pigs is Scurvy, or Vitamin C defficiency, a problem that is very easy to avoid. Many people don't realize it but, exactly like humans, guinea pigs don't make their own Vitamin C, so their owners must make sure to include enough of it in their daily diets or else they won't survive. Typical signs of Vitamin C defficiency are extreme hair loss, loss of appetite, and laziness. If your pig ever shows these signs, you should get it to an exotic animal veterinarian as soon as possible. If the signs are minimal (very minor hair loss), try upping the daily amount of vitamin drops or tablets that you put in your baby's water or food. Because of the high amounts of Vitamin C that their bodies require, guinea pigs don't usually get sick, but if they do happen to become unwell, it can be very expensive to nurse them back to health. Usually a trip to the vet with a pet guina pig is your first and last trip.

To Neuter or Not to Neuter? (By the way, the word neuter is not just for males; it's the general term for fixing any pet of any sex.) Guinea pigs work better in twos, since they are very social animals. And besides, if you were stuck in a cage for your entire life, wouldn't you want someone who was your same species in there with you? So if you have a guinea pig and are considering getting a buddy for it, it's best just to get the same sex as the pig that you already have. (If you have a male, get a male. If you have a female, get a female.) Yes, males will probably fight at first, so don't just stick them in the cage and let them duke it out. Introduce them through bars first, and once the teeth gritting has stopped, then you can introduce them in an environment that is not either of theirs, such as a pigpen or some sort of playpen.

Now then, why not get a male and a female and fix them so that you can have a happy little guinea pig couple? First off, guinea pigs are not like penguins; they don't care what sex their "mate" is. Also, guinea pigs are very small animals, and many vets don't know the proper dosage of anesthesia to give the little guys (they just rely on what they know about rabbits or farrets, which are much bigger). The chances of a guinea pig dying while under an anasthetic are very high, and not just because of the unsure dose, but also because they are prone to having allergic reactions to typical anasthetics used in veterinary offices. So if you want your piggies to live happily, let them keep their sex organs. Your male piggies may smell worse, and your female piggies may squeal more, but at least your pig will be alive.

Lana's Thoughts on Breeders. I realize that there are a lot of people who breed animals because they love that type of animal and it's sort of like collecting as many different ones as they can. So those people are okay, and as long as they love their animals and take care of them, there is nothing wrong with wanting to breed them. However, the people who breed animals in cruddy places with hardly enough money to support themselves who are only doing it to get the animals out to random homes that haven't been looked into and approved as good homes for that specific type of animal are wrong in so many ways. Breeding should not be a sport; it should not be souly for the money. Since breeding--even with the best intentions--does contribute to the over-population of the animal, it should be taken very seriously. Breeders who do not look into the background of the potential owners that they are considering adoption out to should not be breeders at all.

But more importantly, one thing that every person who is considering getting a pure-bred animal should know is that many animals who come from breeders, even the good ones, have more health problems and have shorter lifespans than "mutts." These problems occur because bred animals are usually inbred, which leads to major problems such as poor bone strength and heart disease of all kinds. If you are interested in adopting a guinea pig--or any kind of animal--I encourage you to visit a local humane society, shelter, or rescue. There are so many animals out there who need homes, and these places will be less expensive to adopt from as well. All of my animals are rescues, in one way or another. So go save a life!! (Try looking for rescued guinea pigs on PetFinder.com. There are many there who need a good home, and you can easily find bunches at shelters near your home.

One Final Thing Worth Mentioning. If you do not have a guinea pig and are considering getting one, please take the time to learn about guinea pigs first. Getting a pet on a whim is not a smart thing to do, and getting any kind of exotic animal requires money, time, patience, and a lot of knowledge. I have been a guinea pig owner since 1998, and I am still learning new things about them every day. Although a guinea pig is not a life-long commitment on your part, it is on the guinea pig's side of the deal, and you cannot expect to be a suitable owner if you know nothing about your animal. So I've made a list at the bottom of the page of some good pig websites that you should visit. Go and read about health and nutrition (there are a few foods that are poisonous to pigs, and you might want to know what those are). Also, make sure to read up on diseases. You don't want to get caught off-guard if your pig falls ill. To keep the animal alive for a long time you will need to be able to diagnose its sickness very quickly so that you can then get it treated as soon as possible.

Capibara (and Babies) Weight: 63.5 kg/140 lbs. Tail: None	Guinea Pig Weight: 900-1800 grams/2-4 lbs. Tail: None
Hamster Weight: 110-130 grams/0.3 lbs. Tail: Small	Gerbil Weight: 70-110 grams/0.2 lbs. Tail: Long