Guinea pigs are wonderful pets but there are certain  things they need  in order to live a happy life. Of course they would love to have a guinea pig toy or two in their cage, but you first have to ask yourself if the cage is big enough. It is very important that they have enough space to move as well as exercise, so if the cage is just big enough for them to do those things, rather wait until you can get them a bigger cage and then  buy them a guinea pig toy . If you are totaly sure that your cage is big enough, your guinea pig would love to have a toy to play with.

Here are a few ideas if you are interested in buying a guinea pig toy;

Wood chews are a great guinea pig toy as these animals love to chew on wood, at least when they chew my guinea pig love to chew on dry chunk of sugar cane stork. They will find these wood chews amusing so they will play with it first and then eat on it, so it’s a toy and treat in one! Other chews are Super Pet Bark Bites, Branch Bites, Block Bites, Jungle Talk, and many more. These chews are available in many different bright colors and are not harmful to your guinea pig.

A little more on the healthy side of a guinea pig toy is the Vegetable and Mineral chews. These are safe for them to nibble on and they are fun to play with. They are all made from natural vegetable cores and are available in Crispy Crops, Corn and Celery, Critter Cone, Salt Savors and many more. The Lava Bites will not only provide the little one with fun and games but it will also help to sharpen their teeth.

To give your guinea pig a guinea pig toy will be great, but what is even better is getting and giving them a treat holder. This holder will ensure that all their treats and toys are easy to reach and that they remain clean. This is important as it is not possible for the owner to be there at all times, therefore the animal can get their guinea pig toy on their own, without any help. This can be put in the cage as it is easy for the guinea pig to get to.

It is a good thing that a guinea pig likes to chew because their teeth are constantly growing and by chewing they will prevent their teeth from becoming too big. This is also where a guinea pig toy is useful as they will chew on that too. The guinea pig toy is also good for the animal because it will help to keep them fit. It is important for them to be fit as they like to exercise and this is why they need a cage that is big enough for them to do so.

More ideas of a guinea pig toy is crumpled paper, wood blocks, willow rabbit toys, fleece tunnels, balls, cardboard boxes, hard plastic toys and paper bags seem to make good hiding places for them when they are tired. When purchasing a guinea pig toy make sure that is consists of no small parts that can come off as there might be serious problems if your guinea pig swallows something unusual.

Another great guinea pig toy is a wooden tunnel, some would say that this isn’t really a toy, but your guinea pig will definitely love it! These animals like to ‘hide’ when they get tired of playing so tunnels and ‘hidey’s’ are great for them. If you have more than one guinea pig, it is important that you have a tunnel for each of them plus an extra one. When they have had enough time to experience the tunnels, you can get more creative by adding towel tents and other fun toys for them to enjoy. With all the toys and other accessories, it is important to have fresh hay in the cage and because of all the items in the cage, the guinea pig needs quite a big cage for all their toys and activities but they also need space to run around.

Safe Guinea Pig toys? - Guinea Pig Cages Forum

PS The number in parathenses says how many I have. Can somebody please tell me of some fun but safe Guinea Pig toys. I already have a Guinea Pig 

Guinea pig sites? Home made toys/cool buy-able huts/toys?

Do u know a good guinea pig site that shows pics and discriptions of how to make some toys/houses/huts/climbing things for pigs? if u know a really neat site plz tell me, or if u alred4y know one plz tell with good info.

Guinea Pig Questions - Please help!? | My Guinea Pig

My Guinea Pig - Everything You Need To Know About Guinea Pigs. … What’s Hot. adoption animal animals babies baby cage care Cavies Cavy cute diet dwarf food free funny guinea guineapig Guinea Pig Guinea Pig Rescue Guinea Pigs Hamster health how hutch information parents pet pets Pet Store pig pigs Playing rabbit rabbits rescue rodent Rodents shelter Smart to toys Trick Tricks Vet video Baby Guinea Pigs 

how to make homemade guinea pig toys?

 I made my own cuddle cup and i constantly find my cavies lazing about in it. the good thing was that it was so cheap, you can wash it and it took less than an hour. here is the instructions: 

Care guinea pigs (cavies) and their toys

Keeping Cavies Healthy ( i.e. Guinea Pigs ) - PETS Keeping Cavies Healthy ( i… Here I intend to outline a few of the many different things that can befall a Cavy… by Goodhart  how to make potstickers - from scratch! how to make potstickers - … … Related Questions. What are some home made toy ideas for Ferrets? How do you train a toy breed puppy to not pull on the leash? How do I build a house for my tortoise? How do I git rid of my dog’s bad case of GAS.

Author: Bosun Sogeke For more information or to learn more on Guinea Pig, please visit my blog Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bosun_Sogeke

Technorati Tags: Guinea Pig Toys, hand made guinea pig toys, homemade guinea pigs

There are a variety of guinea pig illnesses that can affect your pet. Most conditions can be treated with better success if they’re caught early. This article will discuss some of the most common conditions that can affect cavies.

Scurvy

Guinea pigs are unable to make their own vitamin C, so they need it in their diets. If they don’t get enough vitamin C, then they will likely develop scurvy. Some of the main signs of this condition include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, and lethargy. Other common symptoms of scurvy are eye and nose discharge and difficulty walking.

Heat Stroke

Cavies can generally handle colder weather better than they can hotter temperatures. When exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period, they are susceptible to suffering a heat stroke. This is especially a problem with long-haired breeds. You need to monitor your pet when temperatures go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. If the increased temperature is coupled with humidity above 70 percent, the likelihood of problems developing increases.

URI

One of the next common guinea pig illnesses is a UTI, or upper respiratory infection. This condition is caused by bacteria. It causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing, eye and nose discharge, sneezing, and coughing. An upper respiratory infection needs to be treated with an antibiotic safe for use in cavies. If left untreated, your guinea pig will almost certainly die.

Ear Infection

Your pet can also develop an ear infection. Like a UTI, it is also caused by bacteria. The most noticeable symptoms are head tilting and difficulty walking. You will need to seek help from a vet so that your pig can take antibiotics to treat the condition. The antibiotics can be administered in either oral or topical form.

URI/Upper Respiratory Infection Are URI’s contagious? - Guinea Pig

It’s very important to wash your hands before handling your other pigs or you will help pass the illness to the others. Monitor your other pigs for signs and symptoms. If your other pig or pigs develope any signs and symptoms.

Examine During Grooming for Guinea Pig

Appearing sick in the wild is an invitation for early death, so guinea pigs have mastered the art of hiding their illnesses. Responsible owners need to be aware of this, so they can notice subtle signs of potential trouble in their pet

Foods That Should Never Be Fed To A Guinea Pig

However, keep in mind that if you accidentally feed your guinea pig something from the above list that is not lethal, simply just watch over your guinea pig carefully for signs of any illness. However, you will have to take your guinea pig

Things To Consider When Choosing Your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs can contract illnesses from one another. In other words, if your guinea pig was housed with another guinea pig who was sick, there are high chances that your guinea pig will come down with the same illness too.

About Guinea Pig Diseases

Malocclusion of Premolar Teeth (Slobbers): A common problem of guinea pigs (especially those over 3 years old) results when the upper and lower premolar teeth (the most forward cheek teeth) meet improperly while chewing. 

Guinea pig illness?

Guinea pig illness? My guinea pig has a lump above its nose, its beginning to bleed, it is only a baby guinea pig have had it about a month or so, originally thought it was an insect bite, does anyone know what it is? and any treatment? 

 Author: Jake D These are some of the most common guinea pig illnesses. If you’re new caring for cavies, then there are many things you need to learn about proper guinea pig care. So, click here now to pick up even more tips to ensure excellent guinea pig health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_D

Technorati Tags: guinea pig illnesses, guinea pigs illness, sick guinea pig

Is it hard for you to approach your pet without itching or sneezing? If so, your body may be overly sensitive to your pet’s dander.  But just what is pet dander and how does it affect your alergies?  Basically, it is a combination of deal skin and hair that can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, nose, and eyes of humans. In the U.S., 70% or more families have either a dog or cat within their houses. Sadly, between 10-15% of the American population suffers from allergic reactions caused by their own pets. Knowing this information, what can you do to protect you family from these harmful effects.

Ridding of your favorite household companion to painfull to have to do, though some families must unfortunately resort to it. As a matter of fact, dander may still linger in the home even if a pet is removed. Pet dander can remain in a household for up to six months after a pet is no longer present since it is an active allergen. The decisions regarding what to do with the family pet should be made based on the harshness of the damage it is producing to the family members within a particular living environment.

Cat and dogs are no doubt the most common pets in American homes today. As far as cats are concerned, six million Americans develop allergic reactions to them, demonstrating just how imperative it is to be understanding of their presence. The substance that causes the allergic reaction is actually not their hair but rather an airborne protein found in the hair and saliva. It can spread throughout a house very quickly and is known to stick almost everything. Allergic reactions to dogs, on the other hand, are usually less common. However, if you are allergic to dogs then simply being exposed to their saliva can trigger an allergic response.
The animal’s fur is not the allergen; it is the dander.

Follow these measures in order to prevent your pets from adversely affecting you health. The first step is to keep the animals off of the furniture, as the allergens that they produce can stick and remain there for over six months. In addition, minimizing physical contact with a pet is important, as a basic touch to your skin can produce much unwanted itchiness.

Forced air heaters and air conditioners are known to help spread the allergens throughout the household. For this reason it is important to consider investing in an HealtProO2 air purifier to remove the unwanted airborne pollutants that accumulate. Finally, giving your pet regular baths is essential, as it substantially decreases the amount of allergens that can be produced. Bathing the animals helps in reducing the output of oils on their skin even though it might remove some of the shine on their fur. Implementing some of these measures will allow you to not have to part with your loved companion.

Treat Pet Allergies Holistically | Healthy and Green Living

The joys of living in a small town! Of course changing the diet of a dog is crucial for allergies but for environmental causes check out the NCD. I have pages and pages of other people’s pet experiences that I’d be willing to share. 

Your pet supplies: Can You Be Allergic To Chinchillas

The measures you take to minimize the allergies from your pet chinchilla are all steps necessary but if you do eventually develop allergies or are severely allergic to fur and dust, then re-homing is the best option.

How to Prevent and Alleviate Allergy

Allergy can also develop if a small female is never unclothed to substances that after will be a connatural fixings of his daily life. In this housing the insusceptible system will not get the quantity to bury the activity against this … Research projects have institute out that children having much and primeval occurrence with pet animals same cats and dogs have a less quantity of getting hypersensitised problems after than children not having occurrence with pets

Allergic Rhinitis - Symptoms and Treatment

For those who have rhinitis, it may be best not to have pets. But if it cannot be helped, make sure to wash your pet (especially if hairy and furry) once a week. Keeping them out of the bedroom and off the furniture will help as well. … by injecting into your body small amounts of the substances causing your allergy. Over the period of the therapy, your body will learn to accept the allergen without overreacting to it (which is the reason for the allergies

HSUS: Ways to beat allergies and keep your pet

Before you give up your cherished pet, try these methods for easing your symptoms. -Don’t assume your furry friend is the problem. Dust, mold, smoke, pollen and insecticides are a few other allergens to consider.

Asthma Treatment

If avoiding the trigger completely is not possible (like your favorite furry pet), limit your exposure (keep your pet outside). If exposure to the trigger can be predicted (like exercise), talk with your healthcare provider about treatments that might be taken before exposure to the … Cromolyn:Cromolyn works by decreasing the activity of certain allergy cells that cause inflammation in the airways, but is less effective than inhaled steroids as a single treatment.

By: Morgan Tyler

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Morgan Tyler: Legally blind, and living with diabetes for 37 years, I strive to learn about how to keep my friends, family, and myself healthy. Knowledge and constant vigilance is the only means to achieve the best health you can in today’s polluted environment.

Technorati Tags: allergies to pet dander, allergy pet, Pet Allergies, pet allergy relief, signs of pet allergies

 Following these guidelines will help insure that your guinea pig lives a long and healthy life that the both of you will be able to enjoy.  avoiding stress and obesity and reducing boredom through environmental enrichment are effective ways to prevent dietary illness, and of course increase the happiness and fulfillment of keeping pets.

Guinea pigs are strict herbivores and require specific amounts of calcium, phosphorus magnesium and potassium, it is therefore imperative to feed them correctly and not to feed your Guinea  pig table scraps, or another animals feed.

They should receive a freshly milled, properly stored, pelleted complete guinea pig diet.  Perhaps supplemented with hay as they really like hay.  The guinea pig can be a finicky eater, turning its nose up because of changes in taste or texture of it’s diet.  Soiled or dirty food or water will also be avoided, so it is necessary to change food and water daily. 

The most important factor of a guinea pig’s diet is the need for vitamin C.  Guinea pigs like humans, lack an enzyme in the glucose to vitamin C pathway, and it is therefore crucial that they receive a vitamin C supplement.  There are a variety of ways to supplement vitamin C, the most popular being a liquid form that is added to water every day.  Another way to provide vitamin C is through formulated pellets, however even under optimum, dry, cool storage conditions the vitamin C levels remain sufficient for only three months from the date of milling, making it difficult to guarantee the potency of the pellets.  A handful of cabbage, kale or carrot daily is also a good way to insure vitamin C in incorporated into the diet.

Guinea pigs are clean and social in nature, they are easily hosed, they can not jump or climb so it is possible to house them in am open-topped enclosure at least 10 inches high.  Flooring can be either wire bottom or solid, wired flooring provides a cleaner environment and easy maintenance, but not as comfortable on their feet.  Solid floors with bedding require more effort to keep sanitary, and are most commonly used.

Many types of  bedding are acceptable, for example wood shavings, shredded paper, commercial pellets, and hay.  How often the bedding is changed depends on the number of animals and the type of food fed.

Remember that guinea pigs have a sensitive nature they have a tendency to panic when frightened, so your pet would probably prefer to be housed in a quite spot away from excitement and noise.  Since they are nocturnal, they require periods of light for rest and do poorly it housed for long periods in dark rooms. 

 The guinea pigs toenails will require regular trimming to avoid problems associated with over growth.  Chew sticks or a chewing block needs to be in the cage at all times as their constantly growing front teeth have to be constantly warn down with chewing action.

Piggie can’t swallow!? - Guinea Pig Cages 

I’d not feed banana or spinach at all right now. Banana is known to cause bloat in guinea pigs. Spinach just isn’t an overall good veggie as it’s very high in A and through the roof in oxalic acid. 

Building Trust - Guinea Pig Cages 

If you would give your guinea pig fruits like apple slices by hand would it begin to trust you more? i just wondered im going to be getting a guinea. … Piglet making the cute face - by PigWooBus in Guinea Pigs … But, other than feeding/ fresh water, I would leave him alone for like the first twoish days so he gets use to where he is before you start getting him use to you. Hand feeding also helps, but I wouldn’t use fruit. 

Guinea Pig Care and feeding

Some guinea pig owners are tempted to feed rabbit pellets, assuming that they are roughly equivalent to guinea pig pellets, but this is not so. Unlike most mammals (including rabbits), guinea pigs require a high level of  vitamin C.

Sources of Vitamin C for Your Guinea Pig | Pet Herbal Info Blog

One serious drawback to feeding your guinea pig fresh fruits and vegetables is that you have to purchase foods that have not been treated with pesticides. Always look for organic foods when shopping for your guinea pig. 

How To Care For Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are like humans in that they do not produce their own Vitamin C and must have a steady supply to remain healthy. When feeding your Guinea Pig grasses and flowers from your garden be sure that they are not harmful.

Guinea Pig Food | Guinea Pig Health, Guinea Pig Care, Guinea Pig Help

Feeding and diet for Guinea Pigs. … Written by admin in: Guinea Pig Care | Tags: food for guinea pigs, Guinea Pig Food, guinea pigs eat. 

How can I make my guinea pig gain weight?

Alfalfa pellets are pretty much the most calorie-dense thing that you can feed a guinea pig to keep his weight up - that’s why so many people have fat guinea pigs! Unlimited access to pellets can make pigs gain weight like crazy. 

Feeding Guinea Pigs

When feeding guinea pigs, one of the most important things to consider is that guinea pigs need vitamin C in their diet to prevent scurvy. They, like us, are unable to manufacture their own vitamin C — most other animals have this ability. 

Nugget Food for Guinea Pigs 2kg by Pets at Home

Your guinea pig’s diet should be supplemented with additional roughage, which can be provided through feeding hay like the Timothy Hay by Pets at Home. This not only aids your guinea pig’s digestion, but the gnawing action.

Technorati Tags: how to care for a guinea pig, how to take care of a guinea pig, taking care guinea pig

Vitamin C is not naturally produced in guinea pigs, thus they should to be given it day after day to guarantee first-class health. The lack of vitamin C causes scurvy. Every guinea pig has to be given 10mgs of vitamin C on a daily basis to 1kg body weight. A vitamin C supplement can be found in pet stores and supermarkets that sell food. A guinea pig cannot only on this source of supplement. Vitamin C can also be added to 1qt of water, freshly made every 12 or so hours, alternatively a handful of kale or cabbage can be given, even a quarter orange.

Oxbow cavy cuisine, which is a timothy hay-layered pellet food, a guinea pig in adult stage will enjoy this food and it will promote good health. Should your guinea pig be a little under 10 months old, the recommended diet for this age group will be alfalfa hay- layered pellet based food. A guinea pig that is mothers-to-be and is nursing requires a higher protein and calcium consumption, which is where Cavy Performance plays its roll. Certain guinea pig chow contains artificial colors which have a bad influence on your guinea pig and makes them hard to please should they eat this kind of food. Guinea pig mixed feeds also consist of nuts and seeds; these are high in fat and are not healthy for guinea pigs.

It is recommended to always serve food in a heavy ceramic bowl, as to prevent it from been tipped over while eating. The sides of the bowls should be high enough to hold back the bedding and fecal pellets. Washing the bowl after every meal is strongly advised and you also have to make sure that the bowl is well dried before adding fresh food. A guinea pig however is more concerned about what contents are in the bowl more than the cleanliness. Water should be made easily available and free from contamination; you may do this by supplying more than one bottle of water which should be equipped with ’sipper’ tubes. Water bottles tend to become contaminated and clogged as the guinea pig chews on the end of the sipper tube and backwashing food particles up the tube.

Should you notice that your guinea pig is picking up a bit of weight, this could be the result of eating too many pellets, either out of boredom or they are lacking in exercise. Preferably decrease the amount of food, a guinea pig can fill up on hay and their daily vegetables, these foods are not fattening rather very healthy. Weighing your guinea pig on a daily basis and keeping a record of the weight of your guinea pig. Should you be concerned about your pigs’ weight, either a decrease or an increase in excessive amounts, veterinary advice is recommended.

When purchasing food, guinea pig recommended quantity is 2 x 4kg for a few weeks for the average amount of 5 guinea pigs.

A gradual change has to be made when introducing food; a guinea pig can be at risk to sudden changes in its diet, when first been introduced to a more solid foodstuff this in turn may make their tummies upset. Failure to introduce food at a gradual level usually results in refusal of water and food; this may lead to a disease. Towards new food; a guinea pig in general is a creature of habit and does not handle change to scent, surface, flavor, arrangement or appearance very well.

Even if you should store pellets in a cool, dry place, about half of the vitamin C content is ruined and lost probably within 6 weeks after purchasing.

Recommended food, as a guinea pig requires a lot of vitamin C can be found in;

Recommended Food Calcium per ratio
Watercress 2:1
Turnip Greens 4.5:1
Swiss Chard 1.1:1
Squash 1:1
Spinach 2:1
Mustard Spinach 7.5:1
Kale 2.4:1
Dill Weed 3.2:1
Dandelion Greens 2.8:1
Loose Lettuce 2.7:1
Lambs Quarters 4.3:1
Cabbage 2:1
Beet Greens 3:1
Chinese Cabbage 2.8:1
Cilantro 1.4:1
Collards 14.5:1
Chicory Greens 2.1:1

Guinea pigs are high maintenance pets and needs to be cared for very carefully. A dose of vitamin C should not be disregarded and be taken with high regard. It has to be remembered that guinea pigs take time to adjust and lots of patience is required.

Hay So many options? Please help. - Guinea Pig Cages Forum

  For guinea pigs as well as rabbits, rats, chins and other small critters. Please register to post, chat and add photos & comments. Registration is free, secure, and safe! This forum is run by a guinea pig rescue and is a rescue-friendly board. Intentional breeding and/or showing discussions are not welcome in this forum. For more information on breeding, see Cavy Spirit’s Breeding Page. Diet and Nutrition Food, diet, nutrition, hay, special dietary requirement.

Guinea Pig Food | Guinea Pig Health, Guinea Pig Care, Guinea Pig Help

Certain guinea pig chow contains artificial colors which have a bad influence on your guinea pig and makes them hard to please should they eat this kind of food. Guinea pig mixed feeds also consist of nuts and seeds.

Is there any 1 with a recipe for homemade guinea pig food 

iAM420 asked: I wanted to know if anyone had a recipe for homemade guinea pig food. Although i hear good things about store bought pet foods, i want to be sure.   

Guinea Pigs Eat | Guinea Pig Health

Fresh vegetables are also important guinea pig food. Green leafy vegetables help provide your pig with additional vitamin C. Some of these include collard greens, lettuce, broccoli, and kale. Other suitable vegetables include parsley.

Guinea Pig Food

Every guinea pig has to be given 10mgs of vitamin C on a daily basis to 1kg body weight. A vitamin C supplement can be found in pet stores and supermarkets that sell food. A guinea pig cannot only on this source of supplement. 

Newbie’s Guide to Guinea Pig Food

You need to make sure your guinea pig eats right. If he doesn’t, then he will be more susceptible to health problem fef s. This article will teach you everything you need to know about guinea pig food. 

Author: Bosun Sogeke

For more information or to learn more on Guinea Pig, please visit my blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bosun_Sogeke

Technorati Tags: Guinea Pig Food, oxbow guinea pig food, timothy hay, what do guinea pigs eat, what to feed guinea pig food

Vitamin C is not naturally produced in guinea pigs, thus they should to be given it day after day to guarantee first-class health. The lack of vitamin C causes scurvy. Every guinea pig has to be given 10mgs of vitamin C on a daily basis to 1kg body weight. A vitamin C supplement can be found in pet stores and supermarkets that sell food. A guinea pig cannot only on this source of supplement. Vitamin C can also be added to 1qt of water, freshly made every 12 or so hours, alternatively a handful of kale or cabbage can be given, even a quarter orange.

Oxbow cavy cuisine, which is a timothy hay-layered pellet food, a guinea pig in adult stage will enjoy this food and it will promote good health. Should your guinea pig be a little under 10 months old, the recommended diet for this age group will be alfalfa hay- layered pellet based food. A guinea pig that is mothers-to-be and is nursing requires a higher protein and calcium consumption, which is where Cavy Performance plays its roll. Certain guinea pig chow contains artificial colors which have a bad influence on your guinea pig and makes them hard to please should they eat this kind of food. Guinea pig mixed feeds also consist of nuts and seeds; these are high in fat and are not healthy for guinea pigs.

It is recommended to always serve food in a heavy ceramic bowl, as to prevent it from been tipped over while eating. The sides of the bowls should be high enough to hold back the bedding and fecal pellets. Washing the bowl after every meal is strongly advised and you also have to make sure that the bowl is well dried before adding fresh food. A guinea pig however is more concerned about what contents are in the bowl more than the cleanliness. Water should be made easily available and free from contamination; you may do this by supplying more than one bottle of water which should be equipped with ’sipper’ tubes. Water bottles tend to become contaminated and clogged as the guinea pig chews on the end of the sipper tube and backwashing food particles up the tube.

Should you notice that your guinea pig is picking up a bit of weight, this could be the result of eating too many pellets, either out of boredom or they are lacking in exercise. Preferably decrease the amount of food, a guinea pig can fill up on hay and their daily vegetables, these foods are not fattening rather very healthy. Weighing your guinea pig on a daily basis and keeping a record of the weight of your guinea pig. Should you be concerned about your pigs’ weight, either a decrease or an increase in excessive amounts, veterinary advice is recommended.

When purchasing food, guinea pig recommended quantity is 2 x 4kg for a few weeks for the average amount of 5 guinea pigs.

A gradual change has to be made when introducing food; a guinea pig can be at risk to sudden changes in its diet, when first been introduced to a more solid foodstuff this in turn may make their tummies upset. Failure to introduce food at a gradual level usually results in refusal of water and food; this may lead to a disease. Towards new food; a guinea pig in general is a creature of habit and does not handle change to scent, surface, flavor, arrangement or appearance very well.

Even if you should store pellets in a cool, dry place, about half of the vitamin C content is ruined and lost probably within 6 weeks after purchasing.

Recommended food, as a guinea pig requires a lot of vitamin C can be found in;

Recommended Food Calcium per ratio
Watercress 2:1
Turnip Greens 4.5:1
Swiss Chard 1.1:1
Squash 1:1
Spinach 2:1
Mustard Spinach 7.5:1
Kale 2.4:1
Dill Weed 3.2:1
Dandelion Greens 2.8:1
Loose Lettuce 2.7:1
Lambs Quarters 4.3:1
Cabbage 2:1
Beet Greens 3:1
Chinese Cabbage 2.8:1
Cilantro 1.4:1
Collards 14.5:1
Chicory Greens 2.1:1

Guinea pigs are high maintenance pets and needs to be cared for very carefully. A dose of vitamin C should not be disregarded and be taken with high regard. It has to be remembered that guinea pigs take time to adjust and lots of patience is required.

Hay So many options? Please help. - Guinea Pig Cages Forum

  For guinea pigs as well as rabbits, rats, chins and other small critters. Please register to post, chat and add photos & comments. Registration is free, secure, and safe! This forum is run by a guinea pig rescue and is a rescue-friendly board. Intentional breeding and/or showing discussions are not welcome in this forum. For more information on breeding, see Cavy Spirit’s Breeding Page. Diet and Nutrition Food, diet, nutrition, hay, special dietary requirement.

Guinea Pig Food | Guinea Pig Health, Guinea Pig Care, Guinea Pig Help

Certain guinea pig chow contains artificial colors which have a bad influence on your guinea pig and makes them hard to please should they eat this kind of food. Guinea pig mixed feeds also consist of nuts and seeds.

Is there any 1 with a recipe for homemade guinea pig food 

iAM420 asked: I wanted to know if anyone had a recipe for homemade guinea pig food. Although i hear good things about store bought pet foods, i want to be sure.   

Guinea Pigs Eat | Guinea Pig Health

Fresh vegetables are also important guinea pig food. Green leafy vegetables help provide your pig with additional vitamin C. Some of these include collard greens, lettuce, broccoli, and kale. Other suitable vegetables include parsley.

Guinea Pig Food

Every guinea pig has to be given 10mgs of vitamin C on a daily basis to 1kg body weight. A vitamin C supplement can be found in pet stores and supermarkets that sell food. A guinea pig cannot only on this source of supplement. 

Newbie’s Guide to Guinea Pig Food

You need to make sure your guinea pig eats right. If he doesn’t, then he will be more susceptible to health problem fef s. This article will teach you everything you need to know about guinea pig food. 

Author: Bosun Sogeke

For more information or to learn more on Guinea Pig, please visit my blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bosun_Sogeke

Technorati Tags: Guinea Pig Food, oxbow guinea pig food, timothy hay, what do guinea pigs eat, what to feed guinea pig food

Many people would be quick to call a guinea pig just another "dumb animal" but that’s actually not true. Of course, when compared to a human or a dog, guinea pigs aren’t going to astound you with their intellect, but they are much more intelligent than the average person gives them credit for, as any guinea pig owner knows quite well.

 For example, if you feed your guinea pig fresh vegetables right out of the refrigerator, it won’t take long for him to equate the sound of the refrigerator opening and him getting a tasty treat. His squeals and whistles will tell you that he wants what you’ve got in there.

Obviously, guinea pigs are trainable. They can be taught to walk on a leash (these are available at most pet stores) or to go to the bathroom in a certain area. Some have even learned to come when their owners call their name! Just like with any other animal, you must be willing to work consistently with your pet and to reward the desired behavior with treats, usually a favorite food. The guinea pig will then make the mental connection between the good feeling he gets from the reward and the behavior you want from him.

If you do plan on having your pet on the floor a lot, then it may be a good idea to start litter training them early. You don’t want to set your expectations too high for this endeavor, however. Guinea pigs will still go to the bathroom throughout their cage and will occasionally have accidents on the floor, but litter training them considerably reduces the liklihood that this will happen.

The easiest way to do this is to set aside part of their cage as a bathroom. A small litter pan (available at most pet stores) can be placed in one of the corners of the cage. In order to entice your guinea pig to use it as a bathroom, you should add in some of their waste to the litter when you clean out the cage. You should keep doing this each time you change the bedding in the cage.

When you let your guinea pig out on the floor, you should also place their litter pan on the ground with them. Most of the time they will use the pan to go to the bathroom. Even if your guinea pig does have an accident, it will most likely be poop, not urine, you’ll have to clean up and that is much, much easier to take care of.

You can also train your guinea pig to walk on a leash in a similar way. First, you must get him or her used to wearing the leash. Put it on them while you are petting them or hand-feeding them fresh vegetables so that they’ll connect the enjoyable activity with having the leash on. Once your guinea pig feels comfortable with the leash, you can begin walking with him. Start off with small distances in the house, then gradually move outside. Just be careful not to pull or yank on the leash too hard, since guinea pigs are more fragile than dogs.

Guinea Pigs and Hamsters in Training

Guinea Pigs and Hamsters in Training. A blog dedicated to the use of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement in training animals.

Potty Training - Guinea Pig Cages Forum

I have had my piggys for a couple years now and I recently discovered this website. I just built my new cage a few weeks ago and it is working great.  

Litter Training

I have a two year old Guinea Pig who goes everywhere. And then I have a two and half year old who I bought Saturday at Petco and she was already litter trained. Whats the best way to teach my two year.

What are some tips for potty training guinea pigs?

Does anyone have any tips for potty training? I have a litter corner for when they’re in the cage or walking around and sometimes they use it but sometimes they don’t. Y

 Author: Florian Ross Florian Ross is a freelancer and small animals expert. For more tips on raising Guinea Pigs and having them live 3 times longer, see http://www.pets-lovers.com/guinea-pigs/guinea-pigs.htmArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Florian_Ross

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Himalayan Guinea Pig

Abyssinian 

Merino 

Guinea Pig Tricks

Silkie 

Hairless Guinea Pig

 Texel Guinea Pig picture

Guinea pigs and the cucumber

American 

Crested 

Teddy Guinea Pig

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Many people would be quick to call a guinea pig just another "dumb animal,’ but that’s actually not true. Of course, when compared to a human or a dog, guinea pigs aren’t going to astound you with their intellect, but they are much more intelligent than the average person gives them credit for, as any guinea pig owner knows quite well.

For example, if you feed your guinea pig fresh vegetables right out of the refrigerator, it won’t take long for him to equate the sound of the refrigerator opening and him getting a tasty treat. His squeals and whistles will tell you that he wants what you’ve got in there.

Obviously, guinea pigs are trainable. They can be taught to walk on a leash (these are available at most pet stores) or to go to the bathroom in a certain area. Some have even learned to come when their owners call their name! Just like with any other animal, you must be willing to work consistently with your pet and to reward the desired behavior with treats, usually a favorite food. The guinea pig will then make the mental connection between the good feeling he gets from the reward and the behavior you want from him.

If you do plan on having your guinea pig on the floor a lot, then it may be a good idea to start litter training them early. You don’t want to set your expectations too high for this endeavor, however. Guinea pigs will still go to the bathroom throughout their cage and will occasionally have accidents on the floor, but litter training them considerably reduces the liklihood that this will happen.

The easiest way to do this is to set aside part of their cage as a bathroom. A small litter pan (available at most pet stores) can be placed in one of the corners of the cage. In order to entice your guinea pig to use it as a bathroom, you should add in some of their waste to the litter when you clean out the cage. You should keep doing this each time you change the bedding in the cage.

When you let your guinea pig out on the floor, you should also place their litter pan on the ground with them. Most of the time they will use the pan to go to the bathroom. Even if your guinea pig does have an accident, it will most likely be poop, not urine, you’ll have to clean up and that is much, much easier to take care of.

You can also train your guinea pig to walk on a leash in a similar way. First, you must get him or her used to wearing the leash. Put it on them while you are petting them or hand-feeding them fresh vegetables so that they’ll connect the enjoyable activity with having the leash on. Once your guinea pig feels comfortable with the leash, you can begin walking with him. Start off with small distances in the house, then gradually move outside. Just be careful not to pull or yank on the leash too hard, since guinea pigs are more fragile than dogs.

litter training - Guinea Pig

I have had my GP for 2years and I just became aware of the option for litter training. It seems like a great idea to me but do you think she is too.  

Guinea Pigs and Hamsters in Training

Guinea Pigs and Hamsters in Training. A blog dedicated to the use of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement in training animals.

What are some tips for potty training guinea pigs?

Does anyone have any tips for potty training? I have a litter corner for when they’re in the cage or walking around and sometimes they use it but sometimes they don’t. You should put the litter box.

By: Florian Ross -Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Florian Ross developed comprehensive guides to help people succeed with their guinea pigs. Find out more about how to have your guinea pig live 2 times longer with his popular free ecourse at =>pets-lovers.com

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A guide to pet grooming.

Pet grooming is something that most pet owners have neglected.  Because most pet owners treat their pets like their own family members, it is only fitting that they too - regardless of size, breed, age, or coat type get the pampering they deserve. And there are various ways to deal with pet grooming, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

Many pet owners overlook this tiny detail but pets actually have the same, if not more, grooming needs as we humans do. Taking good care of your pets will not only improve your pets’ physical well-being, but it will also benefit you in the long run. Which means that your pet will have lesser chances of acquiring diseases or becoming ill, and you will have saved up a great amount of money and time?

In terms of pet grooming, you can opt to do it on your own but hiring a professional service is always the better option if you have the means because they are tailored to do this. Also, you can be assured that your pet is in good hands and you will also be able to identify any problems that have gone unnoticed.

Among the most common pet grooming services are nail trimming, ear cleaning, hair brushing or hair removal, haircut, tooth brushing, and many other specialized pet grooming services. If let’s say you have a pet guinea pig, it is important to trim their nails because it may split or break on its own, or could hurt their tender pad. Also, it could hurt you when you pick them up. 

When it comes to ear cleaning, it is important for the same reasons it is for humans - to prevent infection, possible infestation of parasite, as well as buildup of excessive earwax. All the other pet grooming services like hair removal, haircut, or shampooing are all aimed at keeping your pet’s skin and fur healthy and clean at all times. Not only does it help reduce discomfort on the pet’s part, it also helps prevent painful matting.

Just like toothbrush does for humans, regularly brushing your pet’s teeth helps prevent tartar and maintains their fresh breath. As much as there are specialized shampoos and soaps available in the market today, several toothbrush and toothpaste products available out there that is specially designed for your pets.

Enlisting a professional pet grooming service is definitely an advantage because they have been tailored to take care of your guinea pig too, in a professional way. Meanwhile, they have been certified in terms of customer care and quality of service, so you can be assured that your pets are in safe hands when you render them to their care. However, how you take care and look after your pets will still largely determine their welfare because after all they are your responsibility.

Pet grooming must be attended on a regular basis in order to maintain a healthy and great looking disposition for your pets. But probably the most obvious reason for making sure that your pets are well-groomed and clean at all times is that you constantly interact with them. Whatever germs they have because you have failed to take good care of them can be easily transmitted to the owner. Now, there can’t be any more obvious reason for making pet grooming a priority now.

grooming part two! guinea pigs! - Pet Forums Community

LONG HAIRED CAVY BREEDS – HARDER TO CARE FOR with MORE SPECIALIZED NEEDS Long haired cavies are mop-like characters requiring several different.   

How To Groom Guinea Pigs

While most small animals don’t want much grooming, guinea pigs are different. Their teeth, pelt, and nails all want some express attention on a common footing. 

How often do you bath your guinea pig? - Pet Forums Community

Just needed to know over all how often do you bath your guinea pig and how often do you brush out their hair? Thank you and sorry for asking such a. … i only ever groomed mine.

Grooming Your Guinea Pigs 

Grooming Your Guinea Pigs Keeping a guinea pig as a pet is not as difficult as grooming it. A well-groomed guinea pig can become an object of admiration in.   

Grooming Guinea Pigs - Nail Trims

About grooming guinea pigs - nail clipping. … Grooming Guinea Pigs. Nail Clipping. By Lianne McLeod, DVM, About.com. See More About:. grooming guinea pigs  pet guinea.

By Paul Kramer Published: 7/23/2008

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The decision on where to place your guinea pig should be made before you choose a cage so you’ll know exactly how much space you will be working with, particularly if you will be keeping your guinea pig indoors. Ideally, your guinea pig’s cage should be at least 2 square feet per guinea pig, but the more area you provide for your pet, the happier they will be. The height of the cage is not as important. Guinea pigs don’t really climb much because of their size so 18 inch walls should be high enough to keep them safely inside a cage.

Many guinea pig owners prefer to have multi-level cages for their pets. While the addition of ramps and other levels may be fun and interesting for the guinea pig, it isn’t necessary.

When most people purchase their guinea pig cages or runs, they usually go through a pet store. This can be a mistake for several reasons:

1. You will pay too much! A decent-size guinea pig cage in any pet store will run you around $75 to $100 minimum, which is way too much to spend for what you are getting.

2. You will have to do additional modifications on the cage to make it livable for your guinea pig. Your cage should never have an exposed wood interior (it soaks up the smell of their urine) or an exposed wire bottom (it can hurt their sensitive feet). Many of the cages you purchase in pet stores have these features.

3. You usually won’t be able to find a large enough cage.  A  guinea pig run has more space than a traditional cage.  Remember that for one guinea pig, you need at least 2 square feet of cage space. Each additional guinea pig requires between 2 to 4 extra square feet of space. Also, you need to figure in the room for toys, hiding places, and food dishes. Many cage manufacturers will try to fool you by quoting only the exterior size on the box but, because of how it is measured, that can be a foot or more different from the actual amount of room your guinea pig would have inside the cage.

If you do decide to buy a pet store cage for the sake of convenience, be sure to also figure on giving them lots of time to run around on the floor.

The best option regarding guinea pig cages, particularly if you want to keep several together, is to build your own. This may sound difficult, but it truly isn’t, especially if you find some helpful instructions to work with. Cavycages.com, for example, includes detailed instructions on how to create a safe, roomy cage for your guinea pigs relatively easily and inexpensively.

All of the pieces can be purchased in local stores and would cost anywhere from $60 to $90 to create, including the table to sit the cage on. While that may not seem like much of a savings over the pet store variety, you won’t have to do any further modifications and you will be giving your guinea pig more than 10 square feet of room to enjoy.

For those guinea pigs who will be staying outside, you will probably want to construct your own hutch as well. Most of the ones currently sold are either not of good quality, have interior exposed wood, or both. Another option is to purchase a metal commercial cage, remove the wire bottom, and place it on a table that is high enough off the ground to prevent other animals from having easy access to the guinea pigs.

If you do choose to build your own, avoid using chicken wire and instead opt for welded wire because chicken wire can cause injuries to the animal’s mouth if he or she chews on it. However, you do not need to worry about the guinea pig chewing its way through either type of wire.

One final word of caution on choosing a cage: Many pet stores sell aquariums and fish tanks as ideal homes for guinea pigs and other small pets, but this is a definite no-no. Guinea pigs need a well-ventilated cage because the ammonia fumes from their urine can cause them to become ill. Obviously, an aquarium is not well-ventilated and, therefore, should never be used as a home for your guinea pig.

Regardless of the type of cage you buy or make, you’ll want to be sure that it is fairly easy to clean. At least once every two weeks, you need to remove everything from the cage and give it a thorough cleaning so be sure you can do that as conveniently as possible. People, even loving pet owners, tend not to do necessary things when they are too much of an inconvenience.

How To Care For a Pet Guinea Pig Video | Small Pets Videos

Step 4. Give them room. Guinea pigs need plenty of space to run around. One guinea pig needs at least four square feet of space—but the roomier, the better. 

Rabbits with guinea pigs? - Pet Forums Community

But what about in a large run? Will they get on or will the much larger rabbit fight the guinea pigs? The guinea pigs are forever trying to get in with the rabbit.

Choosing The Proper Bedding For A Guinea Pig

Most guinea pig reference books will recommend Aspen pine bedding as the best choice for guinea pigs. A little pricier than the standard pine shavings, but worth it in the long run

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Here you will find helpful reviews, informative information and tips and much more. This site is in the format of a ‘weblog’ so that each time I post new information, it will come to the top of the front page. This means that you can check back here frequently to see new updates to the information found here.

You can navigate through the site by using the menus on the sides of the page. Also don’t hesitate to follow the links you see in bold throughout each post to learn more about the product being spoken about.

I hope you find the information I provide valuable and helpful.

All the best,
Joni Barton

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Please contact me at  contactus@guineapigpet.net

I will reply to all messages as soon as possible.
Joni Barton

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