Pet Goddess

Does Your Guinea Pig Need a Bath?

It’s no secret that guinea pig odors can become overwhelming. What you may not realize is that the odor doesn’t come from your beloved pet’s body. It comes from mildewed hay, urine, and feces. Unless your guinea pig gets really dirty, or you are showing him, he really doesn’t ever need a bath.

If you have no real reason to bathe your guinea pig, you can give your pet a good wipe with a pet wipe. These special wipes are sold in pet stores and from online sources, and they wipe away a great deal of loose dirt and generally ‘freshen’ up your guinea pig.

However, if you do need to bath your guinea pig for some reason, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. In this situation, you most likely won’t bath your guinea pig more often than every three months, as it could actually dry out his skin, and make him unhealthy. If there is a skin ailment, however, your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo, and suggest bathing more often.

If you must bath your guinea pig, note that he isn’t going to like you very much for a little while. Start by making sure that you have everything that you need on hand and within reach. You will need about four towels, a wash basin, a small plastic cup, pet shampoo or baby shampoo, and a hairbrush.

Start by warming the house, or at least the room, up a bit. You don’t want your guinea pig to get too cold, and getting wet could easily make him cold, even though the water will be warm. Use a wash basin to bath your guinea pig. The tub is really too big, and the smaller space of the basin will actually give you greater control. Fill the basin with warm
water, and make sure that it isn’t too hot. Ideally, the water should be the perfect temperature for a human baby. Optionally, you can have one basin for washing, and one basin for rinsing. If using two basins, fill both with warm water.

Using the plastic cup, get your guinea pig’s fur wet. Don’t pour water over his head. You shouldn’t get his head or face wet at all in fact. You will wash him from behind the ears and back, so that is the only part that needs to get wet. Once he’s wet enough, use a little shampoo and lather him up. Use the tips of your nails to give him a good, but gentle scrubbing. Once you feel that he is clean enough, make sure that you rinse him well. If you have a sprayer, you might want to use that, as it will be more effective, but you don’t want to use a sprayer that has high water pressure, as this will likely startle your guinea pig.

Finally, remove your guinea pig from the water, and gently run your hands down his body, in an attempt to remove any excess water. Give him a good towel drying, and wrap him warmly in a dry towel. You can blow dry your guinea pig, but he most likely won’t like it much. If you do blow dry him, make sure that you use the lowest setting possible, don’t hold the dryer too close to him, and keep it moving.

Posted November 29, 2009 Comments(0)

While there are many reasons why you might want to own a guinea pig as a pet, there are also many reasons why you may talk yourself out of it as well. One of those reasons is the guinea pig’s ‘bathroom habits.’

You see, unlike cats, who will always use a litter box if there is one available, guinea pigs may not. So, how can you potty train your guinea pig?

Again, not all guinea pigs will take to using a litter box, although many will. It seems to be a matter of personal choice for the guinea pig. There are many things that you can do, however, to make the litter box more ‘attractive’ to your guinea pig.

Start by placing the litter box in the correct location inside your guinea pig’s pen. Like many other animals, guinea pigs will not eliminate in the same places that they eat or sleep. For this reason, you will most likely want to place the litter box on the opposite end of the pen from where your guinea pig eats and sleeps.

Next, realize that you must have a great deal of patience when training a guinea pig to use a litter box. There will be accidents. Also realize that guinea pigs don’t like to be ‘forced’ to do anything. You must be gentle in your reprimands, and you must keep a close eye on your guinea pig.

When he starts to eliminate outside of the litter box, you need to be ready to pick him up quickly, and to place him in the litter box. He is doing what comes naturally, but he can be taught with patience and effort.

Use the correct materials in the litter box. You can’t use regular cat litter. Your guinea pig will prefer either wooden or paper pellets for his litter box, and you can actually use the same bedding that you use in his pen as well.

Training a guinea pig to use a litter box should start shortly after you get him, but after he has already done his business in his pen a few times.

The idea here is to place the litter box in the spot that he has chosen for eliminating inside of the pen. Experts suggest placing some of his own fecal matter in the box, just so that he gets the idea more quickly. Do not use large, overwhelming litter boxes. A very small plastic box is all that is needed for a pet this size.

When your guinea pig uses the litter box, he should be rewarded for doing it correctly. Give him a small treat, and talk sweetly to him.

Believe it or not, he will remember this, and this may prompt him to repeat the action for more treats and praise. If you see the guinea pig sitting in his litter box, even when he isn’t eliminating, don’t discourage him. If you shoo him out of the box, he may become scared of it.

If for some reason your guinea pig turns the litter box into a bed, you should take steps to make his real bed more attractive to him, so that he will stop using as a bed what he deems as the more comfortable litter box.

If this continues to be a problem, change the material that you are using in the litter box to something that you are not using for his bedding.

Finally, keep your guinea pig confined to a small space, with the litter box inside, until he is using the litter box consistently, and then widen his space gradually until he uses the litter box each and every time that he eliminates, regardless of how far away the litter box is. A pen with expandable sides is ideal for this.

With patience and effort,  you can get your guinea pig potty trained, so that you can enjoy him or her without worrying about a mess in your house.

Posted November 27, 2009 Comments(0)

Handling your Guinea Pig

Many people don’t realize how important it is to handle their pet guinea pig, and to do so often. Do so very carefully though, as they flip and twist their bodies when frightened or nervous and could fall. A fall, even from a low height, can harm him very badly. When a guinea pig is not handled often, he becomes a bit wild, and the longer it has been since he has been handled by a human, the harder it is to convince him to be handled at all. It is much like a tame horse who goes for long periods of time without a rider – he becomes harder to saddle, and harder to handle.

Ideally, you should start out by handling your guinea pig once a day, for a short period of time. He may not like it at first, but he will gradually get used to it, and you will eventually be able to handle him for longer periods of time, several times each day. During the initial handling, do so on or close to the floor or a large bed, reducing the chance of a fall. Also, you will want to put down an old blanket or something you don’t value too much – being new, or a baby, he will not yet know where it is okay to relieve himself.

You might want to start by not actually picking the guinea pig up. Instead, when he is lying still, take the time to stroke him, so that he gets used to your touch. Don’t try to force him to stay where you can pet him. If he wants to move away from you, allow him to do so.

Once he allows you to pet him for extended periods of time, you should try holding him at least once a day. Again, don’t force him to him to stay in your arms. This may not only harm him, but could make him become fearful of you. This is the beginning of your bonding time with him.

It is easy to tempt a guinea pig with treats. Unfortunately, this isn’t really an ideal method for getting it adjusted to being handled. You will find that the guinea pig may accidentally nip your fingers when you are holding treats. The best way to avoid this is to use care when hand feeding the guinea pig. Holding the treat with its furthest end from his mouth is best. Actually, occasional treating, much like with a dog, can help in the bonding process.

Talk to your guinea pig often, especially when petting or feeding him so that he learns how to recognize your voice. Talk in a calm, soothing manner, and he will actually start listening for your comforting voice when he feels frightened or lonely. Also, by being used to the sound of your voice, he will be much easier to handle if you talk to him while doing so.
It is vital that you remember that guinea pigs scare easily. If you frighten him while he is sleeping, he could actually suffer a heart attack and die. Their heart valves will clamp closed from the shock.   Never ‘sneak up’ on a guinea pig as this could badly scare or startle him, and even create a setback of the bonding you have been working so hard on. Always start talking to him long before you actually touch him.

Finally, remember that the guinea pig is a small, fragile creature. Make sure that you handle him gently, and that children are supervised at all times.  When you pick him up, gently place one hand around his shoulders, and slide your other hand under him. Make sure that he is fully supported by your hand before you take his weight.

Once you lift him, bring him close to your body, so that he feels secure. Don’t hold him like a baby – tummy up. Instead, hold him with his tummy facing the floor. Never squeeze the guinea pig, as this can cause life threatening injuries.

If you allow children to hold your guinea pig, they should sit down, and you should hand them the guinea pig, by placing it in their arms. Never leave a child unattended with a guinea pig, as they could cause injury to the animal without meaning to.

Guinea pigs can be delicate, but treated gently, they will thrive on your attention.

Posted November 25, 2009 Comments(0)

Your guinea pig’s pen is an important part of his life, mainly because
this is where he will spend the majority of his time. One of the most
important aspects of his pen is his bedding. Not only will he root
around in the bedding, but he will sleep on it, walk on it, nibble it,
and even eliminate on it if he doesn’t use a litter box. Don’t make
the mistake of thinking that just any bedding will do for your beloved
guinea pig.

One of the most popular pet bedding materials is called Vet Bed. This
special bedding seems to stay fresh longer than other types of bedding
and guinea pigs seem to be genuinely happy with it. It is perfectly
safe for guinea pigs, and it is very absorbent. Vet Bed bedding can
actually be washed and reused, but this should be done weekly. Hemp
can also be used, but it is expensive. Hemp is very soft, but
unfortunately, it doesn’t absorb well.

Litter should be confined to a litter box, and not used as bedding.
However, it can be used underneath bedding, as an absorbent material.
It should be changed weekly if used in this fashion.

Wood shavings are the most popular types of bedding. Pine and cedar
shavings should be avoided. Aspen is always a good choice, however.
Shredded paper works well, and newspaper is a cheap option. The nice
thing about shredded paper is that there is no dust involved. Chopped
or shredded cardboard is another good option, but you should have
litter or newspaper beneath it to absorb moisture and prevent the
cardboard from becoming soggy too quickly.

Chopped straw, which is commonly used for rabbits, is also a good
choice for guinea pig bedding. It is very soft, but it is not very
absorbent, and should be used on top of another absorbent material.
Straw bedding will need to be changed more often than other types of
bedding, but it is cheap.

Overall, the bedding that you choose should be soft for your guinea
pig to walk and sleep on. It should also provide adequate warmth.
Remember that your guinea pig will play in and with the bedding, and
it should not pose any threat of injury. Also note that if a litter
box is not used, your guinea pig will use the bedding for elimination,
and it really needs to be absorbent to keep odors under control.

When you visit your pet store to purchase bedding, you may be easily
overwhelmed by the choices available to you. One way to choose your
bedding is to find out what bedding the breeder or rescue center is
using. This way, your guinea pig will have bedding that he has already
grown accustomed to. You could also try out a variety of bedding
materials over time, to see which one you and your guinea pig prefer.

Posted November 23, 2009 Comments(0)

Many of us assume we will outlive our pets, but what if something untimely happens to us?

Here is a great guide from the Humane Society on how to plan for your pet’s future:  Planning for your pet’s future

Posted November 21, 2009 Comments(0)

Cavy Care: Is A Guinea Pig Right For You? 5

Exercise
In addition to being taken out of the cage and handled, you will need to let your guinea pig roam around your home. This should be in a safe room which has no reachable wires, house plants or any other dangers, such as a lot of traffic or dogs and cats.

Your guinea pig will especially need daily free range time if it lives in a small cage. They need to be able to run and work their muscles, so if your home can’t accommodate a large cage, please give your guinea pigs at least 3 to 4 hours of free range time daily.

Of course, before you allow your guinea pig to run around, you must make sure its exercise area is a safe environment.

In addition, if your guinea pig cannot get back into its cage by itself, you will need to provide a food and water source, and a toilet area to protect your flooring during free range time.

Here are some safety precautions for both indoors and outdoors when your guinea pig wanders:

1. Make sure all electrical cables are out of reach. This includes phone wires, computer wires, lamp wires and any other wires that an inquisitive guinea pig could reach and chew.
2. Make sure all house plants are well out of reach, since many of them are poisonous to guinea pigs.
3. Think about the location. You can get a caged pen or choose a room which you don’t mind getting messed up. Remember also that guinea pigs can squeeze through very tiny gaps, just like a mouse. Don’t leave them unsupervised, in case they try to nibble on furniture legs or carpet.
4. If you have a free-roaming pet like a cat or a dog, make sure it doesn’t have access to the room your guinea pig is using.
5. Always supervise your guinea pig at all times; never leave it unattended while it is running free.
6. If you have a busy family life, always make sure other members of your family know that guinea pig is out and about. You could leave a sign on the outside of the door. With small children, you might want to use a wire enclosure within the room to make sure your guinea pig does not get stepped on or sat upon.

Conclusion
Guinea pigs are great pets for all types of homes. When you get your guinea pig young, you can work with it to socialize it. You and your children will enjoy these adorable pets for many years to come.

Posted November 19, 2009 Comments(0)

Food
Guinea pigs love fresh vegetables and fruits of all kinds. Just make sure that you are not overfeeding your guinea pigs, and use fruits and vegetables only as treats.

Otherwise, you will want to feed your guinea pigs specially formulated guinea pig pellets, which are available at pet stores and cost various prices depending upon quality. You might want to ask the store or breeder where you got your guinea pig(s) from what they have been feeding them, so you have one less thing to worry about, and one less big change for the guinea pig.

You will also need a daily supply of Timothy hay to help aid in digestion, also available from pet stores.

Other care
An annual check up at the veterinarian should be enough to keep your new pet healthy and happy, but if you ever see any trouble signs with your guinea pig, such as not eating, contact your veterinarian right away.

For more on guinea pig health issues, please visit this great site:
http://www.guinealynx.info/

Posted November 17, 2009 Comments(0)

Cavy Care: Is A Guinea Pig Right For You? 3

Cages

When looking at guinea pig cages, you need to find one that will allow
enough room for movement and play. Guinea pigs like to stay hidden
when they sleep, so make sure that your cage has a place which is
quiet and dark where they can hide, but which you can also access
easily for cleaning.

A plastic or wooden structure like a house inside the cage is always a
good idea.

Bedding
You will also want to add some sort of bedding to the bottom of your
guinea pig cage for easy cleanup. Line the bottom of the cage with a
plastic bag and some newspaper and change the box at least once a
week.

There should be high quality bedding for guinea pigs, such as straw, at
your local pet shop, so the guinea pig can make a nest for itself.
Cedar chips are not recommended.

Water
You also want to include a large water bottle for your guinea pig. If
you have two guinea pigs, consider getting two water bottles. Guinea
pigs love to drink water, so make sure that you give them plenty of
fresh water every day.

Some experts recommend adding vitamin C drops to their water. This
works well for some guinea pigs. However, some guinea pigs do not like
the taste and will not drink the water. If you do decide to add
vitamin C drops to their water, make sure they are staying hydrated
throughout the day. If you choose not to include vitamin C drops with
their water, you can supplement their diet with fresh fruits and
vegetables.

Posted November 15, 2009 Comments(0)

Cavy Care: Is A Guinea Pig Right For You? 2

Choosing Your New Guinea Pig

When you go to the store to get a guinea pig, it is always a good idea
to look at them carefully and choose them by their personality. Each
guinea pig has his or her own unique personality, much as a dog or cat
does.

Some are more reserved in nature, while others are more outgoing.
Watch how they interact with each other, and with you.

If you are choosing a guinea pig for your child, you will want to make sure
that your guinea pig can tolerate being held and petted often. Guinea pigs
are not known to be aggressive or to bite, but your child will have no
fun with a shy guinea pig who wants to do nothing but eat and sleep
all day.

Guinea pigs are social animals, and they enjoy the company
of other guinea pigs. If you are planning to get a guinea pig, you
might want to consider getting two guinea pigs at the same time.

Male guinea pigs get along quite well with each other when you get
them when they are babies. However, adult male guinea pigs will fight
with each other if you introduce them after they are grown. Female
guinea pigs can also get along well with each other.

It is not recommended that you get a male and a female, unless you
want to breed guinea pigs, in which case, be prepared for a lot of
furry friends!

Posted November 13, 2009 Comments(0)

Cavy Care: Is A Guinea Pig Right For You? 1

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your home, you might want
to consider a guinea pig.

Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are lovable furry little creatures
that will bring you and your family a lot of joy.

Guinea pigs can be a perfect first pet for children because they are
easy to care for and more cuddly than a hamster, which can be bad tempered at
times, or a fish.

Here is some more information to help you determine whether a guinea
pig is the right pet for you.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your home, you may at first
consider a dog or cat. These animals are perfect for homes if you have
a lot of time to dedicate to owning a pet. Dogs and cats need a lot of
attention and a lot of space.

Guinea pigs, on the other hand, are just as cute as dogs and cats, and
they do not require nearly as much space or care.

Many people love the idea of guinea pigs as first pets for children
because they live a lot longer than hamsters or gerbils, and are less
bad tempered and prone to bite.

In fact, a well-cared for guinea pig can live up to eight or nine
years. Once you own a guinea pig, you will be hooked by this cute,
sweet-natured creature.

Posted November 11, 2009 Comments(0)