Guinea pigs: care and maintenance
Easy maintenance and maintenance of guinea pigsis the main reason for the popularity of these animals. These cute creatures require gentle handling, like when they are stroked and caressed. This rodent - a herd animal, feels great, being in the team. But if you are going to have only one guinea pig, you should try to compensate for loneliness by your interest and care.
Content
A cell for guinea pig can bemade of any material (plastic, wood, metal), but it should not be too small, its size should not be less than 40x40 centimeters. Since the animal is active, you need to give him the opportunity to run a lot, let him periodically walk around the room. Install in the cage a bowl and a drinking bowl, it is desirable that they are attached to the sides of the cage, so that the pig does not turn them over. Since the teeth of the guinea pig grow throughout life, they need to be stitched. Cut or buy a branch of fruit tree, put it in a cage. If you bought your pet a large cage, then you can install in it a toilet with sawdust or filler. Usually guinea pigs go to the toilet in one place, so this trough simplifies the contents of the animal. Cleaning the cells should be done twice a week, and clean the toilet - once a day. Pigs are afraid of overheating and drafts, consider these factors. The optimum air temperature should be 18-20 degrees. Care of guinea pig
Guinea pigs are engaged in a private toiletyourself, but you can brush your pet from time to time with a brush, wipe with a dry cloth. The long-haired pig must be combed frequently, so that the wool does not fall into the coils. If a lump forms suddenly, carefully cut it with scissors. Female and short-haired guinea pigs are recommended to comb only during moulting twice a week. To bathe the pig should be in case of necessity (if the hair around the anus is contaminated or the animal is strongly contaminated by the remains of food). Fill the bowl with water at room temperature, dip the animal into the water and gently wash it, if necessary, you can use baby shampoo without touching the head of the pig. At the end of the bath, remove the pet from their water, wipe it with a towel. Long-haired pig can be dried with a hair dryer. The animal is susceptible to colds, protect it from drafts and cold after bathing. Keep the claws of the pet in proper condition. Too long claws impede the movement of the guinea pig. Take special tweezers or cuticles and shorten them, trying not to damage the living tissue and blood vessels. Regularly check the ears of the mumps, if necessary, clean the ear shells from dirt and dust with a paper handkerchief. If an unpleasant smell emanates from the ears, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian, this may indicate the presence of an ear mite. Feeding
Food should contain at least 20% of raw proteins and15% of coarse fibers. The feed should consist of: cereals, vegetables, dandelions, turnips, cabbage, apples, seeds, potatoes, grass, lettuce and beets, tomatoes and hay. In addition, you can give guinea pigs at least 5 milligrams of vitamin C with drinking water. In sufficient quantities must come hay. Do not feed the pet with the following products: cheese, sausage, eggs, red cabbage, overripe and unripe fruit, sweets, damp, moldy and rotten fodder.
