Aug2011_OLD MILL VET
GUIDE TO POCKET PETS
Being small, gentle but energetic, well handled guinea pigs can make very loving and interactive pets for children and families.
These rodents – not from Guinea, and not pigs at all – have a life expectancy of about 5-7 years, and due to being social animals, they are used to living in groups and often stress if they are on their own. They are clean and their size makes them easy to handle. Guinea Pigs can be kept as pets where it is impractical to keep other animals such as dogs and cats. They make little or no noise and if properly looked after, they do not smell. These little creatures are very affectionate, cheap to buy and maintain, and won’t rip your house up!
It’s important to provide adequate shelter and protection from heat, rain and wind as guinea pigs are very susceptible to changes in temperature, both hot and cold. Wire flooring can also be a problem for their feet when housing guinea pigs, so newspaper, towels and artificial turf can be used as a substitute. The minimum space required for a hutch in 0.9m2 per adult guinea pig, so keep this in mind when housing your little pigs.
There are a number of common health problems that guinea pigs can be prone to including skin mites, dental disease, vitamin C deficiency and pododermatitis. If you notice your guinea pig is suffering from fur loss, drooling, lethargy, poor skin condition or swollen feet, please do not hesitate to contact the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery to book a consult with our expert exotic veterinarian. We also have a number of different feeds and vitamins available at the clinic, designed to keep your furry little friend healthy and fit for years to come. Don’t hesitate to contact the clinic on 3425 2222 if you have any questions or would like more information.
It’s important to provide adequate shelter and protection from heat, rain and wind as guinea pigs are very susceptible to changes in temperature, both hot and cold. Wire flooring can also be a problem for their feet when housing guinea pigs, so newspaper, towels and artificial turf can be used as a substitute. The minimum space required for a hutch in 0.9m2 per adult guinea pig, so keep this in mind when housing your little pigs.
There are a number of common health problems that guinea pigs can be prone to including skin mites, dental disease, vitamin C deficiency and pododermatitis. If you notice your guinea pig is suffering from fur loss, drooling, lethargy, poor skin condition or swollen feet, please do not hesitate to contact the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery to book a consult with our expert exotic veterinarian. We also have a number of different feeds and vitamins available at the clinic, designed to keep your furry little friend healthy and fit for years to come. Don’t hesitate to contact the clinic on 3425 2222 if you have any questions or would like more information.
