Guinea Pig

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Anything and everything under the sun about our dear Guinea Pig can be posted here
That includes random pictures, health issues, breeding and care so every member don't have to go jumping on thread by thread just to ask this and that.
Happy Cavy keeping!

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Names and Terms

* Latin name: Cavia porcellus
* Also called cavies (singular is cavy).
* Females are called sows, males called boars, and babies called pups.
* Hairless varieties also available, sometimes called "skinny" pigs.

Appearance

* Approximately 10 inches long, and 700-1500 grams some weighs more.
* Rounded stout body, no visible tail (a few tail vertebrae can be felt under the skin).
* Variety of breeds with different coat types and color patterns. The most commonly found breeds are the American (short smooth hair coat), Abyssinian (short coat with "swirls" called rosettes) and the Peruvian (long haired). A wide variety of colors are seen.

Before You Decide on Guinea Pigs

* Guinea pigs are social animals, and you should consider keeping a same sex pair so they have company. A pair of females is a good choice; a pair of males may be fine but may fight.
* They are a long-term commitment, with an expected life span of around 5-7 years, although up to 10 isn't unusual.
* They need a large cage (but fortunately it is easy to meet their needs with a home made cage).
* While usually quiet they can call out quite loudly, and can be active both day and night.
* They may be nervous at first but rarely bite and generally become very tame with frequent handling.
* Usually good family pets (but make sure children handle them gently).

Finding a Guinea Pig

* Pet stores: only if the store/staff are knowledgeable about guinea pigs, keep them in appropriate, clean housing with a good diet, and handle the guinea pigs regularly. Look for stores that house males and females separately, to avoid a surprise litter.
* Breeders (caviary): best option if looking for a show quality pig or a specific type, but also good for finding pet quality pigs. A good breeder will make sure the babies are socialized well and handled from an early age.
* Shelters: guinea pigs often end up in shelters or rescues and this is a great place to give a guinea pig a second chance at life. Guinea pigs from shelters might be a little more skittish at first if they were not handled much when young, but most will settle down in their new homes once a routine is established.
* Whichever source is chosen, make sure the guinea pig appears in good health and condition, and is well socialized and easy to handle.

Choosing a Guinea Pig

* Try to avoid guinea pigs that are panicky when handled, especially if they do not relax quickly, and also those that are overly quiet and calm (may be ill).
* The guinea pig should be alert and active.
* Avoid guinea pigs that are overly skinny or grossly overweight. The body should be firm and rounded.
* The nose, eyes, ears, and rear end should be clean and free from discharge.
* The coat should be full and soft.
* Check the skin for flakes or redness, and be on the lookout for any signs of parasites such as lice.

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Caring for Guinea Pigs

* Introduction to Guinea Pig Breeds - descriptions and photos of different types of guinea pigs.

American

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This breed is also known as the English Cavy. The coat is smooth and short and lies flat to the body. This is the most popular and commonly seen breed.

The Satin American is also recognized by the American Cavy Breeders Association (ACBA). Satin refers to the sheen of the coat; the satin breeds have very shiny, sleek coats.

Abyssinian

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The Abyssinian has a very distinctive appearance. The coat is made up of multiple swirls of hair referred to as rosettes. Their hair is quite dense and coarse, and it radiates in circles from multiple points on the body to make up a series of whirls and ridges. For show purposes, Abyssinian must have a minimum of 8 rosettes, in a symmetrical pattern. These guinea pigs always look somewhat dishevelled.

The Satin Abyssinian is also recognized by the ACBA; again the satin simply means the coat has a deep shine.

Peruvian

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The Peruvian coat is smooth and straight, and grows to several inches in length. The hair naturally parts down the center of the back, and also grows forward over the head.

The dense, soft coat of the Peruvian requires a great deal of grooming, and many owners of Peruvian guinea pigs end up trimming the hair to keep it manageable (if the guinea pig is to be shown, wraps can be used to keep the hair from getting tangled or soiled).

The ACBA also recognizes the Peruvian Satin (again, referring to the shiny quality of the coat).

Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:00 pm

nice peruvian. parang dog na maliit sa sobrang haba ng hair Very Happy

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Silkie/Sheltie

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The Silkie is also known as the Sheltie, and has a very silky long coat. In contrast to the Peruvian, the Silkie's soft coat does not naturally part along the back, and grows backwards from the head.

A Silkie Satin (shiny coat) is also recognized by the ACBA.

Crested

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This is a short haired guinea pig with a single rosette (swirl) on the forehead. There are two types: one is the White Crested Guinea Pig (also called American Crested), where the crest is white in contrast with the rest of the coat (no other white on the body). In the "self" crested guinea pig (sometimes called English crested), the crest color is the same as the rest of the coat.

Teddy

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This short haired guinea pig is characterized by a short dense coat with bent (kinked) hair shafts that makes the coat stand on end, giving a very fuzzy appearance.

There is also a Satin Teddy, where the coat has a deep sheen.

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Texel

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This uncommon guinea pig has a very distinctive long curly coat. The Texel guinea pig is another very high-maintenance pet. Produced from breeding Rex to Sheltie.

Coronet

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The Coronet cavy is characterized by it's long, soft, dense coat and a crest (or coronet) on top of it's head.

The coronet must be evenly centered, and should have a pinpoint center.

Unlike the White Crested, the Coronet may have white on any part of it's body, and comes in all of the recognized colors. Produced by breeding Sheltie to a Crested.

Alpaca

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A curly coated Peruvian. Hair grows over face like a Peruvian. Most are first generation hybrids of Peruvians and other breeds.

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Merino

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The merino has curly hair with a rosette on the head. Cross-breeding between Rex and Coronet.

Lunkarya

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Lunkarya are a very laid-back and curious breed. The lunkarya gene is dominant and cannot be carried. All lunkarya are the Peruvian variant and any other type, sheltie or coronet must have the lunkarya prefix attached. The main characteristic of the lunkarya is the dense, harsh coat and this can be in any mixture of colours. Sweden and Germany both have their breed standards for the lunkarya (despite being different in terms of presentation) and have some champions already.

Rex

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The English rex has short curly hair, standing upright. Various colours are possible. Rex and Teddy look very much alike but they are genetically different.

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Hairless

The Skinny Pig is a very unusual, yet an increasingly popular breed of Guinea Pig. There are actually two types of Hairless Guinea Pig, this one and another called the Baldwin Guinea Pig. These nearly hairless critters have a funny way of winning the hearts of nearly all they come into contact with.

Skinny Pigs are as curious and mischievous as any other breed of Guinea pig, but some owners and breeders claim that they are more outgoing. They are quite playful, and they love attention.

Skinny Pigs do not require the brushing that other Guinea pigs need, but they do have certain special needs. They are more susceptible to injury than breeds with hair covering their bodies, and they are more sensitive to sunlight and temperature. They need a responsible owner to keep them happy and healthy.

*Skinny

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*Baldwin

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Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:48 pm

wala talagang hair yan? parang kinikilabutan ako paggumapang sakin ah Very Happy

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

@ Sir Tattoo
Cute nga ng Peruvian eh :P Parang Shih Tzu hehehe Smile

Tsaka yung hairless mas okay naman siguro hawakan kesa sa hairy sir kasi medyo makikiliti ka lalo na kung nasa arms mo Laughing

Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:42 pm

KevsLambchop wrote:: Hairless

The Skinny Pig is a very unusual, yet an increasingly popular breed of Guinea Pig. There are actually two types of Hairless Guinea Pig, this one and another called the Baldwin Guinea Pig. These nearly hairless critters have a funny way of winning the hearts of nearly all they come into contact with.

Skinny Pigs are as curious and mischievous as any other breed of Guinea pig, but some owners and breeders claim that they are more outgoing. They are quite playful, and they love attention.

Skinny Pigs do not require the brushing that other Guinea pigs need, but they do have certain special needs. They are more susceptible to injury than breeds with hair covering their bodies, and they are more sensitive to sunlight and temperature. They need a responsible owner to keep them happy and healthy.

*Skinny

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*Baldwin

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may available na ba ganito dito pinas? astig exotic ang dating

Newbie Posts : 10 Tagbilaran, Bohol Join date : 2010-02-04

Nope Sir Dwenski Smile

Sa tingin ko mas okay na sa colder countries nalang sila kasi they don't have fur to protect them with heat in the Philippines plus they need extra care than the regular guinea pigs Smile

Pero who knows? Si Sir Mazelle may plano kaso mahal daw Mad

Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:23 pm

hehe baliktad pala yung mga longhair gusto dito sa'tin, yung kalbo pala ang gusto sa malamig when it comes to gp's.

Newbie Posts : 2 Manila Join date : 2010-06-16

KevsLambchop wrote:: Nope Sir Dwenski Sa tingin ko mas okay na sa colder countries nalang sila kasi they don't have fur to protect them with heat in the Philippines plus they need extra care than the regular guinea pigs
Pero who knows? Si Sir Mazelle may plano kaso mahal daw

sir baka me for out k n female GP jan

Subject: up Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:42 pm

sana magkaruon na ng skinny/baldwin sa pinas! Astigin! Makapag ipon na! Hehehe

Pet Master Posts : 477 Makati Join date : 2010-09-09

gudb0i wrote:: sana magkaruon na ng skinny/baldwin sa pinas! Astigin! Makapag ipon na! Hehehe

ayos andito ka din pla pre thumbs up

Newbie Posts : 40 Novaliches QC Join date : 2010-11-20

KevsLambchop wrote:: Names and Terms

* Latin name: Cavia porcellus
* Also called cavies (singular is cavy).
* Females are called sows, males called boars, and babies called pups.
* Hairless varieties also available, sometimes called "skinny" pigs.

Appearance

* Approximately 10 inches long, and 700-1500 grams some weighs more.
* Rounded stout body, no visible tail (a few tail vertebrae can be felt under the skin).
* Variety of breeds with different coat types and color patterns. The most commonly found breeds are the American (short smooth hair coat), Abyssinian (short coat with "swirls" called rosettes) and the Peruvian (long haired). A wide variety of colors are seen.

Before You Decide on Guinea Pigs

* Guinea pigs are social animals, and you should consider keeping a same sex pair so they have company. A pair of females is a good choice; a pair of males may be fine but may fight.
* They are a long-term commitment, with an expected life span of around 5-7 years, although up to 10 isn't unusual.
* They need a large cage (but fortunately it is easy to meet their needs with a home made cage).
* While usually quiet they can call out quite loudly, and can be active both day and night.
* They may be nervous at first but rarely bite and generally become very tame with frequent handling.
* Usually good family pets (but make sure children handle them gently).

Finding a Guinea Pig

* Pet stores: only if the store/staff are knowledgeable about guinea pigs, keep them in appropriate, clean housing with a good diet, and handle the guinea pigs regularly. Look for stores that house males and females separately, to avoid a surprise litter.
* Breeders (caviary): best option if looking for a show quality pig or a specific type, but also good for finding pet quality pigs. A good breeder will make sure the babies are socialized well and handled from an early age.
* Shelters: guinea pigs often end up in shelters or rescues and this is a great place to give a guinea pig a second chance at life. Guinea pigs from shelters might be a little more skittish at first if they were not handled much when young, but most will settle down in their new homes once a routine is established.
* Whichever source is chosen, make sure the guinea pig appears in good health and condition, and is well socialized and easy to handle.

Choosing a Guinea Pig

* Try to avoid guinea pigs that are panicky when handled, especially if they do not relax quickly, and also those that are overly quiet and calm (may be ill).
* The guinea pig should be alert and active.
* Avoid guinea pigs that are overly skinny or grossly overweight. The body should be firm and rounded.
* The nose, eyes, ears, and rear end should be clean and free from discharge.
* The coat should be full and soft.
* Check the skin for flakes or redness, and be on the lookout for any signs of parasites such as lice.

ayusin kolang po. hindi makita haha

Newbie Posts : 40 Novaliches QC Join date : 2010-11-20

gudb0i wrote:: sana magkaruon na ng skinny/baldwin sa pinas! Astigin! Makapag ipon na! Hehehe

d2 karin pala paps? hehe! meron ako skinny. kaka ahit kolang kahapon haha! thumbs up

Newbie Posts : 2 cubao, quezon city Join date : 2010-11-21

hi guys.
im new here in
,,, i have guinea pigs and i love them ,,

Newbie Posts : 40 Novaliches QC Join date : 2010-11-20

jher wrote:: hi guys.
im new here in
,,, i have guinea pigs and i love them ,,

welcome sir jerry sana makabuo tau ng isang masayang pamilya dito.

Newbie Posts : 6 Subic Join date : 2010-11-30

Nilipat na ba dito ala na sa Pet Finder?

Newbie Posts : 2 Quezon City Join date : 2011-02-20

Very informative!! Thank you po..

Meron po ba kayong tips for taking care of pregnant GPs?

Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:35 pm

bro KevsLambchop suggestion lang.. use po dark color kasi light and neons color ay masyadong masakit sa mata.. lalo na sa light background din hindi na nababasa...

anyway, ganda ng Gs mo.. Very Happy

Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:36 pm

x2 po k sir felmor sana mas makita medyo masakit sa mata sayang yung info,

anyway maraming salamat at me thread na for gp dito god bless po santa

Subject: Re: Guinea Pig Sun May 15, 2011 5:05 pm

anu po magandang pakain sa guinea pig?
thanks

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