02/28/2023
Pet Guinea Pigs – What do I need to know ?
WHY ARE THEY CALLED CAVIES ?
Cavy is the Latin name for guinea pig.
I WANT A CAVY AS A PET. WHAT DO I NEED ?
You will need a cage of some sort to contain the cavy, bedding to absorb the urine, a food dish and water bottle. Bedding can be softwood shavings, paper shaving or CareFresh, wood pellets, or fleece over an absorbent layer like puppy pads, newspaper or diaper material. See food requirements below.
WHICH BEDDING IS BEST ?
There are many choices for bedding materials. All some some advantages and disadvantages. Shavings are inexpensive, but dusty and not good for people with allergies. They also can easily get all over the place unless walls on your space are solid and at least 6 inches tall. Wood pellets are moderate expense, but very heavy and can be dusty. Wood pellets are the best bedding for reducing odour. They are the best choice for curly or long coats, as they don’t get tangled in the long hair. Paper bedding is very absorbent, but some smell quite quickly. Newspaper is cheap, but smells badly after 1 or 2 days. CareFresh is very expensive but helps keep odours down. Fleece is a good option for people with allergies. But fleece requires more work, often needing to be washed every day or 2. The small cavy p**ps can very easily shaken off or vacuumed up. Fleece pads can be made from a fleece top layer, a middle layer of an absorbent material like gray UHAUL pads, ZORB ( diaper material), or several layers of flannel. Towelling can also be used, but smells more than the other materials. ZORB is by far the very best middle layer - available from Wazoodle in the USA. Bottom layer would be a waterproof material like PUL, nylon, or heavy canvas. These can be spot pads or cover the whole cage and are easily washable and last a very long time. Another thing that helps reduce odour is to use Stall Dry or Sweet PDZ under the other bedding.
WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY CAVY ?
Diet – Cavies need fresh water available at all times, Our cavies are used to using a Lixit water bottle which we recommend. Use of a water dish allows pigs to p**p and p*e in their dishes which is less than ideal. We feed Purina Lab Chow Pellets, #5025 , to all of our cavies free choice. In addition, Cavies also benefit from lots of fresh hay, preferably second or third cut grass hay and lots of fresh vegetables. Cavies also need Vitamin C which we add to their pellets as a powder, either pure Vitamin C powder or EmergenC, which is available at drugstores or grocery stores. Dandelions and parsley are great sources of Vit C. Cavies enjoy most raw fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to :- strawberries, watermelon including the rind, carrots, romaine, broccoli, apples, oranges, bananas including the p*els, peaches, grapes, Swiss chard, and peas. We do not feed potatoes or cabbage.
Boys or Girls ?
WHICH MAKES A BETTER PET, A BOY OR A GIRL CAVY ?
Both ! Generally males have more personality and are often friendlier than females. Both make good pets. Two males together are less likely to fight than two females. Most males are very caring towards young babies and will readily accept a youngster. Even two adult males usually get along very well as long as there is not a female in with them. Best to keep the sexes separate unless you want to breed.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C : - All cavies REQUIRE added vitamin C to their diet daily, just as people do. Guinea pigs are the ONLY species other than humans who do not manufacture their own Vit C. Most cavy pellets have Vitamin C added, but Vit C can deteriorate quickly in heat or in storage of feed. So we add Vit C powder to the feed when we open a bag. Many people prefer to add Vit C to the water to ensure cavies get enough, but we have found that the water can quickly go rancid and funky this way, and then the cavies do not drink which can also cause health problems. For us, adding the dry powder to the feed ensures they get their Vit C regularly. Adding lots of fruits and vegetables high in Vit C, such as parsley and dandelions, also helps cavies get their Vit C.
Neutering ???????
SHOULD I NEUTER MY CAVY ?
NO! Cavies are very delicate and often do not survive any surgery, no matter how minor. Many people have had neutering done and the pet survives. Others have lost their beloved pet during surgery. And it is expensive. If you have a male and female and do not wish to breed - keep them in separate cages. Two males together are actually less likely to fight than two females together. Having said that, cavies are very social creatures and almost always enjoy each other’s company.
Cage Size
HOW BIG A CAGE DO I NEED?
It depends. For one pet cavy we would recommend a minimum of 18 inches by 30 inches. For 2 cavies - at least 2 feet by 3 feet .
WHAT IF I WANT TO BREED ?
Females should be at least 6 months old before breeding. Young male cavies are l***y – and often capable of breeding mom and/or sisters at 3-4 weeks of age. Ideally though, males should be 4 -5 months old before breeding. Females will need extra nutrition during pregnancy, and mortality can be high for both moms and pups. Think carefully before breeding. Gestation is about 70 days. Females come into heat immediately after giving birth so males should be removed from the cage before babies are born.
Want More Information on Cavies ?????
I AM INTERESTED IN SHOWS AND MORE INFORMATION. WHERE CAN I FIND IT ?
Cavy shows can be a lot of fun. There are special classes for youth under 18 and neat awards. The OCC has an incredible convention usually in the spring at various locations in Ontario. Not only are there conformation classes, but also lettuce eating contests, races and costume classes. Raffles and auctions and fun events.
The Ontario Cavy Club website is a good source of information.
You can also find them on Facebook and also at https://www.ontariocavyclub.net/
The Dominion Rabbit and Cavy Club also operates in Ontario. Their premier event is at the Royal Winter Fair – a show like no other in the world. Held in Toronto each November, it is truly worth the trip.
Find the Dominion information at www.drcba.ca
It is not necessary for people to be club members to show cavies or attend shows.
In the USA - Cavies are under two groups - American Cavy Breeders and American Rabbit Breeders (ARBA).
We are members of all these clubs, judges for both Ontario clubs and a Cavy Registrar for ARBA.
