09/16/2024
Happy Sunday everyone! Today we wanted to share with all of our followers our precious baby Guinea Pigs!!
The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus,) also known as the cavy or domestic cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the genus Cavia, family Caviidae. Despite their name, guinea pigs are not native to Guinea, nor are they closely related to pigs. Instead, they originated in the Andes region of South America, where wild guinea pigs can still be found today!
The Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a pet since its introduction to Europe and North America by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, friendly responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them have continued to make guinea pigs a popular choice of household pets.
Guinea pigs thrive in groups of two or more- being social animals, keeping them alone is not recommended, and Guinea pigs learn to recognize and bond with other individual guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs benefit from a diet of fresh grass hay, such as timothy hay, in addition to food pellets, which are often based on timothy hay. Like humans, but unlike most other mammals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C and must obtain this vital nutrient from food. If guinea pigs do not ingest enough vitamin C, they can suffer from potentially fatal scurvy. They require about 10 mg of vitamin C daily which can be obtained through fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, dietary supplements, or by eating pellets designed for guinea pigs.
If handled well and often, guinea pigs become amenable to being picked up and carried and when well socialized will rarely bite or scratch. Guinea pigs that become familiar with their owner will whistle on the owner's approach; they will also learn to whistle in response to the rustling of plastic bags or the opening of refrigerator doors, where their food is most commonly stored. With good handling, they easily become cherished, active family members whom, with a lifespan of 7-9 years, can provide joy for their family for years to come.
We currently have locally, privately bred baby Abyssinian Guinea pigs ready to go to new homes at $25.99 each. We also are offering a Guinea pig bundle, complete with setup, at an amazing price for a limited time. Come and meet your new family member at Animal Cove Pets!! 🐹🐾🐹🐾