Guinea pigs make brilliant companions, but there is nothing more heartbreaking than a sick guinea pig. If you are ready to take one these friendly fur balls into your home, you need to understand some vital basics of guinea pig health to make their five to seven years of life comfortable and happy.
They Need To Be Fed Vitamin C
Ever wonder why guinea pigs are used in medical research so much? Because they share a physical quirk with humans their bodies cannot naturally produce Vitamin C, so they have to eat it or get very sick. Foods rich in Vitamin C that guinea pigs like include parsley, strawberries, tomatoes and cantaloupe. Although oranges have Vitamin C, most guinea pigs won’t eat them (although some will). This writer used to know a guinea pig that would merrily munch on a children’s Vitamin C chewable tablet.
There are guinea pig pellets made that are specially enriched with Vitamin C. The vitamins loose their potency after a couple of months, so you need to check the sell by dates on the bag. There are vitamin drops that you can add to your guinea pig’s water, but many guinea pig owners say the drops are useless.
They Are Allergic To Penicillin
Sadly, some vets don’t even know that all guinea pigs are allergic to penicillin. Always make sure of what medicines are before giving them to your guinea pig. But there are many alternatives to penicillin for guinea pigs.
Also, don’t give human drugs to guinea pigs. Human drugs are too strong for small guinea pig bodies. Only give drugs (except for penicillin) prescribed by your vet.
They Need A Cage With A Solid Floor
Every year, many guinea pigs are needlessly injured by being forced to live in cages with wire-mesh flooring. Guinea pigs’ tiny toes and feet often slip through the wire mesh and, when the piggy tries to get free, winds up breaking a toe or a leg. You can easily prevent this by making sure your guinea pig’s cage floor is solid.
They Eat Their Own Poop
Technically, what they are eating is NOT poop, but ceacotrophs, which are compounds of vitamins and proteins that assist the guinea pig in digested B vitamins. You know how a cow needs to chew cud in order to digest their food? Same principle only the cud comes out at a different end. So, if you see your guinea pig eating poop, don’t worry.
Their Teeth Keep Growing
Guinea pigs’ teeth keep on growing throughout their lives, so having hard things to chew on helps wear down the teeth evenly. If your guinea pig has trouble eating, drools or seems to have a swollen face, check the incisors. They are probably too long. They need to be trimmed by a vet in order for the guinea pig to be able to eat and groom properly. A guinea pig with teeth that are too long is a miserable guinea pig.
They Need To Be Checked Every Day
Since guinea pigs are a prey species, they instinctively try to hide any signs of illness. In the wild, showing any signs of illness would catch the unwelcome attention of any hungry predator. By observing how your guinea pig normally, eats, drinks, sleeps, defecates and plays, you can see right away when your guinea pig is sick, because he or she will not be acting normally.
Since guinea pigs are so small, illnesses go through them very quickly. Any signs of illness especially bleeding, diarrhea or sitting in a hunched position with dirty fur are all signs to get your pet to the vet right away. If the guinea pig is to be a child’s pet, it is crucial that an adult check on the pet every day, because a child may not.
References
“Guinea Pigs.” Audrey Pavia, et al. Bow Tie Press; 2005
“The Guinea Pig Handbook.” Sharon L. Vanderlip, DVM. Barron’s; 2003.
“The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs.” Peter Gurney. TFH; 1992.
Guinea Lynx: Medical and Care Guide for Guinea Pigs. http://www.guinealynx.info/
Author’s personal experience
