The guinea pig is also known as the Dutch pig, Dutch pig, peccary, piglet, and Guinea pig. Their ancestors come from the Andes Mountains in South America. In the 16th century, European traders brought them to the West, and people liked this small animal as a pet. They are gentle, clever, and easy to take care of, and are still commonly kept as pets. Some organizations around the world have been dedicated to breeding guinea pigs, and people have bred various breeds with different fur colors and appearances.
Guinea pig breeds are diverse and have been developed after being transported to Europe and North America. The main differences are in fur and color. The most common pet breed is the English guinea pig, which has short and smooth fur, while the Abyssinian breed has rough standing fur. The Peruvian breed and the Silkie breed are also common pet breeds, with straight and long fur, while the Texel breed has long curly hair.
If you live in a small space and don't have the conditions to keep cats or dogs, or if you are afraid of being scratched or bitten, then choose a small and gentle guinea pig! Its chubby and clumsy appearance is adorable. Despite being a rodent, it is more lovable than traditional mice. It has a gentle personality and rarely bites people, unless provoked (remember that even rabbits bite when agitated). Guinea pigs are vegetarian and have no special dietary requirements. They have a strong constitution and rarely get sick. They are intelligent and will recognize and play with you if you treat them well. They have a moderate size, not as small as mice, nor as large as rabbits, making them suitable for holding in your hand (about 15-20 centimeters). They move clumsily and cutely, unlike mice or squirrels that can't be caught once they start running, making them suitable for children or the elderly to keep as pets. They are not expensive and do not require specialized care equipment. As long as you prepare a suitable sized cage, provide fresh water and food every day, play with them regularly, and clean their nest regularly, they will grow up healthy and happy. Once you get used to raising them, they will even greet you when you come home from work and climb onto you to ask for food.
The Crested Lilac guinea pig is a guinea pig with a lavender-colored coat and a crest-like spiral on top of its head.
The Crested Lilac guinea pig, also known as CrestedLilac, has a body length of 22 to 34 centimeters, weighing between 400 and 700 grams. It has a short, thick, and round body, with a large head, big and round bright eyes, round ears, split upper lip, and small ears. Its limbs are short, with 4 toes on the front feet and 3 toes on the hind feet, with no external tail.
They often move around in the cage designated by their owners and do not wander. Even if the door of their cage is opened, they will not run out without permission. But don't think, "Oh, this little animal is so reserved and doesn't move." If you have such thoughts, let me tell you, you've been fooled again. The character of the guinea pig with a carnation crown is not like that at all. They are very active and often run around in their cage. You may not know what they are doing and think their behavior is boring, but that's just because their interests are different from ours. Sometimes there may be bugs in the cage, and they want to play with them. Sometimes they see a tiny flying object outside and they want to check it out. They do this back and forth and never get tired of it. Sometimes, you may see the guinea pig with a carnation crown huddled in a corner of the cage with a fierce expression, especially when you meet them for the first time in a pet store, and even when you want to pick them up, they might even urinate on you. At this point, you may be startled by their unusual and naughty behavior. But you need to know that guinea pigs with carnation crowns tend to be more timid. They will of course be very scared when they meet a stranger for the first time, so it's not that they scared you, but rather that you scared them first. But don't worry, with slow induction, they will soon become very familiar with you.
Loved by pet lovers, a guinea pig is suggested to be kept as a pet. If a guinea pig is cuddled comfortably since it was young, it will behave very cooperatively with humans when it grows up, without biting or scratching. They are shy and timid towards the outside world, rarely attempting to escape from the cage. Even if the cage door is open, they will not go out on their own. After becoming familiar with the owner, when the owner approaches the cage, they will whistle; if they hear the rustling sound of a plastic bag or the opening sound of the refrigerator door, they know that the owner is going to feed them, and they will also whistle.
Mange
Mange is caused by contamination in the living environment of guinea pigs. It mainly lives around the eyes and ears of guinea pigs. Mange mites can cause scabies, as if the mites eat away the guinea pig's fur, resulting in bald patches. Once signs of mange mites are discovered, it is important to seek medical treatment, which usually involves injecting insecticidal drugs. Alternatively, a diluted solution of agricultural insecticides can be applied to the affected area (a small amount wouldn't cause harm to guinea pigs). Additionally, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect the cage, otherwise the mange mites may come back.
Bacterial infection
The main symptom is bald patches on the head, which is extremely similar to mange. Sometimes even doctors have difficulty distinguishing between the two. This condition is caused by high humidity and long-term consumption of concentrated feed. The symptoms of this disease are similar to athlete's foot in humans, with flakes appearing on the skin.
Diarrhea
It is caused by gastroenteritis due to consuming contaminated food. The symptoms are obvious, with loose stools. If this symptom is found, immediate medical attention should be sought. Diarrhea is quite dangerous for guinea pigs because sometimes it is difficult to determine which food caused the diarrhea. While common diarrhea can be treated with medicine, if the diarrhea is caused by chemical poisoning, even immediate medical treatment may not be able to save its life. So be very careful.
Flatulence
It is caused by consuming inappropriate food, such as pears. Flatulence can lead to suffocation and heart failure. Therefore, in severe cases, prompt medical attention is necessary.
Constipation
It is caused by dry food and inadequate water intake. It can be cured by increasing water intake and providing fruits and vegetables with high water content.
Excessive hair loss
It is normal for guinea pigs to shed fur, just like humans shed hair. However, excessive hair loss is abnormal and is caused by a lack of vitamin C. The treatment method is to supplement with powdered vitamin C mixed into food or water. Vitamin powder has a sour taste, so some guinea pigs may refuse to eat it, in which case it can be administered with a syringe.
Injury
Immediately apply veterinary iodine to the bleeding area to prevent bacterial infection.
The white carnation crown guinea pig has a relatively large appetite, so when feeding them, be careful not to feed them spoiled food, otherwise it can easily cause diseases. It is generally recommended to feed them with specialized feed, hay, vegetables, and fruits. Feed them 20-30 grams of feed and 80-150 milliliters of water per day, and also feed them some vegetables and fruits in the morning and evening, feeding regularly. Since white carnation crown guinea pigs are nocturnal animals, you can feed them more at night. Note: White carnation crown guinea pigs should not eat onions, garlic, leeks, raw ginger, chocolate, or coffee. In addition, snacks that humans commonly eat are also dangerous for white carnation crown guinea pigs and should not be fed to them, remember! The main food for guinea pigs with carnation crowns is feed and various fruits and vegetables, with leafy greens being their favorite. Guinea pigs with carnation crowns have a habit of scratching people, do not like to climb and jump, so they can be kept in a container without a lid for feeding. They have a docile temperament, are easily frightened, and sometimes make squeaking screams. They prefer a dry and clean living environment. If you see a guinea pig with a carnation crown eating its own feces, don't panic, because their soft feces contain undigested nutrients. Some guinea pigs with carnation crowns will eat their own or their companions' feces to absorb nutrients, especially when they are young, they will eat their mother's or their companions' feces to absorb nutrients and replenish their insufficient digestive bacteria.
1. A basin for bathing. It is recommended to use a higher basin, because many guinea pigs are not used to bathing and will try to jump out. Use natural shampoo or special shampoo for small animals. If not available, use a less irritating one. Prepare a soft towel and a hairdryer, and connect the hairdryer to the power source first. Prepare a clean box, the height of the box should prevent the guinea pig from jumping out. You can prepare some food that guinea pigs like to eat. It is optional.
2. Fill the basin with warm water and wet the guinea pig, but do not wet the head. Apply shampoo. If using human shampoo or body wash, make sure to rinse the guinea pig several times with clean water, as it is dangerous if not thoroughly cleaned. After bathing and drying the guinea pig, they usually clean themselves again. If the shampoo and body wash are licked into their stomachs, it can have a bad consequence.
3. After washing, quickly wrap the guinea pig with a towel. Put it in a clean box and use the hairdryer, which has been connected to the power source, to dry a small part of the water. Pay attention to the temperature of the hairdryer. You can place your hand next to the guinea pig while blowing to determine the temperature of the air. This way, you won't worry about it being too cold or too hot.
4. After drying a small part of the water, lay a towel on yourself and hold the guinea pig in your arms while blowing. If you have prepared food, you can feed them at this time. The reason for laying the towel is to keep the guinea pig warm, prevent it from getting wet, and help absorb the remaining water under its belly. We often can't dry the water under their bellies, but flipping the guinea pig over to blow can make them very uncomfortable. So laying a towel is very useful. Feeding guinea pigs is to divert their attention to food. Many guinea pigs are not used to hairdryers and are afraid of the noise. They may hide in clothes or run away. By giving them food, their attention will be shifted and they won't run away. After the guinea pig finishes eating, its brain will naturally adapt to the hairdryer and won't run away as fiercely, or even stop running away.
5. If drying a guinea pig with a reversed hand, make sure to dry it completely, because the hands of a reversed guinea pig are longer than those of a normal guinea pig, and water may be hidden where the reversed and normal parts meet. Be careful not to let it catch a cold.
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