Guinea Pig Supplies

We have just spent the last hour in the dark, with my love of the Earth Hour for the 2^nd year now.

This is a list of useful items that I like to have in my cabinet, just in case you want them for any guinea pig illnesses.
These are everyday things that you can buy over the counter on online I recommend the National Pet Pharmacy for Good Products & Price!
I would put an explanation on it, so its easy to grab when you feel the need to.
There are no antibiotics or medicated eye drops, or prescription medications here. Please consult a Veterinarian before using anything which is medical.

Electrolyte solutions, for any guinea pigs that may have diarrhea or are not drinking adequately. Note that some of these products may have a high-sugar content: guinea pigs can not handle high- or complex-sugar diets. It is best to stick with infant products, such as Pedialyte, which are sugar-free.
Acidophlius powder (with lactobacilli), a probiotic for use as additional Its function is to provide a supply of the natural, intestinal flora that aid in digestion. Some antibiotics can kill off these natural bacteria, leading to diarrhea.
Pediatric simethicone, which helps to eliminate gas, a source of intolerable pain in guinea pigs.
Kaopectate can be given after diarrhea, though you should note that it treats the diarrhea only, and not any potential causes (entiritis, parasites, bacterial infections, etc.).
Hydrogen peroxide is useful for flushing out wounds and abcesses, and can even be used to remove hardened urine and urine stains from the guinea pig's coat. It should be used at a 3% concentration.
Patroleum jelly, for softening the hardened lumps on guinea pigs.
Vitamin C tablets, generally the chewable kind, are for emergencies when large doses of vitamin C are necessary (scurvy, etc.).
Baby food, particularly carrots and bananas, for hand-feeding guinea pigs who can't eat themselves.
Guinea Pig shampoo that is mild and safe for use on guinea pigs,
Guinea Pig Mite Spray: These are for treatment of lice and some varieties of skin mites.
Eucalyptus oil, for the relief of congested breathing. Note that this treats symptoms only, and not any potential causes (respiratory infections, etc.). Also note that eucalyptus oil should not be injested, as it is toxic.
Quick stop. If a toenail breaks, or you accidentally cut the quick when trimming your guinea pig's nails, this product can be applied to the exposed area in order to clot the blood and stop the bleeding.
Eye droppers, for feeding juices or water to a guinea pig.
Open/needleless syringes, in the 1cc and 5cc (or 3 cc) sizes, for administering exact doseages of oral medications. You may need several of these, as the rubber plungers may wear out after a few uses.
Worm RId Keep your guinea pig health, put drops in thier water every few months.

I have a useful Guinea Pig Glossary that may help in some of the Terms that Vet's may use or just to help you understand about guinea pigs.

I also have more Guinea Pig information for you to look at.Differences between the Guinea Pig Breeds which may interest you.

I got this useful idea for my from a list of pet illness I saw on www.beanmakers.com
Have fun with your Piggy!

Guinea Pigs are tailless, plant eating mammals of the family Cavilidae that originated in South America. They are actually a relative of the Chinchilla & Porcupine & considered for a long time to be of the rodent family.

In 1991, the genetic classification of the Guinea Pig came into question when an article in 'Nature' magazine seemed to suggest they weren't rodents at all.

Guinea Pigs have no tail unlike rodents. They also carry their young & give birth 3 times longer than rodents at 68 days. Their young are born in an advanced state of development unlike rodents. The young can move around independently of each other soon after birth – unlike rodents. Guinea Pigs also require additional vitamin c unlike rodents.

Guinea Pigs were first domesticated by the Moche people in Peru, who used them as a food source.
They were also used for medical purposes, & as a sacrifice. The Moche began domesticating them between approximately 2500 – 5000BC. An exact date cant be given because of the lack of evidence of fossil remains. But mummified remains & statues depicting Guinea Pigs have been found in coastal Peru indicating a strong presence in the Moche culture there.

Later early Dutch & British explorers bought them to Europe, where they were raised as exotic pets. Queen Victoria I was one of the first to own a Guinea Pig in England.

Relatives of the Guinea Pig can still be found in the wild. They live in the forest edges, Savannah's & swamps from Columbia to Argentina. Small groups live in burrow, eating from the forest floor at night.

A Guinea Pig is sometimes referred to a Cavy, which is a shortened name from its Latin name; Cavia porcellus. Cavia refers to the scientific family & means 'little pig'. How it became 'Guinea Pig' is a little mystery. The pig part definitely relates to the squealing & oinking part, which is a noise Guinea Pigs make from time to time. The 'Guinea' part is maybe because it cost one guinea in England to buy them at the time, or maybe they came from Guyana, a South American country, that once was a Dutch colony & a likely export area. The name Guyana may have been miss spelled & said as 'Guinea”

One thing is for sure & that's that now the Guinea Pig is in almost every continent. They are as loved today as ever by their owners!

Have Lots of Fun with your piggy!
Sarah

Smooth T/Shell
Sheltie
Self Black
Rex

Dalmation
Coronet

Dutch Peruvian

Crested

Albino
Agouti
Tortoiseshell
Abyssinian American

Abyssinian - A guinea pig with hair that grows in swirls to form rosettes all over its body.
Agouti - The colour of the original wild guinea pigs. Each hair has 2 separate colour bands & the tips of the hairs are dark creating a ticked appearance.
Alfafa - A plant used as a food source for guinea pigs as hay & pellets like these great ones Sergeant's Geisler Superior Nutrition 3-Pound Guinea Pig Diet
Alpaca - A Peruvian guinea pig that carries the Rex gene, which causes the coat to be curly.
American - The name for smooth coated guinea pigs in the USA.
Ascorbic acid - Vitamin C.
Bale - Large bags of wood shavings used as bedding like this great bag, Kaytee Pine Bedding (2500 cu in)
Belly Band - The large unticked area of an Agouti.
Boar - A male guinea pig.
Bonnet Strings - Streaks of non ticked hair coming down from the chin on an Agouti - considered a fault in showing.
Boucle - The North American name for an Alpaca.
Bumblefoot - The swelling of a guinea pigs foot if bacteria enters cuts on their foot pad.
Cateract - The cloudy white film covering the eye.
Carrier - Small specially made cage to transport animals.
Cavia Porcellus - Scientific name for the guinea pig.
Cavy - Tailess rodent from South America, also the proper name for the guinea pig.
Checkerboard Pattern- The ideal pattern of markings on a Tortoiseshell guinea pig.
Chirping - High pitched sound usually made by the female guinea pigs most often at night.
Cloudy Tears - Milky discharge that appears in the corners of the eyes when its irritated & is flushing itself out.
Collagen - Protein found in the bones thats necessary for growth & proper development.
Coprophagy - Term used to describe when a guinea pig eats their own droppings to reabsorb valuable vitamins.
Coronet - A crested silky.
Crest - The single rosette of hair on a guinea pigs head.
Dilute - The lighter shade of a dark colour such as black or brown.
Diurnal - Awake during the day.
Duncan Hartley - Special line of white guinea pigs used in research.
ear tag - Permanent metal clip or temporary adhesive label used to identify purebred show cavies.
English - The name used for smooth coated guinea pigs in Europe.
Exotic Animal Specialist - A veterinarain with special training to look after guinea pigs & other small pets.
Free Feed - A term used for any food that is freely available to a guinea pig so they may eat as much as they want.
Frizzle - A long haired cavy crossed with a Teddy.
Frontal - The long fringe of hair covering a Peruvian's face.
Gestation - The length of time from conception to birth.
Grease Spot - A spot of sticky hair on a guinea pigs rump, caused by secretions from the oil gland.
Impaction - A condition that affects males when they are unable to pass softer droppings, & they become trapped in the skin fold of the anus causing a painful lupm.
Incisors - A guinea pigs front teeth.
In-Pig - A term to describe a pregnant guinea pig.
Intermediate - Young guinea pigs up to 6 months of age.
Junior - Young guinea pigs up to 4 moths of age.
Malocclusion - Improper alignment of the teeth.
Marked - Guinea Pigs with specifc patterns & markings arranged in an orderly fashion.
Merino - A crested Texel.
Mites - Tiny parasites that burrow in the skin & inside the ears, causing irritation & itching.
Molars - The Guinea Pigs back teeth used for grinding food.
Nest Box - A small floorless box usally made from wood, with windows & a door placed inside the guinea pigs cage for sleeping & hiding just like this one, Super Pet Woodland Get-A-Way Large Guinea Pig House
Neuter - A surgical proceedure that alters a male Guinea Pig so he can't reproduce.
Oestrus - The period of time when a female Guinea Pig is capable of conceiving.
Otoscope - An instrument used by a Vet to look inside the ears & mouth.
Pecking Order - A system of rank found in multiple Guinea Pig dwellings.
Pedigree - The recorded line of a pure bred Guinea Pig.
Pellets - Prepared Guinea Pig food that is the foundation of a Guinea Pigs food like this one, Guinea Pig Pellets 25lb
Peruvian - A Guinea Pig with long hair that grows forward over the body from rosettes (preferably only 2) on the rump.
Purring - An affectionate sound made by a Guinea Pig.
Piglets - Baby Guinea Pigs.
Points -The extremities of a Guinea Pigs body (ears, nose & feet) that are darker than the rest of the body.
Quick - The living tissue inside the toenails.
Rare-Variety - A new breed of Guinea Pig not yet officially recognised.
Rex - A Guinea Pig with kinked plush hair bred in Europe.
Rosette - The swirl of hair found on an Abyssinian.
Run - Outdoor enclosure with open floor for Guinea Pigs to graze on grass, like this one that's Awesome WARE Premium + Back Yard Hutch
Salmonella - A harmful food bacteria.
Sanctioned - A type of Guinea Pig show held under authorisation of a specific club or organisation.
Satin - A variety of Guinea Pig with a glossy coat due to hollow hair shafts that reflect the light.
Scurvy - The harmful condition thats the result of lack of Vitamin C.
Self - A variety of Guinea Pig thats the same colour all over the whole body.
Senior - A Guinea Pig over 4 years old.
Sheltie - Guinea Pig with long hair that grows straight, without swirls.
Silky - The North American name for the Sheltie.
Sipper Tube - The drinking device on a good LM Animal Farms Water Wells Wide Mouth Water Bottle for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Ferrets (64 oz.).
Slicker - A brush with soft wire bristles set close together, for grooming thick coated Guinea Pigslike this Super Pet Pro-Slicker Brush for Pet Critters
Smooth Coat - A Guinea Pig with smooth short hair.
Soduim Ascorbate- Vitamin C crystals.
Sow - A female Guinea Pig
Standard of Perfection - A guideline that purebred Guinea Pigs are judged against.
Standards Committee - A group of people within a Guinea Pig club who decide whether or not a new breed is to be acceped or standardised.
Styptic Powder - A special powder that clots the blood on the toenails of a Guinea Pig, if the quick has been cut.
Sweep - The long hair that passes down the sides & rump of a Guinea Pig.
Teddy - A Guinea Pig with kinked, plush hair, bred in North America. Similar to a Rex but genetically different.
Texel - A long haired Rex Guinea Pig.
Ticked - The appearance of the dark haired tips on the Agouti.
Timothy Grass - A particular type of grass that hay for Guinea Pigs is made from, like this good one from Peter's 48-Ounce Timothy Hay for Rabbits and Small Animals

First day home
- It can be a little unnerving to hold a Guinea Pig for the first time, as it may squeal loudly as if its in pain, and this may be alarming to a child who's holding it. But this shouldn't happen if you are gentle. Once your new Guinea Pig is used to you holding it regularly it will usually stop making this noise. Since Guinea Pigs don't bite instinctively they can be picked up easily - you just have to catch them first!
- Make sure your Guinea Pigs have plenty of room to move around (good size cage for one Guinea Pig is 2ftX3ft)like this one for instance, Super Pet My First Home Complete Guinea Pig Kit, Burgundy
They are not that active but like to be inquisitive so hide treats for them to find in their cage.
They also like to have a hiding & sleeping area so make sure its floor is taken out if you use a box to allow air to flow through, this is perfect Super Pet Waffle Block House
The cage should have wire at the top & a solid bottom. Guinea Pigs cage should be kept indoors if you dont live in a warm area. They should be kept in the shade constantly if outside in warm weather.
- Although Guinea Pigs are mainly horizontal living creatures, sometimes they like to have a jump off the roof of the sleeping box, so just make sure its solid enough to do that.
- They will need a water bottle like this LM Animal Farms Water Wells Wide Mouth Water Bottle for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Ferrets (64 oz.)
to drink from this is attached to the cage sides. Make sure they get fresh water. A tip when its hot is to have a store of cold or iced
water in the fridge to put straight into their water bottles in the morning, they love it.
- Food should be freely available to your Guinea Pig, if he emptys his bowl fill it up straight away. The bowl has to heavy enough to hold a hungry piggy! Just like this Super Pet Paw-Print PetWare Bowl, Guinea Pig, Colors Vary
- To pick up your Guinea Pig put your left hand in front of it as it runs, then place your right hand behind it as it runs around. Use your right hand to stop it by
placing your hand around its body. Reverse your grip if you are left handed. Slide your hand under its hindquarters & lift out of its cage. If held this way it won't struggle. But make sure you've got a good grip.

Healthy Daily Treats for your Guinea Pig.
Faourites are:
- celery (cut into small slices)
- cucumber
- cabbage and spring greens and kale
- cauliflower leaves
- broccoli
- lettuce
- spinach
- carrot slices
- apple slices
- banana slices
- strawberries, blackberries or raspberries
- grapes
- mango slices
-pineapple chunks.
- tomato slices
- orange slices
- melon slices

Indoor Exercise:
- For your Guinea Pig will be in a safe area in your home, on tiles preferably.
-Or in a cage just for indoors for them - although its not required, if your cage is indoors (which most people have)

Outside Exercise:
- in a grazing hutch is the safest way, it has the grass coming through the floor. You can make your own or buy them just like this great one WARE Premium + Back Yard Hutch

Grooming:
- Short haired Guinea Pigs only need a brush every now & then, and thats mainly so you can get to know them better, its not really required.
- longer haired Guinea Pigs need regular daily brushing and combing. Gently untangle any knots in the fur and take out bits of dirt or hay. Then carefully comb through your pets coat. This is a great brush Guinea Pig Petting Brush
- Check your Guinea Pigs claws regularly to see if you need to trim them yourself, or have the Vet do this for you. This is a great price Miracle QuickFinder Safety Nail Clipper (Cats/Small Animals)

Cleaning the Cage:
- Everyday just see if it needs a liitle tidy up, some Guinea Pigs put their wee and droppings in one corner, which is easier to clean up.
- once a week clean the cage out completely removing old food, fruit and bedding - Everything!
- Re line the cage with newspaper and hay.
- Having a separate box to put your Guinea Pig in whilst you're doing this makes life a whole lot easier!
HAVE FUN!

1 Guinea Pigs can be bought at a Pet shop, from a Breeder or from a Rescue centre where you can give a full grown piggy a home. They are very inexpensive to buy anywhere.

2 Wherever you buy your guinea pigs from make sure they are fit & healthy. Babies are ready to leave their Mums at about 6 weeks old. Watch the guinea pigs before you choose. Look for a healthy one that is both active & inquisitive. All small animals are slightly nervous of people they don't know, so just leave them alone when they scurry away.

3 What to look for when finding your perfect guinea pig friend:
- A smooth Glossy coat with no bald patches or scabs.
- Bright clean eyes.
- A clean nose.
- Quiet breathing.
- A plump rounded body resembling a brick with rounded corners!
- A clean mouth with no dribbling.
- The face should be gently rounded, not ratty, with a flat nose, large bold eyes & large petal shaped ears that droop.

4 If you are around during the day to spend quality time with you guinea pig then just get one, or more if you want that. Guinea pigs are social & it is probably better to get 2 to keep each other company when you are not there.

5 Whether to choose male or female guinea pig is again up to you. If you're wanting to mate them obviously make sure they get on first! A female & female or a male & male combination can be great but just introduce them at an early age (brothers are better for boys) then they grow together.

6 There are 13 recognised breeds of guinea pig which include Abyssinian, English smooth coat, American, Coronet, Peruvian, Sheltie, Teddy, Texel, & English Crested. The Peruvian, Silkie & Teddy are available in Satin breeds. Satin refers to the sheen or the shininess of the animals coat. Satin animals should have brilliant coats in order to suceed in the show ring. All breeds have the basic same guinea pig characteristics like meduim length with their shoulders the tallest part. The Texel is the exception which has a short cobby body.

7 If you want to show your guinea pig make sure you buy the right guinea pig to do this to start with as you may have to get it to stand still for it to be judged. There are shows being held all the time but rarely adverised outside the pages of specialist publications. It would be a great place to find the perfect show Guinea Pig if thats what you're after The Abyssinian has to have 8 rosettes to be shown, just as an example.

8 If you've a small child say like under 7, it may be better to have a guinea pig as a family pet until they are old enough to look after it themselves. Its an ideal childs pet for them to cuddle it & kiss it. So just when they are able to know that this is a real thing & not a toy like this Guinea Pig Puppet
- as a parent you'll know the right time.
9 Depending on the breed you select it may have smooth, short hair. Or it may have a kinked cow licked or curly coat. Its hair may be gorgeous long flowing locks. Short haired Guinea Pigs are easier for you to care for if thats more of a priority for you, with only a brush every now & then. With long hair guinea pigs you'll need to make sure they are tangle free daily.

10 If you are buying a full size guinea pig as opposed to a baby,its going to be around the 1.3kg - just slightly more than a bag of sugar. If yours feels heavy ask for it to be weighed at the shop or breeders. A healthy pet is what you want & what you guinea pig wants too! They may live for around 6 or 7 years or a lot longer if well looked after....time to go & choose your pet now & this is when the Fun Starts!

This is our 2nd & 3rd guinea pigs, the 1st having died unfortunately last year aged 5.

We love how easy they are to look after - we have them in their hutch outside, they know its us as soon as they hear us open the doors in the morning, & are up at the side of their hutch squealing with delight..for us yes maybe...or FOOD - More Likely!!

Guinea pig appetite is huge - they just don't seem to stop! But they do have a lot of naps too!
We clean ours every few days - a liking of food is of course going to require a clean out often. We have 2 guinea pigs so its more often. When we had one guinea pig I think we only cleaned him about once a week on average.

Going away for a night is easy with guinea pigs because they are easy to leave food for & an extra water bottle I like to leave two like this one which is great 16oz Frosted All Weather Color Guinea Pig Bottle
We have been camping overnight & they had plenty of food & drink left when we came back. I'm sure if you leave them one more night with more supplies they will be fine.

I have put piccies of our 2 guinea pigs, Chloe & Joey! If you have some fun names for your guinea pig I'd love to hear it..

Love to chat with like minded guinea pig owners...