Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pigs have an average life Span of 4-8 years. Puberty occurs around 6-10 weeks of age allowing them to reproduce. When bred guinea pigs can have 1-6 babies at a time. Gestation usually runs 59-72 days. If you are planning to breed your guinea pig; this should be done for the first time before 6 months of age. Babies are born ready to go and can eat solid food the first day. There are 3 main breeds: English, Abyssinian, and Peruvian. There can be a wide variety between these breeds when purchasing one from a pet store.
Several brands of commercial feed available: Mazuri, Purina guinea pig chow, and Wayne guinea pig diet. Guinea Pigs require a vitamin C supplement usually about 50 mg/cup of drinking water and one or more of high Vitamin C foods daily like ¼ of an orange, Kal or cabbage. They also enjoy eating hay, green veggies, carrots, and apples in small amounts.
A general aquarium or cage made for guinea pigs is suitable, and should contain a box of some kind as guinea pigs enjoy a hiding box in their cage. Bedding can be hardwood shavings, composite recycled paper material, pellets or shredded paper. Guinea Pigs should not be housed on cedar chips as this can cause a variety of allergy problems.
They are very sensitive to temperatures and care should be taken to keep them away from drafty areas such as windows and doors. Guinea Pigs are also quite sensitive to respiratory pathogens carried by dogs, cats, and rabbits so care should be taken to keep them away from each other.
General bathing or brushing is not required for guinea pigs, however, the teeth should be checked regularly and may require trimming along with toenails.