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Guinea pig (scientific name: guinea pig) is also known as Dutch rat, Dutch pig, guinea pig, in the zoological classification is the mammalian rodent family Guinea pig genus. Although the name is Dutch pig and Guinea pig, this animal is neither a pig nor comes from the Netherlands or Guinea. Their ancestors came from the Andes Mountains of South America, and according to biochemical and hybrid analysis, guinea pigs are the domesticated offspring of closely related species such as the guinea pig such as the white-rumped guinea pig (c.aperea), the bright guinea pig (c.fulgida) or the prairie guinea pig (c.tschudii). Guinea pigs are precious multi-purpose herbivores that combine skin and flesh. Dutch pigs weigh 1-1.5 kg in adults, have a body length of 20-30 cm, have tight fur, are shiny, and have a total of 15 species in 5 genera, which are specialties of South America.
Breed differences: Ordinary short-haired guinea pigs are famous experimental animals, almost all of which have become synonymous with experimental animals. Therefore, it is more common in the pet market and the price is cheaper. The long-haired guinea pig, also known as the satin rat, is not only larger, but also has silky soft body hair, beautiful and cute, and is a good family pet. Some places even have beauty contests for curly-haired Dutch pigs.
Guinea pigs have a high reproductive rate, strong disease resistance, easy feeding, and extensive management. Native to Peru in South America, the natural food is grass, the roots of plants and the seeds of fruits, and is an absolute vegetarian. Staple food hay, complementary food. A small amount of fruits and vegetables, unlimited boiled water.
Morphological characteristics
Guinea pigs are agile, lively, docile, and a special ornamental animal. High reproductive rate, strong disease resistance, early sexual maturity, short sexual cycle, generally about 16 days; the gestation period is 60-65 days, 6 births per year can be produced 6, the average birth of 4-8 per child, the newborn piglets about 100g, the birth will be feeding, activities. Piglets mature at 35 days, and a pair of guinea pigs can reproduce 80 pairs a year. Raising Dutch pigs has considerable economic benefits.
Guinea pigs are easy to raise, extensively managed, and feed on weeds (dried Timothy grass / dried alfalfa grass / dried fruit tree grass / dried oat grass, etc.), and it likes to eat grass and vegetable leaves. With a fraction of the refined feed (20g-30g per day), the weight gain is half as fast.
Feeding methods
Guinea pigs can live up to 10 years, and you must be mentally prepared before you breed them. Make sure you don't have other animals in your home, such as cats or dogs, that can harm it. Water and food had to be supplied every day, its excrement would smell, it would sometimes bark and nibble on things. If you can accept this, then let's take a look at the Dutch pig.
Teeth: There are two teeth (incisors) in front of the mouth, up and down, which are mainly used to cut off food. Foredental growth is fast, so it is necessary to chew foods with high fiber frequently, otherwise it will happen that the front teeth grow too long and cannot eat.
Feeding box: If you have not had time to prepare a nest for it when you buy it, you can first find a box (wooden or plastic or even a cardboard box) and spread some clean rags in it. Because the ink on the newspaper is not good for small animals, it is best not to use it. The box is only temporary, because when it adapts to the environment and becomes bolder, it will start grinding its teeth with the box, and maybe it will sneak out. So you have to prepare a suitably sturdy chest to make a nest for it.
Food Bowl: Avoid plastic or other materials that will be eaten. You should choose ceramic or stainless steel texture, there is a certain amount of weight is not easy to be overturned.
Drinking water: In order to keep the inside of the feeding box dry, it is recommended to use a licking water feeder and use clean and cool boiling water.
Mats: The role of mats is to absorb moisture and odors from excrement, making dutch pigs feel comfortable. Wood chips, sawdust, hay, rags, etc. can be placed at the bottom of the cage without direct contact with the Dutch pig. Cat sand is also a good choice, and shredded paper with shredders can also be used.
Disease: The most common disease in Dutch pigs is scurvy. Since Dutch pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C in the body on their own, if there is a lack of vitamin C in food, they will get this disease. Symptoms are swelling of the joints, as well as the accompanying pain, limping, etc., if left unattended, there is a risk of death. The best treatment is to take vitamin C orally until the symptoms go away. Adding vitamin C to drinking water has a good preventive effect.
Guinea pigs, like people, have their own personality preferences and habits, and getting along for a long time is really like a human friend next to them. It feels like both sides can understand each other, ^_^ so it's really fun to raise. So the most important thing is that the owner should have patience and responsibility, and take the time to find this tacit understanding. And no one seems to have mentioned above that guinea pigs need to be supplemented specially because they cannot synthesize vitamin C in the body.