Weird Things You May Not Know About Guinea Pigs

First of all, let's get this straight. Guinea pigs are not miniature pigs, and they are not from New Guinea or even Old Guinea. They are cavia porcellus, rodents from South America, and affectionately called "cavies" (rhymes with gravy) by those who feel affection toward them. The fact that they are not pigs is probably why baby cavies are not called piglets; instead they are called puppies, which makes no sense at all, especially considering that girl cavies are called sows and boys are called boars.

Guinea pigs have a weird, painful past.

Guinea pigs were once raised for food by tribal peoples, perish the thought and gag me with a rodent. The Inca Indians sacrificed them to the sun god in religious ceremonies. Then, even worse, they endured a period of time when they were used as lab rats, until somebody got the idea of using lab rats.(The name "guinea pig" as an expression came to mean "let's try it out on him.") Now, thankfully, they are just cute little, furry little, beloved little pets --- one of the more popular pets in America. And no wonder, they are compact and adorable and don't eat much. But speaking of eating . . .

What do guinea pigs like to eat?

They like lots of fruits and veggies, preferably darker and brighter colored ones that contain more nutrients. Don't be expecting your cavy cutie to thrive on iceberg lettuce and pale parsnips. Also, you can get guinea pig food pellets at your pet store. One expert recommends alternating the guinea pig food with bunny food. Too, you'll want to provide timothy hay for piggy to munch on. (Not alfalfa hay, it's too rich.) Flowers, leaves, potatoes and raw beans are poisonous to your cavy.

Guinea pigs are enzyme-challenged and need Vitamin C.

Guinea pigs need Vitamin C from supplements because they are missing the Vitamin-C-producing enzyme. (So are we, by the way.) Don't put the Vitamin C drops in cavy's water bottle, because they're water soluble and will just be tinkled away.) Sprinkle some on its food instead. Remember, without a daily external source of Vitamin C, your cavy will go to the Big Cage in The Sky. And speaking of cages (and I don't mean Nicholas of the many money troubles) . . .

How do you build a C&C guinea pig cage?

Design-a-Cube and Coroplast (a kind of corrugated plastic) cages are the best. Pet store guinea pig cages are just not adequate. Your guinea pig needs 7 square feet of cage, otherwise it is just living in a glorified litter box. For two guinea pigs you need a 7.5 square foot cage. According to Cavy Cages, it's as easy as 1-2-3 to build one. "1. Snap the grids together. 2. Cut, fold and tape the Coroplast .3. Drop the Coroplast box into the grids, add bedding, and pigs!"

Easier yet, you can order a C&C cage kit online that will have everything you need. Remember, bigger cages are easier to clean, too. Your piggy will be ecstatic with its new digs and *"popcorn" all over the place.

Guinea pigs don't like to be lonely.

Guinea pigs are herd animals and they really do better with at least one other guinea pig pal. Two females are good. A male and female is OK if one is fixed, or otherwise you'll have your own herd to herd.. Two males don't do well together unless they've known each other since they were pups.

Other guinea pig must-haves.

A water bottle. One that attaches to the cage side (not a bowl, piggy will tip it.)
A hanging feeder or a a feed bowl.
A little manger for timothy hay.
An absorbent "floor" for the litter box. *(Shredded newspaper, pine shavings.)
Bird toys or baby toy keys to hang from wire grids.
A ramp, especially one made from a carpeted cat scratching post, to keep piggy nails trim. (Good exercise.) Also the perfect access if you build a second story to the cage. (See clip.)
A hiding place. A pvc pipe is good. So is a round oatmeal box with the bottom cut out, etc.

Will your guinea pig learn to like you?

Sure, eventually. At first it will have an atavistic response, thinking "Oh no this tall being wants to eat me, just like those other guys who ate all my ancestors." So be patient, make little chittering sounds, and try not to tower over the cage and leave scary shadows on the wall. In no time your little cavy will be chittering back at you, requesting cucumber slices and broccoli.

Why you should not keep your guinea pig in an aquarium or plastic box.

It's a guinea pig, not a fish. Oh I know you weren't going to put water in it, that's not the point. The point is the pig urinates in there, and if there is no ventilation, it will be living in ammonia fumes. The wire grid cubes are perfect for air circulation. Just make sure you don't use grids with inner square spaces greater than 1.5 inches, or piggy could could get stuck in one.

What kind of a fur coat should your guinea pig have?

Some guinea pigs are fancy and some are plain. The American breed has a short smooth coat, the Peruvian is long haired, and the Abyssinian is the fanciest of all, with short little swirls of fur. Colors and markings range from multicolor or solid black, brown, tan and white.

Two more weird fun things about guinea pigs.

1. When guinea pigs are ecstatic they jump up in the air. Well not like a gazelle, more like a little pig. It's called *popcorning. Aww, it's heartwarming.
2.Pigs Is Pigs is a movie about a train station full of guinea pigs that keep on multiplying.

Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-SPfvmsxF0&feature=related
http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pig-care-and-feeding/guinea-pigs-%E2%80%93-a-quick-start-guinea-pig-owners-guid
http://www.guineapigcages.com/
http://www.guineapigcages.com/safety.htm
http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm
http://bluestonecages.com/guinea-pigs/guinea-pigs-the-history-and-origins-of-the-guinea-pig