Are Guinea Pigs a Good Pet for Children?
As in any pet care, the wild origins dictate a lot of what is important in Guinea Pig care. The guinea pig is a type of rodent sometimes known as the Cacy. They are not in fact pigs, as their name would have suggested. They come from the moutains of South America, and research has shown they are descendants of closely related species such as Cavia aperea, C. fulgida, or C. tschudii, so therefore do not exist as a wild species.
The guinea pig plays an important role in both the folk culture of many Indigenous South American tribes and more importantly as a food source (how could they?). It was domesticated 5000 years ago for food and have appeared in the history and culture and are frequently used in metaphors.
They came to Europe in the 16th century by European traders and has since enjoyed widespread popularity as a household pet. In the early days they were seen as an mysterious pet and even Queen Elisabeth I had one. The metaphor “guinea pig” comes from their use in biological testing from the 17th century.
They are extremely docile easy to look after and are easy to handle and feed and are therefore popular with pet sitters. They hate exploring and will not try to escape, even if the cage door is left open (no promises!). Guinea pigs will often whistle when interested, for example when they hear food being prepared or the owner comes near.
There are lots types of domesticated guinea pigs, which vary in color and hair differences. The most normal types are the shorthair (or American shorthair), the Abyssinian with a ruffled coat. More unique long hair types include the curly long hair Texel and the long haired Sheltie or Peruvian breeds.
So should I choose a Guinea Pig?
Guinea Pigs are very friendly pets – so you need to be able to dedicate enough time for them, otherwise they will feel lonesome and this might cause them to be stressed and go ill. This is especially important if you are buying one for the kids, on the understanding that they will care for the guinea pig. Consider carefully that they typically live for about five, but may live for 8 years and the Guinness Book of Records has the record age for a guinea pig at 14 years.
Guinea pigs are particularly large for rodents, weighing between 700 and 1200g (1.5-2.5 pounds), and measuring between 20 and 25 cm (8–10 inches) in length. Which means that you need to have more space for the cage. Though as a robust animal, this could be located in a shed or a sheltered spot outside. They will deal with cold better than excessive heat. Try to avoid wire mesh floored crates, as this can damage their feet and lead to infection.
As for many animals you do not want to put two males together as they will fightfor domination when they are mature at 6 months or so. However you can have as many females together as you want, and they will get along very well. Obviously you do not want to add a male to the group as they breed very easily.
They are grass eaters, which they digest with the help of their long colon. Hay is an alternative to the grass in a domestic situation. Like us they cannot synthesise vitamin C and will need to attain this through their diet, the guinea pig version of scurvy is deadly. Scurvy is often identified by sluggishness. So feed them often fresh, raw fruits and vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli, apple, carrot, celery, and spinach). Alternatively, but not a preferred option through dietary supplements. They are fussy eaters when older, so with a young guinea pig feed a wide variety of foods. They feed continuously, so ensure there is hay available for them to eat.
They, as well as scurvy, may also suffer from respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, abscesses due to infection (often in the neck, due to hay embedded in the throat, or from external scratches), and infections by lice, mites or fungus.
They are lively throughout the day and will sleep on and off, waking for some activity. They like to groom themselves and will groom others.
Categories: Pets Tags: guinea pig, Guinea pig care, pet care, pet sitter, pet sitting
How To Care For A House Cat
If you haven’t owned a cat for a while, or even had a cat “guest” for a long time, you’re going to need to get familiar with some of the basics in house cat care. A house cat has special requirements, as would any pet, and if you are prepared with the right information, you’ll be more likely to guarantee that your cat will be healthy and content. Try to remember some of the fundamentals of cat care given here, and you’ll be in good shape.
The first thing that you should do is consider cat-proofing your home. Before you bring your new cat home, try to see what the cat will be seeing. Wander throughout the rooms that you will be using to house your cat, and make sure that there are no dangerous places that he or she could get to. To save yourself some headaches, remember that you will also want to move any valuable pieces of furniture away to a room that is off limits for your cat.
Keep in mind that house cat care includes providing a litter box for the cat, of course. You will need to scoop the waste from the litter box daily, sometimes more frequently, and it can’t be in an area of the house with heavy traffic, or around other animals or young children. Cats naturally know how to use the litter box, but when you introduce it to them, you may have to put them in it and just show them how to scratch at the loose gravel.
If you have a long hair cat, you have to regularly brush your cat’s hair. If you stay consistent with the practice of brushing your cat, you won’t have the unpleasant problem of your cat swallowing its hair and developing hairballs.
This can lead to more serious health issues later in life. Remember that house cat care means your cat needs to be picked up and brushed. The best time to begin this is when the cat is young, if you can.
In general, the best way to care for a cat is to use common sense and, remember to watch your cat. See if he or she is doing anything out of the ordinary and figure if their behavior changes and why. Good observation can keep a little problem from turning into a big one, and you’ll find that it is a great way to get to know the newest addition to your family!
Top Tips to Protect your Pet During the Summer
You almost certainly spend time on the safety of your family. However do not forget your pets. This is a key part of pet care. Summer is especially difficult and dangerous for your animal. The two main things to pay attention to are the effects of warmer weather and vacations.
Lets get going with the effect of the hot weather on the animal. They are like us – they will want more water, keep it available at all times. If you regularly go dog walking ensure they have the ability to have water, every hour or so, or even more often if you are of the active type.
You would be justifiably locked up for leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astounding and a shame the number of people who do this to their animals. This can kill an animal, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly rise to more than 100 degrees. Putting the window slightly ajar, is next to useless.
Pets are similar to ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need less food to preserve your weight during summer. If you, or your pet, keep consuming the same, you certainly will increase your weight. Pet obesity is increasing everywhere. Increasing weight during summer, will slow the pet down in winter and you get a vicious circle, so consider reducing the food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your pets weight.
Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most rapidly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the pet does not eat wet food within half an hour, through it away. Dry food is perfectly safe, if does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery pet, often and little should be the rule. Also be careful about condensation, or drips from the air conditioner.
Whilst walking the dog during the hot weather, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, however, he may suddenly want to jump into some water, with company – you if you are holding onto the lead. Perhaps more risky is the leap into a river, if he is not on a leash. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being pulled in! Not helped by them wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there are often more animals around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.
Summer, is often the time of the great holiday. So if you are having to choose a pet sitter, choose a professional business such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A good pet sitter, will even check out all the dangers as part of their agreement. Pet Sitting is often the wisest option for the pet, they prefer to be in their house. If not, and you have to board them, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal recommendation, as in everything there can be good and not so good. The animal may not like it, but they are safe.
You may be wanting to take your pet on holiday with the family. Without doubt the most dangerous choice for an animal. Plan and prepare well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the automobile is dangerous for ourselves as well. Think about using a pet restraint, you use one, for good reason, so buy one, if you don’t have one for your pet. The danger of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every hour, perhaps a bit longer if you have air conditioning – on. Be very careful on the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the pet may want to take a run for it (you might as well).
When you arrive you will be in a strange location. So check it out thoroughly for any dangers to your animal. The biggest one is running away, especially in motels, rooms opening out onto a main highway and cars. Do not forget that digestion of fruit and particularly {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep an eye on them.
Pets, will struggle to get back to your motel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case on vacation. Make sure you have solid and visible name / phone tags and keep them on a leash.
I wish you and your pets have a happy, problem free holiday.
Categories: Pets Tags: pet care, pet dangers, pet sitting, summer pet care
How To Look After Your Pet At Home
Having a pet at home will require you to be knowledgeable of some pet care that you must do at home. Whatever your pet is, either it be a domestic or an exotic pet, you must know some basic pet care that you have to do in order to keep your pet healthy and happy.
The first thing to you need to consider is that food comes above all else. A nutritious food will keep your pet healthy and being healthy would make it look cuter and thus making you happy. With this, you have to choose only the quality food recommended by the veterinarian. Aside from this, you also have to ask the food that is supposed to be avoided. For example, many of us may think that human food is something that our pet can eat but further questioning with the veterinarian would reveal that some of it may be deadly for the pets. If you are getting an exotic pet, remember that foods for the domestic pets also have different components from the food that exotic pets eat. You must take note of this if you have decided to go have an obligation of getting a pet at home.
The next thing that you have to consider is the space that you should be taking care of for your pet.It is important to have lots of space for your pet in order for it to run around and enjoy itself inside your home. It is important because pet care does not only focus on its physical health but also for the psychological needs of your pet.You may not know this but pets are also prone to depression just like people. Giving them enough space would let them to play around. But for if you don’t have enough space inside the house, just make sure that they have a place where they can exercise and play.
Don't forget that your pets also need a regular check up with its veterinarian. This will ensure that they are safe from every illness or if there is something suspicious, it will be diagnosed and do something at this early point.At this time, they will also be updated on their vaccinations.
These are just some of the things that you have to consider before you get a pet at home. Remember that pets will make you happy but in return they would need proper care from their owners. Always remember that you can ask your veterinarian and access the internet for more information regarding pet care.
Categories: Pets Tags: exotic pet, exotic pets, pet at home, pet care, petcare, Pets, pets and, pets animals, pets at home
