My name is Andrew and I am almost 9 years old.
My mummy and daddy just bought us two lovely guinea pigs to look after.   Their names are Toffee and Chocolate.
Uncle Peter and Aunt Marilyn will help us take photos of them for our web page so you can see what they look like.
 

My name is Iain Murray and I am 5.
I like the guinea pigs because they are cute and cuddly.   We love them and are learning all about them.
When we get more stories and pictures about Toffee and Chocolate we will add them to our web site.

While we are updating our web page you can have a look at some information we have found on guinea pigs.
 

What are Guinea Pigs?

• Guinea pigs are also called cavies.

• They are a bit like rats and mice (rodents), but they have some differences.   One difference is that the mummy guinea pigs are pregnant for a very long time compared to rats and mice and their babies can open their eyes while still in the mother's tummy.   Guinea pigs also need to have vitamin C in their bodies to feel good, which other rodents do not.

• They are related to animals called the chinchilla and the porcupine.

• They come from the Andes mountains in South America.

There are 3 common types of guinea pig used as pets.         The English Breed         The Abyssinian         The Peruvian

• They make excellent pets, especially for young children.   This is because they love to be petted and cuddled, and will become even livelier the more attention it has.

• A guinea pig needs exercise, and attention though and you must learn to clean it's cage often.

What we need to look after our guinea pigs:
 

A cage A food dish Some hay/Alfalfa A water bottle Food Stuff to chew on A place to exercise A Brush Guinea Pig Pellets

Grooming our guinea pigs:

Guinea pigs get dirty quite quickly!

To bathe them you can set them in the sink, and run the warm water over them, rubbing off the dirt and dust.
Towel them dry, and brush them. When you put them away, make sure they have a warm place, so they don't get cold.
They will also need their nails trimmed when they get long. This can be done carefully by parents or at the vets.
The more you handle your Guinea Pig the tamer it will become. Grooming is a great way to tame your cavy.
A very soft brush can be used to help with shedding and keeping the coat clean.

Exercising our guinea pigs:

Guinea pigs need exercise.

They can not jump, so a pen with low sides can be placed outside.   It should have a roof, though so other animals can't get to your guinea pig.   They are very shy, so make sure that a box is in the pen for hiding.
Guinea pigs can overheat so make sure there is some type of shade for them.   Cavies like to run around outside of their cage.  You should supervise them while they are loose and be sure any electrical cords are out of reach.
Guinea Pigs will chew anything.
 

What is a guinea pig's house like?

Guinea pigs can live in a cage or hutch.   If you have two guinea pigs it should be larger.
They need to have some sort of a bed and the bedding should be changed about twice a week.
The whole cage should be wiped clean a few times a month.   Never allow the cage to become damp or dirty.
Your should keep the cage away from drafts such as air conditioners and out of direct sunlight.
Change the litter every other day to keep everything nice and clean!

Guinea Pigs can have some toys in their cages.  Some suitable toys are pipes large enough for the pig to go
through without getting stuck, non-glazed clay pots and wooden boxes with a hole cut in it for the pig to hide.
 

How do we handle our guinea pigs?

You should handle your guinea pig gently, making them feel safe.
Guinea pigs do not climb, so when they are lifted, they will feel insecure, and may begin to struggle.
The proper way to hold one is with two hands and against your body.   Always remember to support it's rear end.

Guinea pigs like to be petted and have their ears scratched. They will even eat out of your hand.
As with any animal, adult supervision should be provided until children learn proper handling techniques.

Guinea pigs do not like to be placed on their backs, and they like to have their feet firmly on something solid
instead of dangling in thin air.
 

What food do we give them?
 

Guinea Pigs love to eat.  Be careful because they can quickly become overweight if you let them. Guinea pigs are vegetarians.    They can eat a large variety of food. A balanced diet consists of pellets, and a supplement such as dried corn, oats, or alfalfa. Carrot tops, celery tops, oranges, and apples can also be given in small amounts.  Be careful not to give too much fruits and vegetables because this can cause diarrhea. The best veg. for them are the ones with dark green leaves.  This is because they contain vitamin C, which they needs but cannot produce.  They also need pellets, which contain vitamin C. Feed your Pig a small amount of pellets once per day and provide lots of hay/alfalfa which will not make them fat.   The hay is also good for their teeth and they like to hide under it as well.   You can just put hay loosely around the cage or in a litter box. Fresh food and water should be available at all times. They consume lots of water and therefore a large water bottle should be used.

Other great web sites on guinea pigs:
 

• http://www.jsite.com/hunny/

• http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Pets/Rodents/Guinea_Pigs/

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