How one can Take care of a Himalayan Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are very popular pets. Not solely do they make good family pets on account of they’re the right dimension for children nevertheless moreover they’re accessible in various pretty fur patterns that attraction to people of all ages. One such fur pattern is called Himalayan and this pattern describes a uniquely colored guinea pig.
Himalayan guinea pigs are albino cavies; they’ve all white fur and crimson eyes. These guinea pigs aren’t a separate species from totally different guinea pigs nevertheless are as an alternative a specific breed. What makes them completely totally different, though, is the fur on their face, ears, and ft which is black or brown. Many search recommendation from Himalayan guinea pigs as a result of the Siamese cats of the guinea pig world resulting from their associated attribute markings often called components.
Species Overview
Frequent Title(s) Himalayan Guinea Pig
Scientific Title Guinea pigs
Grownup Dimension 8-10 inches prolonged, 1.5-2.5 lbs.
Lifespan Frequent lifespan in captivity is 4-5 years, nevertheless it is not uncommon to have one which lives as a lot as 8 years. The longest-lived guinea pig was recorded to be 14 years earlier, nevertheless that may be very unusual.
Himalayan Guinea Pig Conduct and Temperament
Like totally different guinea pigs, Himalayans are very social pets. They thrive after they stick with totally different guinea pigs and love interaction with their householders, too. Once they’re used to being handled, they take pleasure in being pet, talked to, and snacking on their favorite treats. Guinea pigs aren’t aggressive animals nevertheless as with all pet, in the event that they’re frightened, injury, or startled, they’re going to nip.
Dimension Information
Himalayan guinea pigs are a standard-sized guinea pig. Most guinea pigs develop to be about 8-10 inches in dimension and weight about 1.5 to 2.5 lbs. once they’re full grown. They’re temporary animals that will not have tails.
Housing
Referring to housing your Himalayan guinea pig, it’s best to pay specific consideration to the flooring of their habitat. Guinea pigs can get their tiny ft caught in wire cage bottoms or develop infections and points, akin to bumblefoot, if the bottom is simply too dirty. Choose a giant enclosure with a secure flooring. The height of the cage should not be important on account of guinea pigs don’t leap or climb nevertheless it’s best to have a minimal of two x 5 ft of flooring space for two cavies. Furthermore, make sure that your guinea pig can not get its head caught throughout the bars of the cage or escape.
Explicit Substrate Desires
Because of Himalayan guinea pigs are primarily white, avoid cage bedding that is dyed or has newspaper ink on it on account of these things are liable to discolor your pig. Furthermore, avoid pine and cedar wood shavings; they’re typically irritating to your cavy’s respiratory tract. Select as an alternative choice to paper beddings which may be free of dyes and which will help take in urine.
What Do Himalayan Guinea Pigs Eat & Drink?
All guinea pigs are herbivores, in order that they solely eat vegetation. An grownup Himalayan guinea pig’s weight-reduction plan must be primarily made up of grass hays, akin to Timothy or Orchard, with guinea pig pellets, up to date greens, and up to date fruits rounding out their meals. It is important to ensure ample vitamin C is consumed by your guinea pig, so be certain you pay attention to the expiration date of your guinea pig’s pellets so this vitamin wouldn’t expire sooner than your cavy can reap its benefits. Furthermore, give vitamin C treats to enrich this essential vitamin. You’ll be able to even feed vitamin C rich greens, akin to bell peppers! Lastly, up to date consuming water must always be equipped. Whereas some water is consumed from the fruits and veggies your pig will eat, a water bottle and bowl of water additionally must be accessible.
Frequent Effectively being Points
Guinea pigs can have properly being points with their enamel and develop bladder stones, bumblefoot, lice, respiratory illnesses, scurvy, broken legs, ileus, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, uterine most cancers, ovarian cysts pyometra, and further. Frequent/yearly check-ups with a vet that is cosy treating pockets pets is useful.
Prepare
It’s important to your guinea pig’s bodily and psychological properly being to spend time outdoor the cage. Make certain you current a protected place in your guinea pig to run spherical frequently. Wheels and balls that hamsters usually use aren’t excellent for guinea pigs. Take into consideration an X-pen to keep up them outdoor of their cage safely to roam spherical.
Grooming
Himalayan guinea pigs have temporary hair so grooming is proscribed to the occasional cleaning of ft, the hind end, and bathing when wanted. Hair trimming is required nevertheless some guinea pigs may need their nails trimmed.
Baths
Within the occasion it’s best to bathe your guinea pig, be careful they don’t get too chilly whereas moist or overheat it when drying it. Use lukewarm water and a gentle shampoo or cleansing cleaning soap to scrub (dish cleansing cleaning soap is harsh on the pores and pores and skin and isn’t helpful by small mammal veterinarians) and when it’s time to dry your cavy, towel dry it. Steer clear of using a hairdryer as this will merely overheat your pig.
Repairs Costs
Guinea pigs require up to date bedding on a weekly basis, plentiful hay, pellets designed for guinea pigs, and some up to date fruits and veggies. Costs will fluctuate nevertheless depend on to spend spherical $10 per week preserving your pig fed and clear. Veterinary visits frequent spherical $50-$80 for an examination and are helpful a minimal of yearly. In case your veterinarian finds points on the go to, testing and medicines will probably be additional costs.
Professionals & Cons of Holding a Himalayan Guinea Pig as a Pet
Guinea pigs aren’t the kind of pet that you just deal with a stroll, nevertheless they’re interactive and social. Moreover they keep longer than most hamsters nevertheless not as long as a canine or a cat. They’re fairly easy to maintain nevertheless require frequent cleaning, up to date meals preparation, and a spotlight. They do make noises so they aren’t as quiet as a rabbit nevertheless moreover they are not as loud as a chook.
Associated Pocket Pets to the Himalayan Guinea Pig
Within the occasion you’re enthusiastic about pet guinea pigs, attempt:
In another case, attempt totally different guinea pig breeds that could be your new pet!
Shopping for or Adopting Your Himalayan Guinea Pig
Since Himalayan guinea pigs aren’t the most common breed of guinea pigs, you may most likely should uncover a breeder to purchase your pig. Cavy reveals, county festivals, and golf gear are good sources to find a Himalayan guinea pig breeder near you.
Duplicate/Breeding
You most likely have a feminine and male guinea pig, it’s quite most likely that they could try and breed subsequently it’s strongly advisable to accommodate two females collectively, besides you plan to have your female cavy spayed. Guinea pigs usually solely have one or two infants, nevertheless the start is perhaps very anxious and even life threatening for the mother. Female guinea pigs ought to be bred by the purpose they’re only a few months earlier, in another case their pubic symphysis fuses and a C-section will probably be wanted to avoid wasting a lot of every the mother and the infants.
FAQ Block
FAQ
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Because of Himalayan guinea pigs aren’t as widespread as totally different breeds of cavies, they may value barely better than additional widespread breeds, nevertheless it’s possible you’ll nonetheless depend on to pay anyplace from $50-100 for one.
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No, Himalayan guinea pigs require some consideration and up to date meals nevertheless in another case preserving them clear and guarded is all that is required. The bedding must be spot-cleaned day-after-day with full modifications weekly and ample hay, up to date water, and some leafy, inexperienced veggies will have to be equipped day-after-day. Within the occasion you may cope with that, though, they aren’t troublesome to maintain.
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