Whether you own a cat, dog, ferret, guinea pig or any other pet, regular veterinary care is an absolute must. Smaller animals are just as prone to illness as larger ones, and guinea pigs are certainly no exception. Make sure your precious guinea pig sees the veterinarian for a thorough checkup at least once per year.
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How do you know when to take your guinea pig to the vet?

General guidelines include: Any sudden change in behavior or habits (vocalizing more or less, scratching, licking, etc.) Any change in eating or drinking (ingesting either more or less, refusing favorite foods, etc.) Any change in appearance (loss of fur, swollen areas, squinty eyes, flaky skin, etc.)

Should you take your guinea pig to the vet when you first get them?

While guinea pigs do not require any vaccinations, it is recommended that you take your pet to a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs at least once each year for a routine checkup.

How much is a routine check up for a guinea pig?

What is the AVERAGE cost for a small pet (such as a guinea pig) to have a initial and/or annual checkup? Cost will vary by geographic location and clinic. A broad range would be $25 to $50. It would be best to contact a chosen clinic directly for confirmation.

Is my guinea pig dying?

A sick and dying Guinea pig will have a very poor coat, which can look dull, show thinning, or appear to be rough. They may also have patches of hair loss and you may see inflamed areas of skin. You should also keep your eyes out for signs of parasites, such as ringworm, lice, and mites.

Do guinea pigs play with toys?

Toys help guinea pigs stay active and entertained, by stimulating both their minds and bodies1. “Having toys for guinea pigs helps keep them from getting bored and helps stimulate their brains, especially if the toys involve treats,” says Keala Hepworth, Bunny House Supervisor at Best Friends Animal Society.

Do pigs require vaccinations?

A vaccination program is encouraged in order to protect your pigs’ health. The basic vaccinations for feeder pigs are atrophic rhinitis (bordetella), actinoba- cillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), mycoplasmal pneumonia, and erysipelas.

Do guinea pigs need rabies shots?

Canines, felines, equines, camelids, and swine must be current on rabies vaccinations. Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and birds are exempted from the rabies vaccination requirement.

Do all vets treat guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs are considered exotic pets, and taking one to the vet if they have health problems will cost more than taking a cat or dog to the vet. Not all veterinarians will take care of them.

What is the cheapest animal in the world?

  • Hermit Crab. They may not the cuddliest option on the list, but hermit crabs can make for great pets if you’re looking for an inexpensive, low-maintenance and laid-back companion. …
  • Goldfish. …
  • Budgerigar. …
  • Leopard Gecko. …
  • Guinea Pig.
Can you lay a guinea pig on its back?

That part of their body can be very sensitive, so is it bad to put a guinea pig on its back? It’s bad to put a guinea pig on its back because their spines are not that strong and any pressure that’s put on their back can injure them when they’re in that position, even for a short amount of time.

Is 5 old for a guinea pig?

Their average life expectancy is about five to seven years. Guinea pigs aged five and up are considered seniors; older than seven is rare. … Because an older cavy won’t bounce back from illnesses as quickly as a young one, it’s important to catch problems as early as possible.

Is my guinea pig blind?

How do you know your guinea pig is blind? If your guinea pig is blind, you may notice that they don’t react normally when they approach their cage. … You may also notice that your pig is walking into obstacles in the cage or is having trouble finding the entrance of their pigloo.

Do guinea pigs like to be in the dark?

Do Guinea Pigs Like the Dark? Yes, as your cavy’s nighttime antics would suggest, guinea pigs do like the dark. However, that doesn’t mean they’re nocturnal animals. In fact, guinea pigs are crepuscular, which means they’re most active at twilight.

What do guinea pigs like to sleep in?

Senior Guinea Pig They all love to sleep in their pigloos or just relaxing out on the cage floor with chicken legs out. They also like to sleep in their house made out of straw or hay or something and chew on it when they wake.

What do guinea pig noises mean?

A deep, relaxed one means your guinea pig is content, while a higher pitched one is more likely a sound of annoyance. A shorter sounding, apprehensive purr may mean fear. Alternately, fear can be signaled by a high-pitched squeak or shriek.

Can I pick up my new guinea pig?

1. Don’t take your guinea pig out of their guinea pig cage when they first arrive at your home. It is often best to avoid handling them for a few days so they can adjust to their new surroundings. Even though you are not physically handling your guinea pig, you can still make efforts to bond with them.

Do guinea pigs like to be cuddled?

Guinea pigs love to cuddle. … Some animals may be more cuddly than others and if you want your guinea pig to be as affectionate as possible you need to handle it carefully.

How often should I hold my guinea pig?

Most guinea pigs love spending quality time with their owners, so handling them is enjoyable for all concerned. Once your guinea pig gets to know you, being hand-fed and petted become important parts of their lives. This means it’s actually up to you how much you hold them – you can do so as often as you like.

Do Vets treat pigs?

Choosing a veterinarian to treat your potbellied pig is critical to the care and well being of your pet pig. Selecting a vet is similar to and as important as choosing your child’s pediatrician. This choice should be made in advance of any medical emergency that might arise.

Why do vets not treat pigs?

Pigs are smart and good-natured, but treating them at your veterinary clinic can be as unpleasant as sucking on sour grapes. Strong and stubborn, pigs aren’t exactly the picture of cooperation. With no accessible veins, pigs are hard to tranquilize with drugs, and boy, do they know how to squirm!

How many vaccines do pigs need?

Gilts will generally require two vaccinations to obtain good immunity, while sows that were vaccinated during their previous gestation/lactation period will only require one vaccination to booster their immunity.

Can guinea pigs fart?

But, can guinea pigs also fart? Well, sadly yes! This phenomenon is completely normal and natural but did you know that too much gas can become dangerous? Even though their digestive system is broadly similar to ours, guinea pigs are unable to pass large quantity of gas through their intestines.

Do guinea pigs need to be spayed?

Is it Necessary to Spay/Neuter Guinea Pigs? Guinea pigs don’t need to be routinely spayed and neutered unless there is an underlying reason – the most obvious being to prevent pregnancy. It is largely an elective procedure so a male and female can live together.

Why you should not get a guinea pig?

In my opinion, these feral rodents come top of any worst pet chart. One: they die all the time. … Your fluffy pet will become bald and scabby overnight and become prone to seizures. Five: their teeth are another hazard – if they get too long, they can grow together and the guinea pig will starve to death.

Does PetSmart vet take guinea pigs?

Check your local PetSmart Banfield Pet Hospital to see if a small pet vet is on staff. Take your guinea pig for a check-up if it displays any of these symptoms, Lethargy.

Is owning a guinea pig expensive?

Guinea pigs are pretty cheap to buy, costing anywhere from $10 to $40, with the average price of a guinea pig being around $25. However, they also have setup and ongoing costs. Expect to fork out $200 to begin with, and then up to another $40 a month for a pair of piggies.

What is a good starter pet for a 13 year old?

  • Guinea Pigs. Guinea pigs are social creatures, yet timid. …
  • Rats. Rats as pets tend to be misunderstood because of their wild kin. …
  • Hamsters. Hamster can be small or large in size. …
  • Gerbils. …
  • Mice. …
  • Leopard Geckos. …
  • Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.
What is the best pet for a 5 year old?

  • Rats. …
  • Canaries and Finches. …
  • Guinea Pigs. …
  • Rabbits. …
  • Cats and Dogs. …
  • Bearded Dragons. …
  • Corn Snakes. Both vets praised corn snakes as being easy to handle and a good option for a family prepared to care for a pet snake. …
  • Greek Tortoises. Dr.
What is a cuddly small pet?

The cuddliest small pets are Havana rabbits, Siamese cats, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. If you’re looking for a child-friendly small pet, guinea pigs are ideal. But if you want an apartment-friendly pet, hamsters and toy dogs are a better choice. … So, if you are looking for a very cuddly small pet, choose wisely.

Is a hamster or a guinea pig better?

Typically, hamsters are far more temperamental than guinea pigs. And because they are smaller and more fragile to handle, they are more likely to nip or bite. If you have very young children in the house, a guinea pig is probably a better option.

How old is the oldest guinea pig?

According to Guinness World Records, a guinea pig named Snowball holds the record as the oldest guinea pig. Snowball lived to the age of 14 years and ten and a half months. He died in 1979.

Do guinea pigs poop a lot?

Because some guinea pigs poop more than others, it’s not that easy to say how much they should poop in a day. What we can tell you, however, is that it’s a lot. Healthy piggies can poop up to 100 times in one day, which means you might be cleaning the hutch out three or four times a day.

Why does my guinea pig vibrate when I pet it?

Good vibrations When petting your guinea pig, you may notice it start to vibrate. Much like when cats purr, these vibrations show that they are at ease and are in a good mood. … Ideally, this should be the only type of vibrating you see in your pet. Guinea pigs may also make high tweeting sounds to show joy.

What does it mean when my guinea pig stretches out?

Stretching. When a guinea pig lies down and stretches its body out, it is feeling very safe and relaxed.

How old is a 2 year old guinea pig in human years?

Real guinea pig age1 mth2 yrsHuman age1460

Do guinea pigs get grumpy with age?

Female guinea pigs are prone to ovarian cysts as they age. As a result, she may seem extra moody, mount her cagemates, lose hair on either side of the belly, and develop crusty nipples. … Male guinea pigs come with their own problems later in life. Loss of muscle tone is a normal part of aging.

Do guinea pigs recognize their owners?

Guinea pigs generally enjoy the company of their fellow cavies. Although it is not a good idea to house too many of them in one cage, most guinea pigs appreciate having a companion. They definitely recognize and respond to their owners and are very interactive.