Common Misconceptions about Guinea Pigs and their Care

[annaamber200510]

You can house unaltered males and females together

FALSE

You can only safely house mixed pairs (male/female) if one of the guinea pigs has been spayed or neutered. Never house an unaltered pair together, otherwise you will end up with pups (baby guinea pigs). Even an elderly boar can produce offspring, because they produce viable sperm until they die.

[cavy-cool-crazy]

Any bedding designed for Guinea Pigs is safe

FALSE

Just because the packaging says the bedding is safe for cavies does not mean it is. Many beddings are harmful to cavies and should never be used.

The following beddings do not make suitable bedding for cavies:

Cedar
Pine (non kiln-dried or non aired pine)
Cat Litter
Sawdust
Straw
Corn cob or corn kernal bedding
Wheat based bedding
Hay does not absorb and does not make good bedding
Newspaper alone

They are unsafe due to various reasons - some give off certain aromas which can lead to respiratory distress in piggies, while others are dangerous if ingested. Straw in particular is dangerous in physical ways, causing injuries such as pieces stuck in the eye.

There are lots of safe bedding alternatives: Aspen, Kiln-dried Pine (or plain pine aired out for a few days), CareFresh, Megazorb/Cell-sorb, Fleece, Towels and Vetbed amongst others.

[jdomans]

My guinea pig lays around all day so that means he is content and peacful

FALSE

Most likely your guinea pig is very bored and possibly depressed. Guinea pigs need toys for stimulation and fun. Every time the cage is cleaned, the toys should be changed. You should have enough toys for a few rotations each time. Your cage needs to be large enough for toys and plenty of floor space for laps and popcorning.
http://www.cavycages.com/toys.htm

If you guinea pig is an only pig, he needs a friend. Guinea pigs are herd animals and love to be in the company of each other. They are very social and a pig being alone has nobody to socialize with. Getting your guinea pig a friend will not make your guinea pig not want to be with you anymore. On the contrary, you will have a happy healthy pig who will be so thankful to you.
"Happy guinea pigs are more entertaining and well-adjusted guinea pigs. "
http://www.cavycages.com/

[Fluffball]

Guinea pigs smell:

False:

Guinea pigs do not have a musk gland. A musk gland is what causes odour in rodents; without this gland it is impossible for a guinea pig to have body odour.

Therefore guinea pigs cannot and will not smell at all, unless you do not clean their bedding. A responsible owner should never let their pets cage smell, if you clean it out regularly your guinea pig will not have any body odour.

[Ly&Pigs]

I am closing this thread. If you have anything you feel needs to be added to this thread, then send it via private message to either me or VoodooJoint and we will review it and if we feel it's valuable information, we will post it. If we don't feel it will add value, it won't be posted. Thanks all.

[C&K]

Guinea Pigs are Cheap or Economical Pets.

FALSE

Guinea Pigs often require more financial resources to keep healthy and happy then the average cat or dog.

In addition to the cost of building the cage they require:

Unlimited hay. (Grass hay for adults, with alfalfa for young pigs or pregnant / nursing mothers)

Fresh vegetables on a daily basis.

High quality pellet (Although some people to skip pellets and supplement with an appropriate vegetable mix in addition to unlimited hay, not advisable without a lot of research)

Appropriate litter for the cage, such as Aspen Shavings, Recycled Paper products (Care Fresh or Yesterdays News) or a material that needs frequent washing such as Fleece, Vet Bed, Puppy Pads, gauze or towels. (Never use sawdust or clay)

Vet Care, when the pig develops a medical condition. Some vets charge more, some less to see a Guinea pig then a cat or a dog. Other expenses with the visit may include additional charges for running tests, taking x rays, and for medication.
_______________________

All of these costs are highly variable, depending on the prices you can source these items at. However, be prepared to spend $15.00 - $20.00 a week not including less frequent expenses, such as toys, medication, and vet visits just to meet basic pig necessities.

[C&K]

If a Guinea Pig gets sick, their is nothing that can be done to help it get better.

or,

A sick pig with a cold should get better on its own.

FALSE

Guinea pigs do not get "colds". They get Upper Respiratory Infections (URI's) and Pneumonia. Ill Guinea Pigs rarely get better on their own, however; bringing your Guinea Pig to a "Cavy Savvy" vet at the first sign of illness is a sure way of seeing your four legged friend get better.

Learn and know the signs of illness listed in the GuineaLynx Medical Care Guide. It could mean the difference between life and death in your guinea pig. http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html

Quick action needs to be taken as they can and usually do go down hill very quickly. Do not wait if your Guinea Pig is showing signs of illness, indeed, be proactive by finding a good vet before you need one.

[Ly&Pigs]

I am (or my wife is) pregnant so I have to get rid of our guinea pig(s).

FALSE

Guinea pigs are no threat to the health of a developing baby.

This concern stems from the possibility of contracting Toxoplasmosis from infected cat feces, which is also a low risk occurance.

In short, you need not get rid of any pets you have.

This link from the Humane Society of the US has great information regarding Toxoplasmosis and how to reduce chances of possible infection from cats during pregnancy.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/pr...plasmosis.html

Info courtesy of LobsterOverlord.

[envisionary333]

Guinea pigs don't need a hidey house, and without one they will be less shy.

FALSE

All guinea pigs need a hidey house available to them at all times. Guinea pigs are prey animals and their instinct is to run and hide whenever something frightens them. Failing to provide a secure hiding place does not make a guinea pig more comfortable with people and will only cause unnecessary stress.

[Ly&Pigs]

Guinea pigs can be walked using a harness and leash.

FALSE

Often guinea pigs can escape the harnesses because they aren't made for them. Also any yanking or pulling on the leash can cause the cavies spine to bend the wrong way causing injury. Guinea pigs aren't dogs and don't need to be walked like dogs.

If you would like for your pig(s) to spend time outdoors, build them a safe, enclosed environment and stay with them the entire time you have them outside.

[Ly&Pigs]

Guinea Pigs need worming every 3-6 months

FALSE

Worms are a pretty rare occurance in guinea pigs. They do not need worming unless your vet has actually found a worm in the pigs excrements.