The Secrets Behind The Guinea Pig Language

Guinea pigs are chatty little pets, and once you have a solid grasp of the language of guinea pigs, then you will know when and where to touch them, when they are hungry, feeling afraid, or just enjoying themselves.  

WHEEKING may be interpreted as a type of begging, and is heard mostly around feeding time.  This sound is associated with the excitement and anticipation of food coming soon, whether it’s the sound of chopping fresh vegetables, the rustling of some Timothy Hay or some other noise that they associate with food or an edible treat.  If food is not the answer, this noise may also mean that they would like their cage cleaned.

PURRING is a sound similar to a cat, and it is associated with contentment and happiness.

HIGH PITCH PURR is no longer a sound associated with pleasure, as this high pitch tone (along with a tensed body posture) is a sure bet that your guinea pig is annoyed about something.

RUMBLING or a low pitched purr may signify dominance within a group of guinea pigs, but more often than not, this is a sound that communicates fear (especially when their tiny bodies shudder).  This is one of the sounds that have an entirely different meaning when the male is “dancing” or using the “rumble strut”, because this sound in combination with these types of movements are used to romance the female guinea pig.

SHRIEKING signifies pain or immediate danger, and it is advised that you see what is troubling your piggy immediately. This is also noted to be a warning to other guinea pigs in the general area that there may be danger lurking nearby.

WHINING is a sound of displeasure and complaint.  For example, if one guinea pig wants to play and the other is sleeping, the resting guinea pig may whine in annoyance.  

TEETH CHATTERING is a very clear communication that your guinea pig is angry and agitated about something.  If this noise is accompanied with stomping of their feet and their body rocking back and forth, separate them immediately, before a physical fight breaks out, as one little piggy may get hurt.  Toss a cloth over the pigs to disorient them and then separate.

Guinea pigs also communicate via body language and other behavioural characteristics, for example:

1. A guinea pig may remain in a still/frozen position if they are uncertain about a situation.
2. Using their nose to sniff out and become familiar with an area is something that guinea pigs do often.  In addition, they touch noses to display affection, and to greet another guinea pig.
3. Guinea pigs will “mark” something by rubbing their cheeks and chins on an item that they choose to be their own.
4. Your guinea pig may lick you out of affection or perhaps just because they enjoy the taste of your skin.
5. If your pig tosses their head up, they are trying to communicate their annoyance of being petted, and are politely asking you to stop.

Guinea pigs try to communicate very well with each other and their human friends; with a little patience and attention it is easy to have a wonderful relationship with your pet piggy.

If you’d like more information about caring for your guinea pig then please visit the Burgess Excel website - http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/excelfeedingplan/

Guinea Pigs: The Tiny Creatures With Huge Personalities

There is much confusion over the origin of the name guinea pig. They are not related to pigs and they don't come from Guinea. The term guinea pig was created before the guinea coin was invented, so it doesn't relate to their cost either! Their popularity as a pet in the United Kingdom has increased over the years. They are sometimes referred to as “creatures of habit”, because they like routine and tend to stick to those that they are accustomed to. If you get them used to a particular diet, then change it, they may refuse to adapt to the new diet. When they feel that there is danger approaching, they remain still, making no movement whatsoever. When they are in a jovial mood, they tend to be jumpy and very active. Excitement also makes them stand on their hind legs. They have a very cute squeak. Keep your guinea pig happy and you should hear plenty of this.

Guinea pigs, like rabbits, have teeth that never stop growing, and this is the reason they gnaw, to prevent overgrowth. They feed on hay, vegetables, fruits, and pellets. They require a diet that is high in fibre. Their digestive system is quite similar to that of a rabbit, where fibre is required for the movement of food in the system to be smooth, but they also have different dietary requirements, so it's not a good idea to feed rabbit food to guinea pigs. You should always buy a purpose made guinea pig food. It is important that your guinea pig food contains vitamin C. There are various types of hay available that can be used to feed to your guinea pig but Timothy hay is the most recommended. This is because unlike other types of hay, it contains a high calcium and fibre content, has a pleasant smell and its stalks give guinea pigs something to gnaw on. It is also readily available and shouldn't be too costly. These creatures are known to get bored easily; therefore giving them plenty of hay gives them something to keep them busy.  It is important to ensure that the hay is fresh and of high quality. Storing the hay in a dry, clean place is important because moisture will destroy its nutritional value and also the taste. Water is very important as it is always good to keep your pet hydrated. It should be clean and fresh so make sure you change it on a daily basis. Maintaining the cleanliness of your pet’s cage is paramount. This is because a dirty cage exposes the pet to diseases and it may also become depressed. 

Guinea pigs do not like being in an isolated place, and if they do not have company, they can fall into a depression. For this reason, you should find them toys to play with, or get them a fellow pet. It is also important that you spend time with them. This will help them to feel confident with you, making them tamer and therefore more rewarding. It is quite interesting how they mark their territory: they brush their chins, cheeks and backside on their surrounding items. Have fun with your guinea pig!

For more information about caring for your guinea pig then please visit the Excel Feeding Plan -http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/excelfeedingplan/looking-after-your-fibrevore/guinea-pig.html

Caring for your Guinea Pigs

Caring for a guinea pig is very similar to caring for a rabbit.  Fibre and good nutrition will in most cases determine how healthy your guinea pig is and how long your her/she lives. Because nutrition is such an important factor in your pet’s life, it can be beneficial knowing the do's and don’ts of feeding.  Listed below are a few bad feeding habits that you must avoid.

·       Feeding your guinea pig “gourmet” pellets.  Many food brand companies want you to think that a gourmet pellets filled with additives such  as peanuts and cereal are actually better for your pet and some will claim that their pelleted food is "Complete".  This is not true.  A pellet made of timothy or alfalfa will be the best option for your pet and all pellets, regardless of brand, should be fed in addition to plenty of hay.

·       Feeding your guinea pig ONLY pellets.  This is a bad feeding habit that you want to avoid.  Your guinea pig's diet should be made up of a variety of different foods with the main element being hay and barn dried grass, which are fibreous, keep their digestive system moving and help to keep their teeth in good shape. When shopping for guinea pig food make sure you buy a product formulated just for guinea pigs; rabbit food will not do becuase guinea pigs lack Vitamin C and therefore need their food to be enriched with this vitamin,

·       Feeding the guinea wilted or spoiled food.  Another mistake that many guinea pig owners make is feeding the animal spoiled food.  When it comes to fruit and vegetables, if you wouldn’t eat it, then don’t feed it to your guinea pig.  Feeding spoiled food can cause your pet to have loose water stools that can lead to dehydration and an unbalanced digestive system. You should also avoid feeding your guinea pig grass clippings from your lawn. 

·       Not giving a fresh supply of water daily.  Water is crucial to your pet’s diet.  For a healthy guinea pig, ensure that your pet has a never ending supply of fresh water.  Keep in mind, however, that when your guinea pig eats fruits and vegetables, it may drink less water.  These tasty treats are full of both vitamins and water! 

For your guinea to have the best health possible, you must feed it a healthy diet.  Listed above are a few bad habit that many pet owners develop over time. Do your best to avoid feeding gourmet pellets or using pellets as a sole food source.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are important to your guinea pig’s diet but need to be washed and checked for spoilage before feeding.  Complete daily feedings with a fresh supply of water and your pet will live a long, healthy life.

Feeding Your Guinea Pig – Three Simple Tips

Guinea pigs are friendly pets that make great companions for those who not mind taking on the extra responsibility of ensuring that the pet is properly cared for. Similar to rabbits, these pets require fibre to help aid the digestion that is so important to the wellbeing of the animal.  If a guinea pet is your companion of choice, the following information will be helpful for you. Listed below are a few important tips for feeding your guinea pig.  

Focus on fibre

How much fibre your guinea pig consumes on a daily basis is important.  Focus on fibre by feeding your guinea an unlimited amount of fresh hay.  Timothy hay is recommended over alfalfa because it is lower in calories.  If you are concerned about the weight of your pet, choose timothy hay over other higher calorie grasses. 

A variety of food is crucial

Most pet owners feel that if they feed guinea pigs a serving of pellets once daily, they’ve done their job. This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Guinea pigs, like other small furry animals, need a variety of foods. This includes hay, fresh fruits and vegetables, water, snacks, etc.  How does the variety in your guinea pig’s diet measure up?  Keep in mind, however, that guinea pigs will almost always choose sweeter food over more nutritious options.  Avoid feeding too many fruits.  Giving fruit once or twice a week is more than enough. 

Avoid feeding your guinea pig human treats

What tastes good to you may taste good to your guinea, too, but that doesn’t mean  it will be healthy for your pet.  Avoid giving your guinea pig human snacks such as chocolate, yogurt bites, cookies, pasta, etc. While you might not see immediate health problems develop in your pet, consuming these types of snack will promote a toxic growth of unhealthy bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Your guinea pig’s feeding plan will make all the difference in how healthy your animal is. To ensure that you have a healthy, happy guinea pig, use the feeding tips listed above and follow a feeding plan such as Burgess' Excel Feeding Plan for guinea pigs.  Following these guidelines will help your guinea get adequate nutrition and fibre.  It will also help your pet to maintain a healthy weight.  Focus on fibre, add in a variety of foods, and avoid feeding your pet human treats to help maintain health.  What will you feed your guinea pig?