Guinea Pig

Cavy (Guinea Pig) 

quiet and manageable 

$5-$45 

up to 11 years, average 4-5 years 

medium 

first time pet owners, small residences 

Cavies are a great way to introduce new pet owners to the responsibilities of pet ownership. They’re cheap and pretty easy to care for too.
 

Most people know them as guinea pigs although they are also often called cavies (Cavy porcellus). Cavies are rodents native to South America, where they still exist in the wild today and where domestication first started; not so much as a pet but rather as a food source. Cavies still form a substantial part of the Andean culture's diet today.

Cavies come in a multitude of colours such as white, black, red, gold, buff (biscuit colour), cream, lilac, slate, chocolate and saffron. A 'self' is any plain solid colour with matching coloured pigment. The coat types have four main variations:

Shorthair - covering a range of colours, markings and crests.

Coarse-coats - the coat stands away from the body, such as the Rex. Unlike a rex cat, the coat is wiry. These look a little like a Koala, with hair much like steel wool. Another example is the Abyssinian. Again, unlike an Abyssinian cat, the cavy coat has a number of rosette-like crests in a number of patterns. Sometimes described as toilet brush but more often called 'whirligigs' by breeders.

Longhairs - a long coat, which can grow about one inch per month.

Satin - the coat has a shiny appearance due to hollow hair follicles.

In addition to these coat types, there are additional groups that help describe the variations in the coat. These are:

Crested - a small crest is evident on the head.

Ticked - the hair has a base colour with silver tips at the ends of the hair.

Marked - a patterned coat with more than one colour.

These coat types may be combined with any of the colours.

As with all rodents, temperament largely depends on how the animal is handled. Those that are well-handled are more inclined to be placid. Infrequently handled cavies are not. You can keep one cavy on its own, but it will need plenty of attention, otherwise it will become solitary. They are social animals and appreciate attention from their owners. Both males (called boars) and females (called sows) are easily handled, however males may be inclined to fight if kept together after having been mated. Females in particular can fight with each other when in heat. Although rabbits and cavies socialize well together, it is important not to keep them in the same hutch. Their individual diets and difference in size make them incompatible house mates.

Rabbit or guinea pig pellets are available at good pet stores. Water must always be available and will stay cleaner if supplied in a gravity feed bottle, but a heavy dish will suffice.

Guinea pigs need fresh, clean, unsprayed grass every day to supply vitamin C which the body cannot store. An alternative to grass is hay or lucerne. Supplement the diet with varied vegetables and fruits.

Cavies are susceptible to extremes of heat and cold. They should be sheltered from temperatures above 30°C, sudden cold snaps and draughts. Toxaemia during pregnancy may occur if females overheat so it is important to keep them cool. If housed outside, cavies may also suffer occasional hair loss. This may be due to a fungal infection resulting from damp conditions. Seek veterinary advice for conditions such as this. Check the coat regularly, especially around the eyes as grass seeds trapped in the hair can cause irritation. Cavies will average four to five years of age but have been known to live as long as 11.

Space and exercise

Commercial cavy hutches are available from pet shops and will cost from $50 to $200. The Burke’s Backyard website also details how to make your own cavy hutch. Standard rabbit hutches will also suffice as long as there is a covered area for the cavies to rest in. Don't overcrowd the hutch; allow a minimum of about 30x30cm for each cavy. Treated wood hutches are not suitable as the wood is toxic if chewed. Bedding should be softwood shavings or straw. As cavies are social animals, females can be kept together or with a single male. Males should be kept apart or introduced together at an early age. Cavies are equally happy if housed alone. A suitably sized hutch is generally sufficient for exercise and if handled often, cavies will lie quietly with their owner and sleep. Children should keep an eye on their pets when playing with them. Cavies will get up to mischief if left alone and should be protected from other animals.

Cavies range in cost from $20 for a non-exhibition pet, or from $25-$45 for pedigree and long-haired varieties.

Bath the animal every three to four months with a normal anti-dandruff shampoo. Show animals will need to be washed about fortnightly. The hutch should be cleaned regularly of waste and food scraps. Cavies don't like living in dirty conditions. Novice owners should not start with the long haired varieties as they are more difficult to maintain. If kept clean, cavies will produce little body odor.

Cavies are easy to keep in most domestic situations. It is best not to introduce them to children under the age of five as they do not appreciate rough handling or being dropped however they are a great animal for introducing children to responsible pet ownership. Cavies may also be kept indoors with an appropriate hutch.