Guinea Pig Health



Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009

by Lee Martin
http://www.TakePainAway.info

Whether you are thinking of adopting or you are already a proud owner of a guinea pig, how to properly care for this delightful creature is essential for good guinea pig health.

A good Veterinarian that specializes in exotic animals is an important factor in your guinea pigs health as it grows. Your vet will provide regular checkups and advise you in the best nutrition and exercise for your guinea pigs health. It is very important not to neglect taking your guinea pig to the vet regularly or not taking them at all. Choosing a vet in advance is also crucial in the case of an emergency. Waiting until the last minute to choose a vet during an emergency could possibly cause major repercussions in your guinea pigs health or life.

Proper nutrition is essential to guinea pig health and well-being. For guinea pigs there are many do's and don'ts' and not following the correct diet could cause weight gain, weight loss malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and overgrown teeth. Guinea pigs love a variety of foods such as pellets, grass, vegetables, and fruits. When buying pellets for your guinea pig make sure they don't have added dyes, nuts, corn, dried fruits or meat and dairy byproducts. Rabbit pellets are toxic for guinea pigs and should never be fed to your pet as a substitute. Purchase pellets that are fortified with vitamin C as guinea pigs cannot produce their own and depletion could cause problems to your guinea pigs health such as Scurvy.

Grass may not seem so important but for the proper development of guinea pig health it plays a big role. Guinea pigs chew on grass to prevent their teeth from overgrowing, and also to help aid their digestive system. Orchard grass and Silk grass are considered a real treat for your guinea pig.

Guinea pigs get a vital portion of their vitamins from consuming fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Great choices for vegetables and fruits are spinach, romaine, tomatoes, cantaloupe, bell peppers, and thinly sliced carrots. Avoid cabbages, broccoli, and leafy greens, which produce too much gas, as it is bad for guinea pigs. Always give your guinea pig plenty of fresh water, but never give your pet mineral water.

Grooming your guinea pig only consists of brushing their teeth daily with a soft bristled toothbrush and brushing their fur to rid of the shedding hair. Only clip their nails once a month. They really don't require to be bathed often, but when they do use a shampoo that your vet has recommended for small animals. Also, there is a grease gland above their rump, which can be quite tricky to clean. Ask your vet if they can give a special solution to clean this area, or simply use a light degreasing dish detergent.

If you take the very best care of your wonderful pet and follow this guide about the basics of your guinea pigs health then you will be able to reap the rewards of having such a charming animal as a companion.

By: Lee Martin http://www.Guinea-Pig-Lovers.com

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Ken McCreless
 2 years 312 days ago.
84 fans. Follow Ken McCreless on twitter!
I would never imagined someone so involved with these creatures. They are cool, though.
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