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Nov
This shortened lifespan is caused by the stiffening of a joint called the symphysis which is located between the guinea pigs two pelvic bones. But its essential to wait four to six weeks after neutering before introducing a male guinea pig to any females as he might still be able to reproduce during this time.
Below 15C can cause them to become chilled.
How long can guinea pigs live up to. Here are the most important steps you can take to give your guinea pig a long life. If you are buying from a breeder ask lots of questions about their family tree. Find out how long their predecessors.
Unless you plan to present your guinea pigs. The average guinea pig lifespan is between five to eight years though particularly pampered and healthy animals can reach ten years or more. This is much longer than other small mammal pets like.
One guinea pig. 75 square feet or about 30x 36 is the bare minimum recommended but bigger is better. 75 square feet minimum but at least 105 square feet 30 x 50 is preferred.
105 square feet minimum but at least 13 square feet. Guinea pigs live an average of five to seven years. This lifespan is longer than many other small pets such as hamsters gerbils mice or rats all of whom only live up to a few years.
If your life is in transition a guinea pig may be more portable than a dog or a cat. It is recommended that they should either be brothers or they should be bonded before they are 6 weeks old. Be aware that if there is a scent of female guinea pigs around it can disrupt their relationship.
This can happen if you have female guinea pigs housed nearby or if you have been handling females and not washed your hands afterwards. Guinea pigs can live up to 14 years in human care but live an average of 8 years. Female guinea pigs that reproduce have shortened lifespans and tend to live approximately 35 years.
This shortened lifespan is caused by the stiffening of a joint called the symphysis which is located between the guinea pigs two pelvic bones. Protecting from draughtstemperature extremes. Theyre sensitive to temperature changes.
Temperatures above 26C can cause heat stroke. Below 15C can cause them to become chilled. Outdoor accommodation sheltered from direct sunprevailing wind direction.
In temperatures below 15C they should be housed indoors. Ideal enclosure sizes for a pair of guinea pigs Hutch or indoor cage 5 ft long by 2 ft deep 153 cm by 61 cm Run for the garden 6 ft long by 4 ft wide by 18 inches high 2 m by 125 m by 46 cm. Female guinea pigs sows typically mature sexually at 2 months of age 55 to 70 days.
However both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year but they are most common in the spring. The estrous cycle length is 16 days.
Guinea pigs well handled by people from a young age can learn that humans are friends and companions. Those receiving little handling when young or roughly handled at any age may find human contact distressing. This can be expressed as fearfulnessrunning awayhidingaggression.
Guinea pigs living indoors can see humans as important companions. We would recommend keeping them apart until you are sure your new guinea pig is healthy Give them a couple of days to settle in on their own- coming to a new home can be quite stressful which can lead to illnesses they could pass on to your existing guinea pigs. When you pair up a young guinea pig with any other guinea pig young or old there is a chance that as the younger guinea pig goes through its adolescent period 3-5 months they will challenge the other guinea pig for top guinea pig position.
This can lead to some fighting. Most of the time they figure it out for themselves. Occasionally the fighting is extreme and they must be permanently separated.
Again remember this can happen with ANY guinea pig. Females mature in two months males in three and captive guinea pigs live up to eight years although three to five is typical. No natural population of this species exists in the wild.
Guinea pigs were apparently domesticated more than 3000 years ago in Peru coinciding with humans transition from a nomadic to an agricultural lifestyle. But its essential to wait four to six weeks after neutering before introducing a male guinea pig to any females as he might still be able to reproduce during this time. Guinea pigs should not be kept with rabbits as they cannot communicate effectively with one another and the guinea pig is at high risk of getting bullied by the rabbit.
On average guinea pigs will live between 6 8 years if given the proper care. Kind of like humans. Or any species of animal really.
Usually the better the care the longer the life. Guinea pigs can also suffer if it is cold wet and windy and are prone to respiratory problems which can be serious. Please ensure that your guinea pigs enclosure has areas that are draft free dry and warm and if it is particularly cold or stormy it is best to move them inside if they are normally outdoors.
Unsuitable combinations of guinea pigs. Three boars regardless of whether theyre related although they often start off fine one guinea pig is likely to be badly bullied. A boar with a male piglet below 20 weeks.
Although the mix may work at first when the piglet matures it will compete for dominancy resulting in serious fights. Guinea pigs originate from Peru where the climate is warm and dry. Fungal skin infection is a particular problem in the UK as there is always moisture in the air.
Cold and damp in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. Often guinea pigs present with both fungal and parasitic problems at the same time and need treating for both.