Domesticated rodents from the genus Cavia, which make sounds with a distinct grunt, are called guinea pigs. However, they are not considered marine animals and have nothing to do with real pigs. Bred quite a lot of breeds of these rodents, differing in color and type of coat. This article will focus only on smooth-haired guinea pigs.
general description
The body of an adult pet is round, stocky, not more than thirty centimeters. Four fingers are located on the forelimbs, and only three on the hind limbs. The shoulders are wide, the head is heavy and large. Ears from each other are at a great distance, nose with a hump and very thick, convex eyes of a black shade. The weight of the animal is about 1000 grams. The coat is shiny, consisting of silky hairs, fits snugly to the body, its length is not more than three centimeters, which is considered a distinctive feature. Wools are directed in one direction over the entire surface and create a semblance of a glossy cover. Some rodents have rosettes on the scruff of their neck. Color - three, two or one color.
Breeds of guinea pigs
Scientists managed to bring out several interesting breeds of these animals that have some features:
- American Teddy - rodents are very similar in appearance to teddy bears, that's why they were given that name. They are quite large, but their physique is proportional. The head and nose are rounded, ears hanging. The coat is thick.
- Rex are powerful and muscular rodents. A distinctive feature is hanging ears. Short and curly hair stands on end. Color, combining several shades or having one, creates a unique color.
- Satin - smooth-haired guinea pig has a slightly elongated muzzle, ears are pressed to the head. Their color, like that of the paw pads, is the same with the general color. It happens in all shades of red, and black and white variants are also found. Wool, due to its special structure, is glossy. The hairs are hollow inside. This breed has several subspecies - tortie, spotted and agouti.
- Selfies are very large individuals. Have a glossy and straight coat. A monochromatic color (red, brown, black, beige, red-orange), the absence of curls and sockets is considered a feature. Paw pads and color of the ears are golden or pale pink. The eyes are red or black.
- Crested - body length reaches 35 cm, and body weight reaches one and a half kilograms. A feature of this breed is the presence of a flat outlet on the head. There are two subspecies - American, which always has a white rosette regardless of the coat color in general, and English - which has a rosette of the same color with the color of the animal. Shades are quite diverse, there are marine smooth-haired pigs - black, smoky, golden, white or two-tone.
Propagation Features
At home, rodents mate year-round. However, young individuals obtained from large females in the summer are most healthy. Inexperienced owners of these pets, it is advisable to create only one heterosexual couple. The male takes care of his girlfriend very gently, and if they make friends, they will be together all their lives, taking care of each other. There is another situation when a female does not allow a male to approach him even during estrus, as he does not feel sympathy for him.
Puberty occurs in females at four, and in the opposite sex at ten weeks. Veterinarians recommend mating adults. The female guinea pig should be reduced to ten to twelve months. Mating up to two times a year is considered harmless to her health. A more frequent mating negatively affects its condition and contributes to:
- late toxicosis and death;
- spontaneous miscarriages;
- the birth of a weak and non-viable offspring;
- premature birth.
When pregnancy has occurred, the male should be jailed so that the female can bear, feed the cub, and recover itself. Remember that a female after delivery is able to become pregnant during the day. Breeding rodents at home is favorable in an optimal climate and a balanced diet.
Cell
Smooth-haired guinea pigs do not require much care, but they need their own cage, in which there is an area for food, rest, games, as well as a toilet. Best for these purposes is a design with a plastic pallet into which a special filler is poured, and the size per one individual is 80 x 90 cm and a height of about 35-50 cm. Litter, two feeding troughs, a tray, a water bowl, toys are placed in the cage. , claw grinding stones, shelves, stairs, and hay. Mumps feel good at a temperature of 18 to 20 degrees.
Every day you need to remove the remnants of food, wash the feeder. The litter is changed at least twice a week. They process all surfaces of objects and the cell itself every month.
Food
In the diet of these rodents must be wheat bran, fresh, slightly dried greens, cereals. In winter, various special vitamin and mineral supplements, fruits, vegetables and dry grass are added. To grind their teeth, they are given small wooden blocks or tree branches. It is allowed to feed them periodically with ascorbic acid, chalk and bone meal. They consume a little liquid, but they need fresh water. Guinea pigs are fed no more than twice a day. Special cereal sticks with honey can be given twice a week as a treat.
Smooth-haired guinea pigs are strictly not allowed to give any dairy products, eggs, meat, fish, spicy vegetables and cabbage, as well as smoked and fried prepared dishes. A balanced menu will allow your beloved pet to be healthy.
Water treatments
They are necessary in rare cases when the pig is very dirty. The rest of the time, she brushes her coat on her own. For water procedures, you need to prepare:
- a small terry towel;
- special shampoo;
- anti-slip container.
Water temperature should not exceed 38 degrees. During this manipulation, you must carefully monitor so that water does not get into the ears of the animal. After bathing it is wrapped in a towel.
Ear and eye cleaning
This is an important step in caring for a smooth-haired guinea pig. They are cleaned regularly using a regular cotton swab, which must be moistened with an aqueous solution of Chlorhexidine. If there are crusts in the ears, a special “Bars” solution is instilled into them. If the animal squeals when performing this manipulation, it is advisable to visit the veterinarian, since the ear mite may be the cause of this behavior.
In the corners of the eyes, crusts form periodically; they can be easily removed with a cotton pad moistened with warm water or tea leaves. If you notice redness or lacrimation, then most likely a foreign body has entered the eye. In such cases, the assistance of a veterinarian is required.
Skin and manicure care
A smooth-haired guinea pig, the photo of which is in the article, requires combing its fur coat every three to four days. For these purposes, a brush with a soft natural pile is suitable. With this simple procedure, dead skin is removed and new hair growth is activated. Combing gives pleasure to a pet.
Long claws cause a lot of trouble, as they cause bacterial infections and problems with the musculoskeletal system. Shear them with a special tool once every six months. This must be done very carefully so as not to damage the vessels and nerves that are located at the base of the claw.
Multi-colored pigs
Smooth-haired guinea pigs have soft, smooth, silky hair, do not have curls and rosettes. They are characterized by a bright unusual pattern. Colors, and any three of them, except for white, black and bright red, are distributed in the form of a chessboard consisting of squares of the same size. The best representatives have two colors on their heads, and on each side there are three or more sections of all colors. In animals, the so-called dividing line is clearly visible, which is formed at the junction of sites located on the sides and passing along the entire body both from below and from above. There is no specific color sequence, but color purity is important. There should be no admixture of hairs of other shades. They have a short and wide head, eyes far apart, clear and convex, large ears hanging down.
Conclusion
Smooth-haired guinea pigs are popular pets that do not require special care. They are friendly and peaceful. In addition, they are very attached to their master. Life expectancy is about eight years, but among them there are long-livers who have reached the age of fifteen. Thanks to the care and proper maintenance, the rodent will delight you for many years.