What exactly is a guinea pig? Anyone familiar with this little animal will tell you that it is a cuddly, gentle, bright-eyed little creature that makes a great family pet!Guinea pigs are actually tail-less rodents that have been domesticated for many thousands of years, but they are not even closely related to the pig family, and they didn’t come from Guinea! Pet

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” style=”padding-right: 13px; background: url(http://guinea-pig-cage.com/wp-content/plugins/powerautoblog/images/external.png) center right no-repeat;” title=”guinea pigs.” target=”_blank” rel=”external”>guinea pigs can be found all over the world, and are called by all sorts of different names. But the name that is used by most

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” style=”padding-right: 13px; background: url(http://guinea-pig-cage.com/wp-content/plugins/powerautoblog/images/external.png) center right no-repeat;” title=”guinea pig.” target=”_blank” rel=”external”>guinea pig owners, breeders, and fanciers is “cavy”. This comes from the specie’s scientific name Cavia porcellus. Whether you prefer to use the common name guinea pig, or the semi-scientific name cavy, we know that both are describing the same adorable little animal.Cavies are native to South America, and in ancient times the indigenous people kept

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” style=”padding-right: 13px; background: url(http://guinea-pig-cage.com/wp-content/plugins/powerautoblog/images/external.png) center right no-repeat;” title=”guinea pigs.” target=”_blank” rel=”external”>guinea pigs for food and made sacrifices of them to their gods. Guinea pigs were then introduced to Europe more than 300 years ago, not as a food, but as a gentle-natured and affectionate pet. Hobbyists were amused by the cavy’s variety of coat colors, textures, patterns, and lengths. In the early seventeenth century guinea pigs were exported from Europe to North America where their popularity as a pet grew quickly and was shared by both children and adults.Baby guinea pigs weigh only three ounces at birth and then gain between one and two pounds by the time they become adults. Adults usually measure 8-10 inches from the tip of their noses to the end of their rumps. They have broad heads, long whiskers, and rounded ears. They have stocky bodies, but short, slender legs. Their front feet have 4 digits, but their hind feet only have 3 digits! Their hair can be long or short, and in-between, with more than 20 color variations.Cavies are not renowned for their smarts, but they are intelligent enough to recognize their owners. They can also adapt to routines and certain habits, and they seem to be smart enough to train their owners to spoil them with treats and cuddles whenever they whistle or squeak. They may not be the smartest of pets, but they can be clever!Guinea pigs are delightful animals that love to be held and cuddled. They are very affectionate and are easy to keep, requiring only modest daily care. But you’ll be hard pressed to limit yourself to just modest daily care. Both you and your

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” style=”padding-right: 13px; background: url(http://guinea-pig-cage.com/wp-content/plugins/powerautoblog/images/external.png) center right no-repeat;” title=”guinea pig.” target=”_blank” rel=”external”>guinea pig will grow to enjoy each others company. Cavies are actually very social creatures, and they are happiest when they have company. In fact, an only guinea pig is a lonely guinea pig, and so you should give very serious consideration to raising at least two animals together.Pet guinea pigs are wonderful for children. They are soft, warm, cuddly, are fun to hold, and love sitting on laps. It is very unlikely that they will bite your child, but they do like to nibble, so watch out for their little fingers. Sometimes children unintentionally give small animals overenthusiastic hugs, so be sure to supervise your small children when they are playing with their pet guinea pigs, and make sure that they use both hands to hold him so he doesn’t get dropped accidentally.

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A Grown-up’s Guide to Guinea Pigs by Dale Sigler (Paperback – Oct. 29, 2000) Buy new: $11.95 $10.75   – CAVY PERFORMANCE 5lb by OXBOW PET PRODUCTS Buy new: $6.99

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