The site of a guinea pig nosing around in a pile of fresh shavings is an image that brings a smile to both parent’s and children alike.

A large population of adults have fond memories of the guinea pig they raised as a child. It doesn’t take a lot of encouragement before they are describing the way it looked and recounting the adventures they shared. Most parents who had guinea pigs during their childhood are normally quick to make sure that their children have a pet guinea pig to call their own.

Parents like the idea of guinea pigs as a child’s first gift for a variety of reasons. Compared to cats and dogs, guinea pigs are a cheap pet. Even rescuing a kitten from an animal shelter can cost more then fifty dollars, a young, well cared for guinea pig can be purchased for fifteen dollars. The average guinea pig doesn’t need as much veterinary care as a dog or cat. A guinea pig can be kept in the child’s bedroom, it doesn’t run around the house, disrupting the entire household. In short a guinea pig is a smart choice to teach a child about the responsibility needed to care for a pet.

There may be numerous reasons why you want to breed guinea pigs. One thing is certain, however. You should not breed guinea pigs in the hopes of getting rich for it. The truth is that there is very little money in breeding guinea pigs, and finding good homes for guinea pigs isn’t always easy.

However, if you have a very good reason for breeding guinea pigs, here are some guidelines to help you out.

Obviously, you need a male, known as a boar, and a female, known as a sow. A sow needs to be at least six months of age, and the boar needs to be at least four months old. It is possible for both sexes to mate before they reach this age, but it isn’t advised, because it has an affect on the health of the litter.

The male and female also need the opportunity to get to know each other properly. You need to put them in the same pen, preferably alone, for at least a month. Do not separate them until you are sure that the female is pregnant.

As cute and lovable as guinea pigs can be, one must remember that a guinea pig is an animal first and foremost. Therefore, when a guinea pig feels threatened, he will use any resource that he has to protect himself, including his teeth. Feeling threatened isn’t the only cause for a guinea pig biting, however.

First, most guinea pigs actually won’t bite you, unless they have a very good reason – according to them – for doing so. They are not inherently mean animals, and in fact, they have no desire to hurt you at all. Guinea pigs are quite gentle actually. So, if your guinea pig bites, it is important for you to discover why he is biting.

First, guinea pigs do not like to be held or carried in certain ways. Ideally, when you hold or carry a guinea pig, you will hold him in a way that makes him feel safe and secure. This includes holding him against your body, and not carrying him in a way that leaves his abdomen exposed. He simply wants to feel safe, and he may bite you if he doesn’t.

Guinea pigs are very lovable animals. They are very affectionate and have their own personalities, which will become very evident within days after you bring them home. They love to snuggle and cuddle. They will live longer than most other small pets, usually five to eight years. Although guinea pigs are naturally healthy animals and rarely get sick, doing your part to care for them can have a direct impact on how long they will live.

However, assuming that because they live in cages, guinea pigs have little or no care requirements is far from true. They need daily care. They rely upon you to give them proper nutrition, exercise them daily, and give them lots of love.

A guinea pig will need fresh food and water every day. While this may seem like a lot of work, making it a part of your daily routine will help it seem easy. In addition, you will receive lots of love from your pig, which will make your sacrifices worthwhile.

Just as with any other animal, before you make a commitment, there are certain questions that you should ask yourself. Here is a list of things to consider as you make your decision:

Unlike many animals, guinea pigs are a bit picky about what they eat. Regardless of this, they absolutely must have a sufficient amount of vitamin C in their diets. Without the proper amount of vitamin C, your guinea pig can develop scurvy and die. Unlike humans, guinea pigs are not capable of manufacturing their own vitamin C.

So, how much vitamin C does your guinea pig need? An adult guinea pig requires at least 10mg of vitamin C daily. If your guinea pig is nursing or pregnant, she requires more, up to 20mg daily. It is important that you understand that vitamin C is only effective when it is fresh. This means that even if you purchase pellets that contain vitamin C, the amount of vitamin C that your guinea pig requires must be acquired from other sources.

You can add vitamin C supplements to your guinea pigs food, but this isn’t necessarily tasty for them, or cost effective for you. The best sources of vitamin C for your guinea pig will come from fresh fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, with vitamin C supplements, you won’t have to wonder if you are giving your guinea pig the proper amount of vitamin C.