Editing Guinea pig (section)

== Husbandry ==

===Living environment===
[[File:Guinea pig 2011 01 10 12 58 15.jpg|Long haired guinea pig|thumb]]
Domestic guinea pigs generally live in [[cage]]s, although some owners of large numbers of cavies dedicate entire rooms to their pets.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} Wire mesh floors can cause injury and may be associated with an infection commonly known as [[bumblefoot (infection)|bumblefoot]] (ulcerative pododermatitis),{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=63–64}} so cages with solid bottoms, where the animal walks directly on the bedding, are typically used. Large cages allow for adequate running space and can be constructed from wire grid panels and plastic sheeting, a style known as C&C, or "cubes and coroplast".<ref name="orcutt">{{Cite web|last=Orcutt|first=Connie|date=April 1, 2016|title=Guinea pigs with room to move|url=https://podcasts.ufhealth.org/guinea-pigs-with-room-to-move/|access-date=2021-02-02|website=University of Florida Health}}</ref>

Red cedar ([[Eastern redcedar|Eastern]] or [[Western redcedar|Western]]) and [[pine]], both [[softwood]]s, were commonly used as bedding. Still, these materials are believed to contain harmful [[phenol]]s (aromatic hydrocarbons) and oils.{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=34}} Bedding materials made from [[hardwood]]s (such as [[aspen]]), paper products, and [[Corncob|corn cobs]] are alternatives.{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=34}} Guinea pigs tend to be messy; they often jump into their food bowls or kick bedding and feces into them, and their [[urine]] sometimes crystallizes on cage surfaces, making it difficult to remove.{{sfn|Vanderlip|2003|pp=44, 49}} After its cage has been cleaned, a guinea pig typically urinates and drags its lower body across the floor of the cage to [[Territory (animal)#Scent marking|mark its territory]].<ref name="nrc">{{cite book|last=National Resource Council|url=https://archive.org/details/rodents0000unse/page/72|title=Laboratory Animal Management: Rodents|publisher=National Academy Press|year=1996|isbn=978-0-309-04936-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rodents0000unse/page/72 72–73]}}</ref> Male guinea pigs may mark their territory in this way when they are put back into their cages after being taken out.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Guinea pigs thrive in groups of two or more; groups of sows or groups of one or more sows and a neutered boar are common combinations, but boars can sometimes live together. Guinea pigs learn to recognize and bond with other individual guinea pigs, and tests show that a boar's [[neuroendocrine]] stress response to a strange environment is significantly lowered in the presence of a bonded female but not with unfamiliar females.<ref>{{cite journal|url = http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v37n6/4930.pdf | last1 = Cohn|first1 = D.W.H.|title = Female Novelty and the Courtship Behavior of Male Guinea Pigs|journal = Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research|volume = 37|year = 2004|pages = 847–851|doi = 10.1590/S0100-879X2004000600010|pmid = 15264028|last2 = Tokumaru|first2 = RS|last3 = Ades|first3 = C|issue = 6|display-authors=1|doi-access = free}}</ref> Groups of boars may also get along, provided their cage has enough space, they are introduced at an early age, and no females are present.{{sfn|Vanderlip|2003|pp=33–34}} In Switzerland, where owning a single guinea pig is considered harmful to its well-being, keeping a guinea pig without a companion is illegal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maurisse |first1=Marie |date=17 August 2011 |title=En Suisse, les animaux domestiques doivent obligatoirement être en couple |url=http://blog.lefigaro.fr/suisse/2011/08/en-suisse-les-animaux-domestiques-doivent-etre-en-couple.html}}</ref> There is a service to rent guinea pigs, to temporarily replace a dead cage-mate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rent-A-Guinea Pig Service Takes Off in Switzerland|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/rent-guinea-pig-service-takes-off-switzerland/story?id=14573692|access-date=2021-02-03|website=ABC News|language=en}}</ref> Sweden has similar laws against keeping a guinea pig by itself.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mihai|first=Andrei|date=January 29, 2021|title=Why it's illegal to own one guinea pig in Switzerland|url=https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/guinea-pig-switzerland/|journal=ZME Science|volume=Animals, Feature Post|pages=|quote=Sweden has similar legislation in place and several other countries have sensible laws protecting social animals.|via=}}</ref>

=== Diet ===
{{Further|Cecotrope}}
[[File:Cavy eating grass.jpg|thumb|right|A silver [[Agouti (coloration)|agouti]] guinea pig eating grass, the staple of the diet, which is often replaced with [[hay]].|276x276px]]

The guinea pig's natural diet is [[grass]]; their [[Molar (tooth)|molars]] are particularly suited for grinding plant matter and grow continuously throughout their life.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=228}} Most mammals that graze are large and have a long digestive tract. Guinea pigs have much longer [[Colon (anatomy)|colons]] than most rodents.

Easily digestible food is processed in the gastrointestinal tract and expelled as regular feces. But to get nutrients out of hard-to-digest fiber, guinea pigs ferment fiber in the cecum (in the GI tract) and then expel the contents as [[cecotrope]]s, which are reingested ([[cecotrope|cecotrophy]]). The cecotropes are then absorbed in the small intestine to utilize the nutrients.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=50–51}}{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=41}}{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=236}} The [[cecotrope]]s are eaten directly from the anus unless the guinea pig is pregnant or obese.{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=41}} They share this behavior with [[lagomorpha|lagomorphs]] (rabbits, hares, pikas) and some other animals.

In geriatric boars or sows (rarely in young ones), the muscles which allow the cecotropes to be expelled from the anus can become weak. This creates a condition known as [[fecal impaction]], which prevents the animal from redigesting cecotropes even though harder pellets may pass through the impacted mass.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=52}} The condition may be temporarily alleviated by a human carefully removing the impacted feces from the anus.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Guinea pigs benefit from a diet of fresh [[grass hay]], such as [[Timothy-grass|timothy hay]], in addition to [[food pellets]], which are often based on timothy hay. [[Alfalfa]] hay is also a popular food choice, and most guinea pigs will eat large amounts of alfalfa when offered it,{{sfn|Morales|1995|page=8}}{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=32}} though some controversy exists over offering alfalfa to adult guinea pigs. Some pet owners and veterinary organizations have advised that, as a [[legume]] rather than a grass hay, alfalfa consumed in large amounts may lead to [[obesity]], as well as [[bladder stone (animal)|bladder stones]] from the excess [[calcium]] in all animals except for pregnant and very young guinea pigs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guinea Pig Diet |url=http://mgpr.org/newsite/GP_Info/Guinea%20Pig%20Diet.htm |website=Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue |access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref> However, published scientific sources mention alfalfa as a food source that can replenish protein, [[amino acid]]s, and fiber.<ref>{{cite book|author = Institute for Laboratory Animal Research|title = Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals|edition = 4th|publisher = National Academies Press|year = 1995|page = 106|url = http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=4758&page=106|isbn = 978-0-309-05126-2|author-link = Institute for Laboratory Animal Research}}</ref>{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=236}}{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=39}}

Like humans, but unlike most other [[mammal]]s, guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C and must obtain this vital [[nutrient]] from food. If guinea pigs do not ingest enough vitamin C, they can suffer from potentially fatal [[scurvy]]. They require about 10&nbsp;mg of vitamin C daily (20&nbsp;mg if pregnant), which can be obtained through fresh, raw fruits and vegetables (such as broccoli, apple, cabbage, carrot, celery, and spinach) or dietary supplements or by eating fresh [[Animal feed#Fodder|pellets]] designed for guinea pigs, if they have been handled properly.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=92}} Healthy diets for guinea pigs require a complex balance of calcium, [[magnesium]], [[phosphorus]], [[potassium]], and [[hydrogen ion]]s; but adequate amounts of vitamins [[Vitamin A|A]], [[Vitamin D|D]], and [[Vitamin E|E]] are also necessary.{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=40}}

Poor diets for guinea pigs have been associated with [[muscular dystrophy]], [[metastatic calcification]], difficulties with pregnancy, [[vitamin deficiencies]], and teeth problems.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|pp=237–257}}{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=89–91}} Guinea pigs tend to be fickle eaters when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables after having learned early in life what is and is not appropriate to consume. Their eating habits may be difficult to change after maturity.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=236}}{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=88–89}} They do not respond well to sudden changes in their diet, and they may stop eating and starve rather than accept new food types.<ref name="harkness" /> A constant supply of hay is generally recommended, as guinea pigs feed continuously and may develop bad habits if food is not present, such as chewing on their hair.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=89}} Being rodents, as their teeth grow constantly (as do their nails, like humans), they routinely [[wikt:gnaw|gnaw]] on things, lest their teeth become too large for their jaw (a common problem in [[rodent]]s).{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Guinea pigs chew on cloth, paper, plastic, and rubber if available. Guinea pig owners may "Guinea Pig proof" their household, especially if they are free to roam, to avoid any destruction or harm to the guinea pig itself.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How To Guinea Pig Proof Your Room {{!}} First Steps With A Guinea Pig |url=https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guinea_pigs/first_steps_with_a_guinea_pig/room_proofing/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.omlet.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Some plants are poisonous to guinea pigs, including [[bracken]], [[Bryonia|bryony]], [[ranunculus|buttercup]], [[sinapis arvensis|charlock]], [[atropa belladonna|deadly nightshade]], [[digitalis|foxglove]], [[hellebore]], [[conium|hemlock]], [[lily of the valley]], [[Anthemis cotula|mayweed]], [[aconitum|monkshood]], [[privet]], [[Senecio|ragwort]], [[rhubarb]], [[veronica arvensis|speedwell]], toadflax (both ''[[Linaria vulgaris]]'' and ''[[Linaria dalmatica]]''), and [[vallisneria americana|wild celery]].{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=93}} Additionally, any plant which grows from a [[bulb]] (e.g., [[tulip]] or [[onion]]) is normally considered poisonous,{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=3}} as well as ivy and oak tree leaves.

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=== Health problems ===
Common ailments in domestic guinea pigs include [[Lower respiratory tract infection|respiratory tract infections]], [[diarrhea]], [[scurvy]] (vitamin C deficiency, typically characterized by sluggishness), [[abscess]]es due to infection (often in the neck, due to hay embedded in the throat, or from external scratches), and infections by [[louse|lice]], [[mite]]s, or [[fungus]].{{sfn|Richardson|2000|loc=ch. 1, 4, 5, 9}}

[[Mange mite]]s (''Trixacarus caviae'') are a common cause of hair loss, and other symptoms may also include excessive scratching, unusually aggressive behavior when touched (due to pain), and, in some instances, seizures.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=3–4}} Guinea pigs may also suffer from "running lice" (''Gliricola porcelli''), a small, white insect that can be seen moving through the hair; their eggs, which appear as black or white specks attached to the hair, are sometimes referred to as "static lice". Other causes of hair loss can be hormonal upsets caused by underlying medical conditions such as [[ovarian cyst]]s.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=55}}

[[File:mvc-872s.jpg|thumb|A [[parti-colored]] guinea pig suffering from [[torticollis]], or wry neck]]

Foreign bodies, especially tiny pieces of hay or straw, can become lodged in the eyes of guinea pigs, resulting in excessive blinking, tearing, and, in some cases, an opaque film over the eye due to [[corneal ulcers in animals|corneal ulcer]].{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=69–70}} Hay or straw dust can also cause [[sneeze|sneezing]]. While it is normal for guinea pigs to sneeze periodically, frequent sneezing may be a symptom of [[pneumonia (non-human)|pneumonia]], especially in response to atmospheric changes. Pneumonia may also be accompanied by [[torticollis]] and can be fatal.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=45–48}}

Because the guinea pig has a stout, compact body, it more easily tolerates excessive cold than excessive heat.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=6}} Its normal [[thermoregulation|body temperature]] is {{convert|101|–|104|F|C|order=flip}},{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=19}} so its ideal ambient air temperature range is similar to a human's, about {{convert|65|–|75|F|C|order=flip}}.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=6}} Consistent ambient temperatures in excess of {{convert|90|F|C|order=flip}} have been linked to [[hyperthermia]] and death, especially among pregnant sows.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=6}} Guinea pigs are not well suited to environments that feature wind or frequent drafts,{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=37}} and respond poorly to extremes of [[humidity]] outside of the range of 30–70%.{{sfn|Terril|Clemons|1998|p=36}}

Guinea pigs are [[Predation|prey]] animals whose survival instinct is to mask pain and signs of illness, and many times, health problems may not be apparent until a condition is severe or in its advanced stages. Treatment of disease is made more difficult by the extreme sensitivity guinea pigs have to most [[antibiotic]]s, including [[penicillin]], which kill off the [[gut flora|intestinal flora]] and quickly bring on episodes of diarrhea and in some cases, death.{{sfn|Wagner|Manning|1976|p=229}}{{sfn|Richardson|2000|pages=105–106}}

Similar to the inherited [[genetic disorder|genetic diseases]] of other breeds of animals (such as [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]] in canines), some genetic abnormalities of guinea pigs have been reported. Most commonly, the [[roan (color)#Roan guinea pigs|roan]] coloration of [[Abyssinian guinea pig|Abyssinian]] guinea pigs is associated with [[congenital disorder|congenital]] eye disorders and problems with the digestive system.{{sfn|Richardson|2000|page=69}} Other genetic disorders include "waltzing disease" (deafness coupled with a tendency to run in circles), palsy, and [[tremor]] conditions.<ref name=robinson>{{Cite book|last = Robinson|first = Roy|contribution = The Guinea Pig, ''Cavia Porcellus''|editor-last = King|editor-first = Robert C|title = Handbook of Genetics|volume = 4|year = 1974|pages = 275–307|publisher = Plenum|isbn = 978-0-306-37614-6}}</ref>