The Guinea Pig

Fun Facts
Snoozing:

Guinea pigs are not nocturnal or truly diurnal, but sort of alert nappers. They tend to settle down at night instead of running incessantly in a squeaky wheel or hatching some elaborate escape plan ("Let's try all night to dig through steel!").

Duplication:

Guinea pig young are usually born in litters of two to four, and are fully furred, unbelievably cute miniatures of their parents. They act like broncos, leaping and bucking around for no reason. Some call it "popcorning."

Misnomers:

Guinea pigs are not actually pigs, nor did they come from Guinea. They may have acquired the name because of their piglike squeals and the fact that they came to Europe as pets, by way of Guiana in South Africa or Guyana in South America. Another theory is that they cost one guinea in the marketplace. As with real pigs, the females are "sows" and the males are "boars." A group is a "herd."

Origins:

Guinea pigs came from South America, where most of their history with humans can be summed up as "tastes like chicken." The Incas hunted them for meat and used them in traditional healing rituals. Over time, pigs were domesticated, again, sort of like chickens

My girls adore their guinea pigs ... ideal childrens pets .x

My daughter has a guinea pig, but I didn't realise they lived better in groups, the lady in the pet shop never said when we bought one. We've had her for 3 yrs now, is it to late to add another girl??

I have three girls .. and guinea pigs flourish in groups you could introduce them slowly .. Leanne we have just added Princess pop socks with Sugar and Ruby and they were fine .x

Aww might try, it's just the worry if it don't work as then I have to get another cage etc are your guineas outside or in? Cookie lives indoors in a large rabbit indoor cage. Would that be big enough for 2 guineas? X

Mine have a cage outside with a 10ft run ...x

after months of our kids asking for guinea pigs we have reserved two swiss brothers one is rew and the other dew.get them in 2 weeks they are very excited.altough i will be the main carer.lol.

I think that goes for most moms Gem lol . My girls are brilliant with their pets but i still over see their care .

yeah she is 6 so not old enough to do it all her self so she can be my helping hand.

and you cant keep rabbits in with guine pigs coz of their dietary needs are different, unless you feed them seperatly.

I agree that Guinea pigs should not be housed with Rabbits . Rabbits have a tendency to kick .x

yeah i know we dont have rabbits anyway.

my rabbits dont thump...they love everything....lol iv never heard any of my baby bunnies thump....lol

there is alot of people who do still keep rabbits and guineas together you see them advertised all the time rabbit and guinea free to good home. its terrible. i saw the pics of you rabbits tayer they look adorable.

thank you xxx...

people do keep them together, but when i looked into it, i think it is more about their dietary differences....not sure mind..

I remember meeting a guy who educated people on the care of keeping pet rabbits and it was a definant no no . I believe the RSPCA advise the same , not just because of dietary needs but also for the reasons i stated above .x

they are total oppisites and dont go together thats what i read somewhere anyway.

My friend rescues guinea pigs and says it's a big no-no... Rabbits can cause serious injuries to these little sweet guinea pigs. She has had a couple who have had to have an eye removed because of what's happened. Yet when I was younger, everyone who had a rabbit kept it with a guinea pig, like they were always best friends...

xoxox

i think its partly pet shops fault....as they keep them all together, then buyer aint gonna question it then.