Category Archives: Guinea Pig

Teddy bears, that is what usually comes to mind when the word Teddy is mentioned. How did this rodent bearing such name (Teddy guinea pig) come about? How did it get its name? What is its history? These questions will form the bases of this article.

 

The Origin of the its name “Teddy Guinea Pig”

Although not being pigs and not originating from Guinea, ‘Guinea pig’ is the term ascribed to a set of rodents. The origin of this name ‘guinea pigs‘ remains a mystery till date as it is still not proven that guinea pigs originated from Guinea or because it resembles a pig coming from Guinea known as ‘the Guinea Hog’. Another theory speculates that the word Guiana (a South American region) was confused to be Guinea and the name got stuck to the animal, and a different theory concludes that ‘Guinea’ describes an unnamed faraway land. Although, none of these theories have been proved to be true, the name ‘guinea pigs’ remain.

The name ‘Teddy’ is used to describe this particular breed of guinea pigs. Due to its likeness to Teddy bears and stuffed toys, the Teddy guinea pigs derived its name. Its coat is similar to those of Teddy bears and its nose is identical to other toys. It can be described as a living toy.

More about Teddy guinea pig

 

Many of you might not be aware of the fact that a teddy guinea pig (also referred to as a cavy) is the outcome of a transfiguration of a  white American guinea pig and a tortoise casing.

A guinea pig desires to munch a  good value pellet chow on a daily basis. In addition to an infinite amount of rummage, Vitamin C, vegetables besides a continuous stock of fresh water.Truly similar to other guinea pigs, its teeth are continuously developing; and it requires  similar nourishment as do other guinea pigs.

In order to maintain the good health of your cavies, you need to focus on the following vital nutritional constituents:

• Since cavies are unable to generate their individual vitamin C therefore they need to obtain it from their food and drink.  On a daily basis, spanking new fruit and vegetables perform a crucial task in putting off disease and demise ensuing from deficiency of vitamin C in the food and drink. Nevertheless, do keep in mind that  your cavies should receive fruit in moderation but you can offer up to one cup of vegetables every day to an grown-up guinea pig (if possible not altogether, to put off diarrhea).

 

o   You must take care, not to supply iceberg lettuce to your teddy guinea pig for the reason that  the former has no dietary worth and can straightforwardly be a source of loose motions for your cavy. These can be serious if they continue for more than several hours.)  You can feed it with other varieties of lettuce though; however, don’t overlook to  give it forage ( if possible Orchard grass or Timothy  grass) to gobble, concurrently with those fruit ( such as oranges, papayas, apples, strawberries, blue berries, grapes, kiwis etc) and leafy green vegetables that hold lots of  water (e.g. tomatoes, melons, lettuce, Kale, spinach, parsley, baby carrots, broccoli leaves and so forth.)  The quantity of  vegetables should be corresponding to around one cup full for every guinea pig  every day.

 

o    Babyish guinea pigs that are yet growing may be supplied Alfalfa forage, which holds additional calcium in it.. Cavies require plenty of rummage to assist maintain their ever growing teeth jaded.  Cavies that are not supplied forage on a daily basis, are likely to develop dental troubles (in which their teeth can develop over their tongue / all the way through their cheek.) Also, being low in calories, forage will  prevent your cavies from becoming overweight.

It is vital to provide your pigs pellets of extraordinary quality (comprising Vitamin C, 16 percent fiber and 20 percent protein,  since  inferior quality food can show the way to quite a few health troubles in the upcoming.

 Foods to keep away from:

• Chocolates and anything containing sugar
• Dairy products
• Meat
• Corn
• Tomato leaves
• Iceberg lettuce
• Potatoes
• Uncooked beans
• Rhubarb
• Multi-vitamins

 

All the aforementioned provisions are horrific for the digestive system of a guinea pig and can show the way to loose motions.

The bottom line:

Teddy guinea pigs are delightful beings who need to be taken care of , at all costs.

 

 

 

The human race continues to amaze me with the passing of time. Just a while ago, some animals were not anywhere near domestic. They were viewed as wild beasts that belonged to the jungle and served no purpose as pets for humans. This trend is clearly changing as seen by how people have embraced all kinds of “wild” animals not only as domestic creatures but closer than that- pets. One such animal is the Silkie Guinea Pig.

Well, in all honesty, I don’t really blame anyone for falling in love with this adorable animal in the guinea pig category. I mean with that ability to catch your eye with their natural beauty and long hair, only a few can resist. It has such a nice cuddly body that makes everyone become obsessed with it in an instant. The Silkie guinea pig has gained a lot of popularity in the recent times with most people opening up their homes and adding them into their families.

History
These lovely animals exist as a result of cross breeding between the Peruvian guinea pig and the self black guinea pig. The breed was discovered back in 1970 in the UK where they are called “shelties” to this day. The name was given to them because of their silky smooth hair (some call it celebrity hair). This type of hair has earned silkies the crown as one of the most recognized pets all over the world.

Silkie’s hair
It is worth noting that the Silkie Guinea Pig’s hair is distinctively long, soft and shiny. Owners of these pets confess to falling into the temptation of caressing their hair for hours on end. This hair comes in different multiple colors including beige, cream, white, black, red, blue as well as a mixture of these colors.

Pet care
Am sure by now you cannot wait to have a silkie as your next pet; I cannot wait too! Before you do that, let me give you a few pieces of advice that might help you take care of your pet better:
• Construct a cage wide enough to allow easy movement while keeping the pet safe from getting lost and being injured.
• Daily hair care: You saw this coming! Yes, every single day, you must attend to the silkie’s hair by brushing it to avoid formation of mat caused by food particles or bedding material.
• After a whole day of being confined in the cage, these pets require plenty of exercise. Allow them to run around the house and play with available toys.
• Offer them high-fiber rich diet in plant food, green leafy vegetables, hay and guinea pig pellets. Beware that these animals eat all the time due to their high metabolism therefore ensure you have enough food and water always.

When you bring in a Silkie Guinea Pig to your home, it may be shy at the beginning which is really a trend with most pets. Worry not; it will spring back to life in no time. Most pet stores do not necessarily keep silkies but you can easily find them at guinea pig rescue organizations that purchase them from professional breeders. Best of luck as you care for, and enjoy the company of this beautiful pet!

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