Guinea pig is an unpretentious rodent, pleasing with a nice color and funny behavior. Having decided to have a shaggy pet, you should learn about the life expectancy of the animal and the requirements for keeping it at home. Many owners, especially children, are so attached to the good-natured and playful animal that the unexpected death of a pig becomes a great stress for them.
How many guinea pigs live at home
The life span of wild pigs in the natural habitat, due to the activity of predators and lack of food, rarely exceeds 8 years. The life expectancy of domesticated rodents is much higher, with comprehensive care reaches 10 years. The longevity of pets of artificially bred breeds depends on genetic characteristics and the strict implementation of special maintenance requirements. The life expectancy at home is significantly affected by:
Guinea pig breed;
Complete feed ration;
Compliance with the rules of care and maintenance;
Diseases and proper treatment.
Life expectancy of various breeds of guinea pigs
The breed of the guinea pig largely determines how much it will live at home. An attractive rodent of the Abyssinian breed, the hair of which is laid in the form of “rosettes”, lives in captivity for up to 7 years. Lack of hay and fresh grass in the diet, as well as long periods in feeding negatively affect the life expectancy of this breed. Smooth-haired guinea pigs of a satin mutation or Dalmatians please with their unusual color and excellent health for 8 years of life. Due to careful care, the long-haired long-lived pig Sheltie breed lives longer than the rest - more than 8 years.
The first offspring of the guinea pigs of the hairless breeds, Skinny and Baldwin, did not live very long; at present, breeders have increased the life expectancy of animals to 6 years. The result of kinship is weak immunity, therefore, in the place of rodent keeping, it is necessary to maintain the temperature strictly from + 22 ° C to + 25 ° C. In addition, skin diseases significantly affect the longevity of a pet. Too dry air disturbs the skin, and increased humidity causes the appearance of fungi and lichen.
Proper Feeding for Guinea Pig Longevity
The key to longevity and vital activity of a pet is a balanced feed diet and a constant feeding regimen. The basis of the diet of the herbivore rodent is hay, tree branches and sprouted grain. Also, peas, grain, corn and other solid fodder are added to the guinea pig’s nutrition, and in the summer they are always given slices of fruits, vegetables and fresh grass. Inadequate and inadequate feeding is the cause of diseases that adversely affect the health and life expectancy of a pet.
Special mixtures make it possible to balance nutrition and provide the necessary macroelements to the body of an animal living at home. How many times a day to give a guinea pig, dry food is determined individually. Excessive feeding with high-calorie mixtures leads to weight gain, which negatively affects the health and mobility of the rodent. Also, the life expectancy of guinea pigs is affected by the addition of:
Sour-milk products;
Meat or fish;
Sweets;
High fat foods.
Conditions and proper care of guinea pigs
The guinea pig must move a lot and actively move throughout life, so it must be kept in a spacious cage. In addition to this, the rodent must be regularly released from the cage to play in a specially equipped part of the apartment or taken out for a walk on the street. The cage in which the guinea pig lives should be kept away from heat sources, in a shaded place. Direct sunlight, as well as air currents generated by the fan, are not advisable. Feeding troughs and drinking bowls need to be kept in a cage at all times to ensure regular feeding and watering.
Inactive teeth in guinea pigs grow intensely and, without proper care, become a significant health problem. Long incisors that interfere with normal nutrition should be filed periodically so that the furry pet does not die from exhaustion. Water treatments increase the risk of colds. The rodent must be bathed in warm water, and the room should have a comfortable temperature, since the animal’s coat dries for a very long time after bathing. Compliance with these simple but important conditions will help to avoid diseases that affect the life expectancy of a guinea pig.
Causes of diseases and effects on life expectancy
The state of health and timely access to veterinary care in case of illness directly affects how many years a guinea pig lives at home. Injury resulting from careless handling significantly limits the mobility and longevity of the animal. Failure to comply with the conditions of water procedures can provoke a runny nose in a guinea pig, which quickly turns into pneumonia. Mortality in this disease is very high - up to 50% of cases. Internal and external parasites that severely undermine health are wound up as a result of a negligent attitude to the maintenance of a pet.
Unbalanced feeding of guinea pigs often results in rickets, digestive disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Severe disease Paraphitis, in which a pet refuses to eat, leads to severe depletion of the body, dangerous to the animal's life. A diagnosis with a significant delay in such a disease increases the risk of complications and death. Therefore, when the first symptoms of malaise appear, you need to contact a specialized clinic, you should not self-medicate. Only according to the results of tests carried out in a medical institution, the veterinarian will prescribe the necessary treatment that will preserve the life and health of the beloved pet.
How long an amusing and cheerful guinea pig will live at home depends not only on the breed, but also on comprehensive care, as well as proper maintenance. Pets are sensitive to attention and care, showing reciprocal affection for the owner, are able to please with unexpected longevity.
