Having owned a guinea pig, I am utterly horrified that Peru is promoting roast guinea pigs for Christmas. Turkeys and pork have long been a tradition of Christmas and now, they are promoting the social herbivores for Christmas.
Unfortunately, it’s a delicacy in some countries.
After a long fight in attempts to save him, Latte has finally decided to join his comrades in GP Heaven. He was lying on his side when I reached home as if he was waiting for me so that I could see him one last time. I’m glad that I saw him one last time.
Since getting him, my family have showered love and doted on him. He knew who would give him food and who wouldn’t. After a few months of constantly talking and stroking him, he would let anyone stroke him except pick him up. It’s a common fear.
I’m glad to have him because he gives me a sense of responsibility. I was upset that he raised his head twice as if to let us know that he would be leaving. After that, he laid down and stopped twitching. I hope that Latte is in better place now.
Guinea pigs are cute but they hide their illnesses too well and I sent him for a vet check at the last stage. I wished I had taken notice earlier. Now that he’s gone, I have a new cat litter that is unopened while the new guinea pig food is opened. I’m thinking of what to do with them.
Image by Keren_ via Flickr
Latte hasn’t been eating or being vocal for quite a number of days. Today, he is totally not reacting to anything and refuses to eat or drink. He attempted to struggle upon being picked up so that he could be brought to the vet for a check. Fur loss is discovered and I hope he can be cured. It could be due to fungus or other reasons.
I hope he will recover soon. Seeing his thin body gives me a heartache. A thin guinea pig is a weak guinea pig. It is worrying and I have to call upon someone else to help me take him to the vet for a check up. I’m very worried about him. It’s not normal for him not to run around and call out for food.
Guinea pigs need grooming from time to time and Latte is one who needs a little brushing from time to time too. The only time I have brushed his fur is when he’s busy gobbling up his pellets. That’s when he won’t run to hide under the hay rack.
I have bought a brush to help with combing through his fur. So far, it is working of sorts when I managed to get the correct angle to give him the much needed brushing. Besides brushing, they can bathed once every 2 to 6 months to get rid of the parasites and other fur related issues.
A shampoo such as Vet Sect Repel can be used in the bathing part. It’s a ‘pearlised’ shampoo, specially formulated to give residual insect repellent activity and coat conditioning, for bathing animals. Steps to bathing a guinea pig can be found in Associate Content.
This reminds me, I have yet to bathe Latte.
[via Flickr]
I’m starting to understand why Latte will never look like them. No one else to fight for the cucumber. Now, I haven’t tried if he likes it.
It’s not the first time I’ve been talking about Latte being such a picky eater. Just like his owner. 
When leafy hay was added, he was very happy and started munching them. How the heck do I buy new leafy hay if he keeps avoiding the stalk-y hay like plaque? Someone, please tell me what to do.
Latte would be very happy to see so many friends in this petting zoo. So many kawaii guinea pigs!
Now that Latte’s been with us quite a while, he’s starting to regconise who feeds him and who scares him. Apparently, he’s afraid of my dad. The loud opening and locking of the doors, who doesn’t? Whenever I pass by the cage, Latte will wheek out loud. Nice. I’ll chat with him and he’ll respond with nods and shakes.
He’s happy whenever my sister arrives home too because his hiding place will be cleared of poo. He’s still running away whenever I’m trying to stroke him despite him calling for my attention. Ironic, huh?
Time to provide some notes on taking care of guinea pigs. Here is a list of things on providing care such as questions on how to handle guinea pigs and asking yourself if you are the right person to own one. Guinea pigs are social animals and will need daily interaction. That I’m trying spend half an hour with Latte everyday.
If you have the space, let the cavy run around the house with some supervision. Electric cables and other things that can be nibbled upon must be kept away from the floors. You don’t want to harm them in any way.
Guinea pigs don’t smell (generally) unless you don’t clean the cage regularly. I’ve to clean the cage soon. I don’t want any smell other than the hay I’m giving daily. Here are the steps to clean the cage. The advantage of using grids and coroplasts is that it is easy to clean.
Be aware that some people may have allergies due to the allergen existing in the urine in the bedding. When the guinea pig scurries around, the proteins exposed will become airborne. If possible, get a family member who doesn’t suffer from it to clean the cage. It would be best to clean the cage outside of the house. Always wash the hands and any part of the body that had come into contact with your piggie.
Take regular weight checks on the cavy because the change in weight will inform you of their medical conditions. Regular vet check ups would benefit them in the long run.
Latte’s been choosy about his hay. He refused to touch those stick thin hay that is hard. Picky eater. The new hay does not get less during the day when usually, he would finish all or nearly all when I reach home. Is he hinting something to me? Get hay with more leaves instead of stalk?
Toilet training is difficult. Although he is responding to questions that we ask him, like “Are you Latte?” He would nod. “Do you want to drink?” He nodded. Other times, he would shake his head when we told him to be more obedient. Bad pig.
He loves being talked to and would respond if he felt like it. Bad pig. Otherwise, he loves the small house that I made for him. His favourite safe and hiding place. Shall have to change a new one when the coroplast is too smelly.
