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Guinea pigs (also known as cavies) are very enjoyable pets and are a lot of responsibility. They are highly vocal and food oriented, learning very quickly where their favourite veggie comes from and "wheeking" in anticipation. It is important to recognize the commitment involved when adopting these animals. The average life expectancy of a guinea pig is 5-7 years, with some living as long as 10 years. Guinea pigs rarely bite, are diurnal and can learn to enjoy being held and pet. They are naturally shy and timid creatures and therefore require calm, quiet and gentle interaction with their human families.
There are many different breeds of guinea pigs, from the long haired Peruvian to the almost hairless Skinny pigs. Some guinea pigs are called Crested, because of a ring of hair on their foreheads that look like little crowns. One popular breed is the Abbysinnian, who has whorls of hair all over their bodies, giving them the "bed head" look. The short haired breed is called American, and the pigs with wiry short hair are called Teddies. There can also be mixtures of all these breeds, resulting in some very interesting looking little pigs! All of these "special" type pigs can be found in shelters and rescues across Ontario, so there is no need to frequent breeders if one is looking for a specific type
Bonding
Excercise
Housing
Nutrition
Illnesses