Do you know what a Whose is? But, more importantly, do you know what the whose eat? These are questions that you should normally ask yourself if you intend to acquire one of these beautiful little animals as a pet. That is why I invite you to read this article in which you will find all the information about feeding a guinea pig, whose or guinea pig, which are the other names by which they are known.
What is a Whose?
Before explaining what guinea pigs, guinea pigs or guinea pigs eat, let me inform you about some generalities of these cute little animals and about the care you must have to make them feel happy in your home.
The whose, guinea pigs or guinea pigs, are small animals that are classified in the branch of the species of living beings that are mammals, included within the family of rodents, where we can also find mice, hamsters and the rats.
What do the Cuyos eat?
It is important that you know that guinea pigs are mainly herbivorous animals and a wide variety of plants and vegetables are included in their diet. In this sense, as happens with any living being, which require a set of nutrients that they need to be able to have the energy that they display and execute the normal functions of their organism.
The nutrients that are required are already included in the commercial food that is available in stores and that basically contains carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and water.
Advantageously, there are already foods specially processed and prepared to meet the needs and nutritional requirements of whoses. There is no product that is more suitable to feed them, so you will have to do some research and find the one that is the best choice for your pet.
Something very important that you should know is that guinea pigs, unlike many other mammals, do not have the organic capacity to synthesize vitamin C, so it will be necessary for you to supply them with a supplement of that vitamin with their food.
Always try to give your guinea pig a varied diet, in order to avoid some discomforts that appear when their diet is monotonous. This means that with a certain type of forage or feed they can have diarrhoea, but with another type, they may suffer from constipation, for that reason we must give a variety of herbs and not limit ourselves to a single kind of them.
To make it easier for you to make the decision to choose what type of food you are going to feed your pet, here is a list of what can be included in their daily diet with the scientific reasons for it.
Importance of hay qWhat do the Cuyos eat?
Hay is a leguminous plant material that is made under a process of growing and drying the plant, usually from oat or alfalfa plants. This plant material should be the main basis for the diet of a guinea pig, because it is an exceptional source of fiber that is very necessary for stomach and intestinal functions.
It must also be taken into account that those whose, like good rodents, have a constant growth of their teeth, therefore it is ideal to be able to find a hay that is fibrous and of good quality, to help your pet with the wear of its teeth. teeth. The habit of gnawing is essential for your pet's teeth to remain healthy and small, with quality hay being an important ally in this process.
It is a good idea to buy the feed in bulk or bulk, especially if you have several of which, because it is much less expensive, but you must keep it stored in a cool, ventilated area and free of any other animals or vermin that could dirty the hay.
where to buy hayWhat do the Cuyos eat??
As the best option, we recommend that you check online if there is someone in your country that sells this type of hay or I think in packaged form, but if you are in Mexico, there is a commercial brand of hay called Zupreem, although initially it was created for rabbits, there is no difference since it can be used without problems for guinea pigs.
But if you can't find anything online, don't despair, because you can always go to a market and look for the place where they sell food for farm animals and ask for food for rabbits or guinea pigs. The only thing you have to take into account and make sure of it is that the hay or feed has a long stem, that it does not have much dust, that it is green, dry and that its stems are thick.
The Fiber and the Cereals that the Cuyos eat
At this point, care must be taken with the nutritional balance of the guinea pig, because bran, wheat or oats are ideal because they contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, but if they are consumed in excess, they will most likely lead to the appearance of fat deposits. We must remember that it is very common for those whose children are overweight, for that reason we must be extremely careful with the mixture of cereals that we are going to provide them.
What we can recommend is that you yourself prepare an adequate mixture of the cereals that you are going to give your pet, depending on their tastes, this means that you are able to make a mixture that has all the nutrients that you whose need.
Keep in mind that you can make a mixture of peanuts or nuts, depending on your taste; or you can also make a mixture of pine nuts with nuts, which although they are very expensive, it is worth pampering your pet from time to time, but only if she likes them.
What happens to the proteins that the Cuyos eat?
The proteins that your whose should ingest, can be found included in some vegetables or vegetables. Remember that proteins are excellent to help the tissues of the body and to be able to replace them.
It is true that fats are associated with proteins, through the amino acids that are part of the main structure of proteins. But it is also common for mammalian species to lack this compound, although it is not so essential that they have to ingest them, this deficiency can be made up for by supplying the mammal with a little milk or any other type of dairy product.
Are vitamins or supplements necessary in Cuyos?
Yes, because they are an element that is required for them to absorb the nutrients they require. In the specific case of these rodents, it is necessary to consider providing them with a vitamin C supplement, for the reason that we have explained to you before. It is recommended that you go to your veterinarian to advise you on where to acquire it and if it is very necessary in your guinea pig.
Vegetables that the Cuyos eat
They are essential for feeding any living being and so that they can obtain the vitamins and minerals they need for good health. For that reason they should consume fruits and, particularly, vegetables, since they are the primary source of vitamins for our guinea pig. You have to be particularly careful with vitamin C, for everything that we have mentioned before and because it is essential for the organism of these little animals.
In this section, we are going to suggest a list of the vegetables that are recommended for the diet of a guinea pig, as long as we provide them in fresh conditions and in small proportions, to avoid the risk that their appetite is satisfied and leave remains that they can go stale and then come back to eat them. This list includes:
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cilantro
- gourd
- Lettuce (the darker green the better)
- Tomato
- Watercress
- Beetroot (Only the vegetable, without the stems and leaves)
- Cucumber
- Red Pepper (High in Vitamin C)
You can start from this spectacular base to form the diet of your guinea pig, but you must always bear in mind that there are countless vegetables that the little animal can consume, all you have to do is introduce them into their diet and verify if by trial and error are to your liking or not.
Fruits that the Cuyos eat
A fruit is always good for the body, but it should not be the basis of your pet's diet, but should be considered as a complement. The best fruit choices for a guinea pig:
- Apple
- Tangerine
- Mango
- Kiwi
- Orange
Another aspect that you should know is that those who really like fresh garden grass, so if you have a landscaped space at your disposal and you take extreme care that it does not escape, it is good that from time to time reward your pet with a walk outside. But without this herb becoming their daily food and without exceeding the consumption of this plant material.
What about the commercial food that the Cuyos eat?
Although there is a wide variety of commercial foods on the market, we must tell you that it is not recommended to feed the whose exclusively with this type of food. It is true that all recognized brands meet the nutritional requirements, but they do not always guarantee that they can provide the necessary amount of vitamins C, as well as natural fiber.
There are many brands, but here we also have to do field work, because we must find that it is more suitable for our guinea pig, but that commercial food is not the basis of their daily diet. Another piece of advice that we can give you is that the best time of day to feed them is in the late afternoon, well into the night.
Forbidden foods in whose
This is an issue that has caused controversy among breeders of guinea pigs, because they have not reached a consensus regarding plant foods that can be harmful to them, however, there is some agreement on the inconvenience of giving our pets the following foods:
- Chocolates
- Caffeine
- Avoid refined sugar
- High-fat processed food
Cuyo food pyramid
Its base should always be hay, along with water, then come natural supplements, be it vegetables or fruits, including grass from the garden. After that, there are commercial brand foods, but that are natural, and that should be supplied towards the afternoon and early evening.
Later we can find snacks, which can also be commercial or dried fruit depending on the season. And finally, you can include a food supplement in his diet, but for this you must consult with the veterinarian.
How much does a Cuyo eat?
The periodicity with which as a whose, in many occasions depends on its owner. However, the ideal is that we supply food three times a day. To help you in this process, we are going to include a recipe:
Recipe for the day:
- First thing in the day: Dry oatmeal with a few lettuce leaves
- In the afternoon: A piece of red pepper with some carrot root
- At night: In the evening a little commercial food and a piece of apple. But make sure you include a significant amount of hay daily, because this should make up 80% of your feed.
Finally:
Take into account that variety is important, but also the main thing is that you do not overfeed your pet, because those whose have a tendency to obesity. So, if you notice that he leaves part of his ration during these three opportunities to feed him, it is because you are exaggerating in the food.
But if you eat it all, you may need portions to be a little more generous. Everything is in that you get to know your pet and can determine the exact amount of portion that is required to give your guinea pig a good diet.
It is our goal that you have understood what guinea pigs eat and this knowledge will help your pet have a healthier and more comfortable life.
Characteristics of whose
Like all mammalian animals, they have four legs, their form of reproduction is viviparous, because the embryos develop inside the females and give birth to their young at the end of gestation, when their main food is the mother's milk.
But, unlike other rodents, and according to studies by Barrie Anmarie, whose are not capable of reproducing at the same rate of reproduction as other rodents, in fact, their litters are usually further apart in time than in their sister species and have fewer offspring. Another characteristic sign is that they do not have an external tail or tail, which makes them easier to distinguish from their congeners.
Where do the Cuyos come from?
The whose are native to South America and are geographically distributed from Peru to Argentina, living in different types of vegetation and climates. However, the first to specialize in their breeding and feeding were the Peruvians, who used them as food and their skin was used to make clothing.
Contrary to popular belief, those whose are not native to Guinea, what happened is that they were transported from America to Europe passing through that country first, this means that those whose made a stop in Guinea when they were brought from South America and from there They were distributed to all Western countries.
For that reason, many came to think that the whose were originally from Guinea. This misconception has been so entrenched that in several countries it is known by the name of Guinea Pigs or Guinea Pigs, due to its translation into Spanish.
its taming
From the moment they became domestic animals, adopted by many people in Europe, they began to change some of their characteristics, due to the new environment in which they lived, finding that these, unlike the wild ones, are more rounded and They have less hair.
Unfortunately, many individuals and companies use these small animals to carry out studies in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and research centers. But, on the other hand, more individuals have adopted them as companion pets, because they are very calm and usually behave like cats, because they have acquired the pleasure of being placed on the legs of their owners to be caressed.
It is very common for them to purr and emit small whistles and they also like to lick their owners' hands, just as cats do. Best of all, unlike cats, guinea pigs are loving creatures, very affectionate and do not bite, even if they can be treated roughly, making them excellent pets for young children.
The care and upbringing of these little animals is simple, since their feeding is not expensive, it is simple and does not require much care. The place where they are going to live can be built by yourself, and it is not an animal that usually suffers from many diseases, if the minimum care and hygiene are taken with them.
Primal Data
If you are interested in adopting a guinea pig as a pet, you should know some basic information, such as the following:
- Average size of an adult: they reach 20 to 30 centimeters in length
- Average life cycle: above 8 years, as long as they are cared for properly
- Diet: herbivorous
Care for your Cuyo
The kind of cabin they need should be spacious, clean and as safe as possible. You have to be aware that the place where those whose live is dry, comfortable and well ventilated, so that the little animal feels as comfortable as possible in its habitat and in your house.
You can certainly build a habitat for it, but it is preferable that you go to a specialized store where you can buy a special metal cage for the guinea pig, and if they do not have it, they can advise you to buy a cage adapted for another kind of animal and you can accommodate to the taste of a whose.
Given the length that those whose adults reach, it is important that you bear in mind that their cabin must have, at least, a space of at least 50 x 40 centimeters and you must place it in a more or less thermal area of your house, ensuring that the temperature is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius, because at temperatures that are outside that range, which can feel very uncomfortable.
It is recommended that you introduce a game into the cabin of which, as is normally done with hamsters, through which it can slide or that allows it to climb to a second level, so that its cage is more comfortable and friendly and you provide a lot of space so you can play.
It is also recommended that you purchase and place a water dispenser bottle and a space for waste to slide under the cage. A receptacle for their food should also be provided.
Where can they sleep?
It is important that the habitat or cage has a vegetable layer of wood chips or peanut shells, leaves, peat, moss or crushed cobs that is at least 2 centimeters thick. It's important that you find something that he won't try to gnaw on, because if he urinates on that material, what will happen next is that he will eat it and he can get sick.
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