Guinea pigs at Gut Aiderbichl
Wheek, wheek! - I love you!
No guinea pig likes to live alone, which is why one family kept a total of nine animals. However, major water damage and subsequent renovation work forced the family to vacate the house. The new flat had no garden for the guinea pigs, so a new forever home had to be found for them.
Hannah, Luisa, Balli-Ann, Crazy, Kiki, Forki, Cookie and Gonzales (Xorge has sadly passed away) have been living in the large guinea pig family at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf for a few weeks now. The health check revealed that everything was ok with the little friends so far. After a successful pedicure and manicure, the funny guinea pigs can now run nimbly with the others.
The way of life and communication
The guinea pig originally comes from South America. It lives in areas with year-round grass growth and inhabits the plains and slopes of the Andes at an altitude of 4200 metres. The small pigs were domesticated by the Indians and imported to Europe by ship by Spanish conquistadors. This is how they came across the sea and they squeal like pigs – the name guinea pig was born.
Guinea pigs recognise each other by smell. They communicate with each other by whistling and squeaking. When frightened or in pain, the guinea pig emits a shrill-sounding cry. If the animals are frightened, they lie down flat. When in great danger, guinea pigs play dead and lie motionless. If they want to threaten a hostile animal, they open their mouths wide, show their teeth and chatter.
Species-appropriate keeping of guinea pigs
Partner: Cavy pigs do not live without a partner in the wild, and do not want to live alone in a private household either.
Feed:Whether rosette guinea pigs or Angora guinea pigs, for example, the guinea pig’s daily feed requirements ideally consist of roughage (i.e. fresh hay), juice feed (grass, herbs and vegetables such as lettuce with bitter substances, parsley, dill, kohlrabi leaves, cucumber, zucchini, celeriac, celery stalks, fennel, beetroot in moderation) and fresh water.
Care: Guinea pigs are no more high-maintenance than other rodents. Urine and faeces in their enclosure should be removed daily and the bedding should be changed once a week. As a rule, guinea pigs sharpen their claws while playing. If they are still too long, the natural growth must be shortened or, if the guinea pig is not tame and trusting, trimmed by a vet.
Wohnraum: In the best case scenario, there is a fenced enclosure on a meadow in the garden, just like Hannah, Luisa, Balli-Ann, Crazy, Kiki, Forki, Cookie and Gonzales were used to. During the night, a closed hutch or a place in the flat would be the best accommodation.
Cuddly animal yes or no? – It is a misconception that guinea pigs are cuddly animals. They are by nature escape animals. Carrying them around too much or holding them in your hand constricts the little guinea pigs. Some guinea pigs, those that have found trust in humans, put up with this, while others react by biting or trying to escape. Good observation is important here.Do guinea pigs want to cuddle with each other? – Guinea pigs do not like to lie close together, as we know it from sheep or large domestic pigs, for example. Too much closeness is not desired. Guinea pigs only clean or groom each other in stressful situations. They only huddle close together when they are frightened. Even then, they grumble at each other because closeness is just not that great for a guinea pig.
But Hannah, Luisa, Balli-Ann, Crazy, Kiki, Forki, Cookie and Gonzales want to hide, for example in old cushions or similar things made of fabric. They and their mates think that’s really cool.
Guinea pigs, like all other animals, are not toys, but living beings whose reactions you as a human must know or get to know before you acquire an animal.
