Guinea Pigs: Myths About Them

′′I have a female pregnant guinea pig and it’s convenient that she’s alone in a cage.”

False. Separating her from the rest can cause unnecessary stress in her. Most female guinea pigs who share the cage can help with babies after labor or ignore them. In case there is a male in the cage, it must be separated to prevent the female from getting pregnant again. A female can get pregnant again right away and should be avoided.

“I can directly put a new guinea pig in the cage of my old guinea pig.”

No! You should never do this. You must present them in neutral territory. Or, in a completely clean and odor-free cage. By eliminating the odors, marks of the guinea pig that already lives in this cage, we will help them not to fight. If we don’t, they will have a harder time establishing dominance.

“They don’t need exercise.”

Wrong. They need to be able to exercise. That is why adequate space is so important. So that they can exercise at their own pace. They will be stronger.

“If they have a ‘cold’ it will get better on its own.”

Obviously, this is false. Guinea pigs tend to hide their symptoms, and it is difficult for them to get better on their own. At the first symptom, we must take them to the vet, since in general there are chances that they will improve immediately if we attend to them in time. We must act quickly, as these animals decline rapidly.

“Guinea Pigs smell.”

False. They do not smell unless we do not keep their home clean. A cage of guinea pigs should never smell bad. In case this happens, we must clean it more frequently.

Recommended Article: Guinea Pigs: Tips for Purchase and Care