What food are guinea pigs allergic to?
Make sure you do not feed your guinea pigs the following foods (this is not an exhaustive list): cereals; grains; nuts; seeds; dried beans, corn, and peas; buttercups; garden shrubs (such as hemlock or privet); lilies of any kind; sweet peas; nightshade; oak; avocado; onion grass; onions; potato tops; mushrooms; …
What are guinea pigs not allowed to eat?
Foods guinea pigs cannot eat
- Chocolate (or anything else containing caffeine)
- Onions.
- Garlic.
- Mushrooms.
- Iceberg lettuce.
- Avocados.
- Nuts.
- Potatoes.
Why are guinea pigs allergic to?
Some people are allergic to guinea pigs. These allergies are a reaction to proteins in the animal’s saliva and urine (contrary to popular belief, the culprit isn’t hair or dander, although they often transmit these allergens during handling and close contact). Hay and wood shavings can also cause allergies.
What are the symptoms of being allergic to a guinea pig?
If you find yourself or one of your family or friends coughing and sneezing a lot around your guinea pig, then it’s likely they are allergic to them. Other symptoms could be a rash, itchy eyes or being out of breath.
Why you shouldn’t get a guinea pig?
In my opinion, these feral rodents come top of any worst pet chart. One: they die all the time. … Your fluffy pet will become bald and scabby overnight and become prone to seizures. Five: their teeth are another hazard – if they get too long, they can grow together and the guinea pig will starve to death.
What should a guinea pig eat daily?
The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of a commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C (see below) should be given each day. Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day.
Do guinea pigs bite?
Guinea pigs are very docile animals, and it’s very rare for them to bite without cause. … Guinea pig’s teeth are one of their very few defensive tools, so if your guinea pig really does bite you, then it’s likely that they’re afraid of you.
Are salt licks bad for guinea pigs?
Dr. Welle says that salt licks are not necessary for guinea pigs unless they are somehow eating mineral-deficient hay. … If you do want to get your guinea pig a salt lick, the colored salt-and-mineral ones are better than the plain white ones, which have no added minerals.
What can guinea pigs not do?
Guinea Pig Feeding Mistakes To Avoid
- No skimping on plentiful grass hay, fresh water, and vitamin C. …
- No bad foods or overfeeding of good foods. …
- No free-roaming in unsafe areas. …
- No warm environment. …
- No exercise balls. …
- No sharing a habitat with other species, even rabbits.
How common is guinea pig allergy?
Background. Allergic sensitization and reactions to guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) have been well documented in laboratory animal handlers, primarily manifesting as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Severe allergic reactions, however, are rare.
Is guinea pig urine harmful to humans?
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) is a rare viral disease that can be transmitted through the urine, droppings, saliva, or cage material of infected wild and domestic rodents, including hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice, and other small rodents.
Do guinea pigs stink?
Now we think it’s fair to say that guinea pigs are generally very clean animals (we’re not biased, honest!) and as long as they are cleaned out regularly, then no, they don’t smell! Guinea pigs groom themselves and there’s nothing cuter than watching them have a ‘wash’ with their paws!
Can you get sick from your guinea pig?
Guinea pigs and hamsters.
These pets can carry salmonella; lymphocytic choriomeningitis; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which causes an infection that mimics appendicitis; Campylobacter; Trichophyton mentagrophytes; Hymenolepis nana; and Trixacarus caviae, a parasitic skin infection found particularly in guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs cause respiratory problems in humans?
Sick guinea pigs caused severe community-acquired pneumonia in three Dutch patients. Two of the patients, a man and a woman, each owned multiple guinea pigs that had respiratory symptoms before their owners became ill. The patients were admitted to the ICU and placed on mechanical ventilation for several days.
What is lifespan of guinea pig?
4 – 8 yearsIn captivity