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To reiterate: pregnancy is difficult and dangerous for a guinea pig. Keep all un-neutered males away from the female unless you want to impregnate her again. Even then, no fertile males should be allowed near the female until two or three months after her last delivery. Each time that your pet has a litter, her health is placed more at risk and the chances that she may die during labor increase. No female guinea pig should carry a litter after the age of four. This will most certainly kill her because her body can no longer handle the stress of pregnancy.
Bringing new guinea pigs into the world is a big responsibility. Do your best to keep the pups in your family or to find a good and loving family for each of them. Remember, caring for a guinea pig is a big, big commitment. Each pregnancy should be approached responsibly and with every effort to safeguard the health of the mother.
Chapter 12 – Other Guinea Pig Information
Here is some information about guinea pigs that may be useful to you:
Guinea Pig Calendars
If you love cavies and want to show it in the kind of calendar you hang on your wall, go to www.animail.com for a wide selection.
Guinea Pig Shows
If you like pomp, celebration and want to show off your special breed at a show, you can contact your local cavy club for information on guinea pig competitions. Ask your vet, check the yellow pages or search online for a cavy club near you.
Guinea Pig Sanctuaries
Because of limited space and funds, most guinea pig rescue shelters stop operations after about two years. If you feel that you would like to provide a safe place for homeless cavies, contact your local government. Check on the limits set down for the number of guinea pigs you can keep at one location. You will need two large cages to house the males and the females. Also, you will need a third smaller cage in case a guinea pig needs to be isolated. Don’t forget to buy lots of food, hay, toys etc. It’s not cheap to run a rescue operation and it’s unlikely that you will turn a profit.
Spread the word about your new shelter at your local human society, pet stores and at other animal shelters so people with guinea pigs that they cannot keep will find you.
Guinea Pigs Previous Page (41)
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