Buying a Guinea Pig?

Question

I am gonna buy a guinea pig from a petstore. ( I have already checked my local rescue and researched my zip codes to see if anyone was trying to get rid of any guineas, but no one was)

ANYWAY. I hear that often pet stores s*x guinea pigs wrong so often it results in pregnant guineas. I was wondering if anyway can tell me signs I can look for that shes unhealthy or pregnant?

Answer 1

If a guinea pig is pregnant it will usually drink and eat more and go pee more often, other than that the stomach will grow.

When you're choosing your Guinea Pig make sure that she eats and drinks normally, has bright eyes and no hair loss or itchy/sensitive skin.

Answer 2

If you do choose to purchase a pig from a petstore instead of waiting for a rescue to come along, when you are looking at them, ask to hold them.  Follow the instructions here: http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm (this includes pictures for reference, as well.)  Just above their "junk", in a male you will feel what is referred to as a "ridge", but to me it feels like a tendon in your wrist rather than something really hard.

Check for crust around the eyes and nose -- this indicates a URI.

Check for hair loss.  Please remember that all piggies have a bald patch behind their ears.

Watch him/her in their environment (which is always too small -- check out http://www.guineapigcages.com) to see if they scratch a lot.  This can be a sign of mites, which requires veterinary attention.

If the pigs are hopping instead of running or walking, they may also be ill.

Unfortunately, if she is pregnant, it will not be easy to tell until she's about halfway to 2/3 of the way through pregnancy.  Once you get her, though, a vet will be able to determine pregnancy through ultrasound and/or x-ray.  The typical gestation period is 59-72 days (around two months).  

Because the pigs typically sold in pet shops are so young, it's very hard to tell if they're pregnant before you bring them home since it's possible they just became sexually mature and got pregnant (nowhere near halfway through gestation when they're 'for sale').

Answer 3

Dear Guinea Pig Inquirer,

You need to make sure that when you see the guinea pig you like, she is not wet at all, and her eyes are clear and not foggy. Make sure she is active, and not lounging for the entire time.

Unfortunately, until the end of the pregnancy, you will not see the guinea pig pregnant.

Sometimes pet stores separate males and females, so try and find a store that does that. Ask them, "Has this female ever been with a male?"

That will answer your question,

Pet Rodent Expert

Answer 4

All i know is that male piggies have "things" dangling from there butt

Answer 5

Please, please, please consider waiting until a rescue near you has a guinea pig.   I know you're excited and really want a little pig to love, but you'll be making the biggest difference in a little life if you wait.

When you buy a guinea pig from a pet store you're feeding into the demand for GPs. Then more and more will be breed and breed which is terrible, because there are countless guinea pigs without a loving hand, nutritious food, and clean environments who deserve a chance.

Please adopt!

Either way, here is a site that will tell you how to s*x a GP.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http...

Answer 6

If your that worried and just buy a male guinea pig and figure out how to tell the s*x so that you can check you self  to make sure its a male