A Question about Guinea pigs

Question
Hi, I have a few questions.  How do you know if a guinea pig is a male or female?

Also, one of my friends told me that you can put hot water and vinegar to wash off urine staines on a cage.  Is that true?  Would somehting like that harm a guinea pig?

Also what kind of vedgies do they eat?

thankyou

Answer
Hi Cristie,

The most reliable way to sex a piggy is to have a vet check up. As a general guide:

Males (boars) - young boys have a donut shaped swelling around their genitals; if you press gently on the lower abdomen around the genitals, a small dot should start to pop out (this is the boars penis); older boars usually have very visisble testicles unless they have been neutered.

Females (sows) - look for a Y-shaped slit. Feel all around the area, especially above it. Have a gentle press around for a few minutes and if nothing at all begins to extrude then chances are it's a girl.

Pictures on websites can also help. Advice from a guinea pig rescue and veterinarian are the most reliable sources you will have though.

To clean the cage, a vinegar solution is fine. It simply acts as a very strong disinfectant and a thorough cleaner. This is fine to do; just water down the vinegar (I think it should be around 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and give the cage a good scrub. Then rinse with a damp cloth and allow to dry before adding fresh bedding.

There are lots of veggies piggies are allowed. If you go to www.cavy-care.com , click on the "Care Pages" link and then "Feeding and Nutritional Information", you will find all the information you need on feeding there. It would take a very long time to list out the ideal diet!

Let me know if there's anything else you would like details on.

Best Wishes,

- Laura