Many have varying requirements when it comes to pet ownership. Some would rather have bigger pet pals or the rarest of breeds. Some would rather have the smaller types of animals to be around them inside the house. These small furballs become the main attraction at times. If you are looking for a small animal to keep as a pet, perhaps you may have considered (perhaps, already have bought) some guinea pigs instead. And if it is your first time to own one of these timid-looking creatures, you may as well read on to find out the best way to care for guinea pigs.
Other small animals like the cavy (common name for a guinea pig), sugar gliders, jerboas, hedgehogs, and the likes, may have been thought by many new pet owners as great starter pets that they are often times treated not as they should be. As a result many of these docile creatures end up developing health issues early in their life. Some have even died due to improper handling and neglect.
How do you know if your pet has been poorly treated or neglected?
No sane person would like to invest in anything, like in owning a pet, only to let it die of neglect or poor management. No matter how you would like to ensure that your pet is given the proper care that it needs but you are unaware or misinformed, you may just end up harming your fragile pet.
So, how do you spot a pet that has been neglected or mistreated? Below are some of the common indication that a pet is suffering from neglect.
1. Filthy enclosure
The presence of dirt, leftovers, feces, and unbearable living condition within the animal’s housing is a sure sign of neglect.
2. Inappropriate temperature
Every pet, especially the rare and small ones, require a different temperature to exist comfortably and live healthy. For instance, a guinea pig requires from about 70 degrees to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Any room or ambient temperature below or beyond that will greatly affect the overall health of your cavy. This may lead to the development of respiratory infection and other health concerns. To some animals, adequate heat is necessary to digest the food that they consume, like some reptiles (bearded dragons, iguanas, geckos, anoles, and so on). If your pet is not provided with the kind of temperature that it needs to survive properly, you may just be endangering its life as a result.
3. Noticeable physical changes
Pets with swollen feet, runny eyes, rashes, sores, bruises, and any physical deformities clearly indicate that these creatures have been mistreated or neglected. There could be several reasons for these. Improper handling, providing insufficient food and water, inefficient lighting within the animal’s enclosure, unclean enclosure, unsafe beddings for guinea pig, and so on. Continue…