Linguistically speaking, it was because the metaphoric meaning for "rat" (despicable person) was already taken, while "guinea pig" was wide open for having a metaphoric meaning attached to it. (And of course it was also because they were used in experimentation. But so were many other species.)Nov 8, 2010
The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), also known as domestic cavy or simply cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia.
Guinea pigs are great pets for children. Not as fragile as rabbits and generally less skittish than smaller rodents like hamsters and gerbils, guinea pigs are wonderful pets for elementary-school-age kids and older.Mar 20, 2014
Share. Although it may only look like your guinea pig has two upper and two lower incisors, they actually have twenty teeth. Inside their tiny mouths, along with the incisors, are a pair of upper and lower premolars and three pairs of upper and lower molars. Interestingly, guinea pigs do not have canines.Jul 25, 2016
Guinea pig toenails grow constantly. ... Guinea pigs kept as pets generally require nail clipping, as their nails do not receive enough wear to keep them at the proper length. Some people put a stone or brick in their pet's cage in the hope that it will wear down the nails so trimming is unnecessary.
Guinea pigs may grind their teeth in response to pain, or it could indicate a dental problem that could lead to an infection or difficulty eating. Guinea pigs also grind and chatter their teeth to indicate annoyance, so it could mean there is a problem with a cage mate.
Whistling: Guinea pigs will often let out a high pitched squeal or whistle, and this noise means your furry friend is excited, perhaps about feeding time or playtime. Purring: Another guinea pig sound is the purr, which may make your guinea pig seem more like a cat. These purrs can have different meanings.
Teeth Chattering A guinea pig that starts teeth chattering is an upset/angry guinea pig. If a piggy is heard doing this to another piggy, it means they are agitated and are warning the other guinea pig to keep away. Often guinea pigs that are first introduced to each other will start teeth chattering.
See a vet immediately if your cavy shows any of these signs:Refusal to eat or drink.Labored breathing, wheezing.Crusty eyes, sneezing.Rough or puffed-up coat.Dull and/or receding eyes.Lethargy, hunched posture.Drooling.Watery diarrhea.More items...
If you catch your guinea pig vibrating or trembling a bit, it might alarm you. Thankfully, vibrating in the cavy universe often signifies a good thing -- the simple joys of purring. Guinea pigs frequently convey their cheerful moods through giving off cozy and deep vibrating noises.