Bo B Bunny
Well-Known Member
Patagonian cavy
WANT!!
- Thread starter Bo B Bunny
- Start date
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JadeIcing
Well-Known Member
EEK I want!
Bassetluv
Well-Known Member
I was wondering about the personalities of these (not so little) guys, so did a web search and found this interview:
Positives of patagonian cavies as pets?
A bottle baby cavy is very laid back and sweet. It will follow you around and allow petting and other interaction. They can be litter trained. I have never had one bite. If bottle raised they tend to suck on your fingers way past adulthood. They also make the cutest grunting type noise when happy and content.
Negatives of patagonian cavies as Pets??
They can scratch at your doors, is one example Example. The only time claws seem to be a problem is if you put them in one room and they want out. They will scratch at the floor attempting for get out. They don't have sharp climbing claws but they have digging claws, so they can leave marks on your floors and doors. The only reason my cavies would claw is if they knew I was out and I wasn't letting them out.
Anecdotes/stories about your cavy pet?
There are so many stories I wouldn't know where to start! They like sleeping with my dog. You can find them jumping straight in the air and turning complete circle just for fun or because they are excited to see you. They like to visit all the other animals and "talk' to them, and there's nothing funnier then a cavy with a pile of newspaper!
Do they have scent glands or an offensive smell?
No. Although if someone has not been around animals they may notice a typical "animal" smell I suppose. They are easy to give baths to. In general they are not "smelly" animals.
What is their average lifespan?
10 years
Do they enjoy interaction?
They are very social and curious animals and will greet you anytime you come to them. They investigate all new items and travel well in carriers.
What is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
Overall they have a very steady personality. They simply like to run, jump and sometimes roll. I have one that loves to roll but the others don't. Most of the time they walk around the pen, eat, and grunt, sunbath and seem to simply enjoy life as is. If you are there they follow you around and love a good petting. They are very curious. I have found mine not to be afraid of anything.
Are they sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
They are very petable and sweet. They are playful in the sense that they will run and do little circle jumps but they don't play with toys like a cat or dog. They are not mischievous at all.
How destructive are they for an average household?
Depends on what is average, ha! They don't climb so you don't have to worry about displays. They do chew on newspapers. In fact they love paper of any kind.nbsp; They will chew on it. They don't chew on other things though just paper and plastic bags. Oh and they will try to chew on your hair every once in a while. I think a lot of that is a curious baby thing. Babies will try to suck on you hair.
Do they climb or tear up furniture?
They don't climb but they will jump up on a chair or couch to be with you. I have never had on tear upfurniture.
Are their any problems associated with their claws?
In the wild they are burrowing animals so they have strong claws and every once in a while they may scratch (as if digging) at your door. The only other place I had one scratch is under my bed. It was as if he where trying to dig.
How messy are their droppings?
The droppings are solid little pellets, about the size of a rabbit pellet. w Very easy to clean.
Can they be litter box trained?
With patience, yes! They are clean animals that like to go in one spot anyways. Use that to your advantage and put a litter box there and then attempt to train them to the spot you would have them go.
Can they be trained?
They can be leashed trained but not in the sense of a dog. You can not expect them to heal, come, sit, etc. You can teach them to understand that the end of the leash is as far as they can go, for the most part they will simply want to follow you anyway. The only thing that stops them from following you is other people or pets that they want to visit. Sometimes in a new environment they will be very curious and want to go up to every person there and see what they are up to and sometimes even put there feet on you like a dog looking for a treat! A good patch of grass to munch on will sometimes stop them dead in there tracks and they won't budge. You might have to either pick them up or offer a better treat!
How are they with other pets, larger and smaller?
They wouldn't hurt a flea! I would be more afraid of them getting hurt by others. Mine play with my dog. They are curious and would probably go up to any animal. Mine wouldn't hesitate to inspect the wolves but of course I don't let them as they would be lunch meat!
What size cage do they need?
Ideally, as a pet you would want to be able to house one indoors and outdoors. Inside is best to let them run free. Since they are grazers they love going out and chomping grass. When I first started with cavy's I was told a 6 foot fence with a wire underground so they could not dig out. And the high fence because if need be they could jump that high. This would be a good set up for NON TAME and skittish cavyies. If a cavy is not well acclimated they WILL dig deep holes and attempt to build burrows. Mine have never dug any holes. They will scratch a little at the door when I am coming to there cage but have never attempted to get out by digging under the fence. I know of a lady who keeps hers in a 4 foot high livestock fencing. Her's are also very tame. Obviously the more room you can give them the better. 10x10 dog kennel would be a minimum set up but would work if the cavy was a part of your household and was let out on a leash etc. A fenced in backyard would be great for them but you want to make sure that yours is very social. I had 2 escape one day because I left the front door open. One was a rescue and very skittish and nervous and the other, Zacky, was very tame. I called for Zacky and he bounded up to me like a dog. The other we had to trap to get back.
What do you feed them?
They get a mixture of rabbit/deer/wallaby food and oats. A lot of owners feed there's a mixture of rabbit and guinea pig feed which would work fine. Because I have other animals here they get a variety mainly because I have found the wallaby chow their favorite. They also get a whole lot of fruits and vegetables. They love sweat potato, whole wheat bread, greens, corn, apple.. just about any type of grain, fruits and veggies.
What vaccinations/vet care do they require?
I would check with a good exotic vet and see what they recommend. There is such a difference in opinions on vaccinations that I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to give vaccination advice.
At what age would it be best to get one?
You definitely want to get a bottle baby from GOOD stock. Preferably where the parents are tame. Between 7-8 weeks is ideal but if the cavy comes from a good home and is well socialized they adapt just fine when older also. Cavyies not bottle fed from real young make LOUSY pets. They are skittish, jump and usually not handleable. My experience has been that if the parents of the baby's are real wild you are more likely to have wild babies EVEN if bottle raised.
What kind of person should own these animals?
I think Cavies can appeal to a wide variety of people. Someone with a love for animals. Cavies are a very simple animal and therefore a good choice overall. However, as with all animals do your research and understand the commitment to having a Cavy.
(*I've always been of two minds about more and more exotics being introduced as pets, so I'd never promote it myself. They surely are cute though.
)
**Edited to add: The more I read about these guys' traits, the more I'm beginning to think that Yofi IS one, and just hasn't told me. He sounds just like them (with the exception of this statement: "In the wild they are burrowing animals so they have strong claws and every once in a while they may scratch (as if digging) at your door." Yofi literally DID burrow almost completely through my back door. :X)
Positives of patagonian cavies as pets?
A bottle baby cavy is very laid back and sweet. It will follow you around and allow petting and other interaction. They can be litter trained. I have never had one bite. If bottle raised they tend to suck on your fingers way past adulthood. They also make the cutest grunting type noise when happy and content.
Negatives of patagonian cavies as Pets??
They can scratch at your doors, is one example Example. The only time claws seem to be a problem is if you put them in one room and they want out. They will scratch at the floor attempting for get out. They don't have sharp climbing claws but they have digging claws, so they can leave marks on your floors and doors. The only reason my cavies would claw is if they knew I was out and I wasn't letting them out.
Anecdotes/stories about your cavy pet?
There are so many stories I wouldn't know where to start! They like sleeping with my dog. You can find them jumping straight in the air and turning complete circle just for fun or because they are excited to see you. They like to visit all the other animals and "talk' to them, and there's nothing funnier then a cavy with a pile of newspaper!
Do they have scent glands or an offensive smell?
No. Although if someone has not been around animals they may notice a typical "animal" smell I suppose. They are easy to give baths to. In general they are not "smelly" animals.
What is their average lifespan?
10 years
Do they enjoy interaction?
They are very social and curious animals and will greet you anytime you come to them. They investigate all new items and travel well in carriers.
What is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
Overall they have a very steady personality. They simply like to run, jump and sometimes roll. I have one that loves to roll but the others don't. Most of the time they walk around the pen, eat, and grunt, sunbath and seem to simply enjoy life as is. If you are there they follow you around and love a good petting. They are very curious. I have found mine not to be afraid of anything.
Are they sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
They are very petable and sweet. They are playful in the sense that they will run and do little circle jumps but they don't play with toys like a cat or dog. They are not mischievous at all.
How destructive are they for an average household?
Depends on what is average, ha! They don't climb so you don't have to worry about displays. They do chew on newspapers. In fact they love paper of any kind.nbsp; They will chew on it. They don't chew on other things though just paper and plastic bags. Oh and they will try to chew on your hair every once in a while. I think a lot of that is a curious baby thing. Babies will try to suck on you hair.
Do they climb or tear up furniture?
They don't climb but they will jump up on a chair or couch to be with you. I have never had on tear upfurniture.
Are their any problems associated with their claws?
In the wild they are burrowing animals so they have strong claws and every once in a while they may scratch (as if digging) at your door. The only other place I had one scratch is under my bed. It was as if he where trying to dig.
How messy are their droppings?
The droppings are solid little pellets, about the size of a rabbit pellet. w Very easy to clean.
Can they be litter box trained?
With patience, yes! They are clean animals that like to go in one spot anyways. Use that to your advantage and put a litter box there and then attempt to train them to the spot you would have them go.
Can they be trained?
They can be leashed trained but not in the sense of a dog. You can not expect them to heal, come, sit, etc. You can teach them to understand that the end of the leash is as far as they can go, for the most part they will simply want to follow you anyway. The only thing that stops them from following you is other people or pets that they want to visit. Sometimes in a new environment they will be very curious and want to go up to every person there and see what they are up to and sometimes even put there feet on you like a dog looking for a treat! A good patch of grass to munch on will sometimes stop them dead in there tracks and they won't budge. You might have to either pick them up or offer a better treat!
How are they with other pets, larger and smaller?
They wouldn't hurt a flea! I would be more afraid of them getting hurt by others. Mine play with my dog. They are curious and would probably go up to any animal. Mine wouldn't hesitate to inspect the wolves but of course I don't let them as they would be lunch meat!
What size cage do they need?
Ideally, as a pet you would want to be able to house one indoors and outdoors. Inside is best to let them run free. Since they are grazers they love going out and chomping grass. When I first started with cavy's I was told a 6 foot fence with a wire underground so they could not dig out. And the high fence because if need be they could jump that high. This would be a good set up for NON TAME and skittish cavyies. If a cavy is not well acclimated they WILL dig deep holes and attempt to build burrows. Mine have never dug any holes. They will scratch a little at the door when I am coming to there cage but have never attempted to get out by digging under the fence. I know of a lady who keeps hers in a 4 foot high livestock fencing. Her's are also very tame. Obviously the more room you can give them the better. 10x10 dog kennel would be a minimum set up but would work if the cavy was a part of your household and was let out on a leash etc. A fenced in backyard would be great for them but you want to make sure that yours is very social. I had 2 escape one day because I left the front door open. One was a rescue and very skittish and nervous and the other, Zacky, was very tame. I called for Zacky and he bounded up to me like a dog. The other we had to trap to get back.
What do you feed them?
They get a mixture of rabbit/deer/wallaby food and oats. A lot of owners feed there's a mixture of rabbit and guinea pig feed which would work fine. Because I have other animals here they get a variety mainly because I have found the wallaby chow their favorite. They also get a whole lot of fruits and vegetables. They love sweat potato, whole wheat bread, greens, corn, apple.. just about any type of grain, fruits and veggies.
What vaccinations/vet care do they require?
I would check with a good exotic vet and see what they recommend. There is such a difference in opinions on vaccinations that I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to give vaccination advice.
At what age would it be best to get one?
You definitely want to get a bottle baby from GOOD stock. Preferably where the parents are tame. Between 7-8 weeks is ideal but if the cavy comes from a good home and is well socialized they adapt just fine when older also. Cavyies not bottle fed from real young make LOUSY pets. They are skittish, jump and usually not handleable. My experience has been that if the parents of the baby's are real wild you are more likely to have wild babies EVEN if bottle raised.
What kind of person should own these animals?
I think Cavies can appeal to a wide variety of people. Someone with a love for animals. Cavies are a very simple animal and therefore a good choice overall. However, as with all animals do your research and understand the commitment to having a Cavy.
(*I've always been of two minds about more and more exotics being introduced as pets, so I'd never promote it myself. They surely are cute though.
)**Edited to add: The more I read about these guys' traits, the more I'm beginning to think that Yofi IS one, and just hasn't told me. He sounds just like them (with the exception of this statement: "In the wild they are burrowing animals so they have strong claws and every once in a while they may scratch (as if digging) at your door." Yofi literally DID burrow almost completely through my back door. :X)
NZminilops
Well-Known Member
Aww what a delicate and pretty animal!
Can I add a want? I want a pika! They are cousins of rabbits and are in the lagomorpha order. I don't have a pic but there are some adorable vids on youtube.
Can I add a want? I want a pika! They are cousins of rabbits and are in the lagomorpha order. I don't have a pic but there are some adorable vids on youtube.
Jess_sully
Well-Known Member
wow. They sound wonderful.
My exotic pet want: a descented skunk.
My exotic pet want: a descented skunk.
Bo B Bunny
Well-Known Member
Descented skunks still have a strong skunky odor to their poos. Otherwise they are so cute! I want one also!
That info is awesome bassetluv! and I think Yofi is one also LOL! They seem so adorable. I've heard the ones who aren't tamed are HORRIBLY mean sometimes.
That info is awesome bassetluv! and I think Yofi is one also LOL! They seem so adorable. I've heard the ones who aren't tamed are HORRIBLY mean sometimes.
BSAR
Well-Known Member
I must get one! They are so precious!!
Becca
Well-Known Member
Awwwh soooo sweet :shock:
:shock:
Starlight Rabbitry
Well-Known Member
They are really sweet. At one of the fairs that I do, this woman came into the rabbit tent holding a 4 week old one. It was sooooo cute. She asked me if I could sex it cause she was told thatsexing it isjust like a rabbit. I tried but "it" resembles a cavy more thana rabbit. I got to hold it and it bit me playfully like a little baby would.
She has a couple and she runs the petting zoo at the fair. I saw "Lucky" at the last fair and he definitely had grown. She said they get to about knee high. They walk just like a cavy.
Sharon
She has a couple and she runs the petting zoo at the fair. I saw "Lucky" at the last fair and he definitely had grown. She said they get to about knee high. They walk just like a cavy.
Sharon
lemon
Well-Known Member
My want is a sugar glider, the cavy is cute!
RexyRex
Well-Known Member
:shock: I want too!!!!
I showed the pics to Chris....he doesn't share my enthusiasm :X
I showed the pics to Chris....he doesn't share my enthusiasm :X
