Guinea Pig — breeding (owner-practical care, Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner)
Source: first-hand Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner text, saved to source_file; every claim below is a C1 byte-substring of it.
Claims
Avoid sawdust (it’s a respiratory hazard) and cat litter (it can't be digested).Long-haired breeds need regular brushing to prevent matting.To avoid breeding, keep same-sex groups, or have the vet spay/neuter them (surgically remove their reproductive organs) before housing opposite-sex pairs together.Male guinea pigs living together are less likely to fight if neutered or introduced to each other before weaning.If buying from a breeder, shelter, or store, ask about a veterinary exam before you buy or whether the seller will take back an animal if the vet finds out it's sick or pregnant.
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Source: pdf-raw/owner-care/merck_guinea_pig.txt · https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets