{"id":1741,"date":"2024-12-20T16:47:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-21T00:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/?page_id=1741"},"modified":"2025-03-11T15:51:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T22:51:07","slug":"cavies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/4-h\/4-h-overview\/programs-projects\/cavies","title":{"rendered":"Cavies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cavies &amp; Small Animals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cavies and other small pets, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, mice, rats, other rodents, and any other small animal kept as a pet are excellent project areas for 4-H youth of all ages, especially Cloverbuds (ages 5-7).&nbsp; In this project, youth will learn not only how to care for a small animal, but the responsibility and presentation skills that will carry forward into other 4-H project areas and their everyday lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Youth will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Select their small pet and learn how to care for it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn about the anatomy and biology of their small pet while also learning how to keep them happy and healthy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand good grooming and showmanship for their small animals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.wp.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/2083\/2024\/01\/guinea-pig-6379460_1280.jpg\" alt=\"A child holds up a guinea pig, its nose against theirs\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4-H Cavy &amp; Small Animal Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Available from the Extension office or online<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/cavy-curriculum-resource-handbook?_pos=2&amp;_sid=f42fcccd2&amp;_ss=r\">Cavy Resource Handbook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This resource handbook contains essential information for members taking a guinea pig project. Topics covered include general care, history, anatomy, selection, housing and equipment, records, nutrition, health, reproduction, show preparation, marketing, and care. This handbook is a valuable resource for every cavy enthusiast. Appropriate for all age and skill levels. Curriculum authored by The Ohio State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/all-about-pets-cloverbud-activity-booklet?_pos=14&amp;_sid=111f1e435&amp;_ss=r\">All About Pets Cloverbud Activity Booklet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All About Pets is an 8-page activity booklet exploring pets made especially for the Cloverbud age range (ages 5-8)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All About Pets includes four (4) simple introductory activities for our youngest 4-H members. Youth learn about different types of pets, how to choose a pet, and how to care for a pet. This activity is designed to be completed with the assistance of a caring adult. While this activity is perfect for groups, we recommend that each youth have his or her own activity booklet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This activity serves as an age-appropriate introduction to our comprehensive curriculum series such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/copy-of-pet-curriculum-level-1-pet-pals?_pos=6&amp;_sid=e4bb33fbc&amp;_ss=r\">Pets<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/dog-curriculum-1-wiggles-wags\">Dog<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/cat-curriculum-1-purr-fect-pals\">Cat<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/rabbit-curriculum-1-whats-hoppening\">Rabbit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/copy-of-pet-curriculum-level-1-pet-pals?_pos=6&amp;_sid=e4bb33fbc&amp;_ss=r\">Level 1: Pet Pals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Features 14 activities including pet selection, body part identification, pet art, communications, handling, housing and daily needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/copy-of-pet-curriculum-level-2-scurrying-ahead?_pos=7&amp;_sid=e4bb33fbc&amp;_ss=r\">Level 2: Scurrying Ahead<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Develop planning and decision-making skills, learning exhibiting, debate pet sayings, create a story, observe pet behavior, promote a product and learn how to feed and care for your pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/copy-of-pet-curriculum-level-3-scaling-the-heights-1?_pos=9&amp;_sid=e4bb33fbc&amp;_ss=r\">Level 3: Scaling the Heights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore genetics, pet issues, reproduction, caring for newborns, starting your own business, and careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/copy-of-pet-curriculum-helpers-guide-1?_pos=8&amp;_sid=e4bb33fbc&amp;_ss=r\">Pet Curriculum Helper\u2019s Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Project helpers will find many fun and engaging group games and activities to further expand the pet project experience for youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Gudies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For youth members<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Coming soon!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For adult helpers and club leaders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/4h-cavy-project-leader-guide\">PNW573E &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-H Cavy Project Leader Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 4-H Cavy Project is an animal science curriculum for youth in grades K through twelve. It consists of the curriculum introduction, cavy project information, and experintial (hands-on) activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/explore-the-world-of-small-animals\">PNW554E \u2013 Explore the World of Small Animals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an animal science curriculum for children in kindergarten through second grade. The actual material is this leader guide and parent letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/4h\/projects\/animal-science\/companion-performance\/\">State Companion and Performance Animals Project Area Resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.wp.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/2083\/2024\/01\/Cavy-Small-Animal.png\" alt=\"Ttle &quot;Cavy and Small Animal&quot; in the center on a blue sky and green grass background. A white rat and green &amp; orange parakeet at left, mouse and guinea pig at right.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Helpful Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Activity Ideas<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ohio4h.org\/sites\/ohio4h\/files\/imce\/books_resources\/Learning%20Activities-Cavy%20Beginning.pdf\">Ideas for Cavy Learning Activities Beginning Level \u2013 Ohio 4-H (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need more ideas for your cavy project? There are hundreds of things you can do!&nbsp; This list is organized by topics that match the chapters in the 4-H Cavy Resource Handbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.extension.iastate.edu\/pocahontas\/files\/documents\/small%20animal%20project.pdf\">4-H Small Animal Project Worksheet \u2013 Iowa 4-H (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/4h.extension.illinois.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2022-03\/Small_Pets_0.pdf\">Exploring 4-H Small Pets Spark Activity:&nbsp; Pet Playtime &amp; Enrichment \u2013 Illinois 4-H (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn about a variety of small pets, such as birds, guinea pigs, iguanas, snakes and frogs. Topics include feeding, housing and daily needs, pet selection, body parts, pet communication, handling, genetics, and reproduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.purdue.edu\/county\/elkhart\/_docs\/pets.pdf\">Mini 4-H Pets Activity Guide \u2013 Indiana 4-H, Elkhart County (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Washington Specific Reference Material<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Coming soon!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Reference Material<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From 4-H Programs<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/rabbits_cavies\/uploads\/files\/cyi155_4-h_cavy_fitting_showmanship_2018_aa-web.pdf\">4-H Cavy Fitting &amp; Showmanship Member\u2019s Guide \u2013 Michigan 4-H (PDF)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fyi.extension.wisc.edu\/wi4hpublications\/files\/2015\/10\/4H369D.pdf\">4-HY Cavy Project Health Supplement \u2013 Wisconsin 4-H (PDF)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=entjkRL6iCM\">4H Cavy Showmanship 101 (YouTube video)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/4-h\/projects\/_manuals\/pocket-pets-manual.pdf\">The 4-H Pocket Pets Project:&nbsp; An Introduction \u2013 Wyoming 4-H (PDF)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Higher Education Institutions<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=q-VqGl0PYQU\">How to Care for Your Pet Ferret \u2013 Iowa State University Extension (YouTube video)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have a pet ferret? Do you know how to take care of it properly? Dr. Bianca Zaffarano, with Iowa State University\u2019s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, discusses having a ferret as your pet and how to properly care for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LHvaqmqFxc0\">How to Care for Your Pet Guinea Pig \u2013 Iowa State University Extension (YouTube video)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have a pet guinea pig? Do you know how to take care of it properly? Dr. Bianca Zaffarano, with Iowa State University\u2019s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, discusses having guinea pigs as pets and how to properly care for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/healthypets\/\">Keeping Pets Healthy Keeps People Healthy Too! \u2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. But there\u2019s something else you should know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pets sometimes carry germs that can make people sick. The diseases people get from animals are known as zoonotic (zoe-oh-NOT-ic) diseases. Learn more about the benefits and risks of having pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kids.nationalgeographic.com\/pages\/topic\/pet-central\">Pet Central \u2013 National Geographic Kids<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Big or small, furry or scaly, we love pets and we know you do too. We\u2019ve got photography tips, videos, photos of amazing pets, and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cavies &amp; Small Animals Cavies and other small pets, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, mice, rats, other rodents, and any other small animal kept as a pet are excellent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"parent":1534,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_expiration_date":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1741"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1741"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2803,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1741\/revisions\/2803"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}