guinea pigs??
I was really looking into buying a little cavy. I’ve been reading about them and learning how to properly take care of them. I was thinking about getting just ONE little guinea pig (yes it’s probably best to buy two) but I’d like to but one, just to see how I’d make out, and if I find a guinea pig is the right pet for me I’ll buy my first one a buddy (a second piggy). I need some good advice on caring for a guinea pig… so what would you guys recomend??
I found a cage that’s 36 inches long, although I have no clue how wide it is… Anyone know a great cage I could get (yes I’ve read about C&C cages I don’t know how exspensive they get)
what kind of food is best for them? And also what kind of bedding could I use chopped up newspaper or regualr paper?
What toys do they like (I’ve seen they don’t do well with wheels and balls/leashes)
Do they require a lot of attention if you only buy one guinea pig
Do they get used to their owner and actually love to be with them/handled
hah… uhm someone suggested a heavy duty tote box?? what exactally is that, and where could I but one? …
8 Responses
MemphisGal
24 Feb 2010
amber h
24 Feb 2010
they need tomothy hay and pellets. give them fresh fruit and vegies daily. they like to run around alot. most cavies do fine on there own. guinea pigs need two square feet in there cage, but if you let them run around daily they should be fine with less. instead of a cage you could get a heavy duty tote box my freind uses this instead and the sow does fine. it costs considerably less. i prefer carefresh bedding it’s softer and more comfortable then pine shavings.
david b
24 Feb 2010
i have had a guinea pig be 4 4 the beeding u can use hamster beeding and the like to play u can teach tjem tricks and the can bite and u need to bye or put wood in there gage so there teeth dont grow to long and u can tell if there old if there teeth r yellow if there white there yung and if u buy to of them if ones a girl other a boy they mitgh have babys it happend to me.
Livvie
24 Feb 2010
I have 3 guinea pigs and you really need two guinea pigs just because if you get one it will be depressed and you will need to pay attention to it more often than usual. also GET A FEMALE!!! because if you get a male they get constipated very easily and you will have to clean their anal sacks every other day. but since female guinea pigs dont have penises lol you wont have to do that with a female. Also use pine bedding or that comfort bedding DONT USE NEWSPAPER OR PAPER!!! cause they will chew right through that and you will have to clean the cage like 3 times a week maybe even more. DONT GET CEDAR!!! its very toxic to rodents. Also get pellets they need that as a nutritional value. DONT GET ANY PELLETS WITH SEEDS IN THEM!!! or any good treats in them because the seeds can get stuck in their mouth and cut the top of their mouth and bleed to death. Also get tunnels cause they like to hide GET ROMAINE LETTUCE! dont get iceberg it will cause diarehhea. Carrots are good too. Hope I helped Sweetie lol. hope you will get a guinea pig you’ll love it lol.
Sarah S
24 Feb 2010
im gatn 2 of my aunt’s baby guinea pigs… they live n a plastic tub!!! they cant get out of it and they r way cheaper than gettn a cage… u can get them at wal mart!!! mine have 2 b n a cage bc of my dog and cats!!! i think u will be alright with 1 but, they say they live longer AND healthier lives with a buddy!!! good luck
Buzzare
24 Feb 2010
I think that that is a great idea – getting 1 guinea pig first, and then getting one later down the track. Please consider adopting, there are so many guinea pigs out there that need a home.
The cage needs to be 36"x30", good luck finding a pet store cage that big! You are far better off with a C&C cage, the price changes from place to place, although 100% guaranteed they cost no more than $50.
They need fresh produce twice a day, unlimited pellets (Alfalfa = Under 6 months, Timothy = Over 6 months) and unlimited hay. Hay not only files the teeth but helps with the digestive system.
As for bedding, paper/newspaper will not be good enough, it just isn’t absorbent enough. Consider aspen, kiln dried pine or fleece. Here is the links to fleece:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/bedding/21568-fleece-project-study.html
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/bedding/20746-fleece-types-debates.html
Toys can be made from home using things like toilet rolls, scrunched up ball of newspaper, cardboard boxes etc. The full list is here:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/toys.htm
You can also make cozies, sacks, quilts and blankets:
http://imageevent.com/bizylizy/craftsguineapigfun/sewingprojects;jsessionid=fzpj67jzi1.buffalo_s
I would say that they require more attention than if you only got one, guinea pigs are social animals, if they are not in pairs than you will need to have the guinea pig out more than if you were to have 2.
Yup, through time they become very close to their owners. Especially if you have a routine and you stick by it. Spend time each day cuddling your guinea pig, plus floor time and your relationship with the guinea pig will flourish.
Another person told you to get females, that is fine, but their is no difference in males and females. This person stated that males get constipated, they don’t. What males get (not every male gets it) is impaction, which is where the cecal pellets (poops) get stuck in the perineal sack, which you will have to clean. You don’t need to touch the penis, in fact sows can get it too, they have a smaller sack so they are not as likely to get it.
ashley_anna11
24 Feb 2010
for bedding read up on fleece bedding, i found it works good
leah
24 Feb 2010
listen to buzzare and memphisgal.
http://www.guinealynx.info/
http://guineapigcages.com/toys.htm
http://www.diddly-di.fsnet.co.uk/Nail-Cutting.htm
http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/bathingyourguineapig.html
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Introductions
http://www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/VitaminC.html
http://www.diddly-di.fsnet.co.uk/piggy-care-edible-wild-food.htm
http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm
please read all of these
Actually, an aquarium or "tote box" is a HORRIBLE idea. There is not enough ventilation and your pig will have respiratory problems throughout his life. Not to mention, that they will NOT be big enough. You need at least 36"by 30".
You will need to consider a few things before getting a pig. Space, time, money for food and vet bills all need to be thought about.
Pet store cages are wayy to small for any guinea pig. A C&C cage is easy to make, cheaper, and much bigger and better gor your pig. http://www.guineapigcages.com has instructions on making your own or ordering a premade one. DO NOT use cedar chips for bedding. They are very harmful to your gp. GuineaLynx has bedding ideas.
Diet is very important: Quality pellets (no extra colorful bit or seeds) are essential. Oxbow is a good brand pellet. At least a cup of fresh veggies every day. Unlimited timothy hay 24/7. Vitmain c supplements. http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html……. has more diet details.
* Vitman C should not be put in the water. It weakens in water and you can’t measure how much the guinea pig gets a day. Use vit.C drops or chewable tablets.
Guinea pigs need daily floor/exercise time in a safe place. At least an hour a day is best. Since GP are social animals, it’s best to have 2 so that they will have company all the time. Be sure they are the same sex though. Pregnancies are very dangerous for piggies.
Also, please consider adopting your pig instead of buying one. There are sooooo many great, healthy guinea pigs that need homes in shelters and rescues all over the country. Pets stores usually sell unhealthy pigs that have been poorly taken care of. Petfinder.com will help you find a pig in your area.