Buying first cage. Advice?

[MIZ]

It is fine to let him run around your room as long as you make it piggy proof. Make sure there are no wires he can chew or little gaps he can squeeze into. Guinea pigs should have floor time everyday as they need exercise.

I found that he loves my walk in closet. Its easy for me to catch him and there is nothing he can get into : ) Of course he is strictly supervised. I just hope he does not pee on the floor {:|

More improvements to his cage are coming today!

 

[MIZ]

I don't mind at all. Ask away.

OK also I was wondering about diet. On the websites you gave me it says give them about a 1/8 cup of pellets everyday, about a cup of mixed veggies ( I was going to do 2 feedings of 1/2 cups twice a day) and a good amount of hay.

So for the veggies right now I have carrots, peas, green beans, and spinach. For fruit I just bought an orange. I was going to give him a piece of orange every other day. Do you think this would be enough for his vit C needs?

Also with the hay when they mean "good amount" does that mean I should let him eat as much as he wants? I have timothy hay since his pellets are alpha based

 

[MIZ]

Oh and here is another question! I am using fleece to line my cage and I was looking for more types. When I went to the store it says fleece blanket, but when I look closer it say 100% polyester....

Is this ok to use or should I try and find real fleece?

 

[piggyfan]

All fleece is 100 polyester so that is perfect.

 

[piggyfan]

I found that he loves my walk in closet. Its easy for me to catch him and there is nothing he can get into : ) Of course he is strictly supervised. I just hope he does not pee on the floor {:|

More improvements to his cage are coming today!

I have to warn you he will wee on the floor and especially any clothes you leave lying around! Try to put newspaper down for him.

 

[piggyfan]

OK also I was wondering about diet. On the websites you gave me it says give them about a 1/8 cup of pellets everyday, about a cup of mixed veggies ( I was going to do 2 feedings of 1/2 cups twice a day) and a good amount of hay.

So for the veggies right now I have carrots, peas, green beans, and spinach. For fruit I just bought an orange. I was going to give him a piece of orange every other day. Do you think this would be enough for his vit C needs?

Also with the hay when they mean "good amount" does that mean I should let him eat as much as he wants? I have timothy hay since his pellets are alpha based

With hay he must have unlimited amounts. He must never go without so always top it up. Timothy hay is idea. I would recommend giving him a vitamin c tablet. I buy mine from the hay experts. I crush it and spread it on a slice of cucumber for my piggies to have each morning. Some guinea pigs do not like orange so do not be upset if he does not take to it. Grapes and apples are popular with my girls but of course all are different. Romaine lettuce and cucumber are favourites too.

 

[MIZ]

With hay he must have unlimited amounts. He must never go without so always top it up. Timothy hay is idea. I would recommend giving him a vitamin c tablet. I buy mine from the hay experts. I crush it and spread it on a slice of cucumber for my piggies to have each morning. Some guinea pigs do not like orange so do not be upset if he does not take to it. Grapes and apples are popular with my girls but of course all are different. Romaine lettuce and cucumber are favourites too.

Thanks for the advice! He actually loved his orange... he just at 1/2 cup of vegetables in 10 minutes.... wow.

 

[MIZ]

I have to warn you he will wee on the floor and especially any clothes you leave lying around! Try to put newspaper down for him.

Yes... I may have to put a little pen for him to run around in. I dont like it when I cant see where he is when he runs under my dressers.

 

[lauralucy]

i found my piggies like to hide under the linen basket, so i put towels underneath much easier to keep clean than the carpet

 

[lissie]

If you buy more grids, you can make a pen from them. Put plastic shower curtain down and some towels or blankets and then you don't have to worry about your floor.

To make the pen just loosely tie the grids together with zip/cable ties. They can be folded accordion style when not in use.

For veggies, try adding more leafy greens like red leaf or green leaf lettuce. Some people think that romaine lettuce can cause stones. But I haven't had any problems feeding them.

Green bell peppers are better source of vitamin C than orange. It can be fed everyday. You can rotate in other color bell peppers. Red ones are higher in sugar so should be limited to once or twice a week.

 

[MIZ]

If you buy more grids, you can make a pen from them. Put plastic shower curtain down and some towels or blankets and then you don't have to worry about your floor.

To make the pen just loosely tie the grids together with zip/cable ties. They can be folded accordion style when not in use.

For veggies, try adding more leafy greens like red leaf or green leaf lettuce. Some people think that romaine lettuce can cause stones. But I haven't had any problems feeding them.

Green bell peppers are better source of vitamin C than orange. It can be fed everyday. You can rotate in other color bell peppers. Red ones are higher in sugar so should be limited to once or twice a week.

That is a great idea! I bought him today some asparagus, parsley, organic baby spinach, and green peppers. So far he is going crazy over all his veggies. I have a friend wanting to help me build the cage so we are going to hopefully look into doing it this weekend. The only problem is that I have to make sure my roommates are ok with a guinea pig in our living room. If they say no then he will have to stay in the smaller cage :...

The c and c cage just will not fit in my room.