I'm New To Guinea Pigs, Help?

[ash-o-leigh]

Hello, i am thinking of getting a couple of guinea pigs but when it comes down to feeding and what bedding to use, I'm clueless i dont know what to use as bedding, I'm not 100% what to give them to eat, and i dont know how to lay out their hutch. I know that I'm going to be getting a two tier hutch, they'll be indoors (my bedroom), and I'm most likely to be getting 2 female guinea pigs. So, can you please tell me what is the best thing to use as bedding, i read that i could use hay but then do i use the same hay i feed them or different hay because chances are they'll eat it anyway, and if so how high do i pile it? Also, what is the best diet to give them? ive read to let them have access to hay 24/7, use guinea pig food/pellets (is there a difference?), and also give them vegetables (how much?), and theres the whole thing about vitamin C. And another thing, what kind of toys to give them? i know to give them untreated wood to chew on but do they like toys as well, if so what kind of toys? But anyway, could you please tell me what are the best things to use, maybe what you use for yours, and any advice would be highly appreciated, thank you! (also, i live in the UK, so please no american websites, I'm on quiet a low budget for buying stuff, and ive also had hamsters in the past, if that counts for anything)

 

[1GuineaPig1]

Wow, sounds like you have a lot of questions! These threads may help:
http://theguineapigforum.co.uk/thre...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/bedding-for-guinea-pigs-overview.114219/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/getting-a-guinea-pig-items-youll-need-to-buy.112288/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-are-guineas-pigs-for-me.36801/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/cage-size-guide.120795/
Guinea pig pellets and food are the same thing, and it is required to have unlimited timothy hay. This thread should answer your questions about toys:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-toys.43520/
You probably think these are a lot of threads, but believe me, they'll help.
If you have any more questions or any that I missed, feel free to tell on this thread.

 

[piggyfan]

Hello. Welcome to the forum. It is great you are foing your research as it shows what a good piggy owner you will be.

Rather then a hutch I recommend a c and c cage as they can be made any size you like. The minimum size is 4 by 2 but I made mine 8 by 3 so I do not have to worry about giving exercise time.

Bedding is a very personal choice. Personally I use vet bed as it is hypoallergenic and soft and cosy for piggies. It needs to be washed evrry three days and poop removed twice a day so I do not know how you would feel about that.

There are no good pellets in the uk but zooplus.co.uk sell bunny pellets which are the number one pellet. They are grainless and low in calcium. Piggies only need five each a day so they last.

I feed my piggies the I.c diet which is a special diet to prevent cystitis and bladder sludge. The diet is piece of cucumber, two pieces of celery, piece of green pepper, piece spring green and a piece of coriander. I feed this per piggy twice a day. As a result my piggies hardly have any calcium deposits. I wish I knew about pellets and I.c diet when I first got piggies.

When it comes to getting your guinea pigs we have a rescue locater were you will be able to find your nearest rescue to adopt your piggies.

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. You will find everybody gives you different opinions but have a read of the information in the newbie section and that should answer a lot of your questions too.

For toys piggies love paper bags filled with hay, cardboard boxes with a door and window cut out anf kitchen rolls filled with hay but dlit the tops so they do not get their head stuck.

With the I.c diet they will have all the vitamin c they need.

 

[Veggies Galore]

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad to hear you're doing your research.

You've been provided with loads of links able which I hope you enjoy reading.

Please feel free to post further questions.

 

[Maisy and Poppy]

Hiya!
For bedding I use tumblefresh and I know lots of people recommend Aubiose! Nature's Best Devonshire meadow hay is good and has a lovely smell and is very green!
Pets@home sell hayracks and readigrass is brill! For toys pets@home woodlands thistles cottage is good, so are the woodlands fiddlesticks and grass tunnel by naturals! My guinea pigs love the pets@home guinea pig popcorn sticks!
Instead of a hutch R5A cages are good(120cm
long): http://www.zooplus.co.uk/feedback/1/0/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/120_cm_cages/95923 , so are the R6A cages (150cm long): http://www.zooplus.co.uk/feedback/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/140_cm_cages/95921 , also the Little Friends 2 Storey coner cage is good: http://www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk...age-rabbit-guinea-little-friends-p-12641.html and finally c and c cages are brill: http://www.candcguineapigcages.co.uk/standard-cages/ !
Here is a cage size guide!
120cm long is for 2 guinea pigs minimum
150cm long is brill for 2 guinea pigs or 3 guinea pigs temporarily
Double storey corner cage is suitable for up to 4 guinea pigs max
2x3 is suitable for 1 guinea pig
2x4 is suitable for 2 guinea pigs
2x5 is suitable for 3 guinea pigs
2x6 is suitable for 4 guinea pigs
I hope this helps!