Angelica
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi, I’m looking to get a pair of boars after Christmas/early next year and have been researching for quite a while now. I just wanted to ask a few questions and if anyone can think of anything particular they want to make sure I’m aware about, to say so.
First off, a bit of background information, I’m a teenager in high school, so yes my parents are aware that I/guinea pigs will be relying finically on them. I am also going to be getting a job early next year. So my parents will pay for most things until then (including money I already have saved at the moment). Once I get a job, they’ll continue to pay for necessities, food/hay etc. Whilst I have to provide for things like toys and such. I will also open a savings account purely for saving for vet bills.
Also I have two vets near me. The closest one near me (is like 3 minutes away thank god) has a doctor who has worked in emergency medicine and critical care and also works in exotic animal medicine, having guinea pigs of her own.
I also have an emergency vet 20 - 30 minutes away. They have the most extensive exotic animal medicine services in the state, with a range of very much experienced specialists. So I’ve got vets covered.
Okay so for questions!
1) I have the general idea of staples (vegetables) to feed daily. So far I’ve got things like romaine/cos lettuce, cilantro/coriander, bell peppers/capsicum, baby carrots. I’m going to change things up a bit like give some kale, broccoli etc every now and then. Is that okay? Do I need to add more things that are rich in vitamin C or is what I’m planning to feed fine?
Also, is 2 cups of vegetables (as I will have two pigs) correct?
2) As for pellets. Do I give an unlimited supply (as I’ll do with hay)? Some sites have said to give an unlimited supply, some say to give 1/8 cups in the morning and evening, and so it’s all very confusing.
Another side question, does anyone know of good quality pellets available in Victoria, Australia? I’ve been hunting around but all the ones I’ve found so far are alfalfa/lucerne based.
3) As for veterinary costs. I will set up an account which I’ll put money into every time I get paid (once I get a job) to save up for emergency vet funds. Some sites have mentioned that getting insurance can be a good option for some people as vet bills can get quite costly, has anyone done this? And overall what are roughly the vet bills for getting common illness found in guinea pigs treated?
I just wanted to be a bit more aware of how much some vet bills can cost.
4) As I'm looking to get a pair of boys, I heard that they need their grease gland cleaned regularly. So how often do you clean them? And how do you clean them?
I apologise for the length of my post but I really want to be as prepared as one can get before getting guinea pigs, so you’re welcome to be completely blunt with any advise/information etc you want to tell me.
Thank you so much in advance! x
First off, a bit of background information, I’m a teenager in high school, so yes my parents are aware that I/guinea pigs will be relying finically on them. I am also going to be getting a job early next year. So my parents will pay for most things until then (including money I already have saved at the moment). Once I get a job, they’ll continue to pay for necessities, food/hay etc. Whilst I have to provide for things like toys and such. I will also open a savings account purely for saving for vet bills.
Also I have two vets near me. The closest one near me (is like 3 minutes away thank god) has a doctor who has worked in emergency medicine and critical care and also works in exotic animal medicine, having guinea pigs of her own.
I also have an emergency vet 20 - 30 minutes away. They have the most extensive exotic animal medicine services in the state, with a range of very much experienced specialists. So I’ve got vets covered.
Okay so for questions!
1) I have the general idea of staples (vegetables) to feed daily. So far I’ve got things like romaine/cos lettuce, cilantro/coriander, bell peppers/capsicum, baby carrots. I’m going to change things up a bit like give some kale, broccoli etc every now and then. Is that okay? Do I need to add more things that are rich in vitamin C or is what I’m planning to feed fine?
Also, is 2 cups of vegetables (as I will have two pigs) correct?
2) As for pellets. Do I give an unlimited supply (as I’ll do with hay)? Some sites have said to give an unlimited supply, some say to give 1/8 cups in the morning and evening, and so it’s all very confusing.
Another side question, does anyone know of good quality pellets available in Victoria, Australia? I’ve been hunting around but all the ones I’ve found so far are alfalfa/lucerne based.
3) As for veterinary costs. I will set up an account which I’ll put money into every time I get paid (once I get a job) to save up for emergency vet funds. Some sites have mentioned that getting insurance can be a good option for some people as vet bills can get quite costly, has anyone done this? And overall what are roughly the vet bills for getting common illness found in guinea pigs treated?
I just wanted to be a bit more aware of how much some vet bills can cost.
4) As I'm looking to get a pair of boys, I heard that they need their grease gland cleaned regularly. So how often do you clean them? And how do you clean them?
I apologise for the length of my post but I really want to be as prepared as one can get before getting guinea pigs, so you’re welcome to be completely blunt with any advise/information etc you want to tell me.
Thank you so much in advance! x
Last edited:
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