New Guinea pig owner ... In need of advice

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GizmoCalvin

GizmoCalvin

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,

In the past I have had guinea pigs 2 both beautiful boys :) but that was about 5 years so I may be a bit rusty hehe :) so really just like some advice.

I am looking to get to baby boys.

1. What size cage should I get?
2. What should I use to line the cage? (For ease of cleaning and keep the cage smelling nicer for longer)
3. What food should I feed? (Pellets, veg, or typical pets shop food)

Thanks in advance for any help. :)
 
1. For two boars, the minimum recommended size is 2x5. As babies, this may seem really big but once they start growing, it will be clear how much of that space they really need.
2. Some people use fleece, but a lot of people complain about the smell. Some other alternatives are pine shavings, newspaper with a layer of bedding overtop. I'm currently experimenting with newspaper and hay overtop. It really is a personal preference with bedding. Try looking around at bedding review threads here and asking around about different bedding options to find one that works for you and your guinea pigs.
3. Guinea pigs need a constant supply of hay and at least a nice handful of pellets a day, complimented with plenty of fresh veggies. With pellets, make sure to buy pellets that are specifically designed for guinea pigs. They'll have added vitamin C that guinea pigs really need. As for hay, I use alfalfa hay since I've heard it's good for babies, but timothy hay is also a popular choice with guinea pigs. With the veggies, make sure what you're feeding them is safe. Many vegetables have a high vitamin C content and are great for guinea pigs but some veggies can be dangerous! Don't be put off of giving them veggies because of this, though. They are an essential part of a pig's diet. If your pigs are coming from a pet store, introduce veggies slowly so you don't give them diarrhoea since they won't be used to eating veggies, yet.

Also just a note that if you opt to buy your piggies from a pet store, please please please try and sex them yourself right away! Pet stores often mis-sex their guinea pigs and can send you home with a male and a female, resulting in an unwanted litter. Sometimes, the females they sell are already pregnant because they've been kept in enclosures with males! Just because they're babies, doesn't mean they can't get pregnant. Sows can get pregnant as young as a few weeks old.
 
Thankyou for such a quick response :) and yeah I'm hoping to get a two story cage so the lower level can be used for my rabbit (I am aware rabbits are not to be kept with guinea pigs) and yeah paper and hay sounds like a good idea would you recommend buying hay and food online or a pet store?

Do you have any preferred veg for your guinea pigs? I was thinking carrot and cucumber but was hoping for more of a choice :)

Also I'm not to sure how to sex a guinea pig is it similar to a rabbit?
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. There are plenty of rescues quite near Manchester. We are trying to find the thread that will tell you where your nearest one is. There is nothing better than giving a couple of rescue boars a forever home and if its a reputable rescue all the hard work will be done for you, as in the boars will be properly bonded together. Also rescues will never rehome a piggy until there are completely healthy something that pet shops cant guarantee. Along with this you also get backup from the rescue so if you have any questions or worries they will be more than willing to help you. After all this is a rescue friendly forum and we hope that you will consider rescuing a couple of piggies as the rewards are many and payback is huge.

Lisa & Ali x
 
The best advice I can give is to get yourself to your nearest rescue. They will be able to give you all the advice you need and will make sure you get 2 boys that are properly bonded and sexed. Pet shops are renowned for mis-sexing pigs or selling pregnant females or poorly kept and ill pigs that the safest bet is to go to a rescue. You will be surprised how many babies go through rescues (a lot of which are due to pet shop mistakes).
Your nearest recommended rescues are Chapel Rabbit and Guinea pig rescue http://www.holmes4rabbits.webs.com/ and the Potteries Guinea Pig rescue http://www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk/


I hope you find the ideal pair soon.
 
Shellza said:
The best advice I can give is to get yourself to your nearest rescue. They will be able to give you all the advice you need and will make sure you get 2 boys that are properly bonded and sexed. Pet shops are renowned for mis-sexing pigs or selling pregnant females or poorly kept and ill pigs that the safest bet is to go to a rescue. You will be surprised how many babies go through rescues (a lot of which are due to pet shop mistakes).
Your nearest recommended rescues are Chapel Rabbit and Guinea pig rescue http://www.holmes4rabbits.webs.com/ and the Potteries Guinea Pig rescue http://www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk/


I hope you find the ideal pair soon.
Click to expand...

Thanks Shellza, couldn't find these threads/ links..:)
 
Hi,

Adoption of a rescued guinea pig is not something I would say no to but I have the trouble of traveling.

And with pets at home being so close and also provide a free vet check before purchase I don't believe there will be a problem with sickness or sexing.

I hope in the future once out of my parents home that me and my boyfriend will care for many in need of homes.

:)
 
As long as the rabbit and guinea pigs don't have access to one another, that should be fine.

I buy mine from the pet store, but that's only because I don't own a credit card to shop online and there are no equestrian supplies shops nearby, but most people prefer to get their supplies from an equestrian shop. The prices are normally much cheaper and they tend to be staffed by more knowledgeable people than most pet stores.

Some veggies I have for my piggies are baby carrots, red and green peppers (very beneficial and high in vitamin C), green beans and romaine lettuce (do not give them iceberg lettuce).

As for sexing, I have trouble with it myself, but you can seek help here if you need it. Here's my thread on sexing my boys and it contains a link to a good source with pics for properly sexing guinea pigs. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=98100

As other people have said, if you can, adopt your pigs from a rescue. There's less chance of you getting a sick or pregnant piggy by accident that way, but if you cannot find suitable piggies from a rescue, sexing right away is a must if you end up buying from a pet shop.
 
Ashleigh825 said:
As long as the rabbit and guinea pigs don't have access to one another, that should be fine.

I buy mine from the pet store, but that's only because I don't own a credit card to shop online and there are no equestrian supplies shops nearby, but most people prefer to get their supplies from an equestrian shop. The prices are normally much cheaper and they tend to be staffed by more knowledgeable people than most pet stores.

Some veggies I have for my piggies are baby carrots, red and green peppers (very beneficial and high in vitamin C), green beans and romaine lettuce (do not give them iceberg lettuce).

As for sexing, I have trouble with it myself, but you can seek help here if you need it. Here's my thread on sexing my boys and it contains a link to a good source with pics for properly sexing guinea pigs. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=98100

As other people have said, if you can, adopt your pigs from a rescue. There's less chance of you getting a sick or pregnant piggy by accident that way, but if you cannot find suitable piggies from a rescue, sexing right away is a must if you end up buying from a pet shop.
Click to expand...

Thank you I never thought about peppers and the like is a great help :) I am looking to get my two boys in the next 3-4 weeks x
 
I wouldnt recommend buying from any pet shop. Before my rescue aware days I bought a rabbit from P@H within days she was back to their vets. Yes they paid for the treatment but she was never fully fit and died at just over a year old. I am not the only one who has had these experiences.

Please rescue from a PB approved centre x
 
GizmoCalvin said:
Hi,

Adoption of a rescued guinea pig is not something I would say no to but I have the trouble of traveling.

And with pets at home being so close and also provide a free vet check before purchase I don't believe there will be a problem with sickness or sexing.

I hope in the future once out of my parents home that me and my boyfriend will care for many in need of homes.

:)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you'd be surprised how many people have brought pregnant/mis-sexed guinea pigs or bought pigs with a fungal infection or URI from Pets at Home. It happens all too often on this forum. I really would advise rescue if you can. There are so many pigs needing homes and the rescue will give lifelong support and advice. It is worth getting in contact with them at least as they may be able to meet you at a half way point or something. If it is unfeasible, then please be careful when buying from a pet shop and be sure to check for any bald patches, runny eyes or noses and sex (check this link http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm).
 
Oki well I will take all options I to account :) I have around 3-4 weeks to look in to my options.

Would you recommend buying soon or waiting for warmer weather?
 
If you are looking to buy them now I would make sure you have somewhere warm to keep them, especially youngsters. Would you be able to keep them indoors? This is recommended through the winter, if not a heated shed/garage (as long as it's ventilated and has lighting) can be OK too. You can get things like snuggle safe heat pads to keep pigs warm through the winter and lots of hay helps. Some people will feed warm bran or porridge mash on cold days to warm their piggies tummies and keep weight on.
If it is possible for you to keep them indoors though I would recommend it. That way they can get to know you too.

As for veggies in your previous post...there are some sticky threads in the food section that list all of the veggies that are suitable for piggies :)
 
Yeah they would be kept inside :) and have plenty of hay and a pet friendly water bottle and oki thanks I will take a look :)
 
After much thought I have decided i will be buy my guinea pigs from the local pet store ... And will take them to my local vet for a check to make sure that my piggies are healthy.

REASON: I think that pets althought they maybe in a rescue centre have a much better life than those in a pet shop.. So I see as more saving a guinea pig from getting sick or going to a horrible family and to a place where they will be loved <3
 
GizmoCalvin said:
After much thought I have decided i will be buy my guinea pigs from the local pet store ... And will take them to my local vet for a check to make sure that my piggies are healthy.

REASON: I think that pets althought they maybe in a rescue centre have a much better life than those in a pet shop.. So I see as more saving a guinea pig from getting sick or going to a horrible family and to a place where they will be loved <3
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but that is a bit of poop!

Rescue guinea pigs have had an incredibly difficult life. Hence why they are in rescue centres...

ETA: Deciding to buy your guinea pig from a pet shop is funding the back to back breeding and dreadful conditions in breeding farms that supply pet shops
 
Hi gizmoCalvin. I live in Manchester and my Guinea pig that we,have only had for 6 Weeks has yesterday unexpectedly given birth to three babies. They're not being sexed for a few Weeks but let me know if you may be interested. Thanks
 
>.> -always feels guilty for buying her guinea pigs from a pet shop-

Though I did look for a pair at my local rescue centre first and they had none... and I do love my boys very much and do my best to make sure they get the best of care.

If you can rescue a pair of guineas, though, I would recommend that over a pet store. Had I been able to rescue a pair of piggies, I would have.
 
sarah0712 said:
I'm sorry but that is a bit of poop!

Rescue guinea pigs have had an incredibly difficult life. Hence why they are in rescue centres...

ETA: Deciding to buy your guinea pig from a pet shop is funding the back to back breeding and dreadful conditions in breeding farms that supply pet shops
Click to expand...

I'm not saying I will never look in an rescue centre ... I would love to have more but only have room for two and it's not set in stone that I'm going to a pet shop *** a reason as to why I may.
 
Jellybabies said:
Hi gizmoCalvin. I live in Manchester and my Guinea pig that we,have only had for 6 Weeks has yesterday unexpectedly given birth to three babies. They're not being sexed for a few Weeks but let me know if you may be interested. Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi :) where about in Manchester ? As I have trouble with traveling due to no car and I'm looking for two boys :).
 
Ashleigh825 said:
>.> -always feels guilty for buying her guinea pigs from a pet shop-

Though I did look for a pair at my local rescue centre first and they had none... and I do love my boys very much and do my best to make sure they get the best of care.

If you can rescue a pair of guineas, though, I would recommend that over a pet store. Had I been able to rescue a pair of piggies, I would have.
Click to expand...

My first two came from pet shops :) I would love to care for a rescue piggy or two if only I had more room and easy travel.
 
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