Soon to be Cavy owner with some questions

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JC1023

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So my 9 year old wants guinea pigs she asked a year ago then stopped asking but now she started asking and has not let up so My wife and I told her yes we agreed knowing I will probably be the one doing most of the taking care part with some help from my daughter I’m ok with that though so here are some of my beginner questions

I just purchased a 2x4 C&C cage we will be getting X2 girls

My sister who lives in Virginia has 3 we don’t see her often we live in NY but when we went to visit her last year that’s when my daughter started asking

My sister uses blizzard fleece this is the route I am going I purchased a cavy kitchen with the cage I know piggies cannot really be potty trained and it’s a hit or miss if they will use it as their bathroom it’s kind of a long shot but I’m going to try and hope

Question 1) what kind of bedding do you guys suggest for the kitchen/litter box I’ve heard many different things from wood pellets/hemp/yesterday’s news

What do you guys suggest with your experience?

The cage will be set up in my daughters playroom I plan on putting an accordian sliding door up as well as using the baby gate we put across the open doorway so our dog won’t get any ideas on investigating the baby gate may or may not be enough of a deterrent thus the reason for the accordian door if he can’t stick his nose in the room while we are out with the door closed there should be no issues I’m hoping

Question 2 the room gets natural sunlight most of the day I wanted to buy a lamp to put in the room on a timer with maybe a dimmer so it’s not so bright as it gets darker out how long should I keep the light on for them I don’t want them to be in the dark until it’s actually time for bed I’m thinking from about 5-9 or so with the light on the rest of the time the room should be getting some natural light in through the window the cage won’t be in direct sunlight

As far as padding for under the fleece I’ve heard of a few different options my sister uses towels I’m not too keen on that though it just seems like towels may start to get smelly really quick two other options I’ve heard are uhaul pads and puppy pads I’m thinking the uhaul pads may be the best option

Question 3

If I go with uhaul pads do I change them out when I change out the fleece and wash the soiled fleece and uhaul pads together weekly replacing with the fresh set?

Question 4 with two piggies do they each need their own water bottle or can they share one I know they each should have their own hut was not sure on the water bottles!


I’m sure I will have a lot more questions these are just the first few I have as I get prepared to bring this new pet into our home a pet I’ve never owned before I’ve had cats,dogs,fish,hamsters,gerbils,birds,lizards but never a guinea pig do this will be a new pet and experience for me

Thank you for your time

John
 
Hello!

1) I currently have two piggies in the same cage with a divider down the middle, a litter box in each and only one really uses it as intended lol. I use a mix of Sunseed fresh world paper bedding on the bottom (cheaper, more absorbent, but dustier) and carefresh/ kaytee paper bedding on top to keep the dust to a minimum. I usually do spot checks for the regular user every other day and a deep clean of the whole box once a week. Not sure what kind of "kitchen" area you intend to use. I've also seen simple bathmats used under haybags as a kitchen.

2) Depending on the year and where you live, you would probably only need the extra light when the seasons have significantly less sun hours. Where I am the sun comes up at about 7am and sets by 6pm right now. I don't use any additional light as I find 11 hours sufficient enough for a day/night cycle.

3) I use puppy pads at the moment and they work great. Maybe not so eco-friendly but I am in the process of switching to uhaul pads. You would wash them just like the fleece. Non-scented, senesitive skin detergent would be good with a splash of vinegar as fabric conditioner.

Will you use chloroplast underneath? If you dont plan to, you at least need a waterproof layer under the absorbent layer so any pee doesn't seep onto any surfaces underneath. I've seen others use shower curtain liner too.

4) Definitely recommend two water bottles just in case they try to fight over one. They may get thirsty at the same time haha.
 
If you choose to leave a light on for them, then that is fine but it doesn’t need to be done at all. They don’t tend to be bothered by it. They are most active at dawn and dusk. Mine live in my shed so they don’t have artificial lights and the only light they have is the natural cycle of the sun. Now it’s nearing winter, here, they are in the dark from 4pm until the next morning

Regarding washing fleece and replacing the absorbent layer (whichever one you choose), you may find washing it only once a week isn’t enough - it’s trial and error with fleece. You may find if needs to be replaced twice a week.

You will need multiple items so they dont have to share anything if they don’t want to ie two bottles, two hay piles, two bowls (if you choose to use food bowls, some of us don’t - we simply throw in veg and pellets in hay piles) so they have to forage for them as enrichment), at least two hideys etc
 
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Hi John. Welcome! Semi-new piggie owner here as well.

1. I tried bedding the first week I rescued my boys. I found out that bedding is extremely messy as my boys like to do zoomies and kick it all over the area under the C and C cage. Plus bedding is expensive. However, choice is yours. Just giving feedback from my experience. I believe I used paper bedding from petco ?
I will say I tried a potty and my boys go in the corners mostly. They push the potty basins out of the way so I removed them.

2. I am right outside of Philadelphia and I work almost 11 hours with my commute. I leave an energy efficient light on (will look into a timer) on until I get home around 6-7pm. I leave around 745am. I think it also helps deter potential burglars having a light on.

3. I use towels and fleece (not sure if you have joann fabrics in NY). Towels were hand me downs from my grandmom changing the color of her bathrooms (she buys new towels every color change). Fleece was purchased at joann fabrics. Never tried puppy oads (they are expensive at walmart) or uhaul pads so I cannot give feedback there for you.

4. Yes get two of everything. I have two water bottles. Two tunnels. Two hideys (with two exits minimum and cardboard boxes work great). Hay I buy from GuineaDad and you get 3 boxes for 35.95. Way cheaper than box store hay and the quality seems much better. My boys love that hay. Food I put in two piles but the boys tend to eat together.


Please note these are my experiences and feel free to trial and error as this will be how you see fit to handle your girls. Good luck and welcome aboard!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. It’s great to get young children involved with animals. I just use woodshavings and good quality hay ie Timothy or medow hay which most pet stores sell.

Just make sure you don’t feed them any museli type food. Timothy hay based pellets are the best food for them as contain all the vitamins and minerals your piggies will need.

Also make sure to feed them plenty of leafy greens and veg which is high in vitamin c. You can also give them the odd piece of fruit as treats but in small quantities and not to often as fruit is high in sugar

Hope this helps 😁
 
dhill_cb7 said:
Hi John. Welcome! Semi-new piggie owner here as well.

1. I tried bedding the first week I rescued my boys. I found out that bedding is extremely messy as my boys like to do zoomies and kick it all over the area under the C and C cage. Plus bedding is expensive. However, choice is yours. Just giving feedback from my experience. I believe I used paper bedding from petco ?
I will say I tried a potty and my boys go in the corners mostly. They push the potty basins out of the way so I removed them.

2. I am right outside of Philadelphia and I work almost 11 hours with my commute. I leave an energy efficient light on (will look into a timer) on until I get home around 6-7pm. I leave around 745am. I think it also helps deter potential burglars having a light on.

3. I use towels and fleece (not sure if you have joann fabrics in NY). Towels were hand me downs from my grandmom changing the color of her bathrooms (she buys new towels every color change). Fleece was purchased at joann fabrics. Never tried puppy oads (they are expensive at walmart) or uhaul pads so I cannot give feedback there for you.

4. Yes get two of everything. I have two water bottles. Two tunnels. Two hideys (with two exits minimum and cardboard boxes work great). Hay I buy from GuineaDad and you get 3 boxes for 35.95. Way cheaper than box store hay and the quality seems much better. My boys love that hay. Food I put in two piles but the boys tend to eat together.


Please note these are my experiences and feel free to trial and error as this will be how you see fit to handle your girls. Good luck and welcome aboard!
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My Sisters 3 girls go in the corners as well!I do have a Joanns here in NY and I got two sets of fleece to swap out when one is being washed.The kitchen like mentioned is going to be a hit or miss it came all together in the 2x4 starter pack cage so I figured what do I have to lose just was not sure what to use in the litter tray for bedding I guess I can start with some old towels under the fleece and if they get too stinky I will have to switch to a different kind of base its going to be alot of trial and error when I first start out thanks for the advice
 
JC1023 said:
So my 9 year old wants guinea pigs she asked a year ago then stopped asking but now she started asking and has not let up so My wife and I told her yes we agreed knowing I will probably be the one doing most of the taking care part with some help from my daughter I’m ok with that though so here are some of my beginner questions

I just purchased a 2x4 C&C cage we will be getting X2 girls

My sister who lives in Virginia has 3 we don’t see her often we live in NY but when we went to visit her last year that’s when my daughter started asking

My sister uses blizzard fleece this is the route I am going I purchased a cavy kitchen with the cage I know piggies cannot really be potty trained and it’s a hit or miss if they will use it as their bathroom it’s kind of a long shot but I’m going to try and hope

Question 1) what kind of bedding do you guys suggest for the kitchen/litter box I’ve heard many different things from wood pellets/hemp/yesterday’s news

What do you guys suggest with your experience?

The cage will be set up in my daughters playroom I plan on putting an accordian sliding door up as well as using the baby gate we put across the open doorway so our dog won’t get any ideas on investigating the baby gate may or may not be enough of a deterrent thus the reason for the accordian door if he can’t stick his nose in the room while we are out with the door closed there should be no issues I’m hoping

Question 2 the room gets natural sunlight most of the day I wanted to buy a lamp to put in the room on a timer with maybe a dimmer so it’s not so bright as it gets darker out how long should I keep the light on for them I don’t want them to be in the dark until it’s actually time for bed I’m thinking from about 5-9 or so with the light on the rest of the time the room should be getting some natural light in through the window the cage won’t be in direct sunlight

As far as padding for under the fleece I’ve heard of a few different options my sister uses towels I’m not too keen on that though it just seems like towels may start to get smelly really quick two other options I’ve heard are uhaul pads and puppy pads I’m thinking the uhaul pads may be the best option

Question 3

If I go with uhaul pads do I change them out when I change out the fleece and wash the soiled fleece and uhaul pads together weekly replacing with the fresh set?

Question 4 with two piggies do they each need their own water bottle or can they share one I know they each should have their own hut was not sure on the water bottles!


I’m sure I will have a lot more questions these are just the first few I have as I get prepared to bring this new pet into our home a pet I’ve never owned before I’ve had cats,dogs,fish,hamsters,gerbils,birds,lizards but never a guinea pig do this will be a new pet and experience for me

Thank you for your time

John
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Hi and welcome

It is great that you are doing your research beforehand and that you are tackling your pets as a family.

Guinea pigs are crepuscular; i.e. they are most active in the mornings and early evenings when they are wired to march to their grass feeding grounds in single files along established paths in the thick undergrowth (in which they are also denning) in a herd consisting several bonded groups, which means that there is protection in numbers while they are at their most vulnerable. A normal day span is important for their internal clock. In between those treks, they
nap or quietly browse close to their denning area both during the day and during the night.

But what they need is protection from heat or frost; guinea pigs are making the most of the insulating quality of thick undergrowth and of being out and about when the huge temperature extremes of the South American climate are at their most moderate. The way they regulate their body temperature by increased blood flow through the ears and bare extremities is not the most effective or fastest. they can die from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Two bottles and two huts/tunnels with two openings are always better than one; unlike what the human choice orientated online videos show, guinea pigs mostly don't snuggle up and mostly don't like being cuddled and held for hours - but there are so many more ways you can interact with their world instead of waiting for them to figure out humans (enrichment).

You may find these two guide collections helpful because they may answer many questions in much more depth than we can in just one post:
Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - Wannabe Owners' Helpful Information (this is for the start up)
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides (this is for all the little and large questions that inevitably come up while you are getting into your stride as owners)

We are of course here to help you will all your questions and to work out the best way forward for you together with you.
 
Thank-you everyone for all of your advice,I have my sister to lean on for any questions and now everyone here on this forum as well.Some great advice like mentioned there will be some trial and error but it will be fun!I will have chloroplast as a base!My daughter is so excited!
 
Welcome! Sounds like you're on track for a great piggie environment.

My advice is to just go ahead and order a 20# box of timothy hay from Small Pet select and that is their main food. A pile of hay the size of the pig twice a day at least is what we do and they LOVE it. One tablespoon of pellets per pig (we scatter one tablespoon twice a day for them to forage for, no more than that)

A small dust pan and brush to sweep up poop twice a day, extra fleece squares that can be changed every few days in the corners they go most, towels under the fleece, and change it all about once a week. The excess hay becomes bedding too. Add vinegar to the wash for any odors. Works really well.

Good luck!! Here's a pic of our 2x4 home made C&C with fleece.
0FFCF6FD-28CF-4624-AE23-C8F455E75D8A.webp
 
JC1023 said:
Thank-you everyone for all of your advice,I have my sister to lean on for any questions and now everyone here on this forum as well.Some great advice like mentioned there will be some trial and error but it will be fun!I will have chloroplast as a base!My daughter is so excited!
Click to expand...

I would recommend to bookmark especially the second link; you will hopefully find the wide ranging information and pratical tips in there not just helpful but also fascinating and and very interesting. Our practical experiences over the last 15 years have all gone into the information guides. We usually link guides into our answers for more in-depth information on a particular point as we can't always repeat what often takes days to lay out and write down. ;)
 
Wiebke said:
I would recommend to bookmark especially the second link; you will hopefully find the wide ranging information and pratical tips in there not just helpful but also fascinating and and very interesting. Our practical experiences over the last 15 years have all gone into the information guides. We usually link guides into our answers for more in-depth information on a particular point as we can't always repeat what often takes days to lay out and write down
Click to expand...
I certainly will do that thank-you so much
 
Scooter Pie said:
Welcome! Sounds like you're on track for a great piggie environment.

My advice is to just go ahead and order a 20# box of timothy hay from Small Pet select and that is their main food. A pile of hay the size of the pig twice a day at least is what we do and they LOVE it. One tablespoon of pellets per pig (we scatter one tablespoon twice a day for them to forage for, no more than that)

A small dust pan and brush to sweep up poop twice a day, extra fleece squares that can be changed every few days in the corners they go most, towels under the fleece, and change it all about once a week. The excess hay becomes bedding too. Add vinegar to the wash for any odors. Works really well.

Good luck! Here's a pic of our 2x4 home made C&C with fleece.
View attachment 189547
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info advice and sharing your pic I think I am going to like it here as well as the new little piggies!
 
JC1023 said:
Thanks for the info advice and sharing the pic of your set-up all of you have been so welcoming I'm going to like it here as well as the girls!
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I hope that you will enjoy our friendly and supportive community. We are working hard to keep this a place where everybody can come and ask any question without needing to feel embarrassed or even just to hang out and chat about their piggies or to get practical and moral support during an illness. :)
 
Hi! Welcome to the forum!

If you are still thinking about using u-haul pads as your absorbent layer, don't buy pads from u-haul. I had so much trouble trying to get them. I found on amazon and walmart moving blankets and they are easier to get and use. I bought the non-quilted ones and sewed them between two pieces of fleece. The non-quilted moving blankets will fall apart in the wash if not sewn between two pieces of fleece. On another note, I found the blizzard fleece is more difficult to sweep hay off of. The anti-pill fleece is easier to sweep the hay off. Also, a good shop vac makes quick work of big cage clean outs.

Best of luck with your future piggies! Please post pigtures when you get them!
 
Welcome to the forum.
I can’t add to the advice but doing so much research first is a sign that some future piggies will have a wonderful home.

I hope you will share pictures when you get your girls - we love pictures.
Enjoy yourself too, we like to have fun as well as dealing with the serious stuff.

I have great memories of doing a placement in NY - many moons ago.
I was near Cooperstown and I was able to explore parts of the middle of the state.
The Finger Lakes were so beautiful.
 
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