Guinea Pigs

Soldato
Joined
31 May 2005
Posts
15,640
Location
Nottingham
Will be getting a pair or maybe three piggies in a few months so any advice on cages and general care would be welcome.

Regarding cages, will probably be building my own C & C.

I cannot believe some of the "cages" pet shops sell which say "good for 2 guinea pigs". No room to swing one.

Also, I am dubious about getting them from a pet shop. Am I best to find a reputable local breeder?

Thanks.
 
We give our four fruit/veg twice daily, very few calcium rich foods these days, because our eldest female might have kidney stones (although anti-biotics are working, so could simply be a urinary infection).

They always have access to fresh hay.

We give them a handful of dried pellets morning and night, not the type where pellets are individual types (because they can be fussy and choose specific bits, which will leave a nutrition imbalance).

Give them treats as a reward for picking handled for a few minutes, they are very Pavlovian and will soon learn to associate nice food with being picked up, rather than running for cover!
 
My sister has a couple of these....things lol.

The cage is around 4x3 feet I'd guess. Probably bigger. It seems plenty for 2 of 'em seen as most of the time they seem to be sleeping or hiding.
 
What's specifically wrong with them?
They get their animals from mass breeders (think puppy farm)so unfortunately they are usually sick and weak and die. The staff are not very knowledgeable. The one local to us at least houses their animals in cages that are to small with lots of animals crammed into small cages. I just don't like them and I think if you truly want an animal and care then sourcing a reputable breeder is for the best.
 
Got a 4x2 CnC cage for our lads with a 2x1 loft, they seem to like it but we get them out for a run in the hall every now and then to keep them active. They get used to regular handling if you're gentle with them and ours have never bitten us. They're great pets and very entertaining, although ours know what the fridge door sounds like and start wheeking every time it gets opened. :p
 
My wife would happily give you advice on these things. We have many of them, she is a well known member of the various forums and ours live like kings both inside and outside. She can give you advice on cages and where to get piggies and frankly if you offer a good home and commitment rescue piggies are a good way forward. Send me a trust message if you want to speak with her sometime.
 
Adopt some, So many small animals are given back to animal shelters because people dont research what the animals actually need.

So if i were in your situation I would get a rescue piggie
 
My girlfriends mother has four or five guinea pigs that live 'wild' in their back garden. If you're out there you'll occasionally hear them chirping and running around the borders although you would be hard pressed to spot one :p
 
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