GUINEA PIGS!!!! Yippee!!! We have had anywhere from one to 34!!! We have raised/bred/showed and loved for years. We have had them alone and in pairs. Many people have them as one animal. Currently we have only one. They are perfect pets for some people. We have had a few that were returned to us that people decided they didn't like. Feel free to pm me anytime with questions. Check for a local 4-H club thru the county extension agent and you may find a better deal and great info for a much better price than the local pet store.
Use solid bottom cages with bedding about 1-2 inches thick. Their feet are tender and they need the bedding for cushioning. Wire cage bottom cause horrible calouses and small front feet can slip through get stuck and lead to broken legs. We have had indoor and outdoor pigs. Some people place pieces of plexiglass around the indoor wire cages to help with bedding scatter. We have used large clear plastic totes without the lids for indoor cages and they contain the bedding perfectly. They need more room than a aquarium for excercise. We loved to let the little guys run around the house once and awhile, but we watched them close as they like to hide and I don't like to move the couch!!
No need to neuter unless mixing sexes. do not let a female older than 4-6 months become pregnant as their pelvis fuses at that age and they cannot deliver babies. Guinea pigs tend to be shy but will get used to handling. Teh shyness comes from their natural protection instincts in the wild-hiding is one of their few defenses. We have currently provided a wooden box for him to hide under. Cats have been known to attack guinea pigs, so provide a screened lid or other type of top for the cage if necessary (thus the box for our guinea pig so our cats can't harass "Dumbo" to much) We change litter as needed which to me would be about once a week , but my hubby goes 2 weeks. We like to line the pan with paper and then have found a product called crown animal bedding (a recycled paper pellet) we like it because of absorbancy and ease of cleaning (thus lining with paper helps also). Avoid cedar bedding (other sawdust is okay) as cedar oils can be irritating to their skin.
Food-use guinea pig pellets as they also supply vit c. Vit c degrades quickly and is absolutely necessary for guinea pigs. This is why you avoid rabbit pellets. We also choose to add "Fruit Fresh" with is pure vit c in powdered form to drinking water. You can use a bowl fro drinking water, but we prefer the bottles that hang on the side of the cage. Guinea pigs love snacks, feed in reasonable amounts-too much fresh food can lead to diahrrea. They love greens (not cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions-gas-colic-even death) but carrots, fresh fruit, darker green lettuce, tomatoes, etc are all okay. Or pig loves the silks of corn, we feed dandelion greens and things from our yard if there are no chelicals on or animal wastes in that area. They love to chew and the snacks help with it. Of course the alfalfa cubes and hay you can buy are loved as well.
The toenails will need cut from time to time as they do not wear off in a cage setting. Ask me for more info when time comes. Nail clippers work great and it is similiar to cutting dog or cat nails if you have evr done that. Not difficult once you have done it and learned how.
So now that the nitty gritty is done- THEY ARE GREAT PETS!!!! I love the squeaks and squeals they greet you with and they learn very quickly the sound of the frig opening and squeal in delighted expectation of a treat. They can nibble little fingers unless you teach kids how to be careful. They will also latch onto wire cages on the side and rattle the cage to get your attention!!! I haven't yet meet a guinea pig I haven't loved!!!!
praisingonpiano
