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Old 08-20-2013, 01:00 PM   #1
luxbear
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Question An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

Well, since my little Petunia (Campbells hamster) passed away a few weeks ago, I've been toying with the idea of a new pet. The most obvious choice was another hamster, but I've recently fallen in love with the idea of a guinea pig!

I just saw the other thread on here about guinea pig advice, which was helpful, but I guess I have a few questions of my own: is it really impossible to have just one guinea pig as opposed to a pair? Also, how much cage cleaning is necessary (I recently babysat a rabbit who instantly started to smell after four days)? I used to clean my hammy weekly.

I definitely have the time to play and cuddle with a little guy, but I'm just new to the idea of guinea pig ownership and need someone's REAL take on it.

Thanks in advance!
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Old 08-20-2013, 01:22 PM   #2
HollyHamster
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

Guinea pigs really should only be kept in pairs or groups. They aren't meant to be solitary like Syrian hamsters.

A pair of piggies need a cage that is 7.5 square feet, as in floor space. I recommend a C&C cage for them. Its easily the best cage type in the US.

They also need a constant source of timothy hay as their bodies can't manufacture vitamin C. Never feed any other hay besides timothy, as alfalfa is high in protein and excess amounts of protein is bad for adult guinea pigs.
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Old 08-20-2013, 04:56 PM   #3
Mucky
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyHamster View Post
Guinea pigs really should only be kept in pairs or groups. They aren't meant to be solitary like Syrian hamsters.

A pair of piggies need a cage that is 7.5 square feet, as in floor space. I recommend a C&C cage for them. Its easily the best cage type in the US.

They also need a constant source of timothy hay as their bodies can't manufacture vitamin C. Never feed any other hay besides timothy, as alfalfa is high in protein and excess amounts of protein is bad for adult guinea pigs.
What? hay doesnt have VC
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Old 08-20-2013, 06:28 PM   #4
HollyHamster
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

Yes it does, as does any green colored vegetable, and it should make up a good percentage of a guinea pigs diet.
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Old 08-20-2013, 06:47 PM   #5
WendyAnne
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

Yes, it is definitely best to keep a pair (usually females, if you don't want babies) of guinea pigs, as they are social ('herd') animals and fare much better that way. There is a good guide as to cage size on the guinea pig cages or guinea pig zone websites. C&C cages are the way to go, and they are not extremely expensive. You can be very creative with them, too. I used to have my first two piggies in a 2-story C&C cage (4 grids x 2 grids on the first level, with 2 2x1 lofts connected by a catwalk). As far as cage cleaning, I have to say that there's more cleaning involved than in hamster care (probably because piggies are bigger than hammies, and the cages are larger). It's also a bit more expensive. I used Piggy Bedspreads in my cages (pre-made fleece liners), but you can make your own fleece liners or use a litter/bedding like Carefresh. The liners are more costly initially, but the Carefresh/litter bedding turns out to be more costly in the long run. I really did love piggy ownership, but it was more work for me than hamster ownership. I poop-scooped (a lot!) and changed cuddle cups/tunnels/sacks/etc. daily, and I cleaned the cage (a pretty involved/long process) at least once a week. Please feel free to message me or post any more questions you have. Also, Wheekers is a great site for guinea pig owners. Good luck, and I'm sorry about your little Petunia.
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Old 10-06-2013, 10:52 PM   #6
Jessie
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

I don't find my piggies to be high maintenance. Everyone gets pellets and fresh water and hay every morning, vegs around dinner time and more hay (and pellets/water) if needed every night. I clean every 5 days and they usually don't smell ( with the exception of litters)
although I use carefresh not fleece. Fleece would be a lot more time consuming. Ad I have 13 atm
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Old 10-06-2013, 10:59 PM   #7
cowgirlskipper
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

This is the same thing I was wondering. I have a single boar, Pucca, who is about 1.5 years old. Does he really need a friend? I'll post a link to the cage he's in. I don't think it has room for two gpigs and I can't afford a new cage. By the way, I didn't buy this cage, it came with him as I rescued him. Is it to small?

All Living Things Deluxe Guinea Pig Starter Kit - Cages, Habitats & Hutches - Small Pet - PetSmart
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Old 10-06-2013, 11:19 PM   #8
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

Cowgirl, sad to say, most, if not all cages sold as guinea pig cages in pet stores are far too small for guinea pigs. The proper sized cage for Pucca would be one that has floor space no smaller than .7 square feet (or 76cm x 91cm). You should really get him a more appropriate sized cage. C&C cages are great, cheap and spacious enough for any guinea pig. You can find out all about them here: http://www.guineapigcages.com/

As for keeping them in pairs, they do so much better when they have friends. They are so very social and not having another of their kind makes them kind of lonely.
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Old 10-07-2013, 01:00 AM   #9
RedSky
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Default Re: An Insider's Guide To Guinea Pig Ownership?

When I was younger I had a rabbit and a guinea pig... big mistake! Don't ever do it.
But yeah they do need a friend and it has to be another guinea pig. A lot of rescues now neuter their boars (the boys) so they can live happily with a female or two. This usually works really well. I had 3 males who lived together (two brothers and 1 from another litter born 3 days after but) their entire lives without a scrap. One was a loner and loved my attention but I often caught him cuddling up with the other two.
My females were much more of a proper heard, having 5 together (two mums their 3 daughters). They would all move together, eat together, sleep together). If I had more guinea pigs I would have the same as before, a heard, the more the merrier! I think they tend to cope better with more rather than less friends around. Oh and I would want rescue piggies, I would even take in a pregnant one, it was lovely to have tame little guys, their mum's would still run away first, but then come back to see if it was food!
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