Any Guinea Pig Owners Here? Advice Please. - Page 2

Mrs.Wiffles · 11-15-2011, 01:01 AM

Your fuzz bums are beautiful

.

Thank you for your feedback everyone. Much appreciated. I have advised my friends as much as possible and it's up to them now.

Think I might get a guinea pig for myself to add to my zoo. I'm feeling broody

racinghamster · 11-16-2011, 10:41 AM

I can`t really add to the good advice that has already been given, but I would say that a pair of piggies is a BIG commitment even for an adult owner, never mind a nine year old! So the parents would be the caretakers and quite honestly, they shouldn`t get any if it`s mainly to pander to the child. Believe me, even rabbits can bite hard and children are not the best candidates for either. If dad isn`t keen, I would listen

My friend got her daughter two MALE guinea pigs from a breeder who was selling them off cheaply. Little did she know they would be a handful and are now living seperately as a result of one badly attacking the other. They need large pens, regular vitamin C and can also need bathing due to their skin sometimes becoming flakey and sore. My friend now keeps them in indoor cages (one each) but they are out in a pen outdoors in the good weather.

Females pigs are best kept in pairs or trios. Males don`t bond as well and cannot really be introduced to other males if one dies. I thought about having some rescue piggies a while back, but even with my years of owning small animals, I decided not to bother and stick to rodents! Piggies are lovely, but you really do need to educate yourself if getting any (not you wiffles the family!)

luvcats22 · 11-16-2011, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

I can`t really add to the good advice that has already been given, but I would say that a pair of piggies is a BIG commitment even for an adult owner, never mind a nine year old! So the parents would be the caretakers and quite honestly, they shouldn`t get any if it`s mainly to pander to the child. Believe me, even rabbits can bite hard and children are not the best candidates for either. If dad isn`t keen, I would listen

My friend got her daughter two MALE guinea pigs from a breeder who was selling them off cheaply. Little did she know they would be a handful and are now living seperately as a result of one badly attacking the other. They need large pens, regular vitamin C and can also need bathing due to their skin sometimes becoming flakey and sore. My friend now keeps them in indoor cages (one each) but they are out in a pen outdoors in the good weather.

Females pigs are best kept in pairs or trios. Males don`t bond as well and cannot really be introduced to other males if one dies. I thought about having some rescue piggies a while back, but even with my years of owning small animals, I decided not to bother and stick to rodents! Piggies are lovely, but you really do need to educate yourself if getting any (not you wiffles the family!)

sorry to disagree racinghamster, but male piggies can live just as happily as females in pairs. i have introduced many boys to each other and if done properly then they can live together in harmony. my two are brothers and havent had a single fight in 3 years.
vitamin c is added to guinea pig food and with that plus the fresh veg they need daily you dont need to add any more vitamins to their diet.
i have never heard of piggies having to be bathed due to flaky skin, its done to clean them before a guinea pig show or to clean their fur/grease glands. if your ppiggy has flaky skin its likely to be mites or a fungal infection (both easily treated.)
the main reason pigglies fight is due to being put in cages which are simply too small, then having to share food/water/hides. if you have a big enough cage, and two of everything it lessens the risks.
again, sorry to disagree i didnt mean to cause any upset just wanted to set the facts right. xx

racinghamster · 11-17-2011, 02:19 AM

Oh no, thats fine luvcats. Your obviousy far more clued up than I am on pigs! I suppose I was just generalising but your right about males fighting if the cage they are in is too small and my friend was guilty of that. I told her that guinea pigs need a lot of space but not being very savvy when it comes to keeping small animals (they have horses!) she thinks you just put them in an indoor rabbit cage and they will be fine. I pointed out to her that it`s not, but since her males are now seperated, she just keeps each one in an indoor cage.

The flakey skin shampooing I was on about was mainly relating to sometimes being needed for the reasons you gave. But it doesn`t do them any harm to have a nice clean up now and then!

Originally, their daughter wanted a syrian hamster and I was asked all sorts relating to that. They then went ahead and got two `free` baby degus. They realised their mistake and rehomed them to a friend of theirs. Then went out and got the two piggies.....

They should have stuck to getting the hamster in my opinion.

luvcats22 · 11-17-2011, 12:16 PM

lol true xx

ReptileLover1 · 04-12-2012, 02:37 PM

I found this very interesting as after I get all three of our hams settled and there cage made with levels and stuff I hope to save and get a piggie... I was wondering If this was good for 3 piggies? -- > Jumbo Cage + 2x2 Loft
I found that This is how much I could pay for a small cage at Petsmart So I told myself why not get this really big cage

It will be a few months before I can get this at least (So no piggies untill then) But I would like to get everything I need now

(Im sorry to OP if this is not wanted on there thread-- I just figured It would be easier to keep the thread on them giong instead of starting a new one)

MandyP · 04-12-2012, 02:46 PM

I have 15 guinea pigs and they need alot of work. Vet bills can be high and as everyone says they need veg full of vit C, Lots and lots and lots of hay. They need regular hamdling through out the year. You can but large out door cages but you are look at alot of money. They also need to prepare to look after them in the cold months, i know thats some of the busy times for rescues as parents can get fed up with going out in the cold to look after them.

I would suggest finding a local rescue or guinea pig rescue and getting them to go along and speak to someone on how to look after them. Also that gives them a chance to decide if thats the pet they really want. Guinea pigs can live up to 10 years plus.

I love guinea pigs and they give me so much joy as well as Hamsters

MandyP · 04-12-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReptileLover1

I found this very interesting as after I get all three of our hams settled and there cage made with levels and stuff I hope to save and get a piggie... I was wondering If this was good for 3 piggies? -- > Jumbo Cage + 2x2 Loft
I found that This is how much I could pay for a small cage at Petsmart So I told myself why not get this really big cage

It will be a few months before I can get this at least (So no piggies untill then) But I would like to get everything I need now

(Im sorry to OP if this is not wanted on there thread-- I just figured It would be easier to keep the thread on them giong instead of starting a new one)

I saw this set up and loved it when i was looking for my C&C

3 guinea pigs can live together but i have found 2 sows and a neutered boar work well. I also have a group of 3 sows together.

ReptileLover1 · 04-12-2012, 02:53 PM

Thank you for the replys

i am prepared (and will save money up to help with cost of everything--)

Do you find 3 Sows do not work as well as 2 Sows and Neutered Boar? As I would prefer to have all of the same sex.

Mona's Humans · 04-12-2012, 02:59 PM

My 3 boys worked for a year, but i've now had to split, and get a new boy. If boys are bonded young, you should be okay, but i would advise even numbers as it reduces the chances of bullying.

Personally i wouldn't neuter unless it was for health reasons, as the op is risky for such tiny animals, but it is a debated topic.

Just a warning (as has been said) to ensure you have savings for vets bills, as although piggies don't often get ill, when they do, they really do, and bills can be quite high. Also when they get ill, they need a lot more care than hams usually do, and this can be very draining (currently treating all 4 of mine 4 times a day

) That being said, they are amazing animals, and truly have loads of love to give, and i highly recommend them to anyone