Hi! Newbie looking for opinions/advice

[hydrohoki]

Hello all,

I'm thinking about diving back into the world of guinea pig ownership. I had a pig in elementry school and rescued the school pig when I was in middle school (she needed me and I needed her). I miss them greatly. A little background, I'm now 24 and out of college. I want a puppy but know my lifestyle (especially living quarters) aren't fit for one, so I'm thinking a pig might fit my life much better.

I used cedar chips when I was a kid. I feel horrible now.

So questions: I'm hoping to find a matched pair in a rescue (I have a promising rescue near here I hope they like me). If I can't find a pair, how hard is it to find 2 that will be compatible?

Cage size, I have a wall in a great location in the room I usually am that I am thinking it would be great for a cage (and it's away from heat sources). I could only put a 2x3 foot cage on the wall. How much do piggies like stories? I could build up to give them more space. If you don't think this would work I might be able to rearrange. Would putting a cage by a window be bad?

I live in WA Seattle area so the weather is never really hot or really cold. I do not have air conditioning though. Do pigs have sweat glands? Would a fan do any good when it is hot?

So piggies go through withdrawl? I might have to travel for a few weeks on rare occasions for work. I have a few people that would take care of them. Would they be happy with this situation? One of the people has a sweet golden retriever, assuming I put a lid on the cage, would this be a problem? My old pigs never minded my dog.

I'm not going to get a big until about Jan. I'm planning ahead and making sure I'm making the right choice. I get so attached to my animals that I need to make sure it's right for both parties. Any input is welcome.

Thanks for reading!

[zippysmom]

If I can't find a pair, how hard is it to find 2 that will be compatible?

One lady I knew had guinea pigs that hated eachother at first. She put both cages together and gradually the guinea pigs took a liking to eachother. Now they are bestfriends. You could divide the cage, but I don't think it would be big enough anymore.

Would putting a cage by a window be bad?

If you have hot summers that would be awful, because the guinea pigs could suffer from heat stroke, or drafts. So I think the wall would be best.

[hydrohoki]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm leaning towards away from the window. I'm bottom floor apartment and it stays very cool in the summer when it is hot outside. If I watch them for heat I think they'd be fine (if not they go to air conditioned work with me!).

Another question, what should I expect out of costs? In general I'm thinking 50-70 a month in food and such + vet bills (?). Is this about right or am I completely off?

If you think that I pig isn't for me at all, I'm open to that advice too (just be nice if you can). I can tell you any pet I have will have plenty of love.

Thanks so much!!


*wonders if my lap is big enough for 2 pigs*

[zippysmom]

Well, I have no idea about vet bills. I don't have a vet because I don't need one. I clip my guinea pigs tails. and he is very healthy. I don't think it is mandatory to have a vet. I think that you will be a great owner and your pigs will be happy no matter what.

[twinkies]

Having a cavy vet near by is very important. A regular vet will not as much and it could be the difference between life and death for these little guys we love so much! So, always have a vet handy, you never know if you will need one. As far as getting a pair, please make sure they are same sex. And as far as food cost, I spend around $30 to $4o a month, give or take. That includes their aspen for their litter boxes. I do agree with zippysmom about keeping them away from the window. The sun could get them overheated in the winter or summer.
As far as making a top, I wouldn't, if you don't have any other pets.
Good luck in your search of some piggies! Sounds like you will be a terrific piggy mom!

[Percy's Mom]

It is absolutely mandatory to have a vet. Would you have a child and not have a pediatrician? Just because you can clip your pig's nails and he is healthy right now doesn't mean he will always be that way. What do you plan on doing if your pig gets sick or injured? That is really not the time to go scurrying trying to find a vet that knows anything about guinea pigs.

hydrohoki - Kudos to you for researching before you adopt your cavies and already looking into a rescue to get them from! As far as the amount of money you should expect to spend, $50-70 monthly is probably a good estimate if you figure in a high quality pellet, lots of fresh veggies, unlimited hay, and whatever kind of bedding you choose. After a couple of months, you will know best how much you personally need for your pigs. As far as vet costs, I would highly recommend starting a special fund, either in a savings account or a piggy bank at home. Having a few hundred dollars available is a really good idea. I can't even begin to tell you how many forum members have had sudden emergency expenses for illness or injury, and were extremely glad that they had a vet fund set aside, so they did not have to dip into their regular living expenses.

[hydrohoki]

I'll begin my search for a vet (perhaps I should fine a vet.. err doctor for myself too). I have savings for things like cars breaking down and vet bills. No worries there.

I'm reading the cage forum. I love building. The cage is going to be so much fun to build. I need to figure out to get it up off the floor. I hope they like the upstairs!

There's a rescue near me that has matched pairs looking for homes. I think I'm going to try to go that route (once I'm closer to being ready for pigs).

Thanks for all your replies. Waiting till after Christmas is going to be rough. I want short hair pigs, fell in love with pictures of a brown one.

The thing stopping me now is how hard it is when they pass on. One of my favorite quotes is "If dogs don't go to heaven when I die I want to go where they go." I hope pigs are there too.

[pamziaw]

Heya and welcome to the forum! If you haven't already read this thread.

http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ost-first.html

This has all the basic info you need about guinea pigs and also crushes some common misconceptioons and there's an awful lot of them around. The other site on that list, guinea linx, Bookmark it now! Its a fantasic resource for piggy healthcare. I'd highly recommend you stay with this site as there is a lot of misinformation about piggies and this site goes to lengths to ensure all the info that is provided is up to date and correct!

[zippysmom]

It is absolutely mandatory to have a vet. Would you have a child and not have a pediatrician? Just because you can clip your pig's nails and he is healthy right now doesn't mean he will always be that way. What do you plan on doing if your pig gets sick or injured? That is really not the time to go scurrying trying to find a vet that knows anything about guinea pigs.

Well I do have a vet across the street, incase of emergencies. There haven't been any.

[Percy's Mom]

Well I do have a vet across the street, incase of emergencies. There haven't been any.

Have you checked to see if your vet across the street is cavy savvy? Most vets know little or nothing about guinea pigs.

[zippysmom]

Yeah, the week I got him, I didn't know how to trim his nails so I went and checked if they did pigs. They said they specialized in rodents. I went to the pet store and they showed how to trim my guinea pig's nails.

[Slave to the Wheek]

The thing stopping me now is how hard it is when they pass on. One of my favorite quotes is "If dogs don't go to heaven when I die I want to go where they go." I hope pigs are there too.

I suggest memorizing the lyrics to "The Rose".

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'
that never learns to live.
[/FONT]
It's my theme song, and those lyrics are what have pushed me whenever I let fear take over in my life. You should never let fear be a deciding factor when making choices in life. The only way to get rid of it is to face it head on. Being brave means doing what's right, even when you are scared.

Be sure to read up on everything you can, get your cage ready. The chances of getting two pigs who don't get along are pretty slim, and not really worth worrying about. If you start with one pig, your local rescue can help you find a buddy. Mine offered to "trade out" should my new baby not work out, but fortunately I never had to worry about that.

Pigs do fine when you are away, as long as they have a buddy..or two to hang with. However, you will need someone to clean the cage, make sure the water gets changed, they get their fresh veggies and know what to watch for should one of them get sick. The babysitter should also be taught on things that are poision to pigs.

My pigs LOVE having two stories. Especially when they are bickering..which they do a lot of. One will go upstairs to sulk, and the other will hang out downstairs.

[zippysmom]

My pigs LOVE having two stories. Especially when they are bickering..which they do a lot of. One will go upstairs to sulk, and the other will hang out downstairs.

I can just imagine your pigs scampering everywhere. I would like to build an upper deck too.

[hydrohoki]

Thank everyone. My dad is exciting about helping me design a cage. We're both creative and like to build/design so this should be one heck of a cage.

[this_lil_piggy]

I agree with Slave, dont let fear direct your life. My first born son passed away at 6 days old, if I had let my fears of being hurt again lead me I wouldnt have the two incredible little boys that I have now. Heartbreak isnt pleasant, but its one of those neccessary stepping stones in our lives, that builds our character, makes us compassionate, and makes us strong.

Anyhoo... Im glad your considering adopting gp's, it sounds like you will be a great owner.

I wouldnt consider the window option, I would be concerned about both sun and drafts.
Ive tried my brood out with lofts... 2 of them loved them and the other 4 wouldnt go up and would freak out wanting down if you placed them up. I guess it depends on the pig. Oddly enough it was the adults that like the height and the babies that hated it, so maybe thats the difference.

My gp costs are more in the 35.00 range per month, for 2 adults and 4 babies. I buy about 5.00-8.00 in veggies per week (shop the sales at Easy Way Produce), a strap of newspapers from the local newspaper office per month for 1.00 (to put unde rmy bedding), and then 2 bags of kiln dried pine per month from the local feed store 4.00 each. I buy a bale of bermuda hay for 5.00 and that lasts me around 5-6 months-i mix it with timothy hay. Right now im using a 3.00 bag of timothy hay from the feed store per week , but plan on buying in bulk online as soon as im able.

One thing to keep in mind when building your cage is to make sure you secure your lofts and ramps with tall sides so that the piggies cant fall or jump off.

Good luck and have fun!

[Tulip]

Hi and welcome! I live in Tacoma, WA and this is a great area for guinea pigs! We have lots of perfect days (not too hot, not too cold) to get our piggies outdoors for fresh air! And contrary to popular opinion we do have quite a bit of sun!!! You had asked about a friend to watch them when you are out of town who had a dog ~ We have dogs and have an open cage, and they all do fine together. In fact Hennessee will go to the side of the cage to see them! It's cute. I guess it depends on the piggers and the dog.

[Ly&Pigs]

As far as placing a cage near a window. Well there are pro's and con's. If the window is covered by curtains that you can open the curtain partially to let in a small amount of sunlight and you keep the window closed and protected in the winter (such as putting plastic over it to prevent drafts), then it's ok. Cavies are like us in that they need Vitamin D and the best source is natural sunlight. My girls cage is very large but sits partially in front of a window. One end of their upper deck gets morning sun but only a small bit because of how I have the curtain arranged. They like to lay upstairs in the morning to get that light.

If one were to sit a cage fully in front of an open window and strong sunlight coming in the majority of the day, then I wouldn't suggest that.

[hydrohoki]

Thanks, I'm going to do some furniture arranging and see what'll work

[hydrohoki]

Update:

I'm picking out my piggies SUNDAY :-D from a local rescue of course. Oh I hope they like me (the piggies and the people). I'm so darn excited!

I built a 2x3 with a kitchen loft. I'm looking at bonded pairs so I hope the size will be ok. They can have run of the apartment when I'm home. I have no kids or boyfriend or other pets so I can spoil these guys rotten!

I can't pick them up till after christmas, this will be torture.

Do not let me get more than two *clicks heels*

Do not let me get more than two *clicks heels*

Do not let me get more than two *clicks heels*

[Jessi B]

I am excited for you, and don't worry christmas will be here before you know it. A 2X3? That should be fine with sows but boars you might have an issue, but sometimes if the pair is bonded enough then you may be ok. It really just depends on the pigs themselves. But just thought I should put in my two cents, but really I am very happy for you and its great that you have done your research! Hope all goes well.