I want some advice please...

[piggielover]

Hello, i am the new member. I don't have a piggie yet, but i am planning on getting one. Well, 2, since htey say they are happier with a friend. I do have a few questions though.
**What breed do you think is the best? or do you like the most?
**Which gender to you like more, and should i get them spayed?
**What kinds of food and bedding is best for them?
**What kind of cage, or what size is best?
**have any ideas for cute names?
**where should i get one? (pet store, breeder, friend-)
**How can i convince my parents more and better?
**i also have 2 dogs and 2 cats. any other advice?
**anything else in general?
thanks. please anwser.-Lauren

[GPSlave]

I suggest you purchase a book at your local pet store for starters. After you get most of your answers from the book, you might have a question or 2 left...

[DocDolittle]

**What breed do you think is the best? or do you like the most?
All breeds have the same temperament, it's just what appearance you like best.
**Which gender to you like more, and should i get them spayed?
I have two boars, and they're real sweet hearts. There are myths that boars are more personable than sows, but I don't know if this is true or not. Also, unless you adopt a neutered or spayed sow, I wouldn't try it unless it is absolutely necessary. There are too many complications that can happen during surgery, as the males testicals are inside his body. And spaying is even more dangerous that neutering. I would suggest male-male or female-female
**What kinds of food and bedding is best for them?
Definitely Oxbow pellets/hay(timothy for older, alfalfa for less than a year) and piggie safe veggies like romaine lettuce, cucumbers, green beans, cilantro, red and green peppers, apples, oranges, many are very good, but go to Guinealynx.com for a chart. For bedding, I only use carefresh and aspen. Some sites say newspaper, but that offers minimum absorption and no odor control. Kild-dried is acceptable, but I'm still nervous about the aromatic oils being too strong.
**What kind of cage, or what size is best?
Research this site. C&C cages are definitely the best, because they allow so much room and are even convenient for the owner.
**have any ideas for cute names?
It all depends on the owner and the pig's personality.
**where should i get one? (pet store, breeder, friend-)
Definitely try to adopt. With breeders and pet stores, you are only supporting the business of breeding piggies while so many are homeless in shelters.
**How can i convince my parents more and better?
What kind of parents do you have? Are they pushovers? Or stubborn?
**i also have 2 dogs and 2 cats. any other advice?
Definitely put a lid on the cage. Even if your pets wouldn't harm the pig, unsupervised interaction could still cause harm because larger animals don't understand that the pigs can't rough house like they do.
**anything else in general?
Definitely research Guinealynx.com, Cavyspirit.com, and Cavycages. Three most helpful sites EVER. Also, I do NOT recommend buying a pet store book, because many of them support common myths like boars fight, pet store cages are large enough, and offer just the bare bones of the guinea pig world. You'd do better off on the internet sites listed above.

[dagwellismypigy]

Beed doesn't matter at all, the only diffrence(to me) is there personality, it doesnt change between breeds.
You should get two guinea pigs the best combo is a male-male or female-female.You shouldnt get pigs from petstores if you adopt a bonded male-female pair one of them is going to be fixed. If you have a same sex pairing you dont need to worry about it.
There are a few types of good bedding some are fleece, aspen, kiln-dried pine, or carefresh there are other choice but those seem to be the most used. See www.oxbow.com about food, cavy cuisinefor older then 8months cavy perfomance for under 8 months
The best type of cage is indeed a cubes and coroplast cage look on the homepage (www.cavyvages.com) for more info. If you have two the minimum is a 2 grids by 4 grids.
Your first choice should be to adopt from friends family or a shelter. Go to www.petfinder.com for shelters in your area. DONT BUT FROM BREEDERS OR PETSTORES
Research about guinea pigs and have them join this forum so they can ask questions and learn about them too.
If you have other animals you'll probaly want to keep them away unless your supervising, you should build a covered cage.
GUINEA PIGS ROCK, they have great personality and no two are alike but if you give them enough fruits and veggies they will all love you. Read around the whole site for more info, what i told you was the bare minimum. for health concerns see www.guinealynx.com they also have a forum. Most important welcome and dont be afraid to ask questions.

[GPSlave]

Re: Don't buy books from pet stores - you know, I really thought that the book we purchased 4 years ago provided a basis from which to start. True, that not everything in the book was absolutely accurate, but neither is everything absolutely accurate on this site. Now, if I was a new owner of a gp, I'd be passive about this, but I think as a successful owner of 8 current pigs, including 2 rescue pigs, I can with respect say that a gp book from a store will give some fundamental information from which to start.

[DocDolittle]

Yes, but I think that since he already knows about this site that there is no point in spending 15-20 dollars on a book while you could spend it on more pig supplies. All of the sites listed are probably more accurate and informative than any book I bought. I'm not disagreeing with you, the books can serve as a fundamental basis on which guinea pig knowledge starts, but really with these sites I think that the book is unneeded.

[dagwellismypigy]

Originally Posted by GPSlave

Re: Don't buy books from pet stores - you know, I really thought that the book we purchased 4 years ago provided a basis from which to start. True, that not everything in the book was absolutely accurate, but neither is everything absolutely accurate on this site. Now, if I was a new owner of a gp, I'd be passive about this, but I think as a successful owner of 8 current pigs, including 2 rescue pigs, I can with respect say that a gp book from a store will give some fundamental information from which to start.

Im not trying to start an argument but what does a guinea pig book (probably supporting petstores and/or breeders) have that this site doesnt? I completely changed the way my guinea pigs lived due to this site. It would be better to start with this site and guinealynx

[DigitalVixen]

First off:
I have to agree with dagwellismypigy. There is no reason to start an argument - but these forums are for more than just chatting - they are for answering peoples questions and giving advice from actual people that own piggies! What does a book have that this site doesn't? If people come here and put their interest and trust into our questions - it is only right to give them answers!

**What breed do you think is the best? or do you like the most?
I personally like the piggies with the ruffled hair. People often think that they aren't as soft as the other breeds - but don't left their spiky looking hair fool you! Their hair is just as silky and smooth. Also, when these little guys get comfy and lay down, they look like little fluff balls and I "oooh" and "awww" them each time I see them in such a way!

**Which gender to you like more, and should i get them spayed?
As far as gender - I usually go with males because all the ones I've had seem to have more of a playful personallity. Sometimes, but not always, it may be a litter harder to get males to bond - but not if you introduce them to eachother at the same time - or if they are around the same age.

**What kinds of food and bedding is best for them?
If you type in bedding on the forum search, there are lots of helpful entries that have been posted and answered that can help you. As for me, I go with carefresh bedding because it is safer and lasts longer. As far as food goes, timothy hay and pellets are a must. You should also give them a good supply of veggies such as carrots, romane lettuce, broccolli..etc daily. Don't get anything that has a lots of seeds in it - because they can be harmful to piggies.

**What kind of cage, or what size is best?
Check out the cage info page on http://cavycages.com for the cage that will be right for you and your pigges.

**have any ideas for cute names?
Boys: Pharoh, Squeaky, Milo, Jet, Mo,
Girls: Fluffy, pinkie, candy, abby, susie, miss priss


**where should i get one? (pet store, breeder, friend-)
If there is somewhere nearby that you can adopt - try to do that first. If you can't then a pet store with good health ratings for it's animals is an idea, and qualified breeders or a friend would be the next choice.

**How can i convince my parents more and better?
Tell you parents you will be SURE to take care of your baby[babies]! They do require a lot of attention! Your parents, guaranteed, will fall in love with them too once they see how sweet they are. They are also inexpensive, the just need love!

**i also have 2 dogs and 2 cats. any other advice?
I don't think I can help you here. I only have one inside house dog and when my piggie isn't in his cage, my door is always shut so he can run around without worrying about my dog! [My guinea lives in my room with me]

**anything else in general?
Good luck with your piggie quest! You will LOVE the little guys! Keep us posted and get us some pictures whenever you get your piggies! And thanks for asking your questions here, as well!

[GPSlave]

Y'all are just too funny! I wish piggielover (who has yet to have a piggie) all the best in her personal journey to find the right gp.

[citronsoul]

If we're going to suggest books, then I suggest "The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs" by Peter Gurney. He gives the best basics, great pictures plus personal stories. I still flip through it every now & then.

[piggielover]

Ahhh, you guys ROCK! My parents are sometimes stubborn, and I have to show them that i am really dedicated to get them to say yes. I am going to usa a C & C cage, because i saw at the petstores how small the others were. One cage was like, 32 by 36 inches, and thats small. :-( Yeah, i don't know if i am going to get male or female, because i am going to try and get them from a rescue place. I just want babies at first. Would 2 be good to start off with? So that they don't get lonely?

[dagwellismypigy]

two would be GREAT!!!!!!!!! the sex doesnt matter at all like the breed, if you love them they love you back, if you dont love them, they love you back.

[Piglet]

Woo! Good on you for going to a rescue. 2 sounds perfect

[piggielover]

Please don't think that i'm really stupid, i do know a lot about guinea pigs, and since i joined this is (yesterday, december 22nd,) i have learned TONS already! but, what is popcorning? poeple keep saying that their piggies do it, but i don't know what it is.

[DocDolittle]

Don't worry, we won't think you're stupid! Don't be silly. Anywho, popcorning is an expression of joy where guinea pigs throw their bodys into the air and look like they are having a mini seizure. Most babies will do it, and adults do it when they are really happy. http://guinealynx.info/behavior.html <- this page explains it well. Have you visited guinealynx yet? i really suggest it, it's wonderfully informative!

[piggielover]

Ahhh, oaky thanks. at first, when i first read that post i thoguht that you said (quote) "don't worry, we think that your stupid" (/unquote) ! guess i need to get my eyes checked. And no, thanks for the site, since i had only been to cavy cages before, and i am glad i did, because now i am going to make them a C&C cage. well, once i get my piggies,. thanks!