Want a GP: Doing some research, planning to get a pair of guinea pigs

[Gorrific]

Hello! I'm new to this site, I THINK I've read all the vital threads but if I've made some horrible mistake I'm sorry.

I currently own a dog, two cats [outdoors mostly], and eight rats. They are all VERY well cared for.
I recently decided after much thought that I would either like to bring a pair of rabbits or a pair of Guinea Pigs into my home to add to my little zoo. After that, I began researching both and decided Guinea Pigs would be the better choice for me [plus they're cuter to me for some reason, but rabbits are adorable too of course!]. I'm still in the process of researching. I probably won't actually buy them for a week or two more. My friend's mom breeds guinea pigs so I will likely be purchasing from her, or a rescue close by. But I still have questions I have yet to find answers to.

I'll be making a cage out of those storage cubes thingies, is the size listed on the home page of this site really best for two pigs? Or should it be bigger?

Can I use fleece for bedding? I have plenty of it [I'm a rat owner] and much prefer it to other kinds of critter bedding when cleaning.

Do they enjoy hammocks/cubes like rats do?

Are there and taboo foods I should know about?

Are there any unsafe toys I should avoid?

Any other taboos or common misconceptions that would usually go unchecked?

I would like to litter train them, what is the best litter to use?

What is the best food/hay?


Please feel free to throw in extra information as well. I'm trying to learn as much as possible! Most of my questions are things I really think you can only learn by asking a forum of experienced people, as I know from my experiences on GooseMoose with rats, newbies often mess up. And I don't want to mess up and hurt the little guys. Thanks so much guys!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Please adopt or rescue a pair. Don't support breeders even if they are a "family friend" while shelter pets die.

Bigger cages are always better.

This site and www.guinealynx.info are good places to start.

[2pigs2kids]

PLEASE ADOPT, don't buy from a breeder!!!

For pellets the best are Oxbow (available in stores, see their website for a store locator) or Kleenmama (only available online)

Can I use fleece for bedding? I have plenty of it [I'm a rat owner] and much prefer it to other kinds of critter bedding when cleaning.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/bedding/21568-fleece-project-study.html

Are there and taboo foods I should know about?
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/diet-nutrition/22156-read-me-guinea-pig-nutrition-charts-poisonous-plants-list.html

Are there any unsafe toys I should avoid?
Guinea Pig Toys and Play

[Gorrific]

Well I just looked up the Guinea Pig rescues I spoke of and they have two pairs [they adopt them out in pairs of course] and one pair it says "For Experienced Guinea Pig Owners Only" and the other pair is male. I definitely COULD adopt males, but I really wanted females... hm, I guess I'll have to wait a bit. I may call them later to make sure if that's all they have.
It's also going to be a bit of a drive since they're two hours away! But the little guys are worth it.

Thanks for the links!

[Ly&Pigs]

Don't buy, adopt! I'd suggest getting the pigs from the shelter. Encourage your mom's friend to stop breeding.

Bigger is always better. Keep in mind the minimum for 2 sows is 2x3 and for 2 boars is 2x4 as boars are more territorial.

Food/Diet: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ants-list.html, read 2nd post in this thread for poisonous plants list and avoid foods.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...gie-menus.html
Best brands are Kleenmama's (Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home) and Oxbow for pellets.
They need unlimited grass hay, any variety.

I'd also suggest reading all the sticky threads at the top of all the forum sections. Many contain pertinent info.

Toys: Guinea Pig Toys and Play

Litter training references can be found in the about cages forum, do a prefix search for litter training.

Common Misconceptions thread: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...heir-care.html

[akstrohm]

I'm sure the rescue will get more pigs in soon if you really want females. Is there a particular reason you don't want males?

Rescues can often help out with transportation as well.

[fridzalone]

You guys are so lucky...
My place don't have any pet shelter, and that forced me to bought my piggies from petstores. It's pretty stressful because i can't stop thinking about my piggies health, most of them got mites, scabs or flea

[Biscuit]

Originally Posted by fridzalone

You guys are so lucky...
My place don't have any pet shelter, and that forced me to bought my piggies from petstores. It's pretty stressful because i can't stop thinking about my piggies health, most of them got mites, scabs or flea

I know this likely isn't what you meant by this, but I cannot help but clear up for future readers that nothing ever forces someone to buy animals from a petstore. Nothing forces you to have pets at all, thus the purchase of them is always a choice. Usually one made out of innocent ignorance (by myself in the past as well), but definitely not something one is "forced" to do.

[Seonta]

I agree with what Biscuit said, and I feel like this is at least the third time this has been said to the same person.
To the original poster, although you might want to support your friend's mother, understand that when you purchase some guinea pigs from a breeder it only makes them breed more. These animals are spread out over the area but many of them will not remain with the owners who purchased them. They will be killed, given away, or sent to shelters because people decide they aren't cute anymore or that they don't want them. All of these poor animals are suffering because humans keep breeding them. We do not need fifty cats running the neighborhood dying by cars and disease, we do not need twenty five dogs running around getting hit by cars... and the hundreds in the shelters should not have to die because we are irresponsible. Humans are responsible for the mess.
Support cleaning it up by adopting from shelters and rescues rather than the people who are creating litters after litters of animals who are going to suffer or, as many do, die prematurely from not having permanent homes.

[Heady]

Hi Gorrific!

I'm not sure how people are going to feel about me suggesting this, but have you tried craigslist? I definitely agree with NOT buying from a breeder and all of my animals, with the exception of my two pigs, have come from shelters. As I've stated before on here, my first pig I got on Sept 11th from a guy on craigslist that wasn't allowed to have pets in his apartment. The second pig I got from a girl I met through craigslist that actually brought me to this site (Thank you again Angie ). We met first, and once we became friends, she felt like I would be a good enough mommy for her to give her extra pig to.

So yeah, definitely say no to the breeder, and I even agree with the person that said to talk to the breeder about the damage they're causing. I think that's smart advice!

I do want to make one point clear, however. If you do look on craigslist, ask many, many questions to the people that have pigs listed to make 100% sure that they ARE following craigslist's guidelines about rehoming, not selling. Make sure they aren't breeders and make sure they're not rehoming just for the money. And most importantly, ask as many questions as possible about the health and temperament of the pig(s). I asked hundreds and I know the guy was getting a bit upset that I was asking so many questions, but it was my right to know!

I use fleece for my cage and also Angie and her hubby made my cage for me using the cubes! I got them from Bed Bath and Beyond because the holes are small (plus they were the cheapest around...even cheaper than Walmart). I wanted a 3 grid by 4 grid cage, and that's what I have! My 2 boys love it!!! I didn't use coroplast...instead I had some extra foam core (I'm an artist, so there's always good stuff laying around!) that I taped together and then used a shower curtain to water proof it. The border (to keep the poops in) is 6 inches high and I made it using the linoleum that the guy gave me with my first pig.

Also...I miss having rats!!

[crazywiggy]

Hi Gorrific - just want to start by saying well done for doing some research before getting your pigs!

I won't answer every question, as you can find all the info you need in the "stickies" in the diet, toys etc sections.

Cage size - I would definitely say make the biggest you possibly can. Although a 2x3 is ok for two girls, I personally still find it way too small. I built a cage to exactly fit my space (just over 2.5 x 4 so about the same as a 2x5) for my two girls and I still think it looks a bit small. Once you add food, pigs, hideys etc you will probably find your cage seems to magically shrink!

Fleece is fantastic. I started using towels for the bottom layer, then switched to a thick mattress pad and I find this much better. Just be prepared for daily poop-scooping.