Handmade Hidey Houses - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Abby's Mom** · #1 10-23-04, 10:21 pm

Hello!!

My husband and I operate a GP rescue in Cincinnati, OH by the name of This Little Piggy & Me.

He makes and sells Hidey Houses (singles, duplex and L-shaped) to benefit our Adoption and Rescue Center. They are made of pine with removable roofs for easy access to your piggie.

You can see what he has to offer on our website (www.thislittlepiggyandme.com). They are located inside Abby's General Store.

We will soon be posting a line of playground equipment for GPs also with teeter-totters, hurdles, holey walls, treat trees, up/down steps and stacking boxes.

Please let us know what you think.

**mncavylover** · #2 10-24-04, 04:32 pm

I think it's a cool idea, and it sounds awesome! However, I must speak up about some of the information provided on your site.

As for salt licks (http://www.thislittlepiggyandme.com/carefeeding.htm), they also cause kidney stones and such medical problems. On the same page, the vitamin c supplements in the water deteriorate rapidly in the store and in water, and may in fact be almost useless when you use it. It also makes the water taste funny, which may deter the pigs from drinking--not good!

Also--where's the hay? Guinea pigs need a constant supply of unlimited grass hay all the time. The only time it is mentioned is when you say "Dry foods--pellets and hay".

Grapes may be toxic to pigs, due to a new study found that they are toxic to dogs. It is only a matter of time before they are found to be toxic to other animals, so I would stay away from them.

1/8-1/4 of a cup of food is recommended, as guinea pigs do not usually overeat. If you provide them with timothy based pellets, this should never be a problem.

Also, they are social animals and need to live in pairs. There is also no mention of this, and you refer to "a guinea pig" or "your guinea pig" very often.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps!

**Abby's Mom** · #3 10-25-04, 07:20 am

mncavylover,

First I want to thank you for your comments regarding our website and it's omissions. It is people like you who will help us 'fine-tune' the site as we strive to make it the best it can be.

I will be incorporating your comments into the site within the next couple of days and would appreciate any other comments/suggestions you or anyone else can offer.

Again, thank you!!

**Abby's Mom** · #4 10-25-04, 08:36 am

mncavylover,

All changes have been incorporated within 'Care & Feeding' and 'So You Want to Adopt!' Let me know what you think.

Thanks again,
Abby's Mom

**loves2travel** · #5 10-25-04, 04:57 pm

it looks great! thanks for being so nice about our suggestions. Many people begin to blow up at us for trying to remind people of these facts. Again, thanks sooo much for your cooperation!

**Abby's Mom** · #6 10-25-04, 05:57 pm

I play real well with others!!

Seriously though, my main concern at This Little Piggy & Me is to make sure that every piggy entrusted to my care finds a absolutely wonderful and forever home. Any and all suggestions are very welcome and much appreciated.

I'm not going to say that everything suggested will be implemented but it will be considered.

**jennz11** · #7 10-25-04, 06:44 pm

Well its just good to have the facts straight.!. Just to make sure all guinea pigs get the best care possible!

**jennz11** · #8 10-25-04, 07:20 pm

That site is great! I just wouldn't be able to afford anything though. Because i am canadian and the prices are american. SORRY!!

**Abby's Mom** · #9 10-25-04, 08:19 pm

I agree tremendously that getting all the facts straight is paramount. So please, if anyone sees anything that they do not feel is correct or is misleading, bring it to my attention. All straight facts will definitely be implemented!!

**mncavylover** · #10 10-26-04, 05:39 pm

Thanks a TON!!! I'm glad you feel the same way I do. Many people are merely unaware of the needs of their pigs and really mean well, as you do. Thanks a whole lot for all your support! I am checking out the site right now, thank you!!!!! =)

**mncavylover** · #11 10-26-04, 05:52 pm

I love how you put the social part first. If you'd like some links for good information about that, a great one is www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm.

Also, thanks for the addition of a large hay section. I love it!
Some good links to places you can buy from that I recommend are www.kmshayloft.com and www.sweetmeadowfarm.com if you'd like those. Just a thought, it really doesn't matter that much.

A link for foods is www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html.

If you really need to supplement with vit. c, you can use this recipe (vet recommended):

Crush one vitamin c tablet (no additives, colorings, preservatives, or other vitamins please!)
Mix with 8 cc water
Feed 1 cc per pig per day as needed

I've found that a good way of feeding this is to squirt it on the veggies. Then you know they will eat it, and there is no risk of getting into the lungs.

This can help to nurse a sick or young pig back to health, but remember--only use this if it is recommended. If their diet has too much vitamin c that is generally not a problem, but you shouldn't overdose.

Thanks again for all the great info on grapes, hay, etc. I hope that your rescue effort continues to go well, and give yourself a hug for me!

Oh and also, if you really would like to see a ridgeback, here is a picture of one of my cavies: http://www.cavycages.com/photos/show...cat=500&page=1 or also http://www.cavycages.com/photos/show...cat=500&page=2 when he was a bit younger. =)