Pigloos/Hidey's: First of many pet store trips today

[3piggymomma]

Well I made my first of many trips to the pet store for piggy supplies today. Yes, I have a month before I get my piggies, but I like to be prepared. I bought two plastic food bowls (and hoping they dont knock them over - now thinking I should have gotten ceramic.. what do you all think?) I got a medium size water bottle, some wood chews, a small cozy bed (not special ordering any as I decided my budget will not allow it at this time), a crinkle tunnel (one of those for ferrets but says all small animals can use it), and a large pink pigloo. I was a little concerned about the tunnel because it crinkles and loud noises bother cavies, but I have seen comments on here about piggies loving these tunnels, so I can only hope the same for mine. Is the tunnel, cozy, and pigloo enough for hideouts? I saw a ferret hanging cube too and thought it was precious and may get it if I have room in my cage once I set it up. I have not received it yet so it is hard to judge how much room I will have. Also, their food will be on the second level, but should I put their water up there also or on the main level?
Sorry for all the questions! I just want to be well prepared

[PiggieMom]

Aw, you sound so excited. I remember the month before I went to adopt my pigs. Good times!

It will depend on your pigs on whether or not they'll knock over the pellet dishes. Mine always do. I find a low sided ceramic cat dish works the best, but then some of them like to sit in it.

How many pigs will you be getting? You should at least have one hidey place for every pig. When you set up your cage though you don't want to over crowd it. You can always use any extra hidey houses you buy for floor time (I have four extra houses for floor time), or you can use free cardboard boxes (soda can boxes work great) if you need more and you don't want to buy any more.

As far as the crinkling, I think it will depend on the pig on whether or not it will scare them. It might frighten them at first, but they might grow to love it once they realise it isn't out to kill them. My pig was scared of her windchime toy for the first day or so, but now she loves to ring it.

[Amsley246]

That's a good start, but wood chews aren't necessary 9in fact I don't think it's good for them to ingest). They need hay, which also keeps their teeth at bay from over growing. If you bought 2 water bottles, why not have them on both the top and bottom floor? Just thought, if their anything like mine, they will absolutely love water . Of course, I have 8, so water goes fast, so you may not need more then one bottle. I bought mine a little flat cat dish for their food. It's perfect to hold pellets and easy to clean. Hope that helps!

[3piggymomma]

Thanks for the great advice!! I am getting two little girls. The two water bottles is a good idea, why didnt I think of that? Haha. And thanks for the advice on the wood chews. I will return those and the plastic dishes and trade those in for ceramic dishes. Thanks again

[gooberific]

I have the smaller ceramic dishes, and my boys actually pick them up and throw them. I even tried the bird dish that connects to the side of the cage with a thick metal hoop and has a stainless steel dish that sits in it... Nope, they pull that out and throw it, too. The plastic ones that are shaped so they are hard to tip over? Nope, they push them to the wall and get their noses under. At least they keep themselves amused... But I'm convinced there is no perfect dish for them!

I've always considered buying a crinkle tunnel, but my boys have just as much fun with paper bags.

And 70% of the time, my pigs would rather hide in a fleece or towel tent rather than their pigloo. So if you get them and they don't seem to have enough hideys, you can easily put one of them up in a corner!

[ferndalezoo]

My boys LOVED their crinkle tunnel to death. Literally. But it was fun while it lasted (they inherrited it from the ferrets who ignored it completely). I suggest cutting a second entrance/exit hole in the pigloo-- the only problem with them in my opinion is that with only one way in and out-- in an altercation someone could get "cornered". But it's worth noting that I have multiple boars-- so with just 2 sows it might not be that important.

[akstrohm]

Keep in mind that they might be very reluctant to use the ramp at first. So when you first get them, plan on having the food and water on the main level. You can move it to the second level after they get used to the ramp.

Misc. things to get: nail clippers (human ones are fine), a spray bottle, vinegar (for cage cleaning), a scale for weighing them

[3piggymomma]

Are nail clippers specially designed for guinea pigs better than the human ones? I assume the spray bottle is for the vinegar to clean the cage? Why is it important to weigh them, and where do I buy a scale for that?

I went back to the pet store today, returned the plastic bowls in exchange for a ceramic one and a hay ball, got one of those hanging cubes for ferrets, and a few cat toys (just hard balls).

[ferndalezoo]

My guinea pigs didn't like the hanging cube thing at all. They found it hard to get in and out, but yours may love it. Of my 4, only 2 will use a hammock at all, and then it's got to be very low to the ground.

[PiggieMom]

As far as weighing it's one of the most important thing you can introduce into your care routine to keep your pigs healthy. Guinea pigs are very good at hiding symptoms of illness, many times they won't show up until very late into the disease. However, weight loss is usually the first sign that something is wrong. You can buy a kitchen scale and a large bowl at any supermarket for fairly cheap. You should weigh and record their weight weekly.

I find that human nail clippers are really easy to use because they are small and easy to handle. Bigger scissor type things I have a hard time holding and getting at their front paws with.

[akstrohm]

As mentioned, weekly weighing is the best way to detect illness, and human nail clippers work just fine.

The spray bottle is used to clean the cage (use a 50% vinegar solution).