New Cavy owners

[ehvizdos]

We're finally part of the experience. After two years of my daughter asking for a Guinea pig, and tons of research, we now are the proud owners of two rescued boys, Bullseye and Woody.

I'll probably be doing lots of reading first, learning how to make their cage even larger and learning about fleece bedding.

Any suggestions are welcome too. I would love to do a couple of "lofts" to give them more room to run on the lower level.

Plus any advice on how to introduce them to the three dogs we have would be welcome as well. Our older 8 year old Lab is pretty good with them, but we have two young Beagles and they really just want to get at them. Right now the Piggies are in a room where the dogs are not permitted.

However, we can accept it if they should never meet. Safer for everyone involved.

Thanks all Erika

[KristenMatejka]

Welcome and congratulations on getting your first piggies! It's always an exciting thing! also, we enjoy pigtures! *hint hint*
As for the dog situation, as you already know leaving dogs with piggies unsupervised is a big no no. In my own personal opinion I wouldn't try to introduce the piggies to the beagles. Especially since the beagles are young and you just got your piggies, the piggies may still be adapting and may still be scared so introducing dogs would probably just add stress for right now. There have been MANY many incidents with dogs getting at piggies. And mostly accidentally killing them just because of curiosity. I myself have even lost of piggy to dogs. Around me the dogs were fine but as soon as I was out of the room the dog was tearing open the cage and pulling out my male. (It was a red siberian husky) so pretty large dog. But I think as long as their in an enclosed room for now it should be ok. Just be sure to always securely close the door! That was one of my issues. i didnt close the door fully. As an extra precaution you may even think of adding a lid to the cage.
I have 10 piggies so their set up in a three level metal stand so the top two levels are impossible to reach from a dogs stand point The lowest level is about 2 1/2 feet off the ground. but the lowest level I have put fence around the cage (at least a foot from all edges) so the dogs cant even stick their noses to the cage. Once I had experianced that awful feeling that it was my fault and I had lost my best friend I have now been placing all precautions to prevent it again.
Now, just so you know, in no way am I saying it would happen but just somee advice and info for you!
But again I want to congratulate you and if you read through the forums and go through the photo albums you'll be sure to find out alot of useful information and get some amazing design ideas for your cage!
Hoping to see pigtures soon! -Kristen

[ehvizdos]

Thanks Kristen for the great info on the dogs. I hate to even think of something like that happening.
Erika

[KristenMatejka]

Oh your welcome! And it is upsetting but maybe during laptime you could pet the piggies and let the beagles sniff your hand to start getting used to the smell of your piggies first? I tried that but in honesty it comes down to the dogs personality in the end.
I just keep the dogs out of the equation altogether. But others, I'm sure will post their opinions so you can get a better idea of it. Have you researched anything online yet? Like Google or anything? Normally when I get bored I'll try google out for a few things.

[ehvizdos]

Kristen,
We have tried a couple of things. Like letting them listen to the wheeking sounds from You Tube and we've made several trips to the pet store and held piggies to let them get used to the smell. And of course let them smell the boys' scents on us too. However, we did try to introduce the Beags to each of them separately and giving the Beags positive reinforcement, but I just dont' think it's going to work. They have a pretty high prey drive and I think it will be some time (once they are old and can't move as quickly) before they can be in the same room. During floor time, we are planning on crating the Beagles and just giving the piggies free range, and I think my father-in-law is thinking of a way to create a door to keep the dogs out of the family room instead of just a gate. One of them has already tried to jump a four-foot gate. Yikes.
I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks.

[pigferd]

I also believe it comes down to the dogs personality. I have a saint bernard and he just loves our piggies.

[pinky]

I wouldn't allow the dogs access to the guinea pigs other than when you are holding them as long as you don't think they'll harm them while they're on your lap. It takes a split second for one to grab them, even in play, which can spell disaster. When my kids were young, their sitter had a very friendly lab. They'd let their guinea pig out while they were sitting around. Their dog picked her up and dropped her, killing her instantly. They couldn't react fast enough to stop it.

[Catahoula]

I have a catahoula hound, so I definitely have to worry about the prey drive. She can be in the same room as the piggies, but once they start running around she wants to chase.

Funny thing is, my big brave boy Goose will go nose to nose with her through the cage. They'll just sniff each other like crazy. I made a table 18 inches tall for the cage to sit on so there was no chance of my hound dog reaching in.

Anyways, welcome to the forum and I love the pigtures!!

[arionat799]

Your pigs are adorable!! TFS!! I think that you shouldn't try introducing the beags to the pigs because, like everyone else has said, many incidents can occur so fast that you can't even stop it and your pigs could be killed instantly. Better to be safe than sorry, right? Also, as far as the fleece, I just started using fleece bedding yesterday and I had no clue that spot cleaning was so easy! I have a mini pan and brush and whenever I see feces I quickly grab them, scoop it up, and flush it down the toilet. It also helps that I keep the mini pan and brush right next to the cage, and the cage is in my room. (Where I am almost the entire day) I haven't had to wash them yet, beings I just got it yesterday, (besides before putting the fleece in the cage), but the first stickie in the forum discussion "bedding"-titled Fleece: The Fleece Project: The Study tells you all that you need to know about fleece.
P.S. I got mine from JoAnn's, they have a very wide variety to choose from. Let me know if you have anymore questions!
-Ariona

[ehvizdos]

Thank you to everyone. My husband and I decided that no dog interaction is going to be best.
Ariona - I'm going to check out that thread and learn as much as I can. I'm excited to give them the best home every and to make it a better experience for us as well.

[blackarrow]

Even if the beagles won't be in the room with the cavies, I'd strongly recommend using a ton of zipties and making a cage with a lid. It's easy to do and provides an extra level of safety. Using closet shelving cut to size is perfect. I had a visiting 55 lb. dog actually jump atop my cage and nothing even sagged.

I have border collies, one of which couldn't care less about the pigs, and one of which watches them as if they're some sort of rodent reality show, LOL. Their cage is up on our mantel, which is low, so they can see each other but the pigs can go in their hideys if they're feeling intruded upon, and the dogs can't run around and around the cage and get themselves worked up. The pigs seem intrigued by the dog, and often go nose to nose with her frequently. They haul their breakfast over to a spot where they can watch her while munching.

[arionat799]

Also about the fleece:
Don't forget to wash it adleast 3-4 times when you first bring it home and cut it to size. I only washed it twice and the urine wouldn't wick properly. I am washing it again twice when I get home. Also, the thread only includes towel(s), newspaper(s), and puppy pad(s). I also strongly reccomend using "Uhaul Furniture Pad(s)". You use them how you would use the towel(s) only they don't smell as quickly and are made out of recycled denim. I am using these now and you can fold them to make 2 layers.