I'm new and just wanted to say hi

**wheeker** · #1 10-14-05, 01:15 pm

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I have two pigs at my house now. I just got my second one a few weeks ago. If you have any tips or suggestions I would love to hear.

Thanks,
wheeker

**ilovemykisses** · #2 10-15-05, 06:26 pm

Hi wheeker.. welcome to the forum.

**Funnygpigs** · #3 10-15-05, 08:16 pm

Hi, welcome to the forum! Please read through these sites:

http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html

http://www.cavyspirit.com/

They will give you all the info you need. If you have some specific questions, just feel free to post them, and you should get plenty of answers!

How old are your pigs? What type of food are you feeding? Veggies?--pigs should have min. 1 cup fresh veggies everyday (no iceberg lettuce/cabbage). Bell peppers are a favorit with most pigs and are high in vitamin C (which is very important that they get about 10-30mg a day). Plain pellets should be feed only. No seeds, nuts, colored bites, or corn. Those are very bad for your pig. Only use Mazuri, Oxbow, or KM's pellets. The rest of the brands have addatives that are very bad for your pig. Also, a quality timothy hay should be available to your pig all day/night. They should have unlimited amounts. This helps aid digestion and keep their teeth filed down. Bedding: No Cedar! Kiln-dried pine, Aspen, Carefresh, yeasterday's News. Fleece are a few that are safe to use. NO seed and nut, or yougurt treats----those are bad for your pig to!

Ok, that was just a quick summary of some important info. Hope that helps some. But please read all the info on those web sites. I only covered a small fraction of the information that you need to know! Again, welcome and post some pictures when you can! :0)

**cavy-cool-crazy** · #4 10-16-05, 05:42 am

Welcome wheeker!

**ScottandDebbie** · #5 10-16-05, 08:14 am

Wheeker,
Just wanted to pop over and say Welcome. I am rather new here too.

Lots of great information here on piggies. Just poke all around. You are bound to learn tons on this site.

Again.... Welcome
Debbie

**wheeker** · #6 10-16-05, 10:30 am

Thanks

I have 2 piggies, Rosie is around 2 and my other pig, Trixie is around 3. I got them from a shelter in Boston so I dont really know how old they are exactly. I am currently feeding them that food that you get in those bags that say guinea pig pellets. I know that it doesnt have vitamin C in it but I give them vitamin C in their water. After all that food is gone I wont get that kind again!!! They are both in a 3x2 C&C cage with a 1X1 upper level.
Also I have a few questions about introducing them. they have been together for around a week or 2. But my older piggy makes that noise that meant go away or something like that when hay is put into their cage. I read all about it and stuff but I dont know what to do. If you have any answers to this please let me know.

Thanks
wheeker

**fourbwabbys** · #7 10-16-05, 11:25 am

Welcome, I have a Trixie too! I would recommend getting Oxbow pellets isntead of the pellets you have now. Also, don't put vitamin C in water, it just distorts the taste is make the pigs not want to drink. Try just giving them a slice of orange or a piece of red bell pepper if you're concerned about how much vitamin C they are getting. Normal rumblestrutting, nipping, chattering are all normal when they are introduced. As long as there's no bloodshed, just keep them together to let them sort out their dominance. Good luck with your pigs and you'll find this site is great for any queations you might have.

**wheeker** · #8 10-17-05, 01:07 pm

I have only one problem with changing the food. Everyone says dont buy from pet stores that sell animals. I dont do that but there is a little garden shop that sells food, toys etc but they only sell that kind of food so I put vitamin C drops into their water. Where can you find other food. Do you buy from pet stores?

thanks
wheeker

**Piglet** · #9 10-17-05, 01:19 pm

Welcome to the forums

You can buy oxbow pellets from here http://www.oxbowhay.com/Shop/showPro...?PRODUCT_NO=47

**cavy-cool-crazy** · #10 10-17-05, 02:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheeker

I have only one problem with changing the food. Everyone says dont buy from pet stores that sell animals. I dont do that but there is a little garden shop that sells food, toys etc but they only sell that kind of food so I put vitamin C drops into their water. Where can you find other food. Do you buy from pet stores?

Please stop putting the drops in the water!! They are useless - they make the water taste odd and they don't work after a few minutes anyway. If the pig is having lots of fresh vegetables each day - lettuces, chard, peppers, cilantro, zucchini - then there is no need for vitamin supplements. I also have to ask -you are feeding unlimited hay, right?

KMs pellets are another choice after Oxbow - you can buy them at http://www.kmshayloft.com

Well done on the C&C cage and on adopting them from a shelter - it makes such a difference!

**Ly&Pigs** · #11 10-17-05, 02:47 pm

What is the name of the food you are feeding now?

**ScottandDebbie** · #12 10-17-05, 02:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavy-cool-crazy

Please stop putting the drops in the water!! They are useless -

Just wanted to *Ditto* what cavy-cool-crazy posted. : )

And add....
Vit. C is the most fragile of all the vitamins.
One of the first classes we had on nutrition in nursing school taught us this. Vit C is *best* given in it's original containers..... in fruits and vegetables.

**wheeker** · #13 10-17-05, 05:44 pm

Alright,ok,ok

Ill stop using the drops GOD! (just kidding)(not just kidding about not using the drops) I give my pigs hay when I get up and when I get home from school. I get home and put tons in their cage and its gone within 10 minutes or sometimes less. I could go through a whole bag in a day but I assume that you guys all order it in big bails dont you? Im suprised they dont get sick!

Anyway Ill stop and try to convince my parents to order some hay and pellets.

-wheeker

**Percy's Mom** · #14 10-18-05, 07:32 am

Are you feeding them any vegetables at all? I don't think you mentioned them. Each of your pigs should be getting at least a cup full of veggies every day. There are several threads with excellent suggestions on what to feed them.

**wheeker** · #15 10-18-05, 01:04 pm

Yes I am feeding them veggies. I pour OJ on the "salad" for them do you think that will help ay all? I am making them a hay rack for the cage.

thanks for alll the help
wheeker

**Percy's Mom** · #16 10-18-05, 01:25 pm

Orange juice has WAY too much sugar for guinea pigs. If you're feeding them the proper veggies, and one of the good brands of pellets already mentioned, you shouldn't need the extra vitamin C at all.

**wheeker** · #17 10-18-05, 01:35 pm

I dont put OJ on everytime. So I shouldnt even be putting any on? Ok so Ill get new food and more veggies.

thanks for all the help everyone!
wheeker

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