New Girls!

[cjandkids]

Hi everyone. I am new here and have never had a guinea pig before, I've had lots of animals and have known some guinea pigs but never owned one. I've been researching them to be sure it was what I wanted. Today I convinced my hubby and started looking, within minutes I found someone who was trying to find a home for two girls she bought as babies about 3 months ago. She is moving and isn't giving them the attention they deserve anyway (I'm unaware of the reason). She is giving my the piggies, cage and accessories that they have. I took this as a great sign that I was supposed to find these two girls.

She says they will need a little time to warm up since they aren't handled much right now but that they are very friendly. One is all white, short hair and red eyes. The other is black, orange and white with curly hair on top. They sound adorable and I just know I'll fall in love with them as soon as I pick them up tomorrow.

I plan on letting them stay in their cage around all the family activity their first day here, then start to talk to them and pet them in their cage until they are ready to come out. Then I will give them plenty of floor time since I'm a stay at home mom and am home most of the day. I was wondering though what some other suggestions were to getting them to warm up to us faster. I want them to be part of our family and am a little worried since they aren't treated that way right now.

Sorry if I've been rambling but I appreciate your time and any responses!

[PrayerWarrior]

[FONT=Georgia]First I want to say welcome, and thank you for adopting instead of buying and supporting mills. You're doing the right thing.

Second, when you bring them home, you do NOT want to have them in a busy room. You're going to want to put them somewhere quiet and people/animal-free for a few hours to get accustomed to their new home.

Third, the cage you'll get with the girls will be fine while you start working on your C&C (cubes & coroplast) cage or buy one. I'm assuming the person you're adopting them from does not have a C&C cage, and therefore, the cage they DO have is most likely too small.

Lastly, to help get them settled in, make sure all the people that come to check the pigs out understand that they'll be scared and talk in a very quiet voice, not making any fast or sudden movements, as it will scare the pigs.

If you want anymore help on getting them settled, just ask. In the meantime, here are some links you definitely need to read up on.

Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig

CavyMadness: guinea pigs and the people who love them

Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Home
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[cjandkids]

Thank you for the support, I really appreciate it. I'll do what you suggest and definately read those pages. Thanks again!

[PrayerWarrior]

[FONT=Georgia]Anytime. [/FONT]

[cjandkids]

I just got them home a little while ago. I drove for an hour to pick them up and was shocked that the previous owners didn't ask me any questions at all. Loaded them up in my van with their things and that was that. She did pick them up to show me them and they were terrified of her. Ran and squeeled and just seemed panicked. I got them home and reached in their cage to fix the hay rack, food and water and the girls just sat there. I pet them and even held both, neither of them panicked. One squeeked a bit but soon seemed to relax into my chest. I think this is going to go better than expected.

Question though, they don't have anything to snuggle in like blankets or towels, no toys, nothing but food, hay and water. Oh and the pine bedding they have. What is the best thing to give them. They are still in their pet store cage although it is one of the larger ones it still is too small for them and I plan to change it in the near future.

[PrayerWarrior]

[FONT=Georgia]Wow. It sounds like they really were not cared for in their previous home, and they're much safer and are going to be happier with you.

Since you don't have any supplies yet, you should give them a small towel or something for them to burrow in. They feel safe in small, cozy places.

Pine and cedar shavings are not good for pigs, and are believed to cause upper respiratory infections (URIs). Kiln-dried pine is fine though. CareFresh is a good choice, I've heard. Aspen is also good. Fleece is definitely the cheapest, and what I use. Two is good, so you can replace it while the other's still washing.

Have you given them veggies yet? What kind of pellets and hay are they?
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[cjandkids]

I actually already have fleece and will switch them to that soon. I gave them a little bit of carrots and they loved them, I know carrots have a lot of sugar and should only be a treat but I wanted to spoil them a bit.

They came with some Timothy hay which I can easily keep up on since we have horses I'll just snag a bail when I need it. Also they came with Animal Planet Fortified Guinea Pig Food, it also says Kaytee on the package.

I did give them some towels to snuggle in. They are afraid of them right now but I'm sure they'll like them soon.

[PrayerWarrior]

[FONT=Georgia]Aww, that's sweet. They're going to love you, I'm sure. Baby carrots are suitable for everyday feeding, actually.

You're lucky to have such a easy source of hay! That's awesome.

I think Kaytee products are usually no good, but you're fine until you get something better. Oxbow and Kleenmama are for sure the best, just FYI. Shipping is crazy, though, unless somewhere near you sells Oxbow.

Oxbow Pet Products

That's the Oxbow, for adult guineas.

Kleenmama's Hayloft :: Fortified Feeds

KM's pellets.

You're doing great, cjandkids! Keep it up.
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[fourboys4now]

I'm glad they have definitely found a home to take proper care of them. Hand feeding them veggies during lap time has always helped me get my piggies used to being held. I use fleece as bedding and love it as well.

I would recommend bell peppers, cilantro, romaine lettuce, and cherry tomatoes to let them try. These are my piggies favorites. There is a really great menu guide on this site and it lets you know which veggies are good to feed to them and how often.

If you have a camera, we would love to see pictures of your new babies. Congratulations, you will soon be a piggy slave!

[cjandkids]

Thank you guys! I've been trying all day to get my camera to work and finally just took these with my phone so they aren't the best but you'll get to see them. The white one is Angel (my 3 1/2 year old daughter renamed her, it was Snowball) the other is Patches. Patches talks alot. It is so cute. I set up a little play area for them, I don't want them loose until I know I can catch them but their cage is just too small and they were miserable. I used my old baby cage contraption to set it up in the kitchen, this will work great for letting them munch grass in the back yard when it is nice. They were hiding in the corners for a while but once I got started making dinner they started chasing each other a bit and talking back and forth, it is so fun to watch. I gave them a bit of celery since I had it out making dinner. I'm already falling in love with them. Angel let my daughter hold her too! She was nervous but didn't scream or try to get away, just sat in her lap. They are great girls I don't understand how someone could just let them sit in that tiny cage for months!

Oh, their nails are really long. Any suggestions since they are still so skiddish. I was thinking I'd have to wait awhile or take them to a pro.

[PrayerWarrior]

[FONT=Georgia]They're beautiful! Which is which?

They sound absolutely terrific. That's amazing that Angel let your daughter hold her! She must really be a sweetheart, just badly mistreated.

Before letting them eat all the grass they want, they can't eat treated grass or grass near other animal feces. Since they probably have never had fresh grass before, you'll want to start out slow. Clumps of grass in their cage to start, then 10-15 minutes for a day or two, then 20-25 minutes for a day or two, etc. until they can eat until their tummies' delight!

For their nails, it's easier with two people: one to hold the pig, one to keep the foot steady and cut the nails. You'll want to hold them with one hand on their chest area, back against your chest. Human nail clippers are good. Here's another link for ya:

Guinea Lynx :: Nail Clipping
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[cjandkids]

Thanks, I understand all that. Horses are the same way with grass, I would never dream of just sticking them in it without slowly introducing it. I have also had rabbits so I understand how to trim the nails just really wondering if there are any tricks to keeping them calm. For example with rabbits you can cover their eyes and they calm down. Is there any tricks with the pigs that might help?

Angel is the white one and Patches is the multi colored. Angel wasn't really enjoying being held but I think she'll start to really soon. They are wonderful, I feel so lucky to have found them!

Does anybody know from the pics what kind of pigs they are or a good website I can figure it out. I'm just curious. Thanks to all of you again!

[Ziggy&Herald]

Patches looks like an Abyssinian. Angel is a little harder to tell from the pictures. Try these sites
Other Breeds
Guinea Pigs: 13 Different Breeds & Colors

edit: Oh, and Welcome to GPC

[fourboys4now]

They are beautiful. I'm so glad they are at a great home now.

[cjandkids]

Thanks you guys! I think your right about patches and I think Angel is an American Cavy. You guys are all so helpful!