Me and My Pig(s) Hi everyone - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**magiccookie** · #1 07-05-09, 03:20 pm

Hello,
I’m new to this wonderful site; I currently have two beautiful guinea pig boars named Freddie and Charlie. They were bought at a pet store (I didn’t know any better at the time and any future pigs I may have will defiantly be adopted) and have amazing personalities. Freddie is an Abyssinian tri-colour pig and Charlie is a lovely short-haired pig (not too sure of the bred). They live outside during the warmer months and come inside on rainy days and cold periods. I would prefer them to live inside permanently but due to family allergies this is impossible. I see my pigs at least three times a day and family members help by checking up on them as well. They have plenty of living space with a giant three by three run and a two by three hutch each! Hopefully I will soon be able to bring my pigs inside permanently Unfortunately my pigs started fighting a few weeks back and had to be kept separate for around two weeks (I kept them inside to keep an eye on them, and had to keep them on newspaper instead of the usual wood chippings due to my dads allergies combined with early hay fever.) Now my guineas are happy and, after being re-introduced with one another, are best of friends again! YAY! If you have any suggestions on how to make by outside hutch even safer for my pigs then please let me know, thanks.

I'll post some pictures of Fredie and Charlie ASAP.

**vicky2** · #2 07-06-09, 10:12 am

Hi and Welcome!!!
You should really keep your pigs inside. The simple solution to allergies is using fleece bedding instead and changing the hay you feed them.
Have fun on this site and don't be afraid to ask questions!

VictorSmalls · #3 07-06-09, 10:38 am

Hello,

Looking forward to seeing some photos of your guineas.

**magiccookie** · #4 07-06-09, 11:40 am

Thanks vicky2 for the infomation on flece-I might try it as I already have some grids that I use for indoor "floor time".

**magiccookie** · #5 07-06-09, 12:42 pm

Finally got some pictures of the boys...

This is Fredie, the dominant male.

And this is Charlie, the calmer one!

**wheekers01** · #6 07-06-09, 01:00 pm

I too am looking forward to seeing your piggies. I think that you should bring them inside. Try suing fleece.. Bedding won't be floating around and kicked about. It works great! I agree, maybe try changing you hay for them. THis site is absolutely wonderful! Have fun!

**PiggieMom** · #7 07-06-09, 08:40 pm

They're very cute! I'd also encourage you to do everything possible to bring them in doors. Switching hay, changing to fleece, and some air filters can make a world of difference. Both my husband and I are allergic to the pigs and hay but we made those changes and now we can both tolerate them right in our living room! They'd be so much safer and more comfortable in doors and you'll get to spend more time with them.

Welcome to the site!

**akstrohm** · #8 07-06-09, 10:32 pm

In addition to trying fleece (make sure you read up on how to do it--you need to prepare it and use the proper underbedding), I have a few other suggestions.

Get the least dusty hay you can find. Timothy is one of the worst for allergies.

Take the hay outside and put small amounts in brown paper bags. Then just put the bags in the cage. This will cut down on dust, and pigs love playing in the bags.

Get a good air purifier.

Please try to get them inside ASAP. They will be much healthier and happier.

**magiccookie** · #9 07-07-09, 01:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by akstrohm

In addition to trying fleece (make sure you read up on how to do it--you need to prepare it and use the proper underbedding), I have a few other suggestions.

Get the least dusty hay you can find. Timothy is one of the worst for allergies.

Take the hay outside and put small amounts in brown paper bags. Then just put the bags in the cage. This will cut down on dust, and pigs love playing in the bags.

Get a good air purifier.

Please try to get them inside ASAP. They will be much healthier and happier.

Wow...I never knew that Timothy hay was bad for allergies-I use it all the time! I'll try swapping hay and get an air purifier hopefully my Mum and Dad will let me bring them inside if they know that I'll try to reduce risks of allergic reactions.Thank you!

P.S I have read up on fleece and it sounds like a great solution.

"Thank you, akstrohm, for this useful post," says:
magiccookie (07-07-09)