Hey! I am new here!

[guineapigs8683]

Hi! I am guineapigs8683! I will be getting guinea pigs (2 to be exact) for christmas! I will be adopting them from my local shelter... I have researched for about 2 months! and I just had a few questions I couldnt find!
1) how do you quaratine?
2)what kind for hay should I get?
3)Is fleece better than hay? (On a scale of 1-10 4 is about my limit on smell )


Thankyou so much!

your friend guineapigs8683

[Dichotomy83]

1) Search this site for info on quarantine...there are many threads. If the two were already together you wont need to quarantine. Otherwise, quarantine should last 3 weeks and be done in separate cages in separate rooms. Wash your hands at the very least, and possibly change your shirt between caring for each pig.

2) This site recommends Oxbow or Kleenmama hay and pellets.

3) Im assuming you mean fleece versus bedding?? It totally depends on your preference. I find fleece to be less expensive in the long run, and less of a mess.


Welcome!

[SFailed186]

1) Guinea Lynx has a nice little page about Quarantine
http://www.guinealynx.info/quarantine.html

2)Guinea pigs under six months can have alfalfa hay, but guinea pigs over six months should not have it. You need to feed unlimited grass hay to your piggies. Grass hay is Timothy, Orchard, Bermuda, and Brome. (I think I forgot one...) But if you are talking about brands, I would suggest Oxbow if you can find it in a store. If you don't mind ordering online, there are other places, but I will let other people tell you about them because I only use Kaytee and Oxbow brand. Oxbow is pretty good quality, in my opinion (I especially like their Orchard Grass). Kaytee really isn't, but it is acceptable.

3) I have used Carefresh and newspaper in the past and I will never use it again. It's a big waste of money if you ask me. Fleece is simple (if you know how to use it) and it can customize your cage. I suggest you read this to get more information about fleece;
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ect-study.html

[CavyMama]

1) how do you quaratine?
2)what kind for hay should I get?
3)Is fleece better than hay? (On a scale of 1-10 4 is about my limit on smell )

1. There is a lot of info about quarantine on this site so looking around here will give you lots of information about it. Usually quarantine is done when you have a guinea pig and are bringing a new pig into the home. You would keep the new pig in a separate cage and room to watch for any dormant ailments in the new pig so your current pig wouldn't be exposed to them.

2. Oxbow or Kleenmama's are good brands. They have fresh, high quality and a good variety of different types of hay.

3. I'm not sure what you are asking with this question. Fleece is a type of bedding. Hay is something guinea pigs eat. If you are asking about smell of bedding, fleece, when prepared properly and washed regularly is relatively odor-free.

[Buddy4]

We switched to fleece months ago and I have never looked back. They seem so much happier. And it is just so much neater. Easy to pick up poops (I use a little scooper thing) I change the fleece and towels out weekly, but pick up poop daily. The only smell really for us is the grassy smell of the hay that they eat.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Quarantine only applies if you have other guinea pigs or are bringing a new one home to introduce.

[guineapigs8683]

Thankyou guys sooooo much!

[GizzyandMe]

1) how do you quaratine?
2)what kind for hay should I get?
3)Is fleece better than hay?

1 - I think this is only when you are getting a new piggy and already have piggies
2 - I am in a different country than but check with Ly&Pigs and in the Diet section they have quite a number of threads on it
3 - Go with fleece! If you are a 4 then I am a 2 so trust me you will have a more enjoyable time with the fleece. I use mopcloth then towels then 2 layers fleece to make it nice and soft. Gizzy however is potty trained and that does help containing the "smell" to one area that I clean out every day.

Good luck and I am sure you will have an amazing time as a New Guinea Mom!

[5popcornpiggies]

2. Oxbow & Kleenmama just like everyone else said.

3. Bedding depends on your preference. With fleece you just take the fleece out once a week (give or take) and wash and dry it with your machines and with shavings or carefresh you would need to scoop or dump it out about once a week (give or take). I prefer fleece because I think it's more comfy and piggies can't fling bedding out of their cage. I'm not sure if their is thread on here about comparing fleece with shavings/carefresh, but on Guinea lynx there is a thread of people giving their opinions on it. You can also google it and see what comes up. OR maybe the best thing if you can't decide: experiment with both of them. Also, you can check out Jens Custom Crafts LLC - HOME & www.piggiebedspreads.com to give you some ideas on the fleece. My cage is on the jens custom crafts "satisfied customers" link.