I use kiln-dried pine for my pigs -- it absorbs odors, is easy to spot clean, and a huge bag costs me $5 from the local feed store. As voodoo said, airing it out significantly reduces the smell. I just keep a huge bin next to the cage filled with shavings, so they are always ready to be used...

Why not have her mom contact the people who placed the ad first? Chances are, if it's a case of someone bringing home a pregnant pig from a pet store, the babies will either go back to the store or to a rescue anyways, if not to someone who will use them as "feeders." (Eck, what an awful term.)

Hola, Cavy Paulita! Bienvenidos a Cavy Cages. I was in the Peace Corps and lived in Uruguay for two years, and have spent some time in Argentina, especially in the South. You have a beautiful country, and boy do I miss yerba matte! I impressed with your ingenuity -- so many people would...

They are so cute. I have to admit, I really want to adopt a baby but feel a little overwhelmed between family AND GP upkeep. If you were closer, though, I don't think I could resist!!!

I use vinegar and water to clean, but hate the smell. I follow up with a Simple Green spritz and wipe down -- it has a very mild, pleasant odor, is biodegradible, and I already have it around the house...

DaCourt -- You bring up such good points. I had a friend who had a gp in her classroom, and was such a wonderful caregiver and teacher that I just assume that others take the time and do the research like she did. She was willing to go the extra mile to taker care of her animal -- with so much...

If the talk with the teacher about a larger or C&C cage goes well, try explaining to her how easy it is to set up and how the kids could potentially help. (Decorate the hidey house, snap together the connectors, etc.) Kids at that age just want to get involved...it gives them a real sense of...

I agree with Marlania -- everyone is different. My son and I both have seasonal allergies, and we may sneeze a bit when cleaning the cage and refilling the hayrack, but nothing bad at all.

We have been freezing their water bottles about 1/2 to 3/4 full, adding some cold water and putting those in their cage to drink -- it stays cold longer, and they are drinking SOOOOO much water right now.

Thank you once again, Slap!

Could someone explain a bit more about pear and apple branches, what types you feed to the pigs and any type of preparation involved? Sounds interesting...

The cage looks awesome, and what CUTE piggies. (The guy with the orange blaze on his cheek has such an interesting look.) Congrats!!!

I just started working again, after five years at home with the kids, and adjusting to life's schedule with little kids, work, etc. has not left a lot of free time. I've made a real effort the last few week or so to have lap time with the piggies everyday, and last night Louis quickly settled...

It's such a rare thing in education that kids kid to apply learning to things they really care about. I admire the way that you used the cavies to teach on so many levels, and that you kept their care at the top of your priority list. I agree with Lyndsay that you might want to take up the...

I think iceburg lettuce is the main one that has no nutrional value -- dark, green leafy veggies (including romaine and green leaf lettuce) are good. I haven't tries endive or kale yet, but hope to pick some up this week since everyone keeps mentioning it. To me, your piggies diet sounds...

Glad to hear the adjustments are going better!

This Ebay store seems good -- resonable prices and shipping, and good feedback. http://stores.ebay.com/E-Pet-Products_W0QQssPageNameZviQ3asibQ3astoreviewQQtZkm

We just got our guys a few weeks ago, and they are still adjusting to their new home. I think that it's easy to forget how short a time you've actually had them, so I marked the date on my calendar when we adopted them, and a little "1, 2, 3" etc. on the same day each week for the month. I...

The first time I told my friends I was pissed with my hubby, they all fell over laughing....yeh yeh, har dee har.... I told another friends's hubby that in the States, we just call a 'tuque' a hat, his response was, "Americans -- they're a simple people, eh?" Now Slap's got me all perplexed...

I usually wash the dishes and scrub the water bottles whenever I clean the cage, so I guess twice a week. I change out their fleece beds once a week, and wash them with the cage fleece. As far as completely disinfecting the cage, I'll probably do an all-over quick wipe-down once a month. I...