Guinea Pig Questions

[mefingas]

I have two questions. I am going to get a quinea pig(not sure if we are adopting one or two yet...its going to be a surprise, but I kind of found out about it) and I have already done a lot of research. The first question is concerning water, is tap water fine? Should I test the water to make sure it doesnt have too much calcium or minerals? And the second is how should we go about introducing the guinea pig/s once they have gotten used to their new home to our little mini dachshund, Mina?

 

[TinaFabulous]

I'm not sure about the water thing, we have our own well so it's not much of a worry for us. I'd if your not in a larger town or city you're water shouldnt be a problem, but if you want you can run some tests to be sure feel free.

And about the dachshund thing, I'm getting a maltese puppy this weekend, once he has all his shots we plan on putting his crate next to the piggy cage so they can meet eachother. Malteses are very social and aparently will accept almost any animal if introduced properly, I'm not sure if this is true about dachshunds. But above all, even if they do hit it off, NEVER leave them alone to play together, it's really dangerous, think how excited a dog/puppy could get if they thought that one of their fuzzy chew toys was making noises and walking away today.

 

[Piglet]

I use tap water, and I've never had a problem with it. It depends where you live. Here in london, the waters very clean

 

[cinn&sprinslave]

I use tap water, I used to use bottled water (but thats because we had a ton of bottled water we bought and never needed because Y2K or what ever it was called never happened, lmao I can't believe we (it wasn't my idea) even went out and bought all that water). I have never introduced my dog (Chihuahua) to my guinea pigs, I find it's not neccessary, she doesn't even notice them. Now the cats that another story they notice them alot but we have them trained to leave the guinea pigs alone.

 

[Faunn]

Same with piglet, it depends where you live. My pig and I both drink the same water (It may sound nasty, but I don't bother with filter) and we're fine. With the dog, some dogs are bred to chase small animals. As long as you have someone haging onto the dogs collar and you haging onto the guinea pig, it should go fine. My rott hasn't done anything to my pig when I let her sniff him. Make sure you introduce them after you've had your pigs for a while, they might be a little jumpy when you first get them.

 

[aqh88]

Well water generally has more calcium and minerals in it than city tap water. My well water has been designated liquid rock ever since I asked about using it for my aquariums. I just use a filter that connected to the sink for both my fish tanks and my small animals.

 

[tashagurl]

My little dog thinks their her babies. she licks thim all over. Most of my pigs dont mind they actually seem to likeit.The only time she was thretening to them was when she was eating one of THEIR carrots and they tried to steal it back. She growled at him, but I made her stop before anythhing happened.

 

[mncavylover]

First of all, you must adopt two. See www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm for more info.

Secondly, you really shouldn't be having a dog and a cavy together. I tried it once, and that's all it took. My cavy was just sitting there, and my dog almost rolled on him. If I hadn't been there, he would have dies that day. I'm never doing that again!

 

[tashagurl]

I dont think he is talking about them being togeter unsuprivised. My dog has only been with my pigs with me there. Oh, I give my pigs tap water too. Its what I drink so why wouldnt it work for my pigs?

 

[mefingas]

I just want to introduce them both. I know Mina will be curious but it will wear out. When we got our leopard gecko sometimes she would just sit and look up at her but when we help our gecko to clean her home mina didnt care the least. I just know she will want to see the guinea pig and when we arent home with mina she is in her crate so there will never be a time where mina will be on her own to do whatever she wants to. Most of the day she is sleeping on the couch or outside watching animals. Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[GuineasGalore]

I think a good rule for tap water is

if you won't drink it, don't make your piggies drink it.(but otherwise it's probably okay)

 

[Starbucks]

the only thing with tap water is that no matter where you are, tap water is treated some way or another. i've heard that guinea pigs should drink bottled water because they are such small animals, that the mineral/chemical build-up in their kidneys can become leathal much faster than bigger animals or us.

with that said, i dont for sure exactly how much water piggies need to drink before it reaches a lethal dose, but im sure its fine since we all let our piggies drink tap.

my piggies get water from the tap and i've never had a problem before either.

 

[critterlover]

We use a Brita filter to remove the chlorine and heavy metals from our water, for us and for our pig. Can't be healthy to ingest that. Probably the calcium and minerals are a health concern if you have your own well. In that case, it would be a good idea to get your water tested for yourselves and your pig(s).

 

[Loveheart]

we have well water but ours is filtered anyways so i always give her the filter water

 

[sofiemuffins]

I wouldn't let the dog meet them. I live in a house with 4 dogs. 3 Chihuahuas, and a chinese crested. The chinese crested seems fine, but all the chihuahuas have attempted to bite the pigs! I can't even let the dogs in my bedroom anymore, because they growl and bark at my pigs, and actually try to bite them through the cage! I think it's best to skip the introductions...it's frightening for the pigs.

 

[mncavylover]

I agree. Have you looked into getting a second cavy, mefingas? Please do.

 

[RubyPiggie2]

Yes, mncavylover is definately right on- you definately should try to get another pig. She helped me convince my sister to let my other boar in with her boar!

 

[mefingas]

I've thought about getting two. Next week I think we are going to look at the guinea pigs. I am not sure how many are not spoken for. If there are two baby girls that aren't spoklen for I may get two. Or else I was thinking about getting the mom and maybe one of her baby girls? Otherwise we are going to wait until spring to get a cage mate because we will hopefully be buying a house and will have more room. Because then we can have two cages so when we get the next one we can quarantine the new one.

 

[mncavylover]

Ok, that sounds great! I'm glad that you're planning on adding another (or maybe a few!) cavy/ies into your life. Keep us updated!