Please help, new to guinea pigs!

[lawomans]

Hi,

I am a new guinea pig owner. He is a neutered male from a rescue here in So. California. I have 7 rabbits that are rescues, so I am familiar with them, but not guinea pigs. I bought a very large cage for my guinea pig, but I want to make him a larger one. The one I bought does not have a large enough door so that when I take him out, I have trouble
reaching him. How do you make a top for the cages? Where are the doors? I can't reach down from the top because the cage is on a table. I have 4 cats, and don't want them to get at the guinea pig. They are
very good and don't try to get at the guinea pig, and afraid of the house rabbits, but I don't want to freak out
the pig. Also, I was wondering if there is someone I can call to ask questions about how to give this guy the best possible life. I plan to get him a friend from the same resecue in April. This particular guy was in a kindergarten for all of his life. He is a probably about 2 years old.

I have put him in a playpen for exercise, but he just sits there (the cats aren't in the same room,). I take him out everyday and hold him, but I'm not sure if that is what I am supposed to do. I don't want to torture him. He is eating well
but everytime I come into the room, he runs and hides, even though I always talk to him. I never make sudden moves or anything like that.
He is in my bedroom because that is the most quiet room. It is nice and light (no direct sunlight) and cool.

Sorry I am so clueless about guinea pigs. I just want to be sure he has a good quality of life. My rabbits live in pens and get a lot of attention and exercise.

Sincerely,

Leslie

 

[morrigan]

Take time to search in the photo gallery for door suggestions.

Here's a link to Treen's cage doors: https://guineapigcages.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20

Did you cover the top of your cage?

Check www.guinealynx.com for lots of useful information about guinea pigs.

During floor time, put something in that he can play around. Newspapers, old towel, cardboard boxes, paper bag, socks, ball, stuff like that.

I have a piggy who stay still when I put him on the floor. He wouldn't move. But when he knows that he's with another pigs, he'll run around. It's normal when pigs run and hide when you're going to get them.

 

[lawomans]

Floor time

Thanks so much for the advice. I plan to get him a friend in April, but I will try some toys for now. The top of the cage is covered and I plan to make him one of the cages as shown on the cccages site. I suspect this little pig was somewhat abused and neglected as a kindergarten "pet" so I am being very careful with him.