Why hello there~ New pig owner who will definitely be looking for advice :3

[tiny_hooves]

Hello!
I'm tiny-hooves, otherwise Jasper
I'm very glad I stumbled on this site as a new pig owner. I'm very much one of those people who are very very picky about making sure their pets are taken care of and spoiled to the fullest.

I have never had guinea pigs before, this was a impulse decisions from my mom as a gift to my 8 year old brother. So, of course, the first thing I did was jump online and started to do heaps of research on all the proper care for health and happiness. We've gotten our second pig from a friend, and as of right now they're being quarantined.

After reading about them I instantly ran to the store and tossed out all the "starter kit" things that had been bought by my mom from Petco and switched the bedding, food, and proper water bottles. I even bought toys, surprising that a so-called starter kit wouldn't even include those!

I'm definitely going to be using this forum for help, especially with diets, concerns, and general questions. The only small animals I've ever cared for before was fostering rabbits for a local shelter, rats, and taking care of reptiles (If they count as small animals >> ). I'm used to the big guys, such as dogs and horses, and cats! But I'm very eager to learn, keeping animals I own or live with happy and healthy is one of the most important things to me.

Happy to meet you all!
-- Jasper

 

[Catahoula]

Hi Jasper,

It's nice to meet you too.

At the beginning of each section are "read me" stickies that are full of useful information. I would suggest starting there. Definitely read the stickies in the Diet and Nutrition section if you need help with creating a menu.

Can you introduce us to your piggies? Names, ages, gender, and pictures if you have any. lol

 

[tiny_hooves]

Both of them are very young, probably babies (looking into determining ages now, haha)

One is a little boy, his name is Spooky. He's still pretty shy but seems to warm up faster when we socialize with him. He's a fluffy, tortoiseshell and white (I think?) ball of cute. I haven't managed to get any pictures of him yet, but I hopefully will be able to soon once he feels more confident around us

The other is a little girl who currently doesn't have a name because I'm particular about my names lol. I was hoping to get another boy for Spooky but we came across her first and I was eager to adopt so that I could avoid my mom going to buy a second from a pet store. She's very cute and a little bolder than Spooky, she'll run around her cage and play with her toys while I'm around her, even peek out at me to see what I'm doing. BUt if I get too close while she's out she'll run and hide back into her house. I managed to get a picture of her when she was running about, which is right here:

 

[tiny_hooves]

Trying to pick a name I really love out of a list is so hard xD

 

[arionat799]

Welcome!! Your girl is verry cute!! But you shouldn't have them together. If you do this, they will breed. If you plan to keep them together, you need to get Spooky nuetered. Is he?

 

[tiny_hooves]

Currently, they are still being quarantined from each other since I got them seperately. We are using the quarantine period to find a vet to neuter Spooky. So he is not currently neutered, but he will be before he and the little girl are introduced :3

 

[arionat799]

Oh okay, well thank you very much. Breeders are NOT accepted here, and we try to stop as many as we can. Have you checked out the gallery here? I noticed that your female pig was in a cage that I'm guessing you bought from the petstore, right? Because once you get Spooky nuetered and put the pigs together, a C&C cage is what you should put them in.

 

[go_ellie]

Oh!! You have the cutest girl!! She has the biggest eyes!!

Thumbs up, for neughtering Spooky!!

 

[pinky]

Gorgeous guinea pig! You came to the right place for info on guinea pigs. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your other one.

 

[Catahoula]

Wow!! She is very pretty. Seems very elegant, almost regal.

I think a name like Zsa Zsa would suit her. (She looks so sophisticated for being so tiny.)

 

[trexgorawrrrrr]

Glad to see you're being responsible and getting your boy neutered.

I love the picture you posted, very cute piggie.

Just remember not to put them together until 3 weeks after neutering, they can still get pregnant right after.

You should also probably read over this.
Guinea Pig Neutering, How to Neuter your Guinea Pigs

 

[tiny_hooves]

Oh okay, well thank you very much. Breeders are NOT accepted here, and we try to stop as many as we can. Have you checked out the gallery here? I noticed that your female pig was in a cage that I'm guessing you bought from the petstore, right? Because once you get Spooky nuetered and put the pigs together, a C&C cage is what you should put them in.

Yeah, she's in a cage right now but it's only temporary. Once they can be together and show that they get along, they'll be moved to a C&C cage that I've bought plenty of toys, beds, and other fun things for. I couldn't bear the thought of keeping her in this current cage, even if I hadn't known about the C&C cages I could easily see it's way too small! I can't wait to move her into a nice spacious one.

 

[tiny_hooves]

Glad to see you're being responsible and getting your boy neutered.

I love the picture you posted, very cute piggie.

Just remember not to put them together until 3 weeks after neutering, they can still get pregnant right after.

You should also probably read over this.
Guinea Pig Neutering, How to Neuter your Guinea Pigs

Yeah, we love our piggies but I'm a huge advocate for rescuing and adopting animals and not breeding. On top of we know that we couldn't handle any new, accidental babies, as cute as they might be.

And thank you for the link, I'll be sure to study it before Spooky's trip to the vet!

 

[purplepiggies]

She is adorable and looks almost exactly like my girl, Feisty. Welcome to the site!

 

[CavyMama]

Awww she is such a doll-baby! Sounds like you are doing all the right things so far. I'm the same way about names. Sometimes it's weeks before I come up with the right name.

We are pig-photo crazy here. I'm very curious about the mister pig you have. Please introduce us asap and welcome to the forum!

 

[tiny_hooves]

Since it was in such high demand, I finally got a picture of Spooky! He's less timid when you hold him, so we hung out on my brothers bed and snapped this of him

And the girl now has a name! It's a long one, but she'll almost always be referred to by her nickname. She is now Gallifrey Samus, who we call Frey and Freya for short. Her name might have a couple more additions to it later on.

Any other pictures of Frey and Spooky will get posted in the Guinea Pig thread, since now they've both been introduced! Frey might have some put up later tonight when we have a small socializing time before her bed time~