Advice on gp types needed - where to post?

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milliepops

milliepops

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Hi! :)p

I have ordered a large indoor cage for us to home 2 gps in. We are primarily getting them for my daughter (11) who has CFS/M.E and is mainly housebound, but we've never had guinea pigs before! We've done lots of research on bedding, housing etc, but need to pick real pet-owners' brains ie you guys! if that's ok!
Please can you give us some advice on:
a) what types of gps are easiest? she likes the rossetted type, are they much harder to look after? (we are in all day so time isn't a problem)
b) food - which are the best, good quality and not too expensive gp dried foods?
I didn't know where to post this - sorry if i've got it wrong :red
thanks everyone x
 
Hello!

I think it depends what you mean by easiest. Long haired piggies require lots of grooming, whereas short-haired ones don't need as much, except for the usual bathing etc. I've got an abby cross, and he's got lovely rosettes but without the long hair!

I personally am a big fan of boars, they're lovely and affectionate. Yeah, there can be problems with dominance and arguments, but if you can get a bonded rescue pair you shouldn't have to worry about that. Boars also come with the added fun of cleaning their bits and scent glands, but once you get used to it, it just becomes part of the bathtime routine!

I don't know much about keeping female pigs though, so I can't compare males versus females. I just know that my niece's girls are more skittish than my boys.

In terms of food, I think everyone has their own preferences, but I use the Excel nuggets. They seem to like it, it's about average in price, and they can't selectively feed!

Hope that helps, and good luck with your new piggies! :)

Jo x
 
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milliepops said:
Hi! :)p

I have ordered a large indoor cage for us to home 2 gps in. We are primarily getting them for my daughter (11) who has CFS/M.E and is mainly housebound, but we've never had guinea pigs before! We've done lots of research on bedding, housing etc, but need to pick real pet-owners' brains ie you guys! if that's ok!
Please can you give us some advice on:
a) what types of gps are easiest? she likes the rossetted type, are they much harder to look after? (we are in all day so time isn't a problem)
b) food - which are the best, good quality and not too expensive gp dried foods?
I didn't know where to post this - sorry if i've got it wrong :red
thanks everyone x
Click to expand...

Hello and welcome to the forum :). Ewww the exciting stage that is getting your first piggies :D.

Generally Guinea pigs don't really differ in amount of care, the only ones I'd say need more care are long haired piggies as they need to be brushed daily, kept clean, hair cuts etc. So I wouldn't recommend getting long haired Guinea pigs as first Guinea pigs unless you are going to be fully devoted to keeping the hair cared for. Outside of that there aren't really any differences so it's more of a matter of preference.

Food- what country are you in? The two good main ones that I can think of in the UK are Excel and Wagg but both can be fairly expensive and there are other alternatives that my brain is suddenly bringing a blank about lol. You may want to look at the nutrition section of this forum as different brands have been reviewed.

HTH :)
 
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Hi! I would recommend going for any of the shorthair breeds - abys, crested, smooth, rex or teddy.

It would be great if you would consider rehoming from a reputable guinea pig rescue. They will not only rehome handled, well bonded and guaranteed healthy piggies that are not pregnant, but they will also support you during the settling in period and whenever you have problems.
You won't get that kind of service from shops and most breeders, as many members have found out to their cost. The gender is immaterial - once you have passed your homecheck (to make sure that your accommodation is suitable, that is all), you could take your daughter to the rescue if that is OK with them and let her choose the piggies herself. Often it is not the prettiest piggies that have the most rewarding personalities or that are the biggest cuddlers!

Where are you based?

If you rehome from a rescue, they can also advise you on which brand of pellets they use. You get usually a small batch to take home with you in order to help settle the piggies in.
 
Welcome to the forum :)

Depending where abouts you are in the country (or even the world) someone might be able to recommend a good rescue to you. That way you get to see the piggies in a more natural (wrong word I think) environment than a pet shop, also the rescue will be able to advise on their personalities etc... and your daughter will be able to have cuddles with them - the right piggies would probably choose you instead of the other way round ;)
There are usually plenty of babies in rescues too because missexed pairs etc... are brought in and give birth in the rescue. I thought I'd add that because I think some people have misconceptions that there are only oldies in rescues
x
 
Awwww thanks!

Thank you all soooo much, that's lovely you all replied so quickly!

I have considered rescue guinea pigs and spoke to a large rescue about an hour's drive from me at the Cardiff rescue centre. (we live in Swansea) My daughter is housebound so I would have to take photos for her to choose!
There was one possible pair that the lady had but no others suitable she felt, but she said there were some babies going to be ready soon. (none suitable for 'beginners' or for an 11yr old)

But we don't mind babies/adults!

I didn't want to get them from Pets At Home, but there is an excellent family run pet shop with a good reputation called Zoar's Ark in Neath that I would consider. Their animals are always very well looked after, clean/healthy looking and the staff seem very knowledgable.
Anyone else in south wales and can recommend any other rescues?
 
hi and welcome to the forum.
There is a guinea pig rescue not too far from you (around 45 mins drive i think) called Glynneath Guinea Pig rescue, a member on here runs it. They have lots of lovely piggies to chose from... heres the website..
http://guinearescue.blogspot.com/
x
 
LOL - that was quick!

I run the Glynneath Guinea Pig Rescue - and as you can see from the link to the rescue website I have a lot of piggies waiting for their new home. If you would like to phone for a chat or to arrange a visit you are most welcome.

Suzy x
01639 721127
 
thanks

xx>>> Thank you so much everyone

I will definitely give you - Suzy - a ring this weekend!! Good to know there's a good reputable rescue place not too far away, really chuffed! Just going to show the pigs to my daughter! Exciting!
 
Hi there! How exciting to be getting piggies! You'll never want a piggie free home again! I just want to recommend the rescue in glynneath. I had a single pig and went there for piggie dating to find her a friend. Suzy put a lot of time and effort into finding just the right pal for my miss Mabel and I came home with the lovely doodle-pig! There are lots of beautiful piggies at the rescue. Suzy has been a great help to me since I had doodle-pig too and has answered all my new mum questions! She never makes me feel that I'm asking a daft question or hassling her. It's great to know the support is there as like you I was new to piggies. You'll also have the added joy of knowing you rescued piggies who so desperately need a forever home! Good luck and hope to see pics of your new piggies soon! X
 
can't wait!

Mabel'sMum said:
Hi there! How exciting to be getting piggies! You'll never want a piggie free home again! I just want to recommend the rescue in glynneath. I had a single pig and went there for piggie dating to find her a friend. Suzy put a lot of time and effort into finding just the right pal for my miss Mabel and I came home with the lovely doodle-pig! There are lots of beautiful piggies at the rescue. Suzy has been a great help to me since I had doodle-pig too and has answered all my new mum questions! She never makes me feel that I'm asking a daft question or hassling her. It's great to know the support is there as like you I was new to piggies. You'll also have the added joy of knowing you rescued piggies who so desperately need a forever home! Good luck and hope to see pics of your new piggies soon! X
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Thanks, am soo excited, going to see Suzy and her gpigs at 3pm today! I am rubbish at choosing though - will probably like them all - so hope that the right pigs choose me! Oh no, what if none of them like me?! :0 Oh golly...maybe some will take pity on me!
 
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Best of luck and TRY to decide on only two... drooldrooldrool
 
How did it go? there are soooo many lovelies there aren't there! must be tough to choose!@) xx
 
Here's a clue LOL

PA270278.JPG


Suzy x
 
ha ha!

I totally confuse myself where to post things! Maybe I should've posted my other post here rolleyes - what am I like?!

Definitely a tough choice - Mr Anderson got me a bit, he is adorable...but the big choice was really between Fern,Clem and Charlotte 9the 3 lovely mums):

Fern
really really like Fern and her little ones, Fern is really aware and kind of intelligent looking(!) as well as being sweet. And she has a cute hairdo

Clem
Clem is really really lovely, happy, lovely looking, with extremely cute babies too.

Charlotte aka The Chosen One!
She's rough but kind of fluffy to touch!, has red eyes, and the sweetest nature just crying out for some TLC! Her babies are totally beautiful but her baby girl we are having is, well, exquisite.
The thing is all the babies of all 3 mums are adorable, but wanted to choose on the mum really. Even now I'm thinking oh golly, I really liked Fern, oh but Clem was a happy thing...aaaah! Thankfully my daughter looked at the photos and fell in love with Charlotte immediately which has made it a lot easier!
Suzy, what type of shorthaired did you say Charlotte was? Thanks for all sharing in my enthusiasm by the way, it's lovely x>>
 
Charlotte is a rex - but a funky rex as she has an unusual parting down her back.

x
 
Charlotte is a rex - but a funky rex as she has an unusual parting down her back.

x
 
So pleased you found some sweet pigs! I would have been showing you ginger pigs too that's what we seem to have in Wales at the moment!

Congratulations and look forward to seeing you on here more

Lisa

cardiff guinea pig rescue
 
Thanks Suzy, a rex, I remember now!
You are patient!
Just posted the photo on my fb page to show them off!
 
Hi!

Lisajazz said:
So pleased you found some sweet pigs! I would have been showing you ginger pigs too that's what we seem to have in Wales at the moment!

Congratulations and look forward to seeing you on here more

Lisa

cardiff guinea pig rescue
Click to expand...

Thanks Lisa, my daughter wasn't enamoured with any in particular when i showed her the adoption page after speaking with you, but did like one on Glynneath's one, so I decided to go there especially as it is closer. Thanks for our quick chat the other evening tho, didn't realise you were on here!
 
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