Commercial Products

[Ellie-May]

Hi everyone,

I am just randomly browsing the pets at home website under healthcare and I have noticed that there are so many healthcare bits you can buy. I was just wondering is it necessary? Also, is it good or are they just another way to make money? I have used the brand Johnsons before for my budgies when I buy their vitamin drops and it has always been really good, but I am just wondering if it is worth it or only buy when needed kind of thing. I believe that prevention is better than cure, but I would just like some advice as I don't want to be ripped off. My guinea pigs are indoors btw if that can help x

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi, I dont think that guinea pigs should have any off the shelf healthcare products- if you need a healthcare product you should ask your vet and get a prescription. I'm not sure exactly what products you mean, but usually vitamin supplements are completely unnecessary, and mite or lice treatments sold in shops are not strong enough to be effective, and shouldnt be used anyway unless you have a confirmed diagnosis from the vet.
If you mean healthcare products like probiotics or recovery food to syringe feed if a piggy is unwell, you might consider keeping these in stock just in case- but if you dont have many piggies and they are in good health these things will probably go out of date before you need them.
You are probably better saving your money for your vet fund, so you can spend it wisely on what the vet prescribes when your piggies need it!

 

[Piggies&buns]

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

I am just randomly browsing the pets at home website under healthcare and I have noticed that there are so many healthcare bits you can buy. I was just wondering is it necessary? Also, is it good or are they just another way to make money? I have used the brand Johnsons before for my budgies when I buy their vitamin drops and it has always been really good, but I am just wondering if it is worth it or only buy when needed kind of thing. I believe that prevention is better than cure, but I would just like some advice as I don't want to be ripped off. My guinea pigs are indoors btw if that can help x

Hi!

A good hay based diet and regular cage cleaning go a VERY long way towards good health, a long life and a perfectly working immune system - health comes from the gut and that means hay, hay and more hay.
Thes measures are ultimately more effective (and a lot cheaper) than low dosed road spectrum pet shop money making products. Rather use that money (which will add up to a surprisingly high sum) for a vet visit and good quality vet products if there is ever the need for a targeted intervention.

This whole profitable industry lives off people investing in mostly unnecessary 'prevention' - your piggies get plenty of vitamins and other nutrients in a healthy diet with less processed products, nor can cut pet shop products cut through an acute parasite outbreak caused by illness or a weakened immune system.

PS: If you really want to use a shampoo instead of plain water for the quick bum bath that is usually all that is needed, then Gorgeous Guineas use at least no artificial ingredients and they are specifically formulated for guinea pig skin. it still messes with the oil coating and natural skin biome, though. Gorgeous Guineas - Aromatherapy skincare products for guinea pigs

 

[Ellie-May]

Hi!

A good diet and regular cage cleaning go a VERY long way towards good health and a perfectly working immune system. They are ultimately more effective (and a lot cheaper) than low dosed road spectrum pet shop money making products. Rather use that money (which will add up to a surprisingly high sum) for a vet visit and good quality vet products if there is ever the need for a targeted intervention.

This whole profitable industry lives off people investing in mostly unnecessary 'prevention' - your piggies get plenty of vitamins and other nutrients in a healthy diet with less processed products, nor can cut pet shop products cut through an acute parasite outbreak caused by illness or a weakened immune system.

Thank you for your advice! I completely agree with what you are saying I was just so overwhelmed looking at it. I only went on there to buy them more toys lol and look at what happened, but thank you. I don't understand why they sell cage cleaner when a weekly deep clean (with regular spot cleaining) can be done at home and without the huge cost! x

 

[Ellie-May]

Hi, I dont think that guinea pigs should have any off the shelf healthcare products- if you need a healthcare product you should ask your vet and get a prescription. I'm not sure exactly what products you mean, but usually vitamin supplements are completely unnecessary, and mite or lice treatments sold in shops are not strong enough to be effective, and shouldnt be used anyway unless you have a confirmed diagnosis from the vet.
If you mean healthcare products like probiotics or recovery food to syringe feed if a piggy is unwell, you might consider keeping these in stock just in case- but if you dont have many piggies and they are in good health these things will probably go out of date before you need them.
You are probably better saving your money for your vet fund, so you can spend it wisely on what the vet prescribes when your piggies need it!

Just healthcare products in general. I was just looking on the website and noticed there were so many and I did not know if it was worth spending all that money. Yes, I think I will just do that. They are only babies still, but I just wanted some advice before making a decision x

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice! I completely agree with what you are saying I was just so overwhelmed looking at it. I only went on there to buy them more toys lol and look at what happened, but thank you. I don't understand why they sell cage cleaner when a weekly deep clean (with regular spot cleaining) can be done at home and without the huge cost! x

Of course it's all about money making, including lots of toys that piggies will hardly look at. the real favourites are dead cheap second-hand materials... And of course you are tempted - you are supposed to after all!

Have a look at the many simple but effective ideas in this guide link here (with lots of pics and videos) to get the idea!
Enrichment is soooo much more than expensively boring shop toys: Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Here is our 'graveyard' list for far too many dangerous shop products that have sadly turned out to be harmful and all too often life threatening: Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys

 

[Ellie-May]

Hi!

A good hay based diet and regular cage cleaning go a VERY long way towards good health, a long life and a perfectly working immune system - health comes from the gut and that means hay, hay and more hay.
Thes measures are ultimately more effective (and a lot cheaper) than low dosed road spectrum pet shop money making products. Rather use that money (which will add up to a surprisingly high sum) for a vet visit and good quality vet products if there is ever the need for a targeted intervention.

This whole profitable industry lives off people investing in mostly unnecessary 'prevention' - your piggies get plenty of vitamins and other nutrients in a healthy diet with less processed products, nor can cut pet shop products cut through an acute parasite outbreak caused by illness or a weakened immune system.

PS: If you really want to use a shampoo instead of plain water for the quick bum bath that is usually all that is needed, then Gorgeous Guineas use at least no artificial ingredients and they are specifically formulated for guinea pig skin. it still messes with the oil coating and natural skin biome, though. Gorgeous Guineas - Aromatherapy skincare products for guinea pigs

Of course it's all about money making, including lots of toys that piggies will hardly look at. the real favourites are dead cheap second-hand materials... And of course you are tempted - you are supposed to after all!

Have a look at the many simple but effective ideas in this guide link here (with lots of pics and videos) to get the idea!
Enrichment is soooo much more than expensively boring shop toys: Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Here is our 'graveyard' list for far too many dangerous shop products that have sadly turned out to be harmful and all too often life threatening: Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys

Thank you!

 

[Ellie-May]

Of course it's all about money making, including lots of toys that piggies will hardly look at. the real favourites are dead cheap second-hand materials... And of course you are tempted - you are supposed to after all!

Have a look at the many simple but effective ideas in this guide link here (with lots of pics and videos) to get the idea!
Enrichment is soooo much more than expensively boring shop toys: Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Here is our 'graveyard' list for far too many dangerous shop products that have sadly turned out to be harmful and all too often life threatening: Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys

Do you think the grass from the garden would be good? I have seen loads of people feed this, but I am unsure

 

[Wiebke]

Do you think the grass from the garden would be good? I have seen loads of people feed this, but I am unsure

Yes, it is; grass - and hay - are also rich in vitamin C, which is why guinea pigs never had the need to make their own vitamin C in the first place. Here are our tips on how to introduce it (in order to avoid tummy upsets) and what to be aware of. Please never feed too much on a tummy that is not used to it and never feed damp grass in order to avoid causing diarrhea or bloating.

Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time

By the way, all the links are part of our comprehensive new owners guide collection with all the information on what works, how to go abut things and learning what is normal and what not. The guides are specifically written to address all the most commonly asked questions and concerns and to help them to avoid the most obvious traps and mistakes that await the unwary.
The collection makes a really useful resource that has the advantage that we can constantly update it compared to a printed book: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

You can access our much larger guide collection on a wide range of topics via the guides shortcut on the top bar, by the way.