Getting our First Guinea Pigs

[askgar]

Hi all,

I've been browsing this forum on and off for a few months now, trying to research many things including local "holiday homes" for guinea pigs, local rescues and what sort of things are required to make sure our new pigs are going to be nice and healthy and well looked after.

The 2 guinea pigs are going to be a family pet, as my whole family is guinea pig mad (I can't count the number of stuffed toy guinea pigs we have) but we've only recently moved into a house where it would be suitable to keep a guinea pig, or in fact any pet. We've decided we'll be housing the guinea pig out in our garden, which has a large grassy area, and a small patio off to one side which will have enough space to put the cage.

The trouble is, I've now read so many things I don't know whats true and what isn't, I've read that guinea pigs shouldn't be housed in multi-story cages as their legs can't cope (apparently) although I've also seen that a lot of people on here house their piggies in multi-story cages so I assume that isn't true? Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look out for when shopping for a cage?

Also, we'd like a run that can be moved around the garden easily, which type would be best for that as there appear to be 3 or 4 different types I've seen, some looking better than others for moving around easily.

Finally, for now at least, I'm sure many more questions will come to me, would it be better to get 2 boys, or 2 girls, or would we be better off deciding that when we actually come to rescue?

 

[HairlessWillow7]

I'll try to help as best as I can here.

For two piggies, the minimum cage size is 2x4 ft. They can be housed in multi-level cages, as long as the ramps aren't too steep. Ramps should also be rather wide and have a way for the pig to grip on it eg. carpet

I'll leave talking about runs to someone else..

As for choosing between boys and girls, that's up to you. Some people prefer boys and some prefer sows. Both are wonderful in my opinion

Hope that helped a bit, and don't hesitate to ask more questions!

 

[carrot_and_parsnip]

Boys smell :p Lol, I have two boys and they are great, the only problem I find is at this time of year they are quite smelly, or it could be their hormones maybe, I'm not sure, if yours are housed outside then that won't annoy you
They are absolutely fantastic pets, really relaxing and entertaining and such fun. My two are in a 2 storey c&c cage with a ramp, but the ramp isn't terribly steep and Thumper, the more lively of my two, uses it when he's running laps of the cage!
It's brilliant you're really researching it, I'm so glad I did too as there is so much to learn, and still everyday is a learning curve!
Good luck xox

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

Boys smell :p Lol, I have two boys and they are great, the only problem I find is at this time of year they are quite smelly, or it could be their hormones maybe, I'm not sure, if yours are housed outside then that won't annoy you
They are absolutely fantastic pets, really relaxing and entertaining and such fun. My two are in a 2 storey c&c cage with a ramp, but the ramp isn't terribly steep and Thumper, the more lively of my two, uses it when he's running laps of the cage!
It's brilliant you're really researching it, I'm so glad I did too as there is so much to learn, and still everyday is a learning curve!
Good luck xox

boys dont smell! rolleyes

 

[Wiebke]

If you house guinea pigs outside, you will need to provide a hutch that is protected enough from dampness and cold in winter and heat in summer, and is safe from rats, cats, foxes etc. Many members on here move their guinea pigs indoors for the winter months (and some just stay there because you get much more interaction with your guinea pigs that way!)

Ramps are not a problem, provided they are wide, not too steep and have a cover that allows good grip and preferably siderails, so a piggy can't injure itself by falling down. Some people use tunnels they velcro on instead. What piggies can't cope with is a rat or hamster cage; they are ground dwellers and their spine is not as flexible. You also need to be able to pull up any ramp overnight, especially on frosty nights.

The minimum hutch/cage size should be 2x4 ft, preferably more, especially for boys who can be he better cuddlers than girls.

It would be great if you considered rehoming from a reputable guinea pig rescue. You will not only get guaranteed healthy, carefully bonded, properly sexed and not pregnant piggies, but also advice and support throughout your piggies' lives.

 

[askgar]

If you house guinea pigs outside, you will need to provide a hutch that is protected enough from dampness and cold in winter and heat in summer, and is safe from rats, cats, foxes etc. Many members on here move their guinea pigs indoors for the winter months (and some just stay there because you get much more interaction with your guinea pigs that way!)

We've been looking into protectors for hutches already, we want to ensure that if our piggies are going to live outside then we make sure they have the best life. What are the best ways to protect against cats? I've seen lots of information about making sure you get a cage that is raised to protect against intruders, however I can't see this helping against cats and can't see much information online about it.

It would be great if you considered rehoming from a reputable guinea pig rescue. You will not only get guaranteed healthy, carefully bonded, properly sexed and not pregnant piggies, but also advice and support throughout your piggies' lives.

I have done research on local guinea pig rescues, however I am always interested in more information about them, I'm currently living in Chippenham and have a car so would be more than happy to drive to a decent rescue.

 

[claremw92]

We've been looking into protectors for hutches already, we want to ensure that if our piggies are going to live outside then we make sure they have the best life. What are the best ways to protect against cats? I've seen lots of information about making sure you get a cage that is raised to protect against intruders, however I can't see this helping against cats and can't see much information online about it.

pets at home do fox proof hutches... the wireing on the outside of the hutch is like the bars on an indoor cage rather than the chicken wire most use....
x

 

[Doeylicious]

pets at home do fox proof hutches... the wireing on the outside of the hutch is like the bars on an indoor cage rather than the chicken wire most use....
x

This wiring may be fox proof but in winter it is actually the worse option, as the gaps are so wide you may as well open the door.

I have always kept my guinea pigs outside and this winter will be keeping them outside for the duration due to a change in my living arrangements. Pebble and All About The Animals have already been giving me tips and in Pebble's case offered to come and help me winter proof my hutches (she lives fairly close and soon even closer!) so I will be able to pass on lots of advice in a few months

If I were starting over again (weird thought now I have 14!) I would start with a pair of boys or a neutered boar and a female, I love both but boars are more personable and I think better as family pets - my girls can be quite stroppy and just not want cuddles sometimes, which is hard for children as they don't always understand that.

I have never had an issue with cats, primarily as cats are pretty damn smart/lazy and won't bother working their way through wire, bolts and wood when there is a bowl of cat food in the kitchen. While they are predators they are more likely to go after guineas in a run as they like to chase and pounce, make sure your run is covered though and ideally do not leave them out when you aren't there and you should be fine.

Believe it or not a security light is also a good predator prevention (as well as deterring burglars!) as a lot of animals will leg it when disturbed. Also ensure you never leave food waste out that will attract foxes - they aren't often attracted by guineas as they don't smell like their natural prey, whereas a left over chicken carcass does and if they are attracted by this, they might have a pop at the guineas for the hell of it - they are quite honestly horrible that kill for fun, but if you don't attract them in the first place you will most likely find you have no problems, in my experience.

 

[claremw92]

This wiring may be fox proof but in winter it is actually the worse option, as the gaps are so wide you may as well open the door.

I have always kept my guinea pigs outside and this winter will be keeping them outside for the duration due to a change in my living arrangements. Pebble and All About The Animals have already been giving me tips and in Pebble's case offered to come and help me winter proof my hutches (she lives fairly close and soon even closer!) so I will be able to pass on lots of advice in a few months

If I were starting over again (weird thought now I have 14!) I would start with a pair of boys or a neutered boar and a female, I love both but boars are more personable and I think better as family pets - my girls can be quite stroppy and just not want cuddles sometimes, which is hard for children as they don't always understand that.

I have never had an issue with cats, primarily as cats are pretty damn smart/lazy and won't bother working their way through wire, bolts and wood when there is a bowl of cat food in the kitchen. While they are predators they are more likely to go after guineas in a run as they like to chase and pounce, make sure your run is covered though and ideally do not leave them out when you aren't there and you should be fine.

Believe it or not a security light is also a good predator prevention (as well as deterring burglars!) as a lot of animals will leg it when disturbed. Also ensure you never leave food waste out that will attract foxes - they aren't often attracted by guineas as they don't smell like their natural prey, whereas a left over chicken carcass does and if they are attracted by this, they might have a pop at the guineas for the hell of it - they are quite honestly horrible that kill for fun, but if you don't attract them in the first place you will most likely find you have no problems, in my experience.

i know exactly what you mean about the bars...
but my hutches are going in the shed once the wether turns... with some duvets over the top of the hutches and a kennel heater... aswell as the hot pods etc...
its always a good idea to double bag any left over meat... and all that...
x

 

[askgar]

I have always kept my guinea pigs outside and this winter will be keeping them outside for the duration due to a change in my living arrangements. Pebble and All About The Animals have already been giving me tips and in Pebble's case offered to come and help me winter proof my hutches (she lives fairly close and soon even closer!) so I will be able to pass on lots of advice in a few months

I'll definitely be interested on advice on how best to winter proof hutches, our living arrangements mean that we cannot have pets in our house.

If I were starting over again (weird thought now I have 14!) I would start with a pair of boys or a neutered boar and a female, I love both but boars are more personable and I think better as family pets - my girls can be quite stroppy and just not want cuddles sometimes, which is hard for children as they don't always understand that.

Thanks for the advice on boys vs girls.

I have never had an issue with cats, primarily as cats are pretty damn smart/lazy and won't bother working their way through wire, bolts and wood when there is a bowl of cat food in the kitchen. While they are predators they are more likely to go after guineas in a run as they like to chase and pounce, make sure your run is covered though and ideally do not leave them out when you aren't there and you should be fine.

The main reason I was concerned about cats is that we have 2 or 3 local cats that are always seen running across our garden, the last thing I'd want is for one of these to get at our piggies in their hutch. We had already decided not to leave them out in the run when we aren't around.

 

[Wiebke]

I can warmly recommend Windwhistle Warren in your area.
http://www.windwhistlewarren.org.uk/

Leave choosing which guinea pigs you go for until you can meet them in pigson. THEN you will know which ones are the ones for you - and it ultimately doesn't matter which gender or age they are. Guinea pigs are such personalities, and when you are blessed to meet a special one, anything else doesn't count because your life will be so much richer just by having them around for whatever time is given.

Boars are often cuddlier and much more laid back than sows and with careful bonding (which you will get from a reputable rescue), they have an excellent chance at making it through the stroppy months.

 

[claremw92]

I can warmly recommend Windwhistle Warren in your area.
http://www.windwhistlewarren.org.uk/

Leave choosing which guinea pigs you go for until you can meet them in pigson. THEN you will know which ones are the ones for you - and it ultimately doesn't matter which gender or age they are. Guinea pigs are such personalities, and when you are blessed to meet a special one, anything else doesn't count because your life will be so much richer just by having them around for whatever time is given.

Boars are often cuddlier and much more laid back than sows and with careful bonding (which you will get from a reputable rescue), they have an excellent chance at making it through the stroppy months.

windwhistle warren is where i got my oliver from... and i agree with wiebke i highly reccommend them aswell....
was there a couple of weeks ago and theres some lovely piggies there at the moment...
x

 

[Glynis]

Welcome to the forum and well done for doing your research
You've had some fab advice, it's a really friendly group on here, always so willing to help when they can!
Whee started off with two boars for pets for two of my children, they were an absolute delight....but typical boars they did have their tiffs. Piggies are like humans they can be super chilled out ones and then you can all the way up the scale to the permanently skitty ones.....they've got beautiful pigsonalities tho x)
Once they get used to you, you'll find yourself chatting away to them and then if someone hears you they'll say......who were you chatting to
They love interaction, so if you can give them some playtime inside it would be great, if not perhaps you could have time with them outside.
Look forward so much to hearing what two little sweeties you come home with

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x

 

[guineagurl]

I can tell you that a multi level hutch is not a strain for their legs. It is good for them to get some exercise. I have a double level and it works perfectly.

 

[askgar]

I've been looking around online at hutches and have found this:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_hutches/outback_hutches/99658

However I'm not sure its quite big enough, and the ramp doesn't look very wide at all.

I've also seen this on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-x-2-x-4ft-D...et_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item35b25722f0 however the ramp looks quite steep and I'm not sure it would be suitable.

Does anyone have recommendations for a hutch around £100 if these aren't any good, I don't mind if it has 1 or 2 floors, I just want to ensure that we get the right thing.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations about windwhistle warren, I'll be sure to get in contact once we've got everything set up for the piggys.

 

[Doeylicious]

I've been looking around online at hutches and have found this:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_hutches/outback_hutches/99658

However I'm not sure its quite big enough, and the ramp doesn't look very wide at all.

I've also seen this on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-x-2-x-4ft-D...et_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item35b25722f0 however the ramp looks quite steep and I'm not sure it would be suitable.

Does anyone have recommendations for a hutch around £100 if these aren't any good, I don't mind if it has 1 or 2 floors, I just want to ensure that we get the right thing.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations about windwhistle warren, I'll be sure to get in contact once we've got everything set up for the piggys.

I'm not sure where you are, but the Pets at Home near me currently has the Summer Lodge hutch on offer for £99. It is brilliant, 5' x 2' two storey, the ramp is a little steep but you can easily lengthen it/add a mezzanine half way to make it less steep, and so far has done incredibly well in the very heavy rain we have had. I have a herd of six in mine, whereas my mum has the same but has split it with three living in the top at the moment, and the bottom for storage or 'in case I get any more' (I give it til Christmas before there's more guineas...she's as bad as me...)

I meant to say before, I apply lino floor tiles to all my wooden hutches as it prolongs the life immensly and makes cleaning so much easier, you can just spray hutch disinfectant on them and wipe clean, no waiting for wood to dry (I used to be regularly seen outside with a hair dryer trying to aid the process, once in the rain in danger of electrocution...)

 

[askgar]

I'm not sure where you are, but the Pets at Home near me currently has the Summer Lodge hutch on offer for £99. It is brilliant, 5' x 2' two storey, the ramp is a little steep but you can easily lengthen it/add a mezzanine half way to make it less steep, and so far has done incredibly well in the very heavy rain we have had. I have a herd of six in mine, whereas my mum has the same but has split it with three living in the top at the moment, and the bottom for storage or 'in case I get any more' (I give it til Christmas before there's more guineas...she's as bad as me...)

I meant to say before, I apply lino floor tiles to all my wooden hutches as it prolongs the life immensly and makes cleaning so much easier, you can just spray hutch disinfectant on them and wipe clean, no waiting for wood to dry (I used to be regularly seen outside with a hair dryer trying to aid the process, once in the rain in danger of electrocution...)

Well I know where I'm going tonight, theres a pets at home about a mile from our house thats open late, I'll drop in on the way home from work and see if they still have it in stock as I can't see it on their website, would be much simpler than having to order online. Also, I'll pop into the DIY store next door for some lino floor tiles

 

[askgar]

Quick update, I've been in to Pets and Home now and picked up one of the Summer Lodges. Just about managed to get it into my car to get home, getting it out again could be fun as well!

 

[Doeylicious]

Quick update, I've been in to Pets and Home now and picked up one of the Summer Lodges. Just about managed to get it into my car to get home, getting it out again could be fun as well!

We had fun with that, my OH has a BMW 1 Series and it fitted in fine...apart from the fact we had to move the passenger seat so far forward I felt I was sitting on the bonnet

I made a 'bannister' to the ramp and the hole to stop falling piggies, we used some pieces of perspex/plastic, might be worth thinking about if your future piggies are as accident prone as mine.

 

[askgar]

We had fun with that, my OH has a BMW 1 Series and it fitted in fine...apart from the fact we had to move the passenger seat so far forward I felt I was sitting on the bonnet

I made a 'bannister' to the ramp and the hole to stop falling piggies, we used some pieces of perspex/plastic, might be worth thinking about if your future piggies are as accident prone as mine.

If I'd had more than just me in the car it wouldn't have fit, I was lucky the staff from Pets at Home carried it out to the car for me.

We were looking at carry cases in Pets at Home as well for when the Guinea Pigs have to go and stay at a holiday home, we couldn't work out what sort of size we'd need. They seemed to do 3 sizes, small, medium and large, however I wasn't sure which would be best, or whether there were better places to get them online?

 

[lily 74]

The best way to protect your hutch and the piggies in the depth of winter if you keep them outside is to find a sheltered corner of the garden, between a wall and a protective fence or hedge

A hutch hugger is a must for protection from wind/rain, you could lay a thick old duvet cover under the hugger so the duvet stays dry in rain but insulates the hutch still

warm fleece cosys can be used and maybe fleece bedding and towels an plenty of dry hay, it's the damp, draught and cold that kills so always make sure the bedding etc is dry as poss, draughts are excluded and the hutch is warm as poss

you can get heat pads also

 

[Doeylicious]

If I'd had more than just me in the car it wouldn't have fit, I was lucky the staff from Pets at Home carried it out to the car for me.

We were looking at carry cases in Pets at Home as well for when the Guinea Pigs have to go and stay at a holiday home, we couldn't work out what sort of size we'd need. They seemed to do 3 sizes, small, medium and large, however I wasn't sure which would be best, or whether there were better places to get them online?

These are brilliant and incredibly good value

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/cat-be...D5ckTwx4gGk9NGxRQ2HoBcTxJmxJa8Ar IS49VztZhg==

I have currently stolen some from Pebble! They are bigger than the ones in P@H for the same price too.