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SallyM79

SallyM79

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
116
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270
Location
Hertfordshire, UK
Hi everyone.

My daughter has been asking for Guinea Pigs for the last 2 years and I have always resisted as I have never really had pets so feel a bit out of my depth. However, I have been doing lots of research and feel we will be able to do this. I have decided to get her 2 piggies for Christmas. Santa will be bringing the cage and then we will go out and get the piggies after Christmas.

I just want to make sure I am understanding things correctly:

I am buying a 2x4 C&C cage
I think a fleece liner will be better for us so will order 2 (from Ziggy's?)
I will also need a litter tray which is likely to be the area they will eat and poo in? What do I put at the bottom of the tray?
I will need lots of hidey holes for them - is regular cardboard ok or does it have to be a special type?
Anything else needed for the cage?
Recommendations for food please - I know they love fresh veggies but any to avoid? What else to supplement this?
How do I find Guinea Pigs to buy? I am not sure if my local pets at home is a good option or if I should find somewhere else?
Can you get pet insurance for guinea pigs? Is it needed?

Sorry for all the questions! I just want to get this right!
Thank you
 
thanks, I have read the guides and still feel a little overwhelmed and unsure hence the many questions. There are too many options! lol.

I will take a look at the rescue centre link. My only concern is whether they would be happy to be handled.
 
SallyM79 said:
Hi everyone.

My daughter has been asking for Guinea Pigs for the last 2 years and I have always resisted as I have never really had pets so feel a bit out of my depth. However, I have been doing lots of research and feel we will be able to do this. I have decided to get her 2 piggies for Christmas. Santa will be bringing the cage and then we will go out and get the piggies after Christmas.

I just want to make sure I am understanding things correctly:

I am buying a 2x4 C&C cage
I think a fleece liner will be better for us so will order 2 (from Ziggy's?)
I will also need a litter tray which is likely to be the area they will eat and poo in? What do I put at the bottom of the tray?
I will need lots of hidey holes for them - is regular cardboard ok or does it have to be a special type?
Anything else needed for the cage?
Recommendations for food please - I know they love fresh veggies but any to avoid? What else to supplement this?
How do I find Guinea Pigs to buy? I am not sure if my local pets at home is a good option or if I should find somewhere else?
Can you get pet insurance for guinea pigs? Is it needed?

Sorry for all the questions! I just want to get this right!
Thank you
Click to expand...
To answer your questions.
1. 4x2 is great but remember the bigger the better.
2. I love Ziggy's fleece. You are great choosing her.
3. You can put puppy pads in the litter tray.
4. Piggies love cardboard boxes.
5. Loads of hay.
6. You can check the forum guides for recommended food, but loads of hay is a must. If you can also provide them fresh grass, it's a welcomed treat.
7. Check rescue centres if you can.
8. Yes you can get insurance for them, but most members here has vet funds that they put money monthly/weekly instead.
 
Thank you so much for your help.

What goes on top of the puppy pads?
Does the hay go all over the cage or just in the area they will eat? The litter tray?
 
Mine just have hay on top of the puppy pads. I replace it every day or 2 days when they haven't stayed there for long. I also have hay racks hanging in the c&c.

Here's a view of my set up. Others would have better set up but you have to get what works for you.

IMG_20181114_175953.webp
 
Rescued piggies will be more likely to be well handled than buying babies from a pet shop. It can take weeks/months and sometimes years to get them used to being handled so with rescuing a lot of it is already done for you.
Also with buying from a pet shop is the risk of missexing and getting a female which is unknowingly already pregnant.
If you get two boars, there is a chance that a 4x2 may not be big enough. Boars need more room than sows. I originally had a 4x2 with attached hutch for my two boars but needed to extend it when they started to bicker.
a litter tray may be the place they eat and they do tend to poop where they eat but piggies can’t be litter trained so it the tray won’t be exclusively where they go to the toilet.
Do consider that two fleece liners may well turn out to not be enough. I use fleece in the summer with my two boys (in my shed) and I have four sets because it needs changing every 3-4 days, I just can’t keep with human and piggy washing to ensure that the piggies don’t ever have wet bedding.
There is also the nugget comparison chart in the food section of this site which details information on pellet brands which you may find useful.
 
Hi, and welcome to the world of guinea pigs. If friendly Cuddly piggies are a must, then a rescue is the best way to go. Not all piggies like being handled, and pet shop ones are usually young, so their personalities won't be known. Your little girl will love them, but you have to be prepared to be responsible for the cost and cleaning. If you're using fleece, you really need to poop pick every day - boy do they poop, but it's hard pellety type things so they can just be swept up. The hay does tend to go everywhere - you may find it in your undies from time to time lol. They are worth every penny and minute of care though.
 
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