I might get one....

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Hi everyone, I'm new. My name is Sarah and I might be able to get a guinea pig. ;D The only catch is that I have to be completey healthy. I am struggling with a health issue right now, so once we get it figured out, my mom said she would talk to my dad and they would consider it. So I decided to get as much information as possible so I am well equipped if I get one.
Here are some questions, and if you have time, could you please answer them? Thanks.

1) How big does their living space have to be?
2) Are they expensive upkeep?
3) How much/how long to they need to be taken out a day?
4) What is the best brand of food out there?
5) Can they live alone?
6) If I were to get two, would the living space have to double?
7) How often should they be bathed?
8) What is more benficial to them: Timothy Hay or Alfalfa?
9) What is average lifespan?
 
Welcome! You came to the right place there are loads of expert piggy lovers on here O0
 
1) http://www.guineapigcages.com/ this site should help :) it tells you how much space they need :)
2) Not too expensive... all you need is food bowls, water bottles, food, bedding and a hutch :)
3) If you have a friend for your piggy they dont need as much attention... about 30mins-1 hr a day of cuddle/play time :)
4) not sure... I dont live in the UK ;D
5) Unless you give your piggy LOADS of love and attention they dont really need a friend... but a piggy with a friend is always happier :) 2 sows are easiest to bond/keep together :)
6) not double, but yes it would need to be a bit more :)
7) I do it once a month... some people do it once a year... it depends I guess :)
8) I think timothy hay is better... but I'm not sure...
9) about 6-8 years :)

Hope this helped :)
 
Well, you are best of getting two, they are happier in pairs (make sure they are the same sex though).
A 4 foot hutch is the minimum for 2 i think, two story is better.
They are not expensive to keep after you get the hutch, run and everthing else.
I get the pets at home guinea pig pellets and also there muisli
As i said, they are happier in pairs
As i said, 4 foot is minimum for 2 but also a good size for 1.
They dont have to be bathed
average life span is 5-7 years.

Hope that helped
 
Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear you have health issues at the moment and well done for finding out as much information as possible before you purchase/get a guinea pig. First of I must say that getting one guinea is not really ideal. Guineas are social animals and are better suited (happier) living in pairs or groups. So you should consider getting two.

1) How big does their living space have to be?

2ft by 1 ft is the smallest area one guinea should live in. So if you got two you would need a 4ft by 2 ft cage. However, the bigger the better.

2) Are they expensive upkeep?

You have to buy all the equipment first, which depends on what equipment you want to buy e.g. what size cage. Weekly upkeep is between £10 and £20 per guinea.

3) How much/how long to they need to be taken out a day?

A couple of hours a day to run about and a hour of handling should be sufficient. However, more the better. You will have to check on them a couple times a day as well.

4) What is the best brand of food out there?

People have different views on the best brand. I have just put a poll in the food section and so far Burgess Supa Guinea Excel is the most popular brand. I also use this brand. However, there are other brands that are held in high regard.

5) Can they live alone?

Like I have said guinea pigs are social animals and thrive better in a pair or even better a group. They should not be kept alone. The only time you get a guinea kept alone is if they don't get on with other guineas, which is rare but not unheard of.

6) If I were to get two, would the living space have to double?

Yes, 2ft by 4ft cage minimum.

7) How often should they be bathed?

Personal preference. I do my twice a year (every six months), however some people bath less or more then this. There are a few people who say a guinea should be bathed every four to six weeks to prevent fungal infections. However, I have known of guineas living into ripe old ages who have never been bathed and never had fungal infections. Just so you don't feel you HAVE to or that they will get a fungal infection if you don't bath them every four to six weeks.

8)What is more beneficial to them: Timothy Hay or Alfalfa?

Timonthy hay. Alfalfa should only be given as a treat from time to time.

9) What is average lifespan?

Between five and eight years, however, people say different things and many guineas pass away or have to be put to sleep at a young age through various illnesses. In the wild an average lifespan is three years.

Hope this helps. O0
 
Just to add about the bathing, obviously a long haired guinea will require more grooming attention. O0
 
These ladies are much more knowledgeable than me and have given great advice (as always) but I just wanted to add that your parents should feel proud of you that you actually bother to find out all of this information first rather than just leap in, buy one and not know what to do! That in itself shows that you will be commited to your piggies and they will have a great start with you, hope your health issues get sorted soon,

Nicky x
 
Just thought of something else. If you get a pair of guineas make sure they are of the same sex. There are so many cases of mis-sexed guineas, and I am sure your parents won't want little guineas running around. O0
 
I'd just like to thank everyone for their help and support. I can't wait till I get them and you guys have been wonderful so far. Thanks again, you were all really helpful.
 
All of us are more then happy to help if we can. If anything thank you for finding out about how to care for a guinea pig before getting a couple. If you have any more questions or queries don't hesitate to ask. O0
 
Welcome to the forum O0All good advice given as always. Maybe, before you get your guineas, check back here and find out what to look for in a healthy guinea. Unfortunately, ones bought from pet shops can have health problems which you may not know how to spot. The best route to take would be to rehome a pair from a rescue centre in your area. There are so many poor piggies that have been brought to these places because their owners got bored or couldn't look after them any more. Also, source an experienced exotic pet vet before you need one, as if one were to become unwell at some point in the future, racing around trying to find one is wasting precious time. Maybe start a little piggie fund and put a few bob aside every month just in case you ever do need a vet. So a lot to consider...but well done for finding out in advance. Very responsible :)
 
Good advice lavenderjade. O0 Like lavenderjade has said please consider rescuing, firstly your be giving some guineas a much needed and loving home, secondly you will know defiantly what sexes they are, thirdly that they are healthy and fourthly you will have another place to get advice from and they should know some good vets that are experienced with guineas. Where do you live? :)
 
i'd also reccomend rehoming 2 piggies from a rescue, Pets at home miss sexed my boar (was supposed to be a girl) Luckily my 2 females didn't get pregnant.(had him neutered) I have since rehomed 2 piggies from a rescue, you know what your getting,& there are so many guinea pigs who need rescuing.
 
Thanks again for the great advice! I am learning so much already :D I have decided to get one from the SPCA if they have any available but it is rare. I live in Barrie, Ontario, Canada and am wondering if anyone has heard of a guinea pig rescue or small animal rescue within range of my city. I would love to rehome a guinea pig and give him a happy life. And yes, I am going to learn how to sex them before I get one! ;D Any information on a possible rescue would be appreciated. Thank you very much! Just to add...I got some measurements from my room and I could fit a 30 inch by 36 inch cage in there. Is this enough space? Or too less?
 
Hi there and welcome to the forum :)
You could ask the people on guinea pigs daily digest, they're based in the US, if you like i can give you the web site details :)
BTW i've been to Barrie :smitten:
 
Hey, sorry to ask more questions :) But I have been looking at the pictures of all your cages/hutches and realized that some have blankets and others shavings. Can you pick? Or is it the guinea pig? Does the guinea pig graduate from shavings to blanket? Or the other way around? I am confused :P
 
It's your preference, we all do different things :)
Mine have always been on a layer of newspaper then a thick layer of hay, but when Duke got his abscess i popped him onto towels etc.... so as no hay would get stuck in the wound O0
When you get your little furbaby you could ask what he/she has been housed on previously.
Good luck i hope you're better soon and that your parents allow you to have a guinea pig :smitten: :smitten:
 
Thank you Glynis for all of your quick replies. ;D I assume then that they will do their 'buisness' in a litter box? Or do the blankets get soiled? Can they be litter box trained?
 
LOL these little ones aren't usually able to be trained, some have succeeded but most of the time you'll have poop duty, you can shake them off the towelling before washing them. Or with the hay etc... you change it as it gets soiled, i found i did area cleans everyday and a full change twice a week. With every piggy it changes :)
 
Ive found my boars are the messiest and poop wherever they feel like it ;D But Cindy and the babies are really clean... I have boxes full of shavings... they poop in them as well as in their cage ;D
 
Like Glynis said it is personal preference what you put as bedding. You can use woodshavings, newspaper, hay, towels, carpet, vetbed and there are many more. However, cedar and pine woodshavings, wood chips and straw are not suitable bedding. Newspaper on its own is not suitable either, unless you have a guinea with allergies or recovering from parasites. The size of cage you are talking about (30 inches by 36 inches) is to small for two guineas. O0
 
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