I'll get my piggies tomorrow! (I'm a newbie here:)

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Kristine

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Hi! I'm Kristine and I am new to this forum.
I will get my two guinea pig girls tomorrow. I just wanted to ask - is there something very important for me to know? Like, what do I have to look out for in the shop?
I am hoping to get friendly piggies. I have 2 degus already but they aren't tame. I want a pet that are snuggly and friendly. :)
 
What shop are you getting them from as some shops sell girlies pregnant I know that there is a lot of this happening!?
 
If you want to be sure they aren't pregnant I wouldn't get them from a petshop! Is there any particular reason you have to get the tomorrow? have you thought about going to a rescue? :)
 
Rescue piggies are a great idea, they will be bonded when you get them so you have no worries about them getting on....and you're doing something great by rehoming piggies that need their forever home :) I get mine in 3 days, getting uber excited!
 
Hi and welcome!

I am a "pet shop granny" myself and would like you to consider rehoming from a good rescue instead. We sadly get too many people on here with pregnant, missexed or ill pet shop guinea pigs - have a look through our pregnancy and health/illness section yourself!

A reputable rescue quarantines all guinea pigs and puts any sows on a full pregnancy watch. It is by far the safest way to get guinea pigs and avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary. You will also get support and advice during the settling in period and the whole life of the guinea pigs.
Here is the Piggy Bank rescue support network map of recommendable guinea pig rescue - it is well worth going that bit further afield for the service they offer. After all, guinea pigs live for 4-7 years (and some even for longer). They are not just a children's toy to be diposed of as soon as the initial enthusiasm wanes!
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0
 
I know that they do sell pregnant piggies in the pet shops but I have no idea where can I rescue a guinea pig from in my country - I live in Latvia :(
If it would be possible I'd deffinetly rescue a pig and not buy it from a pet shop. But I don't think I can find anyone that would give or sell me their piggies.
Thank you for replying! It means a lot. :)
 
Please enquire whether any sows you buy have been with boars over 3 weeks old at any stage. Sows can become pregnant from 4 weeks onwards.

Here is a website with lots of pictures for sexing. Always check any piggies when you bring them home to avoid problems from missexed guinea pigs. You can also post pictures of the vital bits in our pregnancy section if you want confirmationfrom some very experienced rescue people on this forum. http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Please get the biggest rabbit cage that you can get. Here in Britain, the minimum recommendation for two guinea pigs is 60cmx120cm. It would be great if you came as close as possible to that! I know that it is much more difficult in Eastern Europe. You may find cheaper deals on the internet, so it is worth having a look.

Don't buy shop treats; seeds, dairy (including yoghurt) and sugar are big no nos! Avoid wood chipping for bedding - it can cause respiratory problems. If you can, use fleece (acrylic or polyester bed throws from the supermarket with a 100% cotton underlay (towels, mattress covers, incontinence pads) as bedding and just get a flattish plastic box for the hay tray. Look in our housing section for inspiration.

Get pellet food rather than muesli and good quality hay - 80% of the daily food intake should be hay. Don't buy additives for water; guinea pigs tend to drink less, you can't control the intake and the additive will only help to produce green algae in record time.

PS: We would be greatful if you put your country in your profile; that way, we can avoid misunderstandings and giving you the wrong advice. You can do this in User CP/edit profile/location.
 
Hi Kristine whee are really looking forward to seeing your little ones soon x)
Wiebke has given you some great advice, if you need to know anything else please just start a new thread in the right section (for example......food, or bedding)
 
So, I got my piggies!
They are in my room for about an hour now. They aren't moving. I know that they are scared now. And I know that they need a week or something like that to get used to me, the new environment, the new cage and everything else.
When can I expect them to start moving around? Is that normal that they are sitting in one corner?
And, thanks to you (!) I got them from a guinea pig ''farm'' :) I thought that there isn't anything like that in Latvia. The woman that sold them to us was very nice, she told a lot of things.
I have two girls. They are about 2 months old. I already named them. One of them is Sharlotte. She is brown with a medium long hair. The breed was something like Shelt (I don't really remember). The other one is Nelly. She is short haired. Her fur reminds a chess table - it's black and white. :) I will post pictures if someone wants to see them. (They are the cutest!)
 
hi

give them 24-48 hours to settle in, do they have a hidey?

they will come out and eat when your asleep or not around for the first few days.

we love pigtures here :)
 
No, they don't have a hidey YET. The woman that sold them said that it's better to buy it later because they wouldn't do anything - just sit there. And it is important to let them see what I do so they get used to that. :)
 
It is kinder to have a hidey now so they feel safe. Guinea pigs always need to know they can hide if they need to or they will feel very frightened.
 
a hidey is good from them as they are prey animals they need to feel safe. please give them one, even if for now its only and upside down cardboard box with a hole cut in it.
 
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