I'm new and need some basic guinea pig advice :)

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CoolcatNatNat44

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Heya everyone! My name is Nat and i'm new here! I don't have any guinea pigs at the moment but will be getting some later on this year or next year. I joined because i need to do some research first. Sorry if these questions have been asked before (as i said i'm new) so thanks everyone for your help! :D

1. I want 2 guinea pigs which type of cage would be best (C&C cage would be out of the question)? A single storey one? A double storey one? A hutch with a run?
2. I have some cats, have cats had a history of annoying cats? I have hamsters and they don't bother them at all
3. What bedding is best? Fleece, aubiose or shavings?
4. How likely is it that 2 guinea pigs have to be seperated?
5. What's best 2 females or 2 males?
Any other help would be great too thanks! x
 
Answers...

1. Depends on whether you are going to have them outside or inside. I have outdoor piggies and at the moment they are in a one storey hutch. This is too small for them so at the moment I'm helping build a double! Really excited!
2. I don't know about this one to be honest as I don't have any cats. I guess not, not too sure though.
3. I use shavings as I find it is the easiest bedding to use but then some people would prefer to have fleece. Auboise? Never heard of it. It's personal preference really. Whatever you find is best, try something out.
4. Depending on what sex of piggie you have. It is unlikely but then I only have 2! Want more though! drool
5. It doesn't really matter. I have two boys (boars) but girls (sows) are okay too.

Give fresh veggies, unlimited hay, dried food pellets and try and get your guinea pigs from a rescue instead of a breeder. Guinea pigs deserve a second chance in life too! If you want any other advice, just look through our stickys and other threads. Hope this helps inbreeding
 
1, As said above, depending on if they are indoors or out. I'd suggest CC if indoors despite your (?). You can make it any level, shape or any way you want. It's probably the best and cheapest type of cage to get.

2, It depends on the cat really. I've seen some cats who have absolutely no problem with guinea pigs and ignore them. Others are scared of them and others will pester them. It depends on the personality. You could train them not to pester the piggies or make sure they don't go near them.

3, Bedding depends on the person. I personally use shredded paper with a newspaper base. I've tried many types but this worked best for me.

4, It's quite unlikely, though boys have more of a fallout than girls do because of hormones. Saying this though, boys do get on very well too. I have two groups of duo boars and both get on really well. If I take one of them away, the other cries until his friend is returned and runs up to him once he is put back in.
If you get boys from a rescue then there is less chance of them falling out if you get them after the puberty stage. Younger boars are more likely to try and figure out dominance which can look scary and intimidating to a new owner but its natural.

5, Personally, I have a weakness for the boys as they seem to be a bit snugglier than girls whereas girls are more independant but it also depends on the piggies themselves. I could suggest boys and something happens which makes you wish you had gotten girls or vice versa. If you go for a rescue and get an already bonded pair then it wouldn't matter what gender you get.
 
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We got our two boars on the basis that we'd hear they were friendlier than females but I've heard of plenty friendly females on here.
Boars are supposed to smell more than girlies and of course there's the dominance issues but again, I've heard that females can have too.
 
1. I want 2 guinea pigs which type of cage would be best (C&C cage would be out of the question)? A single storey one? A double storey one? A hutch with a run?

Look at some liberta of ferplast 120/140 cages, double stories aren't always best as not all piggies like the ramp in them .

2. I have some cats, have cats had a history of annoying cats? I have hamsters and they don't bother them at all

My cat doesn't really care and if anything just gets jealous when my piggies get more attention has never attempted to hurt them.

3. What bedding is best? Fleece, aubiose or shavings?

Your preference ! haha, try what you like !

4. How likely is it that 2 guinea pigs have to be seperated?

Two boys more likely than two girls, although a rescue would be able to supply a well bonded pair.

5. What's best 2 females or 2 males?

Preference ! haha, whatever tickles your fancy there is no difference in the sex's behavioural wise.

I've made a website

http://piggieosity.weebly.com/

aimed at new owners etc. it may help you a little (: expand on what you've already been told !
 
1. The bigger the better I keep mine outside in a single story but am getting a new one which is deeper and longer as the ramps can be dangerous but usually ok!
2. I have two dogs one of which is a terrier and he loves them but when you take them out make sure the cats not around

3. Shavings are good as they absorb more but if you can put newspaper underneath so when it comes to cleaning time you can just roll up the paper with the sawdust and hay in, the dispose of it!

4.Its more likely for males to need to be separated than females but males can be lovely to eachother to its just a hormone thing!

5. I have a females they are very lovely but alll guinea pigs are when you put the time in to tame and care for them!

Hope this helps!:)
 
Thank you everyone! C&C would be out of the question since they are going to be living outside, i think i might go for a double hutch without a run attached :)
 
i use timothy and/or meadow hay . in a hutch i would put corotherm on the bottom of the hutch so the wood does not bow
 
CoolcatNatNat44 said:
Heya everyone! My name is Nat and i'm new here! I don't have any guinea pigs at the moment but will be getting some later on this year or next year. I joined because i need to do some research first. Sorry if these questions have been asked before (as i said i'm new) so thanks everyone for your help! :D

1. I want 2 guinea pigs which type of cage would be best (C&C cage would be out of the question)? A single storey one? A double storey one? A hutch with a run?
2. I have some cats, have cats had a history of annoying cats? I have hamsters and they don't bother them at all
3. What bedding is best? Fleece, aubiose or shavings?
4. How likely is it that 2 guinea pigs have to be seperated?
5. What's best 2 females or 2 males?
Any other help would be great too thanks! x
Click to expand...
I keep my ditto indoora in a large indoor rabbit hutch, as for the cats question they may b a little curious at first but **** b fine if there ok with your hamsters, i basically use wood shavings as they are cheap and hygienic, seperateing guineapigs it depends on there sexes and personalitys, and id personally keep two females as males are more prone to fighting :-)
 
Mine are all out side.
Two pairs have this hutch each http://www.petsathome.com/shop/ivy-den-6ft-hutch-by-pets-at-home-84051 (A treat From my grandad, he has a thing for my piggies)

And the other pair have a double one. So its just down to prefrence As with food you should go for nuggets
.Burgess Excel
.Pets At Home nuggets etc etc..
I use wood shavings in their run bit and bed, Put hay in their bed area and have a hay rack on the bars of their cage. A few tubes and hideys and they'll be sorted.! inbreeding
 
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