Information overload..help!

[Wackyjackie]

I've owned 2 precious piggies for 8 months now. I've never owned them before. I've read and researched, adjusted, shifted, changed everything from care to diet to cage, etc. based on what I read. But every time I look at something new there is always differing opinions and i get worried I'm doing it all wrong. I think I'm doing the right thing but I second guess. So I want to lay out what I do and please, please PLEASE experienced piggy owners tell me if/what I'm doing wrong and what is being done right!
Oxbow brand hay, pellets, chew toys, grass
Hay, pellets, grass refreshed 2x day
Cage poops and fleece brushed and cleaned up 2x day. Fleece blankie under guinea dad fleece pocket replaced with new 1x day. Complete clean of cage and all new fleece. guinea dad bedding replaced 2x week. All bedding washed with oxiclean, all clear, vinegar and little bleach extra rinse. Piggies get about half a cup of fresh veggies in morning and night with a treat during the day. Carrots, kale, romaine, parsley, cilantro, apple, cherry tomato, peppers, strawberries are the staples I offer. I buy them the pinecones from petsmart that they like to chew and toilet paper tubes. Purified water ina plastic water bottle, not glass. Midwest cage for the 2 of them, should I expand? Various chews that don't usually capture their attention. Play pen for 16 square foot floor play. I clip their nails but only a little at a time. Pick them up slowly or with blankie because they still are skittish. Please help , any advice needed!

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
I can offer a little bit of advice until someone with more experience comes along.
Carrots, parsley, kale, apple, cherry, tomato, and strawberries should not be fed every day. Carrots are great and most piggies love them, but they have high sugar content. That goes for cherries and strawberries, as well. Kale and parsley are both rich in calcium, which can lead to the formation of bladder stones if eaten too often.
Please refer to these guides for any help with your piggy's diet:
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
the big list of vegetables
Guinea Lynx :: Nutrition Charts
Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading
If I remember correctly, a single Midwest habitat is just under 8 square feet (I think).
Here is the cage size guide: Cage Size Guide
This is the most important information that I would highlight, though.
1-2 guinea pigs: 2x4 ft (120x60 cm) or 8 ft square = 2x3 C&C grid cage; if you can, please consider a 2x4 grid cage instead as it is the minimum recommendation
3 guinea pigs: 2x5 ft (150x60 cm) or 10 ft square = 2x4 C&C grid cage; strongly recommended for 2 guinea pigs
4 guinea pigs 2x6 ft (180x60 cm) or 12 ft square = 2x5 C&C grid cage, recommended for 2 boars or 3 sows or 1 neutered boar/2 sows
Add 2 square feet (60x30cm) for any additional guinea pig.
Do not worry! You are doing amazing for a first-time piggy parent. The information out on the internet can get complicated and confusing. You have come to the right place. Please do correct me if I have the Midwest cage measurements wrong! You are amazing! Keep up the great work.
I am certain that other forum members will be along shortly to offer more advice.

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

I forgot to add:
"Fruits that should NOT be given, because they can cause diarrhea or severe digestive problems according to my list:
Cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, etc.
Papaya, mango, kumquat, lychees, guavas, pomegranates, physalis, cherimoyas, curuba.
Avocados can be highly poisonous to guinea pigs and should not be fed under any circumstances."
I remember reading this from an old post written by @Wiebke!

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

I would recommend:
Kale - 1-2 times per week
Parsely - 2 times per week
Romaine - One leaf per day (high in Vitamin A)
Fruits - Only occasionally and in small quantities
Red leaf - One leaf per day (maybe two depending on the size)
Cilantro - 4 stems per pig (A small handful)
Fennel - Every 2-3 days
There is a wide range of other veggies! I just wanted to sum up a few staples for you!

 

[Sweet Potato]

I will talk you through what I do to see if that helps. My piggies live in a 3x4 c&c cage with a 1x3 loft. cage is spot cleaned/swept once a day and given a full clean every Friday fleece is washed in the washing machine with a cheap unscented washing powder and the cage is cleaned with a pet safe spray of watered down washing up liquid (the smell of vinegar makes me feel sick). My pigs get a small amount of pellets in the morning (they get more hand fed as treats throughout the day but no more than a tablespoon each). hay is topped up whenever the hay racks get low. the water bottles (glass) are cleaned thoroughly once a week and are emptied and refilled every other day. the boys either get floor time or cuddle time once a day. at dinner time they get a small plate of veggies (mixed lettuce, romaine lettuce or baby gem lettuce with one or two other veggies) variety is key at least 3 different types of veggies a week. blueberries are an occasional treat (once every other week at most). they also get forage scattered round their cage every evening. I think that's everything

 

[Siikibam]

I would recommend:
Kale - 1-2 times per week
Parsely - 2 times per week
Romaine - One leaf per day (high in Vitamin A)
Fruits - Only occasionally and in small quantities
Red leaf - One leaf per day (maybe two depending on the size)
Cilantro - 4 stems per pig (A small handful)
Fennel - Every 2-3 days
There is a wide range of other veggies! I just wanted to sum up a few staples for you!

Kale and parsley are high in calcium.

I've owned 2 precious piggies for 8 months now. I've never owned them before. I've read and researched, adjusted, shifted, changed everything from care to diet to cage, etc. based on what I read. But every time I look at something new there is always differing opinions and i get worried I'm doing it all wrong. I think I'm doing the right thing but I second guess. So I want to lay out what I do and please, please PLEASE experienced piggy owners tell me if/what I'm doing wrong and what is being done right!
Oxbow brand hay, pellets, chew toys, grass
Hay, pellets, grass refreshed 2x day
Cage poops and fleece brushed and cleaned up 2x day. Fleece blankie under guinea dad fleece pocket replaced with new 1x day. Complete clean of cage and all new fleece. guinea dad bedding replaced 2x week. All bedding washed with oxiclean, all clear, vinegar and little bleach extra rinse. Piggies get about half a cup of fresh veggies in morning and night with a treat during the day. Carrots, kale, romaine, parsley, cilantro, apple, cherry tomato, peppers, strawberries are the staples I offer. I buy them the pinecones from petsmart that they like to chew and toilet paper tubes. Purified water ina plastic water bottle, not glass. Midwest cage for the 2 of them, should I expand? Various chews that don't usually capture their attention. Play pen for 16 square foot floor play. I clip their nails but only a little at a time. Pick them up slowly or with blankie because they still are skittish. Please help , any advice needed!

It sounds good aside from a few points. I wouldn’t bother with chews. There are some carrot houses that some pigs on here like. And you can also put in boxes and cut out some entrances in them.

Carrots, tomatoes and fruits should be given as a treat no more than once a week and only the one. They’re high in sugar and the tomatoes (and citrus fruits) are high in acid which could lead to sores.

Kale (and spinach) have a high level of calcium so should be kept to only one of them once a week. One leave of spinach only. Parsley is also high in calcium so I wouldn’t feed all three in the same week.

I wouldn’t use bleach in the wash for the fleece. What I do with my fleeces (home made liners) is do a high temp wash once a month with just vinegar in place of fabric conditioner. I also use bath mats on top of the fleece so it can last up to a week before it needs changing.

As a guide to what I feed. They get a lettuce leaf in the morning - little gem or sweet gem - and a hay top up. Then for dinner (after 3pm) they’ll get a green bean, 1-2 sprigs of coriander, celery, cucumber and pepper. I always make sure to have pepper and cucumber in so sometimes they may not get all the things on the above list. I also planted some coriander so I’m feeding them that at the moment rather than shop bought.

It’s difficult when there is so much information on the internet, but you’re doing well

 

[Bill & Ted]

Everyone on this forum wants the very best for their piggies welfare and we all do variations of the same feeding, bedding, cuddling and housing etc. It’s personal choice and what suits and fits your family. The main thing to remember here is “Enjoy and love your piggies and try not to stress about the small stuff”

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
I am so sorry for accidentally including both kale and parsley.
I keep making mistakes! I am super sorry and feel really bad.
I hope that the rest of my advice was helpful, though.

 

[Wackyjackie]

Hi!
I can offer a little bit of advice until someone with more experience comes along.
Carrots, parsley, kale, apple, cherry, tomato, and strawberries should not be fed every day. Carrots are great and most piggies love them, but they have high sugar content. That goes for cherries and strawberries, as well. Kale and parsley are both rich in calcium, which can lead to the formation of bladder stones if eaten too often.
Please refer to these guides for any help with your piggy's diet:
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
the big list of vegetables
Guinea Lynx :: Nutrition Charts
Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading
If I remember correctly, a single Midwest habitat is just under 8 square feet (I think).
Here is the cage size guide: Cage Size Guide
This is the most important information that I would highlight, though.
1-2 guinea pigs: 2x4 ft (120x60 cm) or 8 ft square = 2x3 C&C grid cage; if you can, please consider a 2x4 grid cage instead as it is the minimum recommendation
3 guinea pigs: 2x5 ft (150x60 cm) or 10 ft square = 2x4 C&C grid cage; strongly recommended for 2 guinea pigs
4 guinea pigs 2x6 ft (180x60 cm) or 12 ft square = 2x5 C&C grid cage, recommended for 2 boars or 3 sows or 1 neutered boar/2 sows
Add 2 square feet (60x30cm) for any additional guinea pig.
Do not worry! You are doing amazing for a first-time piggy parent. The information out on the internet can get complicated and confusing. You have come to the right place. Please do correct me if I have the Midwest cage measurements wrong! You are amazing! Keep up the great work.
I am certain that other forum members will be along shortly to offer more advice.

This is great advice! Ive dedinitely been feeding them to much calcium rich foods. If I link 2 Midwests together it would be enough, But is there a bigger benefit to having a C & C cage instead? I appreciate your response!

 

[Siikibam]

A c&c works for me because I can stack the cages (two pairs living bottom and top) and it can be adjusted to fit around corners etc - not that mine is. Another advantage is that when I had just one pair, I used the bottom as storage for all their stuff.

 

[Wackyjackie]

Great advice! I'm really over feeding them veggies and fruits. They wheek alot if they don't get it because it is routine now. But I will have to get them on a much more balanced veggie diet.

 

[Siikibam]

They're a bottomless pit and will wheek if they know you give in - cleverer than people think. Just make sure their hay is topped up and feed the correct amount. They'll eventually learn

 

[Hannah_xx]

Sounds like you’re being a brilliant attentive Guinea pig parent! Try not too stress and worry too much.. relax and enjoy your piggies

 

[artcasper]

Great advice! I'm really over feeding them veggies and fruits. They wheek alot if they don't get it because it is routine now. But I will have to get them on a much more balanced veggie diet.

They will wheek for food all day long lol! You have to learn to ignore their pleas for food when they have plenty of hay! Mine do it every time i walk in the front room! I just say nothing for you lot....

Mine get breakfast and dinner, cucumber, pepper and a herb - usually coriander in the morning and dill at night... parsley maybe a few times a week.. On a Sunday only they get a slice of carrot, broccoli and kale from our sunday dinner! odd bit of banana and apple if the other half is eating one.

I wash my cage fleece liners & bath mats on 60 or 90 degrees with non bio and white vinegar..always come up clean and fresh.

They have cardboard boxes as houses and cat litter trays filled with hay..

I think you are worrying too much and reading too much... so long as you get their food right, just enjoy them x

 

[Wiebke]

I've owned 2 precious piggies for 8 months now. I've never owned them before. I've read and researched, adjusted, shifted, changed everything from care to diet to cage, etc. based on what I read. But every time I look at something new there is always differing opinions and i get worried I'm doing it all wrong. I think I'm doing the right thing but I second guess. So I want to lay out what I do and please, please PLEASE experienced piggy owners tell me if/what I'm doing wrong and what is being done right!
Oxbow brand hay, pellets, chew toys, grass
Hay, pellets, grass refreshed 2x day
Cage poops and fleece brushed and cleaned up 2x day. Fleece blankie under guinea dad fleece pocket replaced with new 1x day. Complete clean of cage and all new fleece. guinea dad bedding replaced 2x week. All bedding washed with oxiclean, all clear, vinegar and little bleach extra rinse. Piggies get about half a cup of fresh veggies in morning and night with a treat during the day. Carrots, kale, romaine, parsley, cilantro, apple, cherry tomato, peppers, strawberries are the staples I offer. I buy them the pinecones from petsmart that they like to chew and toilet paper tubes. Purified water ina plastic water bottle, not glass. Midwest cage for the 2 of them, should I expand? Various chews that don't usually capture their attention. Play pen for 16 square foot floor play. I clip their nails but only a little at a time. Pick them up slowly or with blankie because they still are skittish. Please help , any advice needed!

Hi!

Please review your diet; it is far too high in fruit and sugars (carrot is like eating chocolate for piggies) and too low in green. Please also be aware that kale is very high in calcium and should only be fed in with caution.
Also only ever feed 1 tablespoon of pellets per piggy per day; it contains a lot more calcium and empty fillers than most people are aware of. Your piggies will get much more fibre and also some vitamin C if they eat as much hay as possible. Fresh grass is actually very high vitamin C (thusly guinea pigs have never had the need to make their own); because hay and grass are not part of a human diet they are being ignored and treated like they didn't contain any vital nutrients even though they are the foods that guinea pigs have evolved on rely on for 80% or more of their daily food intake. Fresh food should ideally mirror the forage they would supplement their diet for trace elements. Small amounts of fresh herbs are doing this job a lot better than fruit. Low nutrient high fluid content veg should step in whenever fresh rich safe to feed grass is not available. You can find information on how to introduce it and work into your diet depending on the season in its chapter in the diet guide.
Please take the time to read our comprehensive diet guide, which is looking detail at all food groups and contains a sample diet:
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

The silica in unlimited hay is also crucial to keep the all important back teeth, which do the grinding down working optimally as well as keeping the gut microbiome balanced for long term health and a longer average life span. The incisors are self-sharpening in working dental system.
Instead of expensive shop toys that are mostly ignored, make feeding time fun time and use cheap materials that piggies have a great time in destroying!
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

You can find lots more practical and detailed information in our new owners guide collection on all kind of areas that you will likely have questions about as you learn what is normal and what not. It would be useful to bookmark it, so you can read and re-read at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

But overall, please don't fall into the trap of hovering and worrying constantly over your piggies (pet anxiety); check their health and weight once weekly and otherwise enjoy them! Don't expect from yourself to be perfect (as you can only fail with that attitude); let your piggies teach you as you go along and learn from your mistakes - you can gain a deeper understanding of any craft and life skills only from working out why something is not right. Our long term knowledge has come by the hard way. It makes us ultimately better owners and the regrets act as a powerful incentive to do better - much more than the fear of putting a foot wrong in the first place because fear will mar your enjoyment of your pets.

 

[Wackyjackie]

All fantastic information!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of being a piggy slave.
Given that a guinea pig is an appetite with fur they will try to convince you that they haven’t been fed 5 minutes after they’ve polished off their veggies.
I frequently get pleading looks from a piggy standing with paws on the empty pellet dish!
You sound like a loving and caring owner so enjoy them.
Pictures please - we love to drool over the piggies

 

[Wackyjackie]

It is so true! I am a complete slave to them! After reading all the information posted so far, I ran out and got basil, cilantro, organic lettuce, cucumber and dill. I have drastically reduced their food yesterday and they acted like they were starving. It is really hard not to give them everything I was as they are begging. But I keep the hay full, grass full, and now give only 2 tablespoons of pellets. I think they will get used to it. In fact, they were more happy to be out of the cage because I was feeding them individually. I cannot thank everyone enough for the help. And I won't use bleach on my guinea dad mats per suggestion. Any other suggestions, tricks, etc. I welcome! Thanks everyone!

 

[Wackyjackie]

A few more pictures of Noogie (brown and white) and Boo (black and white)

 

[Merab]

They’re gorgeous