Information.

stevie-and-smudge · Oct 30, 2012

Hi!

Just looking for some general information, anything you have to offer is appreciated

i have a 1 year old boy, i have had him 2 weeks now and i have done some reading up on guinea pigs but i feel i am just reading the same stuff over and over and not learning anything new

i feel informations off you guys, experienced pig owners, will get me a lot further than google

here's what i do......

i spot clean his cage everyday as he's an indoor pig and i don't want him to get smelly and i do a full change once a week

i give him fresh food and hay everyday as well as fresh water with vitamins in also fresh veg every other day

he gets regular loves and an hour out of his cage on my sofa every night

when i first got him for the first few days i didn't hear a peep out of him but as he has settled in and got used to the hustle and bustle round here he gets quite vocal when he's out of his cage, i'm hoping its because he's happy and not because he's wanting to be back home

he's a licker and nibbler as well he licked me a lot and has a try at a nibble but nothing hard

anything else i should be doing or i shouldn't be doing? any ideas to make him a happier pig? except the obvious 'another pig' I'm working my way up to that lol

Toffeewoffee · Oct 30, 2012

Hi and Welcome to the forum, one thing i can tell you your doing wrong is not posting pictures of him for us to drool over

No, your doing everything fine, though i would feed veggies everyday a couple of times, they rely on their veggies for the vitamins and nutrients they need, pellets, some say limit them, other dont, (i dont limit mine) and some dont feed full stop, unlimited hay 24/7 and full clean out once a week.

It is a good idea to weigh him weekly and keep a track of his weight, any extreme weight loss 50 - 80g is a week, keep a close eye on him, 100g loss take him to the vets, weight loss or indeed extreme gain is usually the first sign on illness, as they are prey animals they hide their illness from us very well.

Vets, get yourself registered with a cavvy savvy vet, then if and when you need them, especially in an emergency you are prepared.

But well done, keep us up to sate with his progress, does he have a name? xx

piggyfan · Oct 30, 2012

Welcome to the forum. It is best not to add vitamin drops to the water as any vitamins are lost through evaporation and the taste can often stop piggies from drinking it. He will need unlimited hay available at all times as hay must make up 80% of their diet. You are doing everything how you should. I hope you can find him a friend soon. If you take him to a rescue they will let him choose his own friend which will reduce any chance of finding a friend he does not get along with.

stevie-and-smudge · Oct 30, 2012

Hi

Sorry about the pics, you can tell I'm a newbie lol

he does have a name its smudge

i had him to the vets last week for his nails clipping as they were very over grown and i was told he's over weight!

i usually give him enough hay to last him the day and i do put vitamin drops in his water to make sure he gets what he needs

here's some pics for you , enjoy...xx

stevie-and-smudge · Oct 30, 2012

piggyfan said:
Welcome to the forum. It is best not to add vitamin drops to the water as any vitamins are lost through evaporation and the taste can often stop piggies from drinking it. He will need unlimited hay available at all times as hay must make up 80% of their diet. You are doing everything how you should. I hope you can find him a friend soon. If you take him to a rescue they will let him choose his own friend which will reduce any chance of finding a friend he does not get along with.

i do give him fresh water daily and he doesn't seem to mind the taste in his water as he drinks plenty

Toffeewoffee · Oct 30, 2012

He is gorgeous and does not look overweight atall! xx

stevie-and-smudge · Oct 30, 2012

i was a little shocked when the vet said because i wouldn't have said he was over weight either! x

Toffeewoffee · Oct 31, 2012

Morning, no, he is definitely not overweight love, he is beautiful. Any more Questions or anything, just ask xx

Dusty_bugs · Oct 31, 2012

Weight is breed dependent so don't worry about that. Have you researched the different types of guineapigs - that does make for some good reading!

Something else useful to know is guineapig washing - as their greaseglands can get a bit sticky and the fur about their necks and legs can sometimes get a bit crispy if they eat something wet or have an episode of sleeping in their pee! @)

I would also make sure to learn as many guineapig ailments. Scurvy, dental malocclusion, mites and skin conditions are the common and the (RELATIVELY!) easy ones to spot. If you spend a fair amount of time on the guinealynx website though you will learn a whole variety of problems, how they are often best treated (suggestions only though) and the results. That way you can go to your vets armed with alternative disgnoses that you will force them to rule out by asking them.. I have found that has bought my girl some time in the past!

Good luck! x

Jerrybelly · Oct 31, 2012

Welcome to the Forum!

It's not a very nice idea, but it's useful to keep an eye on his 'outgoings' too (his wees and poos) Changes in the size/colour/consistency of their faeces can often be the first sign that something is up. The same for his urine. Clear or a light milky colour is normal, but any signs of blood need to checked out immediately. There shouldn't be any signs of discomfort or pain when passing either.

I would agree with Piggyfan about the vitamin C in the water. It's great that he is still drinking with it in (most won't go anywhere near their bottle if anything is added to the water) but if he has a balanced diet with a good selection of veg then he'll get all the vitamins he needs from there.

stevie-and-smudge · Oct 31, 2012

Dusty_bugs said:
Weight is breed dependent so don't worry about that. Have you researched the different types of guineapigs - that does make for some good reading!

Something else useful to know is guineapig washing - as their greaseglands can get a bit sticky and the fur about their necks and legs can sometimes get a bit crispy if they eat something wet or have an episode of sleeping in their pee! @)

I would also make sure to learn as many guineapig ailments. Scurvy, dental malocclusion, mites and skin conditions are the common and the (RELATIVELY!) easy ones to spot. If you spend a fair amount of time on the guinealynx website though you will learn a whole variety of problems, how they are often best treated (suggestions only though) and the results. That way you can go to your vets armed with alternative disgnoses that you will force them to rule out by asking them.. I have found that has bought my girl some time in the past!

Good luck! x

Morning,

thanks for all the advice so far!

talking about sleeping in pee, smudge pees and poos in his bed, is it bad that he's sleeping in it? he's not smelly or dirty as he's not in it very long because i do clean him out daily.