New here! Thinking about getting some guinea pigs!

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Nishka

Hi everyone
:)

I am interested in getting some guinea pigs but I don't know all that much about them! :-\

I have had rats before (kept 8 of them in a huge cage!) and I have dogs and cats (which would obviously be kept apart from any piggys I get!) but I would really like to have some guinea pigs. Can you tell me more about them and how to care for them in general? I have a large living room in which I would keep them so I would like to get the largest indoor cage I can - any ideas?

As background, I am 27 and I live with my husband and my mum and we have a little girl who is 4.

Thanks in advance!
 
Hello and welcome to the forum :)
Guinea pigs are adorable animals and I would recommend you getting 2 females from a rescue centre if possible. Buying them from a pet shop can be risky due to inbreeding and health problems they can suffer. Also, so many piggies are in dire need of a forever home and they have been throughly health checked. The reason I suggest females as opposed to males is that boars can be difficult to bond as it not in their nature to live together, so (like me) you could end up with them living seperately.
As for cage size, the biggest you can get. Have a look at www.cavycages.com for recommended sizes. They will also need excercise and stimulation outside their cage either on the floor or out in a run in the garden.
They cannot make their own vit C, so need fresh vegetables twice a day, a good dried pellet food, fresh water and unlimited hay. There is a shopping list under the food section on here :)
Any other questions, just holler!
 
Thanks for replying!

Excellent stuff. Two females sounds like the best bet then! I will try and have a look under the rescue thread on here and see if there are any in my area. I used to rescue rats before (I got ill and unfortunately my husband and mum didn't like the rats so I had to rehome them but they realised how much I miss having my own pets so they reccomended the guinea pigs as they like them so they say they are willing to help me if needed!)

I will have a look at the site you mentioned.

Thanks a lot :)
 
Hello and welcome!

The largest indoor cage would probably be the nero 4? 98) Unless they sell a nero 5! Which you can buy from Pets at Home.

I really recommend you buying Peter Gurney's book (published by Collins). Its a great guide to look after guineas. I had it the christmas before I got my 2 so I was well prepared and knew what to expect. Its a great reference guide.
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=5405361

Hope that helps! ;) Enjoy the forum!
 
Thanks Piggyloon.

I will have a look for that Nero cage on the internet. lol - how about a Nero 20? hee hee...

I will try and get that book - it sounds good. :)
 
Nishka said:
Thanks Piggyloon.

I will have a look for that Nero cage on the internet. lol - how about a Nero 20? hee hee...
Click to expand...

;D ;D ;D that would be he-owge! ;D ;D ;D
 
;D ;D

I have been googling the nero 4 and 5 but nothing is coming up. Is there a special place you can get them?

Also as a thought, what about having a hutch / run with plastic bottom indoors? Or would this be a terrible idea! lol
 
Thanks for that - I must be a bit blind! And I even looked on that site!

Its quite expensive... I will keep a look out for a second hand one I think. I am in no rush. :)

Ta for all the help. I really appreciate it... sometimes I get a bit lost and it is nice to have people to put me in the right direction! ;)
 
No probs! Happy to help O0
They are a bit expensive I agree. Might find one cheaper on e-bay brand new or possibly amazon 98) . The zooplus ones look good too - that Ang has got a link too. They seem to be the most popular along with the nero's.

If you cant find the cage you want under the guinea section - it'll be under the rabbit section! :D

See you around the forum! Cant wait to see some piccies if you do decide to get some pigs!

Helen x
 
Thanks guys. :)

I will have a word with hubby tonight and see what he thinks. I have been checking out all the free ad places I can think of to see if I can get hold of a cheapy second hand cage but no luck so far..

The thing that makes me really sick is that when I rescued 2 rats a few months back they came with a huge guinea pig cage which I sold on ebay because I didn't need it then... look at me now! AGHH!

I will definitely post up some pictures if and when I get some piggies. :) :smitten:
 
Hi & welcome Nishka :)

What a shame you sold that cage on eBay! :-\

I have the cage on the zooplus website that cobwebandpigpig gave you the link for. It's great for my two boys.

This forum is a great place, any questions you have just ask, everyone here is really friendly & helpful. O0
 
Welcome to the forum! This place is FANTASTIC for help and advice on guinea pigs. i think I'd have been a bit lost without it esp this week.

I have the next size down of the zooplus cage Ang linked to..I don't have room for the 140 so I got the 120. It is super size and zooplus are very good. If you want really big then have a go at the C&C cages...they look excellent.

Be prepared to buy more veggies for your piggie than anyone else :D my shopping trolley was full of veggies for the piggies today.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum cavy cages are best for indoors as they fit the space you have, either that or you need at least 120cm cage, the 140cm is an excellent size. Bear in mind that a lot of rescues are rehoming in accordance with the Animal Welfare Bill size which is 4 foot by 2 foot, 120cm for the indoors ones.
 
Welcome to the site..it is absolutely fantastic and is the first place I go to when I want advice O0 I bought a big indoor cage off Zooplus...excellent place and very quick on delivery...I forget the name of mine but I remember it being £59:99, I think.....anyway a big hello from me! :D
 
Thanks for your replies everyone. I have decided to wait till pay day and get the large cage from Zooplus and in the meantime have a look about to see if anything second hand comes up.

You've all been really nice and helpful, thank you. :) :) xx
 
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