New Pig Owner! Help With Accessories

[VJ&Flower]

Hi all,

I've been reading for a week or so now and will be picking my pigs up on Monday (owners have to move and sadly can't take their boys). They are twelve weeks.

I have a 120 rabbit ferplast, an outdoor hutch, an indoor playpen and in process of getting outdoor run. I am going to keep them in for a while at least. They are currently inside in a largish cage. Now, the current owners don't have a lot in their cage - no hideys, tunnels etc but I want to make sure they have everything they need to be happy. However, will it be overwhelming to have Loads in there if they are not used to much? They don't even have a house or hide in their cage with their present owners and seem to sleep buried in hay under the platform part of the Cage.

So far I have: carrot house, large tunnel, sea grass thing with three holes, twig bridge thing. I've got TIMOTHY hay, carefresh bedding, some sort of hay and petal treats plus bowls for food.

What I want to buy (and would like advice about) is fleece cosy sack things. Should I get singles or doubles? Also is it worth having a fleece igloo or cosy couch as well? And another fleece tunnel? I really like shopping (!) so I'm not sure if I'm getting carried away. I can keep some of this stuff in the run rather than the cage. Also, I liked this hay tray of foraging hay and petals. Has anyonne used it and is it worth it?

As I said I don't want to overwhelm these boys who are not used to much around them. Although they obviously haven't had enough stimulation (the reason why I answered the ad originally) I cam see the owners absolutely adore them and they are pleased they are coming to me as I will be able to update them.

Thanks in advance for your help! Xx

 

[Swissgreys]

It sounds like you are going to be a wonderful guinea pig owner - welcome to the Forum.


It can be tempting to fill a cage with lots and lots of things (it is one of my big weaknesses too), but they still need space to run around, and a 120cm cage will fill up quickly!

You are right - they absolutely need a couple of shelters, and placing tunnels along the edge of a cage means they can hide in them but also run through them when they are doing 'laps'.
So at first I would just add 2 shelters/houses and a tunnel and make sure they also have unlimited hay in some form.
I would avoid offering too many new foods for a week or so until they settle down and are used to their new home.

If you want to add different things o the cage them try swapping one of the houses every week or so, as long as they seem to be happy with the changes. Again this can vary from pig to pig, and for the first few weeks I wouldn't change much, as they need this time to settle and feel confident in their new home.

Welcome to the forum, and don't forget to post pictures once your new additions arrive.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I've been reading for a week or so now and will be picking my pigs up on Monday (owners have to move and sadly can't take their boys). They are twelve weeks.

I have a 120 rabbit ferplast, an outdoor hutch, an indoor playpen and in process of getting outdoor run. I am going to keep them in for a while at least. They are currently inside in a largish cage. Now, the current owners don't have a lot in their cage - no hideys, tunnels etc but I want to make sure they have everything they need to be happy. However, will it be overwhelming to have Loads in there if they are not used to much? They don't even have a house or hide in their cage with their present owners and seem to sleep buried in hay under the platform part of the Cage.

So far I have: carrot house, large tunnel, sea grass thing with three holes, twig bridge thing. I've got TIMOTHY hay, carefresh bedding, some sort of hay and petal treats plus bowls for food.

What I want to buy (and would like advice about) is fleece cosy sack things. Should I get singles or doubles? Also is it worth having a fleece igloo or cosy couch as well? And another fleece tunnel? I really like shopping (!) so I'm not sure if I'm getting carried away. I can keep some of this stuff in the run rather than the cage. Also, I liked this hay tray of foraging hay and petals. Has anyonne used it and is it worth it?

As I said I don't want to overwhelm these boys who are not used to much around them. Although they obviously haven't had enough stimulation (the reason why I answered the ad originally) I cam see the owners absolutely adore them and they are pleased they are coming to me as I will be able to update them.

Thanks in advance for your help! Xx

Hi and welcome

It is great that you are giving these boy a happy new home!

Please get two of each if possible so there are no fights/dominance displays. Please be aware that guinea pigs need to re-establish their hierarchy in any new territory, which can occasionally lead to fall-outs of adult boars. I woul recommend to wipe some old, soiled bedding all over the place at first to make it smell like their place straight away.

You may find these guides here helpful:
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Guinea Pig Toys
Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys

We have got more information for new owners via this link here to help you settle in and understand your piggies and make friends with them in way that they instinctively relate to:
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit

We have got lots more information at the top of our various Care sections, but you are always welcome to ask any questions you may have along the way.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I've been reading for a week or so now and will be picking my pigs up on Monday (owners have to move and sadly can't take their boys). They are twelve weeks.

I have a 120 rabbit ferplast, an outdoor hutch, an indoor playpen and in process of getting outdoor run. I am going to keep them in for a while at least. They are currently inside in a largish cage. Now, the current owners don't have a lot in their cage - no hideys, tunnels etc but I want to make sure they have everything they need to be happy. However, will it be overwhelming to have Loads in there if they are not used to much? They don't even have a house or hide in their cage with their present owners and seem to sleep buried in hay under the platform part of the Cage.

So far I have: carrot house, large tunnel, sea grass thing with three holes, twig bridge thing. I've got TIMOTHY hay, carefresh bedding, some sort of hay and petal treats plus bowls for food.

What I want to buy (and would like advice about) is fleece cosy sack things. Should I get singles or doubles? Also is it worth having a fleece igloo or cosy couch as well? And another fleece tunnel? I really like shopping (!) so I'm not sure if I'm getting carried away. I can keep some of this stuff in the run rather than the cage. Also, I liked this hay tray of foraging hay and petals. Has anyonne used it and is it worth it?

As I said I don't want to overwhelm these boys who are not used to much around them. Although they obviously haven't had enough stimulation (the reason why I answered the ad originally) I cam see the owners absolutely adore them and they are pleased they are coming to me as I will be able to update them.

Thanks in advance for your help! Xx

Hi and welcome

It is great that you are giving these boy a happy new home!

Please get two of each if possible so there are no fights/dominance displays. Please be aware that guinea pigs need to re-establish their hierarchy in any new territory, which can occasionally lead to fall-outs of adult boars. I woul recommend to wipe some old, soiled bedding all over the place at first to make it smell like their place straight away.

You may find these guides here helpful:
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Guinea Pig Toys
Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys

We have got more information for new owners via this link here to help you settle in and understand your piggies and make friends with them in way that they instinctively relate to:
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit

We have got lots more information at the top of our various Care sections, but you are always welcome to ask any questions you may have along the way.

 

[Skittypigs]

Hi all,

I've been reading for a week or so now and will be picking my pigs up on Monday (owners have to move and sadly can't take their boys). They are twelve weeks.

I have a 120 rabbit ferplast, an outdoor hutch, an indoor playpen and in process of getting outdoor run. I am going to keep them in for a while at least. They are currently inside in a largish cage. Now, the current owners don't have a lot in their cage - no hideys, tunnels etc but I want to make sure they have everything they need to be happy. However, will it be overwhelming to have Loads in there if they are not used to much? They don't even have a house or hide in their cage with their present owners and seem to sleep buried in hay under the platform part of the Cage.

So far I have: carrot house, large tunnel, sea grass thing with three holes, twig bridge thing. I've got TIMOTHY hay, carefresh bedding, some sort of hay and petal treats plus bowls for food.

What I want to buy (and would like advice about) is fleece cosy sack things. Should I get singles or doubles? Also is it worth having a fleece igloo or cosy couch as well? And another fleece tunnel? I really like shopping (!) so I'm not sure if I'm getting carried away. I can keep some of this stuff in the run rather than the cage. Also, I liked this hay tray of foraging hay and petals. Has anyonne used it and is it worth it?

As I said I don't want to overwhelm these boys who are not used to much around them. Although they obviously haven't had enough stimulation (the reason why I answered the ad originally) I cam see the owners absolutely adore them and they are pleased they are coming to me as I will be able to update them.

Thanks in advance for your help! Xx

I have just purchased 2 snuggle bags, a single and a double which are generous in size, either good, got from chuckle bunnies on eBay, really lovely and arrived super fast

 

[VJ&Flower]

Thanks so much everyone. I am very excited! I have done quite a bit of reading here. It's really an amazing site.

I will get another tunnel then and I think I need two houses that fit under the platform area too. Or would a cavy Cosy be better? Is it's better to think they would need singles rather than doubles?

 

[Tiamolly123]

The best thing I gave my piggies were 2 smallest cardboard boxes with a door cut out of each end. So they can use them as a shelter. It may look silly to you, but they adore there cardboard boxes.
Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.

 

[VJ&Flower]

The best thing I gave my piggies were 2 smallest cardboard boxes with a door cut out of each end. So they can use them as a shelter. It may look silly to you, but they adore there cardboard boxes.
Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.

Thank you! Are they just normal cardboard boxes then? What type of size would you go for? Thanks. Xx

 

[Tiamolly123]

Just a little bit bigger than they are, no special kind.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks so much everyone. I am very excited! I have done quite a bit of reading here. It's really an amazing site.

I will get another tunnel then and I think I need two houses that fit under the platform area too. Or would a cavy Cosy be better? Is it's better to think they would need singles rather than doubles?

I would recommend to start easy; don't buy lots of stuff that doesn't take. A showbox or brown cardboard box is a wonderful things for a piggy; just cut some doors in and find out whether they prefer to be more apart for prefer to snuggle up with each other part of the time. Try a bigger box and a smaller one to observe.

Each relationship is unique. Some piggies like to hang out together more than others, but very piggies snuggle up together all the time.

 

[VickiA]

Hello and welcome. Your piggies are clearly going to want for nothing and that's so lovely that you are doing your research. My piggies still enjoy a cardboard box to destroy (like everyone else's). Look forward to seeing photos of your piggies.

 

[VJ&Flower]

Thanks all, you've been very helpful! I am just so excited now. Will send pics when I get the boys on Monday

Xx