*Things to consider before getting a guinea pig*

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PopcornPigs

PopcornPigs

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Hey everyone !

I feel like I haven't been here for a long time, I must first assure you that my seven guineas are all healthy and happy :)

For those of you who don't remember my piggies, we have Willy (m), Tilly (f), Frazzle (m), Annie (f), George (m), Basil (m) and Tom (m).

Anyway.. on to what I am writing this thread for. I am looking to improve my guinea pig youtube channel, I'm thinking up some ideas but I've decided on my first official video to be:

'Things to consider before getting a guinea pig'

Because lets face it, anyone that's looking to get a guinea pig/s for themselves/their children will search online and a video will be a great informative way of letting them know the facts.

What I would like you guys to do is help me pick out 10 or so of the most important facts that people might not know when considering to get guinea pigs, e.g. they are social.

I am undecided as to whether I'll be showing my face in the video, but I hope to try and make the video quite fun rather than me just sitting there talking. Any tips/ideas would be greatly appreciated , thank you.
 
Hi nice to see you. I am happy to hear your piggies are well. I think one of the major things when getting piggies is the cage. Most sold are too small. Then the people need to be aware if they do not have a big enough space the piggies need floor time every single day.
 
What a super idea, and hello again.

Iwas just thinking today how much I have learnt from this forum so based on those thoughts:-


Environment, what they need in their home, options cage v c&c set up, places to buy them from and examples
Continuing that them, types of houses,water bottles.
place where homes is kept.keeping warm and cool, air circulation.
Food, supplements, places to buy, what to watch for eg additives etc

First aid kit, nail trimming, grooming.
Handling from young to old.
Common problems mites etc. and how to deal with them.
Vet costs,fund
Enjoyment, lap time and floor time.
Introducing new friends ( eg more advanced cavy keepers).
Other pets in the home.
what's wrong with breeders, places to find piggies needing a good home.
I think it's always nice to have a human face, clearly you don't need to be the main event but plenty of willing piggie wanting their stardom would be great.

Oh yeah and make it interactive even if it means showing websites giving examples, keep it interesting.
 
Diet would be one I think. The importance of lots of hay, a variety of veg and then some pellets. A lot of people I used to know with pigs (before I got into them in a big way) just fed lots of pellets with the odd handful of hay.
 
Hi, good to see you. As mentioned cage size is a big problem...but another thing i want to mention is:
I would say my "tip" is that guinea pigs are prey animals and are naturally skittish, and take time to get used to being held, cuddled. Don't expect progress over night, it takes time to earn a guinea pigs trust, but when you do its well worth the time spent. :)
 
The importance of locating a cavy savvy vet. Register with one as soon as you have the piggies - don't wait until you need one to try to find one. Also, don't assume that any vet will do. It is essential that they have experience of dealing with piggies!
 
I would definitely mention cage size, how skittish they can be, the importance of hay and vit c rich food and go rescue every time :)
 
If you're sensitive to hay you probably won't enjoy having guinea pigs living with you.
 
i would say normal day to day costs of feeding a guinea pig. That is what shocks me the most. I have six and veg alone costs me nearly a tenner a week and then you have hay and pellets on top . Two not one and loads of space is another important one I think and adopt not buy as you could be buying a pregnant one or one with health problems.
 
Thanks for all of your responses :) I am just getting all the interesting facts together ready to film in the next couple of weeks, I'll be sure to post it here once complete.
 
My top ten would be:

Vets, food/diet, cage size, bedding types, toys/floortime/entertainment, Handling/laptime, Health, cost, holidays/boarding and costs of all of it!

Looking forward to seeing the video!
 
And possibly considering not geting your piggy from a pet shop I Lunt the hard way and got one with mange x
 
Hello,

Mine would be too be aware that they are herd animals and need another of their kind to live a contented and happy life. I would say that people need to be aware that should one piggy die they must consider the needs of their sole piggy and not their own.
 
I'm not sure if anyone has said it or not but,

Don't buy them for your children only. If you decide to get piggies make sure you get them for yourselves and the children are the ones benefitting. If you do end up getting them for the children who get bored of them, then give them up to a rescue and don't put them up for free on sites like gumtree, preloved etc.
 
Cost of everything - food and vet bills and the cost of set ups
Indoor or outdoor
Do you have the time for the Piggies
One or more?
 
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