Trying to be responsible-some questions.

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murtle

I've been thinking about all the different things I should ask, and would worry about with a piggie-before I get one, ok here goes!

1) Is a baby or adult better? Are they difficult to train? (in my experience yes!)
2) I would really like a cuddly Gp-they have a tame one at the pet shop, could I tell if I handled it? I put my finger by the cage and it seems very interested in me.
3)Why do GP get mites and lice? Is it from the hay, outdoor Gp's must be more suspectiable. what can I do to help prevent this, would cleaning the cage everyday help with this problem?
4)If the GP had mites or lice, would they stay on the Gp, or go onto the furniture and myself as well?
5)Do they carry diseases which could be harmful to my 2 year old-(sorry I have to ask, and I'm sure the answer is no)

Sorry I would go to a rescue centre, and get an older Gp but, there are no rescue centres here, but the one in the pet shop needs a new home. The pet shop lady said the GP might bite, when I put my fingers near the cage, does this mean it is a bitter, she thinks the GP is just getting to know you, I think she means more like nipping-does this mean the GP would be a bitter then? The GP didn't look to bite just twicked it's little nose in a very cute way.
Put it this way I am looking for an animal that would enjoy being with me, and like me and want to spend time with me-does a GP fit the bill?!
 
murtle said:
1) Is a baby or adult better? Are they difficult to train? (in my experience yes!)
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To be honest, there isnt that much of a difference. Obviously the earlier in life a guinea pig is being handled, the sooner it will learn that humans arent a threat, but there are piggies out there looking for homes that have already been handled throughout their life, and are just as tame.

murtle said:
2) I would really like a cuddly Gp-they have a tame one at the pet shop, could I tell if I handled it? I put my finger by the cage and it seems very interested in me.
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If the piggy does come up to you and sniff you, it is a good indicator, yes. A guinea pigs temperament varies, some are more brave than others, and the braver the piggy the shorter it takes to tame it. If the piggy comes out and is interested in you, it will probably be easier to get it to eat food out of your hand and then at some point accept being stroked, than a very skittish piggy that hides in its house as soon as you walk past. That said, skittish piggies can also become tame - it might just take longer. However, I find them especially rewarding once tame :)

murtle said:
3)Why do GP get mites and lice? Is it from the hay, outdoor Gp's must be more suspectiable. what can I do to help prevent this, would cleaning the cage everyday help with this problem?
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Guinea pigs carry a certain amount of mites on them anyway, but for a healthy piggy with a strong immune system this is not a problem. If a guinea pig becomes weak due to illness or stress, then the mites can take overhand. I suppose you can compare it with how humans are more likely to get the flu if they are already run down. So mainly all you have to do is make sure your piggy stays in good health! :)
Yes, mites can also be in hay etc.
There are different types of mites, some that live underneath the skin, some that live in the fur, there are plenty of threads on this topic if you want to read up on this.

murtle said:
4)If the GP had mites or lice, would they stay on the Gp, or go onto the furniture and myself as well?
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Not 100 percent sure on this, can somebody help out here?
I suppose lice would, just like any other pet could spread them (or the 2-year old son coming home from nursery where he caught them), but I have never heard of mites having been transferred from piggies to humans.
Feel free to correct me! :)

murtle said:
5)Do they carry diseases which could be harmful to my 2 year old-(sorry I have to ask, and I'm sure the answer is no)
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If you get a healthy piggy, then the answer is: no. They should not be harmful to you or your son. However, alot of the time petshops do not provide the best care to their "stock" and you could end up with a guinea pig that is suffering, lets say, from a fungal infection, which CAN be spread to humans. (apart from the other things like, you could end up with a piggy thats a boy instead of a girl, that is a pregnant girl, etc etc. I am not a petshop friend I am afraid!)


murtle said:
Sorry I would go to a rescue centre, and get an older Gp but, there are no rescue centres here, but the one in the pet shop needs a new home. The pet shop lady said the GP might bite, when I put my fingers near the cage, does this mean it is a bitter, she thinks the GP is just getting to know you, I think she means more like nipping-does this mean the GP would be a bitter then? The GP didn't look to bite just twicked it's little nose in a very cute way.
Put it this way I am looking for an animal that would enjoy being with me, and like me and want to spend time with me-does a GP fit the bill?!
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Where abouts do you live? There is quite a few private rescue centres about, and people also do what is called "piggy trains" - as in, they help with transport of piggies through the country. There might be a rescue in the next county that would not mind travelling to you. Please do consider rehoming a rescue piggy, there are alot of people out there who are not responsible like you and ask themselves questions before buying a piggy from a petshop, and as petshops sell to anybody who pays, responsible or not, this is the reason all the rescues are full with unwanted pets :( To stop this, we would like to stop petshops selling piggies, to prevent this socalled "impulse buying" from people who have no clue about piggies, and dump them after a few months.

As to nipping:

Due to the way the guinea pigs eyes are placed and its general vision, they cannot see what is DIRECTLY in front of them. The piggy might well think your finger is a carrot! ;)
Sometimes piggies have learnt that nipping is a good strategy to be left alone - if you pick one up, it nips you, you put it down immediately again, it will learn that nipping gets it what it wants, and continue.
The average piggy does not bite, however, but there is always the odd one. A rescue centre will be able to answer your questions as to what temperament each of their piggies has, and which one might be most suitable for you. (so that you do not end up with a piggy that really should need a more experienced owner)

Hope I could help you a bit :)
 
as you live in turkey, i understand a rescue piggy is not an option here. the only dumb question is the one never asked. we are all friendly here and are happy to help you.
first find some hay, then a piggy savy vet, read as much as you can about them either here or the peter gurney site-the king of guinea pigs), drag hubby piggy shopping and go from there. i would say a young one would be better as you can handle these alot and they aren't set in there ways; as to training it just takes time and patience, it took us 14 months to get jessie not to run away from us. as for cuddly piggies depends on personality of the piggy. i have had piggies for years and none of mine have had lice or mites9touching wood) so am not much help there. as to disease spreading to you and your family, can't answer that either but am sure if you wash your hands throughly after handling your son or piggy that would cut down on the risk. as it is only around 6.00am saturday morning in the Uk most memebers are tucked up in their beds, but am sure others more in the know will be able to help you. good luck and i think you are a very caring responsible person asking all these questions before going out to buy one. also consider guinea pigs are pack animals and your piggy would like a friend, could you have 2 piggies? sending hugs and cuddles to you and happy research into the magical world of guinea pigs. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: WARNING GUINEA PIGS ARE ADDICTIVE! so warn your hubby! 2funny 2funny 2funny and becareful of 2 year old son with piggy/ies as piggies can get hurt easily and dropped easily as they are very wiggly. :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :smitten: :smitten: and welcome to the forum from me and the girls in australia. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Have you managed to source hay yet? You absolutely cannot have a guinea pig if you cannot get hay, despite how they are kept without it in the pet shop.
 
yeah hay is something you really need for piggies O0 well it really depends on the indivisual, some older piggies may be more docile while some younger may be less, or visa versa. Younger pigs from a pet shop won't have been handled much so they won't be used to it, but once they get used to you they may settle down to be really cuddly. the fact that it came up to you is probably good, because it means it's interested and most likely friendly O0 I have never come accross a piggie that was vicious, they're lovely little things, however they will nip, BUT usually only if you are being rough or they feel threatened. O0 They've got to have some way of defending themselves :) I think lice and mites can come from hay or being outside in grass, but i have only had one pig with lice and that was because she was neglected at her previous owner's >:( i'm not saying that lice and mites come from neglection, because it's not usually, i'm just saying, i've only had 1 with it and all of mine have huge piles of hay to go in and go out on the grass. it's just one of those things i'm afraid. It's easily treated, and i think i'm right in saying that they won't spread to humans, but it's best to wash your hands afterwards anyway! ;) Any healthy guinea-pig shouldn't have infectious diseases, but they can if they are not looked after properly, but they shouldn't do O0 Hope that helps! ;D
 
This is all extremely helpful, I have had a piggie before, but I'm afaird I wasn't the best of owners, and was scared of it! But, I am 15 years older now! I have come to one conclusion If I would like to rehome that guinea pig in the pet shop, first I need to speak to a vet, and have the GP checked over, fortunately the pet shop is linked to a vets as well, so that should be no trouble. As for sourcing hay, still looking-isn't it daft! Have asked someone who was selling piggies where she got her hay, but as of yet no reply.
Did think of a couple more questions, from me and my daughter!
1)GP's have an anal sac I believe-if this gets full you have to empty it-will it only become full in the GP doesn't get enough exercise, I heard exercise can stop this from becoming full-this this correct?
2) GP'S have a gland near there bottom that needs cleaning-can this be done when they having a bath once a week?

I was thinking I would spot clean the cage everyday-clean the cage properply every other day-and bath the guinea once a week-would this be enough to keep GP healthy and lice/mite free, it would be living indoors, and I fancy getting one of those fold out cage things (like on ebay), so it go in there and have a run around on my balacony in the lovely weather.

Also I thought I would talk to a vet as to regards to the lack of hay in Fethiye-Turkey!
Thanks so much for your help, and I so wish I could go to a rescue home and get a piggie, becuase like you say they can find a piggie that will suit you, I would so love to sit down in the evening with piggie on my lap and have a cuddle!
 
I think you mean impactation wich can happen in older boars this is caused by muscle weakness.

Guinea Pigs don't need a bath every week, too many baths and it may do more harm than good in terms of getting colds and infections. Depends on what breed of pig, smooth pigs don't need many baths, maybe once every 6 months, long haired pigs need more care maybe once every 3 months but again it depends on the breed.

Maybe try a farm for the hay as long as it isn't dusty. :)
 
It happens in older boars, the muscle becomes weak and they can't pass the poop. If you google in there are lots of info on it. I haven't gone across it yet so don't know too much about it. :)
 
sqeeker said:
oh poor little piggies. :(
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You just have to give a helping hand, it's a bit well a lot whiffy but i can imagine it not being comfortable for them one bit.

I have one boy who'd definitely impacted, he has hardly any elasticity at all & another one who looks to be starting, both boys are 4 :)
 
munchie gets impacted now and again. heath seems to get it occasionally but he is only 7 months old :o

its a very smelly job cleaning them out xx0 both piggies hate it
 
Ralfie has it when he cant be bothered going down to get the poo's ::) you'll find him a bit clogged up and clear him out, then the next days he down there rumaging around! i think he finds it too much of an effort since he was paralysed but he does manage it now and then! its no big deal, it stinks but its over within a few seconds and older boars have the most lovely nature they're well worth it! think Ralf is about 3 but not a clue really he was a rescue x
 
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