Want guinea pigs - Never had one before

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GuineaRanger

GuineaRanger

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Hello, I am new to the forums so hi everyone! Seen many pics of peoples piggys and they all look lovely!
I would like to get one or two guinea pigs - I'm not sure how many is better? Because of cage space and loniliness etc.

I have a cage which me and my family had rats in a few years back its pretty much like this http://blogs.timesunion.com/largefamilylife/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/dsc_0211w.jpg and with no wire floors as i know they are dangerous.
Would this be ok? And would it only suitable for 1 or 2?

I have had gerbils and rats in the past and i also have a rabbit which is outside and wont be put with the piggys sooo i know i love animals :)

How big do they grow on average? About from wrist to elbow length? as i held one a couple of years ago but i cant really remember.

Do the cages smell? And is the smell different for girls and boys?

If they were running around on the floor for example would they poo/wee all over? (lol) And do they ever poo on you when they are being held?

And finally do they make alot of noise by scurrying/squeaking at night?

Thank you very much for any help :)

x
 
Welcome to the forum! ;) My name is Marie.

I can only answer a few of your questions, let more qualified people answer about cage sizes, etc.

Its always better to keep them in pairs minimum. Sow/sow, boar/boar or neutered boar/sow. They need the social interaction with their own kind. I know many books say that you can just keep one, but they definitely won't be as happy as if they had a buddy.

Honestly, mine have never pooped or peed on me, they let you know mostly when it is time to be put down so they can use the restroom. I have only had mine in runs with newspaper lining, so no experience with letting them have free run in a room.

Mine are quiet at night, they've never woke me up before. Shotzie is the one that is where people are when they sleep and he knows when you go to bed, it's time for him to go also. I think they adapt to your schedule for the most part.

Sorry, that is all I can really help you with. :)
 
ill answer questions as well as i can
piggies vary so much in size
the cages smell unless you keep them clean just like any animal,i have never had girls but i know boars are a littlke smelly when they get excited would be much the same for females though i would think
i have piggies who dont pee or poo for 10 minutes at a time but 2 of my boys thin i am the litter and like to do it on me or the floor when ever given the chance
Most piggies do play alot at night but again it depends always make sure you have a back up room incase they keep you awake at night
sorry if it was rushed I'm in a hurry lol hope i helpd xxxxxxx
 
Hi! Welcome to the board!

Two guinea pigs would be best! They are most active and vocal during the first year of their life and then quieten down a lot. If you have to have them in your bedroom, I recommend that you don't go for baby ones, as they are pretty non-stop round the clock!

I can't get on your link, but they should have a cage about 2x4 ft if they are in there for most of the time.

The adults will sleep most of the night, but will be active once or twice and may wake you up with the occasional squabbling when one doesn't want to move over...

Boys can smell a bit (air and clean regularly, but they are by no means as bad as ferrets, for instance). On the other hand, they are usually lovely characters (big softies for cuddling actually!). Any local specialist rescue will have several, quite often already bonded pairs.

It is worth contacting a rescue beforehand, as often they have more guinea pigs than on their website and can answer any questions. But beware - by visiting them you might find that you come home with some different piggies than intended!

Two girls or a neutered male/sow couple are your alternatives, but they are often harder to find, especially already bonded couples.

For rescues: http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk

I wish you good luck with your search and fun with the guinea pigs. The more time you can spend with them, the more they will give you back!
 
Hi

The cage you linked to is fine for rats but the multi-levels are no good for guineas - the floor space needs to be 2' x 4' for a pair of guineas, I can't tell the size from the pic but the floor space looks too small (as the levels won't be used).

I can't sleep with piggies in my room but I know others do without any problems! If you do it's worth investing in a 'sippy' bottle that doesn't have a ball-bearing as the noise can drive you insane!

Where abouts are you?

Sophie
x
 
Hiya, Thanks all for your replys!

Sophiew, you say the levels wouldnt be used how come that is? And I am in Stockport, Manchester.

x
 
Hi and welcome to the forum :) I agree with Sophie that the cage wouldn't be suitable. It looks quite tall and if a piggy was to fall from the top, he / she could really hurt themselves.
Two piggies is better than one. I had a lone piggy for a few weeks after her cage mate died and when I introduced her to a new friend, the transformation was incredible. They really need to be with their own kind and are much happier in pairs / groups. If you do decide to get some guinea pigs, please think about rescuing them rather than buying them as there are many guinea pigs in rescues looking for homes. There are many people on this forum who run rescues
As for the wee / pooing thing, my 2 wee and poo but with a little bit of training, they both seem to wee in one area. When they are having floor time, they have learned to go in one place. All piggies are different though. Both of mine have wee'd on me in the past, but they tend to give out warning signals such as licking and nibbling at me. xx
 
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Hi Claire, thanks for your help. Yes i would more than likely get them from rescue centres :)
What if I made some barriers round the edge so they dont fall off? My grandad was a joiner so he would make some for the levels.

them.
xx
 
Guinea pigs don't have the mobile spine some of the other rodents have and are not as used to sit on their back legs, that's why they generally are not so keen on steep ramps and small platforms. They are groundhoggers by nature. I have one platform in a 50x100cm cage, but it is only 8" high and has a shallow ramp.

At the moment, I do sleep with my two 11 months old girls in my room, and it is fine; apart from when they start squabbling in the middle of the night evey few days because big Nerys wouldn't budge out of the way! You get used to it and just go back to sleep... After a couple of weeks they have started to wait until I get up before getting lively and squeaking for food. I make sure that they have enough hay and pellets for the early morning hunger.
 
The floors are adjustabe and i could lower them so they are not as steep as that on the picture?

Thanks for your reply
xx
 
Even if you move the floors, the floor-space they need on one level is 4'' x 2' - so they can run around and do 'laps' - so it would not be suitable. Could you perhaps sell it and use the money to buy a piggy cage?

Sophie
x
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. I agree that the cage isnt suitable, the more floor space you can give the piggies the better. You will see just how happy they are when they have lots of space to run around in :)
 
Hiya thanks for your replies. I have been looking at a few cages online, Its just I'm a student and dont have alot of money (lol) for a £50 cage.
I have found this one http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shopcom_uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_cage/83034
I have a backyard which is enclosed and is flagged so it would have a good run outside when weather is good anyway.
Thanks all :)
xx
 
Try looking in the cage and hutch gallery here at C&C cages - they are metal grids which link together, you can build all kinds of things and they're about £20 a box

Sophie
x
 
Hi, I have recently converted to the C+C cages that Sophie mentions, they are alot bigger and cheaper than the shop brought ones. My guineas love theirs so will never go back.
 
I've just bought the same zooplus cage on recommendation from the RSPCA (animal protection league) for my newly adopted pair of piggies. So you won't be wrong with that one!
 
I got mine from B&Q, but you can also get the grids from Screwfix. The ones I got from B&Q are buy a company called Slemcka and it is called a 6 cube mesh storage system. There are 24 grids in a pack and you connect them to gether using the connectors and cable ties. You make the cage as big as you want too. But for two guineas you would need at least a 2x4 I think. One pack costs around £24 and you would get more than enough grids to make one with. I think there are pictures of these kinds of cages on the forum if you look.
 
This is one of my C&C's, as you can see they are just metal grids which slot together using plastic connectors and you can make them any size you like. So much cheaper than buying a cage, costs £22 for a set from B&Q, you can get the correx for the base for £5 a sheet then just fill it with the bedding of your choice :)

002-10.jpg
 
i see you have little sleepy bags there where did * get them from can only see hammy ones on p@h.
 
Hiya them, Welcome to the forum. As others have said, please consider rescue piggies when you have your cage/c&c's sorted. I foster for Sokel Guinea Pig Rescue, and have 3 lovely pairs of boys at the mo looking for a home. (Two pairs are babies, one pair are just a year old with one of them being neutered) Take a look at my posts on the Rescue Section. I live quite close to you. Good Luck, and well done for researching piggies needs.
Jane x
 
Heya all, thaks for your posts! Yeh I would be rescuing them rrather then buying them from pet shops so no worries there :)
I would love to get the C&C cages i just dont have enough room for them in my house :( I would be able to fit that cage i linked to (The flat one not the rat cage i first showed you) on my desk but cant fit the C&C cages anywhere, maybe one day when i have my own house tho :P
Thanks all :)
x
 
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