Wanting to buy a guinea pig but need some questions answered first!

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Unsung Hero

Hey guys, I've been reading the forums and piggy guides and I wanted to get one. I just wanted to check a few things with you guys first.

1. Because I’m at school for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week and no one is home, if I got just one piggy would is getting bored or lonely? If it would, would having two fix it?

2. Do guinea pigs make a lot of noise at night? (When I’m sleeping.)

3. This a bit obvious, but I was just making sure. Do piggies set off movement sensing alarms when they are in their cages?

That’s all I can think of at the moment, ill probably think of some other questions later and post them. Thanks for all replies as I have never owned a guinea pig before!
:)
 
hey and welcome to the forum! well done for doing your research first before getting a piggy or two.

1. piggies prefer to be housed with a friend, as they are sociable animals, so if you just got one yes it would get lonely. and yes getting 2 would be much better :)

2. they make a little noise but you get used to it. i have 4 piggies in my bedroom and i have no problem sleeping. you sometimes hear them having a drink or running round their cage when you first go to sleep, but i find it amusing and like to listen to them settle down before i sleep

3. i dont think they set of motion sensors, as i have a sensor in my room, and it doesnt light up when they move, but it does when i move.

hope that is helpful for you :)
 
In addition to the advice above, look into adopting a rescue pig rather than buying one. Not only will you get good advice and support from a reputable rescue but it's likely to have been health checked. Pet shop pigs are often ill.
 
Thanks very much for all the help!

In relation to adoption, My RSPCA doesnt have any piggies at the moment. Ill check regually for the next few weeks and see what comes up. If i was to buy from a pet store it would be from here: http://www.selectpets.com.au/.

Thanks for all your advice and I'm looking forward to owning my first piggies!
 
ah didnt realise you were in australia! choloe and glynis on the forum are from australia.
 
hello and welcome from me and the girls in oz. where abouts in oz are you? perhaps try animal welfare, or ask your vet as to where to get as guinea pig from.as for your questions, the girls don't keep us awake, they love company, and have no idea on the light sensors as we don't have them. good luck with getting your guinea pig/s. ask any questions you like people are kind and helpful here there is also a search button too to help. have fun and welcome again. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Hey,

I live in Fremantle, WA. I really appreciate all your fast responses!

I have been looking at adoption, but unfortunately there is not an awful lot in WA.

I was wondering which room of the house you keep you guinea pigs in?
 
Sorry for double posting but i was reading the Australian cavy sanctuary website. They mention something about a red flagged guinea pig. I'm assuming that this is a guinea pig that has been mistreated and doesn't like human contact. I'm a bit unsure whether this type of guinea pig would be suitable for me because i am a first time owned. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be great.
 
have not heard of red flagged guinea pigs, hoping someone can help you out. hoping you find some piggies soon, in the mean time you could do research and learn about these amazing animals so when you do get your babies you'll a little more about them. good luck and sending hugs :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Unsung Hero said:
Sorry for double posting but i was reading the Australian cavy sanctuary website. They mention something about a red flagged guinea pig. I'm assuming that this is a guinea pig that has been mistreated and doesn't like human contact. I'm a bit unsure whether this type of guinea pig would be suitable for me because i am a first time owned. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be great.
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Why don't you email Jess and find out?
 
My house has movement sensors, and the pigs don't set them off. And yes, having one pig on its own would be a bit cruel =-(. You need two for a happy piggie.
 
Yep you need two pigs :) They provide entertainment and company for one another when you're not around.
Perhaps 'red flag' pigs are ones that have been in the rescue for a long time? It would be far better to rescue if you can :)
 
"Red Flagged guinea pig which means he/she came in with an ACS Mistreatment Case or similar"

So red flagged guineas mean they were mistreated when they came into the rescue.
 
Okay thanks very much, all your information was a great help!

I'm on my last day of school for term 1 :) so ill be doing lots of research in the holidays.

I've read on some guides that some people have 2 sows, others have two boars who are brothers and other people have a neutralized boar and a sow. Theres so many combinations i just don't know which one is best?
 
Hi there and welcome to the forum from us in Victoria OZ :) :D :D :D
WA lovely part of the world, we have another member who's from there as well O0
I've only had boars so i'm not much help on girls... they're all beautiful :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
You need to go to the local RSPCA and ask them for some help, i'm sure there's one there near you O0
Hope you enjoy the forum :) :)
 
Hi and welcome :)

Yes, you definitely should have more the one pig. I have always had either 3 or 4. They are quite the loveliest animals I have ever known. I cannot imagine not having pigs now. They are kind, affectionate, gentle, clever, funny and full of character. They will be great friends for you. Pigs are clean and do not smell - providing you keep the hutch clean. Welcome aboard.
 
I am a new member, and this my first post here so no-one really knows me! But I live in Perth, Western Australia and have 4 girls.

Jess will fly interstate to you if you wish to adopt, you have to email her (or call her) and fill out the necessary forms and then organise flights. She should be able to quote you on flight costs as well - I cant remember them!

Red flag pigs are pigs that come from a mistreatment case (which there have been a couple of lately) as a pose to normal surrenders. They are just as fine with humans as any other pig would be - unless it is stated differently.

Alternatively, the Quokka often has heaps of pigs. You need to look for adds where owners need to find new homes for pigs - not breeder adds which there are alot of in the paper.

There are various online sites as well, which I frequent regularly but there are seldom pigs in W.A there!

It really doesnt matter whether you get 2 boys or 2 girls or a mixture of both. It is probably easier to keep to one sex.
 
Male/female couples - both spayed - go well. But female/female couples go well too. I don't have expiriance with boars - but they can get along very well if both neatured. Good luck, can't wait to hear if you get them and how everything works out =-). :)
 
farmgirl, There is no need to spay girls unless they have some sort of problem ie ovarian cysts which cannot be taken away with hormone injections. These only usually occur in older sows.

If you have a pair of the opposite sex you should have the male neutered. This is sufficient as a female spay is a far lengthier and more risky op.

Also, boar couples do not need to be neutered. Neutering boars will only take away the ability to produce offspring it will not affect their behaviour. :)
 
Okay thanks very much!

I will be buying the quokka (its a news paper) asap and looking in there for guinea pigs. Ill probably be looking for two sows, just to eliminate the chances of fighting boars (which probably woudn't happen). I'm really thankful for your your help because without you I probably woudn't know where to start!
 
Some people may disagree but I suggest people go for 2 sows as their first guinea pigs.

That's not to say boars are not charming too although I find some slightly inexperienced owners may seperate for no reason/not seperate when obvious fighting is occuring/not provide a large enough space for 2 boars etc. Especially if owners don't have guidance from a rescue etc.

Have you decided not to go down the rescue route then? Let us know how it goes, whatever you decide :)
 
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