Chief Guinea Pig
Senior Guinea Pig
I've decided to make a thread for wannabe piggy owners, on the important things they need to consider. Is this ok?
Would it possibly be made as a sticky?
Owning a guinea pig is a big responsibility, and you should care for your piggie(s) to the best of your knowledge and ability. Some points below.
★ Firstly, do you have the money to care for a guinea pig? Have you thought about the cost of vet bills in case your pet were to become ill, the cost of their vegetables, hay and pellet/nuggets? All this will add up to a healthy sum, and you also need to buy a good sized cage and all accessories required.
★ Do you have the space in your home to store your pets items and mainly it's living space?
Cage - c+c cages are the best. A pair of pigs need AT LEAST (Please provide bigger) a 2x3 c+c (7.5 sq feet of floor space). Solid floors only - no grid floors.
Living outdoors is not always the best thing to do, if so, you must know what you will do about your piggy once the winter arrives- piggies cannot be left solely outdoors unless the hutch is heavily insulated. Can you bring your pet indoors in the winter, can you put your pet in a shed; this will need to be insulated. Or can you house a piggy indoors all together?
★ Do you have someone to care for your piggies if you go on holiday/away?
★ You must do your research on what cage to buy for your piggy. Piggies need floor space over height, that is important to think about. You will need to know the minimum size for a piggy cage, pet store cages are not big enough, unless for temporary homing, providing the piggy gets plenty of exercise each day. Hutches and c&c cages are ideal, the more space for your pet, the happier it will be! You'll also need a run for either indoor or outdoor depending on your circumstances. These can be costly.
★ Have you got the resources with information on how to care for a piggy? Research is key to provide a healthy life for your piggy. The Guinea Pig Forum and books are very useful.
★ Have you got the time to care for a piggy, you'll need to feed him/her twice a day, and spot clean their cage/hutch each day. Grooming (long haired piggy) and trimming their nails must be done as part of their care. They'll also need their cage/hutch to be cleaned once a week (fully). Will you be able to do this without fail? Would you be able to give your piggy veterinary attention if needed?
★ Do you know where to get your guinea pigs from? A rescue, a breeder, a pet shop.
We are Rescue friendly. You can be assured your pet will be healthy and is properly sexed, and boar dating is available if you wish to buy boy piggies.
★ Will you be able to take on the challenge if you pet were to become unwell, and are you responsible enough? Will you buy a small cage? Will you make your piggie wear a harness? Will you feed your piggie the wrong proportions of food? You must know what to do. Will you be able to check on your piggy every day health wise, also check their teeth, nails coat and body each week, and weigh them weekly?
★ Are you patient enough, bonding with guinea pigs can take time and effort?
★ What to buy your piggie +optionals:
Depending on how many guinea pigs you have, equipment may need to be multiplied.
- A pellet/nugget bowl (extra if more piggies)
- A vegetable bowl
- Hay rack if you wish to keep the food of the floor
- Water bottles (correct guinea pig ones)
- Suitable bedding (We support fleece bedding, see for further information amongst the forum)
- Suitable Hideys/igloos for your piggy to hide in
- Tubes/tunnels
- Boredom Breakers (see threads on the forum on how to make home made and cheap toys)
- Chews for the hutch
- Grooming Kit
- Scissors (for longhaired piggy)
- Claw trimmers (human trimmers work too)
- Cage- small animal safe disinfectant
- Run
- Travel Cage in case of travel to the vets
- Bottle brush
- Dustpan brush or vacuum
- Suitable storage
-Hay, choice from; meadow, timothy etc. See Hay for Pets website for cheap hay with good quantities
- Veg, see chart: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum...vy-Nutrition-Charts-amp-Poisonous-Plants-List
- Pellets or nuggets (muesli mixes not recommended due to selective feeding)
- Treats?
- Living space; Hutch, indoor cage, c&c cage
- Small animal shampoo http://shop.gorgeousguineas.com/
Stay away from:
★ Toys with a health hazard
★ Dangerous plants/flowers
★ Dangerous foods/vegetables/fruits such as Iceburg Lettuce, Potatoes
★ Dogs/cats with the guinea pigs. Or snakes, which will eat guinea pigs
★ You may think Rabbits should be mixed with guinea pigs. But this information is WRONG. Rabbits are stronger and bigger than piggies, they can bully, harm or accidentally kick guinea pigs
★ Harnesses
★ Runs with wire floors
★ Small cages
★ Birds of Prey (Outdoor runs should be covered to prevent a bird of prey attacking)
Enjoy guinea pig keeping, piggies are very sociable pets and very loving. Caring for guinea pigs is extremely rewarding.
The Guinea Pig Forum is very supportive, friendly and informative, this is the website to join when owning guinea pigs. You can create great friends and get advice when you need it!
See the forum for any information and tips on health care.
Would it possibly be made as a sticky?
Owning a guinea pig is a big responsibility, and you should care for your piggie(s) to the best of your knowledge and ability. Some points below.
★ Firstly, do you have the money to care for a guinea pig? Have you thought about the cost of vet bills in case your pet were to become ill, the cost of their vegetables, hay and pellet/nuggets? All this will add up to a healthy sum, and you also need to buy a good sized cage and all accessories required.
★ Do you have the space in your home to store your pets items and mainly it's living space?
Cage - c+c cages are the best. A pair of pigs need AT LEAST (Please provide bigger) a 2x3 c+c (7.5 sq feet of floor space). Solid floors only - no grid floors.
Living outdoors is not always the best thing to do, if so, you must know what you will do about your piggy once the winter arrives- piggies cannot be left solely outdoors unless the hutch is heavily insulated. Can you bring your pet indoors in the winter, can you put your pet in a shed; this will need to be insulated. Or can you house a piggy indoors all together?
★ Do you have someone to care for your piggies if you go on holiday/away?
★ You must do your research on what cage to buy for your piggy. Piggies need floor space over height, that is important to think about. You will need to know the minimum size for a piggy cage, pet store cages are not big enough, unless for temporary homing, providing the piggy gets plenty of exercise each day. Hutches and c&c cages are ideal, the more space for your pet, the happier it will be! You'll also need a run for either indoor or outdoor depending on your circumstances. These can be costly.
★ Have you got the resources with information on how to care for a piggy? Research is key to provide a healthy life for your piggy. The Guinea Pig Forum and books are very useful.
★ Have you got the time to care for a piggy, you'll need to feed him/her twice a day, and spot clean their cage/hutch each day. Grooming (long haired piggy) and trimming their nails must be done as part of their care. They'll also need their cage/hutch to be cleaned once a week (fully). Will you be able to do this without fail? Would you be able to give your piggy veterinary attention if needed?
★ Do you know where to get your guinea pigs from? A rescue, a breeder, a pet shop.
We are Rescue friendly. You can be assured your pet will be healthy and is properly sexed, and boar dating is available if you wish to buy boy piggies.
★ Will you be able to take on the challenge if you pet were to become unwell, and are you responsible enough? Will you buy a small cage? Will you make your piggie wear a harness? Will you feed your piggie the wrong proportions of food? You must know what to do. Will you be able to check on your piggy every day health wise, also check their teeth, nails coat and body each week, and weigh them weekly?
★ Are you patient enough, bonding with guinea pigs can take time and effort?
★ What to buy your piggie +optionals:
Depending on how many guinea pigs you have, equipment may need to be multiplied.
- A pellet/nugget bowl (extra if more piggies)
- A vegetable bowl
- Hay rack if you wish to keep the food of the floor
- Water bottles (correct guinea pig ones)
- Suitable bedding (We support fleece bedding, see for further information amongst the forum)
- Suitable Hideys/igloos for your piggy to hide in
- Tubes/tunnels
- Boredom Breakers (see threads on the forum on how to make home made and cheap toys)
- Chews for the hutch
- Grooming Kit
- Scissors (for longhaired piggy)
- Claw trimmers (human trimmers work too)
- Cage- small animal safe disinfectant
- Run
- Travel Cage in case of travel to the vets
- Bottle brush
- Dustpan brush or vacuum
- Suitable storage
-Hay, choice from; meadow, timothy etc. See Hay for Pets website for cheap hay with good quantities
- Veg, see chart: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum...vy-Nutrition-Charts-amp-Poisonous-Plants-List
- Pellets or nuggets (muesli mixes not recommended due to selective feeding)
- Treats?
- Living space; Hutch, indoor cage, c&c cage
- Small animal shampoo http://shop.gorgeousguineas.com/
Stay away from:
★ Toys with a health hazard
★ Dangerous plants/flowers
★ Dangerous foods/vegetables/fruits such as Iceburg Lettuce, Potatoes
★ Dogs/cats with the guinea pigs. Or snakes, which will eat guinea pigs
★ You may think Rabbits should be mixed with guinea pigs. But this information is WRONG. Rabbits are stronger and bigger than piggies, they can bully, harm or accidentally kick guinea pigs
★ Harnesses
★ Runs with wire floors
★ Small cages
★ Birds of Prey (Outdoor runs should be covered to prevent a bird of prey attacking)
Enjoy guinea pig keeping, piggies are very sociable pets and very loving. Caring for guinea pigs is extremely rewarding.
The Guinea Pig Forum is very supportive, friendly and informative, this is the website to join when owning guinea pigs. You can create great friends and get advice when you need it!
See the forum for any information and tips on health care.
