First Time Guinea Pig owner!

[on:]

Or, will be soon!
So, I've been doing research for quite a while now, and have decided it would be a good choice. I've decided on buy a C&C cage on ebay. I know, I could make one myself. But, what can I say, I'm not the best person to build anything, so I figure I might as well buy one, and know that it'll be safe for my new baby. I've also chosen to use Aspen shavings, as opposed to Carefresh, not only for the cost, but I used them for my hamsters, and never had a problem. I'm still undecided on the type of food. I don't know what's good and what's bad, other than that you only want pellets in the food, no seeds and such. If any one has a brand they'd like to recommend, that'd be great. Also, I've read some places that hay racks are good, other places saying they aren't. So, good or bad? I was thinking they'd be good, simply to keep the hay from getting dirty and such, but then again, what do I know?

I've made a general shopping list, and it's come up to about $150, and that seems low, but I don't know. I feel like I must be forgetting things. Cage, food, bedding, hay, water bottle, bowl, possibly hay rack, igloo, and a couple toys. Seems complete, but I feel like things are missing.

[Reply #1 on:]

For pellet brand (and hay even) I recommend Oxbow: http://www.oxbowhay.com/link.sp?page=products

They have a diet out for younger pigs (under a year old) and one for adult pigs (over a year old) as well.



Helpful piggie links:

http://www.petinfopackets.com/guineapigs/guineapiginfopacket.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/
http://www.cavyspirit.com/
http://www.guineapigcages.com/


Hope that helps =)

[Reply #2 on:]

Remember fresh foods like greens.  Guinea pigs don't produce Vitamin C so they can get scurvy if you don't provide foods rich in vitamin c.  My pigs love kale...they won't touch other greens.  But I give them fruit and corrots and such also.  I use vitamin drops in the water also.  Now some sites say this is no good but my vet said yes so I listen to him.  I use aspen shavings.  You need hidey places for them so big igloos are good.  They get pretty big eventually so make sure there is enough room.  They need hay all the time so I have a rack and a ceramic bowl with hay.  Oh, the food bowls need to be heavy so they don't tip.  I think that is it...  You will love them!!

[Reply #3 on:]

Congrats on your decision, piggies are such fun to have. When getting GPs, you should always get a pair. They are very social animals and do much better with a friend than living alone. Piggies love a variety of different veggies to choose from. Your piggies should get a cup each of fresh veggies daily with unlimited grass hay like Timothy and/or bluegrass/orchard grass hays. Alfalfa is not a grass hay and contains quite a bit of calcium. Piggies under the age of 6 months or pregnant females can have alfalfa, over the age of 6 months isn't recommended. A good quality pellet is very inmportant, I recommend Oxbow or KM pellets. Stay way from petshop pellets, most are junk. Mazuri isn't too bad but is Alfalfa based and you have to limit the amount to feed to 1/8 cup per day. Hidey houses are a must for piggies. They are a prey animal and to feel safe and secure, they need to have a place to hide and sleep in. Igloos make a great place to sleep in.  I use fleese for my bedding but Aspen is fine to use. I have 11 femal piggies and some of their favorite veggies are all leaft greens except iceburg, yams, snow peas, green beans, beets, turnips, parsnips, kolhrabi, bell peppers, carrots, all squashes, zuccini, cucumbers, artichoke, asparagus, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower to name a few. Variety is the spice of life for piggies.

[Reply #4 on:]

Do your guinea pigs all live together or do they have separate housing?