Alrighty, I have 2 guinea pigs. What are DON'T DO things, and things I can do. Like, don't give them baths if they need it, and I can feed them carrots. Please list everything you know, this is my last chance to keep a couple little pigs. Because I had a few that died, and this is my last chance. And the ones that died, we don't know what happened. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE list what I can't feed them, give them, put them, and other stuff. And what is exceptable to do. Please please help! This is saving a guinea pig's life, please answer :)
~Madison
Anonymous2007-08-14T20:19:52Z
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A guinea pig should always have an unlimited supply of water, formulated guinea pig pellets (like Oxbow), and timothy hay in there cages at all times. They should also be fed fresh vegetables once or twice a day (if twice, make smaller portions) They love vegetables like cilantro, romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens, bell peppers, ect. Lots of vitamin c. They really don't every need to be fed vitamin C supplements if you give them their veggies.
Harnesses, leashes, and excercize balls are not made with a guinea pig's health in mind. The guinea pig's back has a very fragile spine, and any twisting, pulling, or activity in these three "play toys" could make your guinea pig seriously hurt.
You should really look into making your guinea pig a C&C (cubes and coroplast) Cage. It is cheap, easy to clean, and makes lots of room for your guinea pig. For the bottom, you buy a piece of coroplast from a local sign-making shop (look in phone book for places to call) and you score it into a box. It's really simple. For the caging part, buy a set of storage cubes from target (usually used for makeshift shelves and such) and put them together around the cage. Here is the website, please give it a go!
First off, Thank you for doing research before adopting.. The guinea pigs will thank you for it! ^_^
Lets start with housing.. www.guineapigcages.com is the greatest site when it comes to creating the perfect enviornment for your pigs. The cages featured here are called C&C and are made of storage cubes and coroplast. Here are a few links to help you get started building one of your own...
If you aren't so handy at making things, you can order them already made here:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/buycc.htm
After you have your cage set up, bedding is the next thing you will need. Make sure not to use pine or ceder they will both make your pigs very sick, and eventually kill them. I recommend fleece and towels as bedding. You only have to buy it once and wash it weekly. Here is a thread on using this type.
http://www.guinealynx.info/bedding_fleece.html
Food is next.. Make sure not to buy any thing but plain pellets, the kind with seeds are dangerous to your pigs health. Kaytee products are also bad, they include an ingredient that causes cancer. Oxbox- www.oxbowhay.com is the best brand by far.
Hay is need 24-7 timothy needs to be given for all pigs of all ages, and if the pigs are under 6 months allpha is also needed in addition. Oxbow is also the leading brand for hay.
Veggies are 2nd most important after hay, and need to be given twice a day. I feed lettuce (butter, raddicio, endive, escarole, and red leaf) twice a day. A carrot, bell pepper, and cherry tomato each a day, and Apple and brocoli once a week. Make sure never to give iceburg lettuce.
Here is an excellent vegetable chart- http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/diet-nutrition/22156-everything-you-need-know-about-cavys-diet-read-me-nutrition-charts-info.html#post254730
Make sure never to use excersise ball, running wheels, vitamin drops or salt licks. They are all very bad and could seriously injure your pigs.
Also make sure you adopt 2 guinea pigs, they are social and need a buddy. There are loads of pigs for adoption- check www.petfinder.com for pigs for adoption near you. Please don't buy from a breeder or petstore, you will end up with a sick and/or pregnant pig and be contributing to the overpopulation problem.
Your pigs are going to need a vet check up once you get them.. Here is a list of good exotic animal vets.. http://www.guinealynx.info/vetlist.html
I hope this helps! If you have any more questions you can ask on the guinea pig cages forum or email me at wicked.pixi@yahoo.com
Guinea pigs are very DELICATE. They stress out really easy. No baths. They chill easily. No rough handling, no other pets (cats,dogs) staring at them. No drafts. Keep cage dry and clean and never use anything stronger than hot soapy water to clean cage. Stuck pee- use a little vinegar & water. Don't feed them unwashed veggies. No iceberg lettuce- it has no nutrients. Feed fresh food only, and be sure you are also feeding guinea pellets from the pet store. Fresh clean water DAILY. Do not put cage in front of a hot sunny window. Look online for more care suggestions.
go to the library and pick up a guinea pig book. I know some plants they can't eat. I'm only comfortable giving mine carrots and guinea pig food from the pet store. The food from the pet store has vitamins and stuff that piggies need, so they're not deprived of vital nutrients that keep them alive.
baths only when they start to stink. sure they clean themselves but they cannot lick away the smell on their fur.
always keep fresh food and water available for your piggies
food
romaine and green leaf lettuce. NO ICEBERG!! green and red bell peppers cucumbers kiwi carrots parsley dandelion greens kale collards apples banana
clean the cage at very minimum every week. empty all shavings. clean using 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. then rinse and allow to air dry. well cleaning cage give piggy some "freedom" confined area where she cannot hurt herself (ex: my guinea pig is allowed out in our hallway with doors shut and gate up)