ginea pig question?

Question

my husbands grandfather bought our 4 year old son a ginea pig an i am clueless on them we have had lots of animals an have 10 now but never one of these its a girl i have it in a fish tank does it need a top any special care what kind of bedding can you use were useing hay now any advise appreciated thanks for your time

Answer 1

Guinea pigs are cute, and you don’t need a lot of space to keep them. They like to have the company of other guinea pigs, so getting two together is a good idea. They need to be of the same sex or spayed/neutered so they won’t have babies. Guinea pigs can be friendly if they are touched and get used to people when they are young. The cost to care for a guinea pig is at least $200 per year. They need a large cage, which can cost about $60 to buy. It can be hard to find a veterinarian who takes care of guinea pigs. And when you go on a trip, you’ll need someone to care for your guinea pig.

EVERY DAY

Guinea pigs go to the bathroom a lot, so their cage and litter must be changed every day. You can make your job easier by putting newspaper on the floor of the cage and litter, such as pine shavings, on top. Please don’t use cedar shavings, because they can cause breathing problems in animals and irritate their lungs. Pine shavings, corncob shavings, or recycled newspaper shavings are better. Guinea pigs need timothy hay, guinea pig food, fresh vegetables, and fresh water every day. They also need at least an hour or two outside the cage every day. A room that does not have carpet or wires they might chew on is best for letting them run around.


EVERY WEEK

The cage will need a more thorough cleaning every week. Since guinea pigs can be kind of messy, scrubbing the cage floor with water and a mild soap will keep it nice and clean.


EVERY MONTH

Check to see that your guinea pig’s toenails are not too long. A veterinarian can show you how to trim the nails at home. Look for anything that could be a health problem, such as missing fur.



EVERY YEAR

Guinea pigs need to have a yearly check-up just like other pets. Be sure to find a veterinarian in your area who treats guinea pigs BEFORE you need one! You might have an emergency and need a veterinarian fast!

Answer 2

your new found friend really doesn't need any specialized attention other than common sense. it needs lots of love and the rest is pretty easy.besides a good alfalfa pellet or Guinea pig food from the supermarket or pet supply, a water bottle that doesn't leak (good luck) lol and as far as bedding....You can buy the real expensive stuff (paper pulp bedding) at the pet store or shred newspaper so it curles(thin and fast will do that for you) to saw dust, which I don't like personally and everything in between. a vitamin supplement that can be in the food you buy is a good idea. Now, Carrots, celery and potato peels will make him or her your best friend in no time. It will weet weet weet until you wont think it's cute any more every time you open the crisper drawer to your refrigerator anticipating his veggie treat. I spoil mine a couple times a day with those :( but he says :)! that's about it. If he's looking different than normal for a few days some where up the road, it might be time to see a vet. You can call or ask your local pet store for more info that might help as well but mainly RELAX and enjoy your new little friend.

Answer 3

Yes, I love guinea pigs.
First of all a fish tank is a good place to start, but guinea pigs like a little more room than a standard size fish tank. If you can't afford a cage I wouldn't worry about a top, they hop when they are happy, but can't climb or jump. Cages are a better option for pigs as they are VERY social and would be able to hear better and "visit" (finger pets inbetween cage bars) better with the family. Mine loves to be scratched under the chin as I am passing by into the kitchen before his morning carrot.
Hay is a great bedding for guinea pigs. Please do not use cedar as it has recently been found to be toxic to bunnies and guinea pigs. Much information is available on line about this topic.
We use pine with newspaper underneath.
They need a special hay called "timothy hay" as part of their diet. Also get them a grain or pellet to eat (local pet store). Please give them a fresh item of veggies or fruit every day. Pigs are fussy eaters and sometimes will not eat something the first time you put it in their cage, but maybe the next time. My pig loves carrots, lettuce (not too much), apples, cucumbers, carrot tops, radish tops, dandelion greens..you get it.
If they are yelling "wheek, wheek, wheek" It means they want something...usually a treat of carrots and such, but mine will do it when he wants running around time, which guinea pigs need. If you are petting him or changing his cage and he makes a shudder/purr noise...it is just that. He is happy and is sort of purring for you. If he hops and twists he is very healthy and happy and full of himself.
If he is sulking in the corner with his face to the wall you need to figure out what is the matter. Could be too much noise, dirty cage, sickness..
Anyway, they are great pets. Very loving and very easy to clean up after. Have lots of fun with her!

Answer 4

I own guinea pigs, so I can give you some advice here, but you should also go to a vet or a pet shelter/store for more indepth information about your new little pet, because believe me, they can be a challenge.

First off, the guinea pig (cavy) probably can't get out of the fish tank if the sides are about a foot tall. However, this should probably only be a temporary condition until you are able to get a better ventalated home/cage for your piggie. She will also need bedding, but don't get a wood chip kind. Processed paper (Carefresh) bedding are the least aromatic and are the best for guinea pigs.

As for diet, you will need to get guinea pig food since guinea pigs can't produce their own vitamin C. You should also have vitamin C or at least multi-vitamin drops for your cavie's water bottle.

Guinea pigs are also very social animals. You will either need to spend at least 15 min. with them everyday, or get another guinea pig to keep her company. You should get another female of about the same age, so as not to have unwanted baby cavies.

Guinea pigs can be a lot of work, but they are the sweetest pets ever!!! Good luck with your new pet, and don't forget to get her checked out at a vet and get more information about these amazing animals!!!

Answer 5

This is our personal experience after owning 5 guinea pigs.
Ours had no problem with cedar bedding. It can be purchased at walmart or any pet store such as petsmart. It is not necessary to change daily unless the smell is bad. Ours were changed twice a week.
They like fresh veggies such as carrot, broccoli, lettuce. Some will like or dislike as they are diferent like humans. Some will like fruit such as grapes, orange. They need vitamin C so if they don't liek citrus then you can buy a pet supplement that goes in the water bottle.
Don't keep it in a fish tank. Buy a cage. You can buy a starter kit at Petsmart that comes with cage, bedding, bottle, etc.
They like toys and they are readily availble.
They like to chew and need to grind their teeth down. If not then their teeth will need vet care. Make sure you have something to chew on.
Keep it out of a draft as they do get sick.
Most of all have fun with it. They are cute little pets. It takes time to tame them. Just be patient and make sure it feels secure. Don't let it roam loose as it is dangerous for them.
They can learn tricks.
It is safe to bathe them if they begin to stink.
We had an exotic long hair that was absolutely gorgeous and a big lover boy. He died during the hurricane evacuation process. The stress of the trafffic moving half a mile in 45 minutes for hours was too much for him.

Answer 6

Hay is fine but he may eat most of it.

Many people prefer aspin bedding. I use Cedar with no problems.

Always feed Guniea Pig food as it has added vitamin C. If you feed rabbit chow he will eventually get a bone disorder. Very painful. OK in a pinch but not long term.

They also like veggies, fruit, grass, weeds (that have not been sprayed with chemicals)

An aquarium is best. If you use a rabbit cage their feet can become stuck in the bottom. They freak out and break a leg.

Answer 7

You can only use pine bedding,cedar burns their feet.A 10 gallon fish tank is alright but you can use those retangle totes that people store stuff in.She will love grass{it's free},fresh veggies and get a water feeder for her.sometimes they bite but if you spend time holding and petting her she'll get used to you.They purr like kittens when you rub them and squeal like pigs if you rub them backwords.Change the bedding once a week.You can get a HUGE thing of pine bedding at wal-mart for 5 bucks.It'll last 5-6 months.Pigs also love to eat paper.Only give them small amounts of "white,no color"paper.They use it for ruffage.My pig lived for 7 years and my kids loved him.They can be a great addition to the family.Good luck.

Answer 8

I had one as a kid...they are cute. ((If you don't mind rodents)).

Bedding: Cedar chips (Wal-Mart or your local feed store)

Mine loved raw veggies too (carrots, lettuce, celery...etc)

Hope it's a big fish tank so she will have room and they can come out to play as well (around the house)...

Best wishes with your new friend :o)

Answer 9

http://www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/