What shoudl I know before I buy a guinea pig?

Answer 1

What care is required. By this I mean, type of cage, shavings for their bedding, their diet is a big one to check on. My son had one many, many years ago. Of course I did the cleaning of the cage, and they loved to eat raw vegetables, lots of them. I will definately tell you to learn about them first. Best of luck.

Answer 2

First of all you should now that without Vitamin C your Guinea Pig will die,.

You should also ask yourself a few questions:

Before acquiring a guinea pig ask yourself these questions and then answer them to see if you are capable and committed to own a guinea pig.

1. Are you committed enough to look after the animal or animals for 365 days a year, not just for the first week or two before the novelty wears off?

2. What about holidays? What will you do then with the guinea pig/s?

3. Do you know about guinea pigs needs for housing, exercise, feeding?

4. Will you be able to provide enough space for guinea pigs that love company?

5. Do you know whether they smell and can you, day in, day out, combat all odours by regular cleaning, replacement of bedding and general hygienic measures?

6. How long do you expect your guinea pig to live?

7. Are there any dogs or cats in the household which might taken an unhealthy interest in your guinea pig/s?

8. Do you know where apart from this site to obtain information on the successful keeping of the guinea pig/s you have in mind?

Answer 3

Pigs003 has it exactly right.

As a rescuer who sees hundreds of guinea pigs in and out of our rescue, the vitamin drops are unnecessary (and the pigs can still get scurvy), nutriphase is an awful brand of food, and Petsmart's pet care advice is among the poorest written.

Check out the following websites, they are the best out there for guinea pig care:

http://www.cavycages.com
http://www.guinealynx.info
http://www.cavyspirit.com

Also, males CAN live together, if their owner has done research and has them in proper housing. We pair ALL males that come into our rescue. We have pairs of males up for adoption right now. There are hundreds of pairs of males up for adoption on Petfinder at this moment. I have 3 males living together in a cage as we speak. Very rarely can a male pig not coexist with any other male pigs. They are like humans, some do not get along as individuals, but most have a friend they can get along with just fine.

Generally when males fight, it is because their owner has them in an inappropriately sized cage that is too small. It's the equivalent of living in a bathroom. I'd fight with another female if we were forced to live in a bathroom together.

Answer 4

First of all, do NOT listen to Jackster, that's very bad information.

1. Nutriphase is a horrible brand. It has a preservative that has caused cancer in small animals, is a mix that is both a choking hazard and unhealthy, and contains animal byproducts when they are strict vegans.

2. Do not put vitamins in their water!!!!! It immediately breaks down leaving it absolutely worthless, distorts the taste of the water so they dont drink, and theres no way to determine the dose they're getting.

Ok, they need at least 7.5 square feet of cage space for two females. See this page: www.guineapigcages.com

Do not buy from a pet shop, they are 99% of the time sick, pregnant or mis-sexed. See www.petfinder.com for a shelter near you that has pigs. They will be taken care of there and know their sex.

Either get two females or two males. They are extremely social animals and need at least one friend of their own kind. Do not get a female and a male, guinea pig pregnancy is extremely hard on them and very risky. Not to mention the thousands of homeless guinea pigs already in shelters.

You need ot find a cavy savvy vet in your area beforehand. A regular cat/dog vet will not do. You need a vet that treats exotic animals. Guinea pigs can cost hundreds of dollars in vet bills, so be sure to have some money set aside.

The need 1 cup of veggies a day. Oxbow pellets www.oxbowhay.com (timothy pellets for over 6 months, alfalfa for under 6 months), or KM's pellets.www.kmshayloft.com and a constant supply of timothy hay. See www.guinealynx.com for many tips on proper feeding and medical issues.

Do not buy roll about balls or wheels. Their back do not bend that way and you're just asking for a broken back or arthritis later on in life.

They are prey animals, so will be skittish. Provide many hiding places throughout their cage.

Good bedding is carefresh/yesterday's news/ cell-sorb, KILN-DRIED pine (regular pine has harmful aromatic oils), aspen, or polar fleece with towels/puppy pads/incotinance pads underneath. See the forum at www.guineapigcages.com for more information. DO NOT USE CEDAR!!!! It causes liver damage and upper respitory infections.

Guinea pigs live 6-10 years, so it's a long commitment.

Answer 5

They are very social animals and thrive on attention. If you have two it takes away from the time you have to give them. They are great pets and love to interact with you. The only bad thing about them is that they have short life spands.
Make sure you have a big enough cage from one, and the proper bedding. I like to use the absorbing pellets as a base covered by shavings, it helps to absorb odor and keeps them dry. Also buy the vitamin C drops for the Guinea Pigs it keeps them healthy and helps prevent cancer (which seems to be a problem for them). Also make sure they have something to chew on to file its teeth down. They sell blocks of wood. Carrots and some fresh fruits and lettuce are good for them, do not give them celery. I try to keep my Guinea Pigs with some fresh veggies and fruits they live longer. Most only live 3-4 years but my last one lived to be 8 years.

Answer 6

there diet is the biggest thing to know and make sure they have lots of stuff to chew on the cant have wheels or balls when they run in the it hurts there spine also holidays is not a good time to but one guinea pigs r very nervous and get scared easy and with the commiotion of the holidays it could get very scared they also love haveing area to run around in and need a good supplyment of timothy hay each day

Answer 7

Here is a list of things you should get (and need to know)
1. Get Carefresh bed shavings
2. Get Nutriphase for you guinea's food
3. Get an Extra Large water bottle (dosen't matter what brand)
4. Buy Vita Drops to put in the water
5. Feed him/her lots of fruits and vegetables right away
6. I recomend getting two females (unless you wants babbies)
7. Get a fairly large cage (dosen't matter what brand)
8. Give lots of your love and care

I really hope this helps!!!
Here is a link to some more tips!! :-)

Go to www.petsmart.com and go to the small pets section and click on guinea pigs. It will give you loads on info!!!

Hope that helps!!! Merry Christmas! :-)

Um excuse me me pigs003 Atleast I know what I am talking about. Two male guinea pigs can never live together. Besides I'd bet you dont even have a guinea pig now do you smart one.

Answer 8

Lots and lots of fresh vegetables also a grain pellet type of food. That keeps their teeth from growing long and inwards.
They make a lot of noise at night, by sqealing a lot. If you can put up with the cleaning and upkeep, then they are a wonderful pet.
I use to breed them when I was a child, to raise some money.

Answer 9

You should know everything about the guinea pig like for instance what they like to eat. How to proparly care for them etc.

Answer 10

They are the best pets because very clean and cute.
You'll have to be carefull of him: Change regularly his water and hay, give him fresh vegetables (like salad, carrots and green beans) and all your affection.