i want to get a guinea pig but am worried about the whole price range, can u use johnson's baby shampoo on them, and any other advice for cheap replacement items?
2007-05-15 08:48:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
I'm glad you're thinking ahead. A lot of people go out & buy a piggie as an impulse. The piggie is always the loser in those cases.
A proper cage is the biggest up front expense. Don't go buy one of those dinky, expensive pet store cages. They are way too small. You can build an inexpensive cage yourself out of cubes & coroplast. See www.guineapigcages.com or www.cavycages.com for info & instructions on how to build one of these terrific cages.
Bedding is next. This can be expensive depending upon what kind you use. The cage needs to be changed weekly. Do NOT use regular pine or cedar shavings, as the oils in them will eventually kill your piggie. Use only recycled paper products like Carefresh (expensive!), aspen bedding, KILN DRIED pine shavings, or fleece if you have access to a washer/dryer.
Do not allow the pet store to sell you yogurt treats, toys, Vitamin C drops, mineral wheels, etc. for your piggie. They are worthless. You can make your own "toys" for your piggie. Cut the ends out of a Quaker oatmeal cylinder to make a fun tube to run through! Turn a small cardboard box upside down w/ holes cut in the side for an instant hidey-house! Stuff toilet paper rolls with hay!
All piggies need:
1) Clean water, changed daily in a bottle with a metal sipper tube.
2) Quality guinea pig (not rabbit!) pellets.
3) Quality Timothy Hay
4) 1 Cup of fresh veggies daily.
You can order good hay & pellets online through www.oxbowhay.com or kmshayloft.com Or check with a local feed store to see if they carry the hay. Just make sure it isn't moldy.
Any shampoo designated for small animals can be used. It is not necessary to bathe your piggie unless he/she is dirty. The long-haired breeds get dirty bums & they need just a "bum-bath" on occasion.
A terrific source for piggie info & care is www.guinealynx.info or www.cavyspirit.com
Lastly, please take into consideration any vet costs that you may incur. If you decide to get a pet, please make sure that you can take care of its medical needs properly.
Please also consider adopting your piggie from a local shelter or rescue. Guinea pigs do best when housed in pairs or they get very lonely. Please consider adopting a same-sex pair.
Good luck!
2007-05-15 10:55:40 · answer #1 · answered by Justified 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
guinea pigs should not be bathed but using a brush helps to keep them clean.
A draft when wet could kill them as well as the stress of a bath. You can sometimes find cheap cages at yard sales.
You do need to get form a reputable place a guinea pig can breed at 8 weeks old and most pet shops won't take them before this age so you may end up with more than you want .
I would suggest finding a breeder
2007-05-15 09:33:31 · answer #2 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're biggest expense is going to be a proper sized cage. If you don't have the money to invest in a big cage, don't get a guinea pig. People put them in these tiny little cages that are way too small for them.
Start up supplies you need:
BIG cage with plastic tray bottom, not wire bottom
bedding (wood shavings)
house to hide in
water bottle/food dish
salt lick
wood blocks for wearing down teeth
timothy hay
The only ongoing things you need to buy on a regular basis are:
bedding (comes in big bags and goes a long way)
food
hay (not necessary but good for their digestion)
wooden things to help their teeth (their teeth continue to grow throughout their life. They need things to wear them down.)
As far as bathing, it is not recommended to bathe guinea pigs unless absolutely necessary. If you are keeping their cage clean, there is no reason to have to bathe them.
2007-05-15 08:57:21 · answer #3 · answered by icy_tempest 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mounting is showing he is the boss of he cage, the teeth chatting on the other hand is not as good a sign and may turn into a problem, he is saying stay away form me. Try the introductions in the bathroom for a small amount of time for the first day then increase it each day increasing it to several hours with shared food and water bowels. on the day you try to put them together in the cage again wash the cage out will with vinegar in water so it has a new smell and doesn't smell like any ones territory to protect.
2016-05-19 01:40:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think using Johnson's would hurt them and if you look close enough you may find a guinea pig rescue in your area where you can get them for free. I adopted mine for free and only have to buy food, vitamins, treats, and hay.
2007-05-15 16:15:37 · answer #5 · answered by bravokardia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pigs can live up to 9 years. They are one of the most frequently returned animals at our pet shop. We now counsel pre-teens and teens before purchasing them about the responsibility of caring for them. Teens tend to forget about their pets when they become involved with dating and sports. If you are worried about the cost now, just wait awhile and think the whole thing over.
2007-05-15 12:35:00 · answer #6 · answered by kriend 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you want a guinea pig i would reccomend going to this site, they have all the info you need plus thy sell cages the right size and cheap. www.guineapigcages.com
2007-05-15 10:53:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People shampoo is bad for small animals and dog and cats.
Use Bunny Shampoo.
You can't cut too many corners and keep you new pet healthy.
2007-05-15 10:27:47 · answer #8 · answered by arkgrandma61 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't even have to bathe them, but I bathed mine once and used regular shampoo.
2007-05-15 08:54:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋