me and My mum is planning on getting a guinea pig. i wondered should we get one or two ? would 2 be better and why. anyway can you get guinea pig collars or guinea pig brushes from anywhere and would they be okay outside in a hutch if it was raining or something ?
2007-06-25 04:33:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You need 2 piggies - they are desperate for company. Piggies don't need collars, just the occasional bath and brush with a baby brush. The hutch is fine in summer so long as they are warm and dry. There are lots of internet sites on guinea pig care, or borrow a book from the library. Good luck.
2007-06-25 04:45:41 · answer #1 · answered by Jan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think two guinea pigs are better than one : ) They keep each other company, although you could always get a rabbit and a guinea pig. They get on really well!
You can, I believe, get little guinea pig harnesses, and you can definitely get brushes. When I had guinea pigs I used a rabbit brush, anything like that is fine as long as you are gentle.
As long as the hutch has a roof they will be fine outside! Although you may want to bring them in if it gets very cold at night. When I kept guinea pigs we had a run for them (a sort of big cage on the floor with no floor and no roof and wire mesh sides) which they could run around in and eat a little grass!
Guinea pigs need something to wear their teeth down on (their teeth are always growing) a block of wood will be fine. They also enjoy pipes (wide enough to get inside) and cardboard boxes and tubes that they can chew on.
Good luck!
2007-06-25 04:44:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Like all rodents, guinea pigs love to chew. So tubes would be great, maybe you can even find one they can fit through. Blocks of wood would be great too, just be sure they are safe for the guineas, be sure there's no toxic chemicals or paint on them. They also like bells, so any kind of ball or cat toy that makes noise may keep them entertained. They also love those plastic igloos. Hiding is a talent among many guinea pigs! Have fun with your little pigs!
2016-04-01 03:34:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get a pair. they are sociable creatures and at least would have each others company while you are at school/work. Do as much research as you can and go to a rescue. many unwanted/unloved piggies go there to find new homes and they will give you all the advise you will need to enjoy your new pet. All the animals will have been health checked, teeth and claws checked and where necessary ( e.g male and female pair) the male will have been neutered. A male and a female are the best pair to get or two girls. Boars who have been brought up together are ok but when one dies will need a female and if it is older, neutering can be dangerous. So with the other two pairings it is easier when the other dies to get it a new mate. Rescues will also bond them for (if you see two singles) for free, to make sure they get along. Indoor housing is best with access to a secure outside run in summer. Don't use collars, but any pet shop will sell grooming brushes. But a rescue will give you all the advise and can also tell you the temperaments of the piggies so they are suitable for you. Remember to take into consideration who will look after them when you go on hols and also vet bills. Hope you find your ideal pet.
2007-06-25 07:04:03 · answer #4 · answered by india 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two guinea pigs of the same sex are definitely better than one, guinea pigs are very social animals and do best when housed with another animal of the same species.
Despite what other people are saying, a rabbit is NOT a suitable companion for a guinea pig. They need a completely different diet, are different species so will not properly interact with each other, carry diseases that can be passed on to guinea pigs, and their powerful hind legs can paralyse or even kill a guinea pig, even by accident.
Guinea pig collars and leads can be purchased but these are very dangerous and are definitely not a good idea. Guinea pigs are not like dogs, they won't walk on a lead like that and the whole experience would be very distressing for them. Guinea pigs are prey animals and so if they are startled they will try to run away- when restrained by a lead this can cause them to break their neck/back as they try to escape.
You can buy soft grooming brushes for guinea pigs. Long-haired breeds obviously take more grooming than short-haired pets but grooming with a soft brush is beneficial to short-haired animals.
Best not to house your guinea pig outside, it's really not recommended. Guinea pigs are not used to living out in such harsh environments and temperature changes that occur outdoors are very bad for them. There is also a high risk of predators, illnesses caused by the damp weather (e.g. respiratory infections which can kill), illnesses/death cause by hot weather, etc. Hutches are also typically far too small, provide poor ventilation, are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria and are not an ideal environment for your pet. It is recommended that you keep your guinea pigs indoors, and not only is this vital for them but it means you get more enjoyment out of your pet too! Try www.guineapigcages.com for information on how to build your own indoor cage to suit your needs.
www.guinealynx.com also has very useful information about guinea pigs. Good luck researching about your new pet :)
2007-06-25 04:41:15 · answer #5 · answered by El 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Guinea pigs do not need toys, but may like a bit of drain pipe to run in and out of. They need a run as they play during the day. A small soft brush would be good, to give them gentle grooming. Do not attempt to put a collar on them, as it could be dangerous. They are wonderful pets, just buy a good basic book, and enjoy their company
2007-06-25 04:39:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
oh lovely, you should get two guinea pigs or a guinea pig (boy or girl) and a rabbit (girl) together but as long as you give your guinea a lot of love he/she should be fine.
See this site for Pet Toys
http://www.petsathome.co.uk/
Pets at home!
Outside or inside both is fine
2007-06-25 05:30:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some general things to consider when thinking of getting a guinea pig:
By nature, they are herd animals. Basically, they do best in groups or pairs. However, there are guinea pigs that prefer to fly solo. If you opt to get two, which I'd highly recommend, be sure the are the same sex . Contrary to popular belief, two males CAN absolutely live together (I currently have four in the same cage).
Guinea pigs are not meant to be kept outdoors. Sure, when they were in the wild they ran free in the plains of South America, but the guinea pigs you and I have in our homes are domesticated - meaning, their tolerance to heat and cold is nothing near their wild cousins. Guinea pigs should be kept indoors in an as-spacious-as-you-can-afford cage. Consider checking out Guinea Pig Cages.com for ideas on what the best recommended spacial requirements are for piggies, and for pictures of cages other guinea pig owners have constructed.
As far as collars go, they're generally not a great idea. A Guinea pig's skeletal structure really isn't made for wearing collars or for harnesses/leashes. Your best bet here is to invest in getting a gated play pen that you can set up out in your yard for supervised playtime. For a brush, I'd recommend a small animal slicker brush - you can get these at any pet store. I'd also recommend getting nail trimmers for rabbits or cats - they're scissor shaped and easy to use for trimming piggy nails. As far as toys go, typically the simpler the better. My boys love timothy hay, and LOTS of it. They chew on wooden toy sticks (from the pet store), and any cardboard boxes and/or tubes you put in their cage. A fluffy towel makes for a great hiding spot/napping area. We also found big PVC connectors to use as "tubing" that is big enough for them to run through and hide in.
Consider checking out Guinea Lynx.com for great beginner info on general guinea pigs care (like what they eat, their behavior, guinea pig diseases, etc). I refer to it frequently!
Good luck!
2007-06-25 05:09:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
guinea pigs like company, they don't do so well on their own. we have 2 boys that are separated with netting. but if poss get 2 girls. they can live ouside in a hutch but when it is cold lots of hay, straw etc to keep them warm and covering them up at night to keep out drafts. as for a toy? they like guttering, or you can buy wooden tubes. i would also say if poss go to a re homming place as their are so many of them that need homes.. we did.
2007-06-26 01:40:53 · answer #9 · answered by Bee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there,
I found a free download of Bad Piggies here: http://j.mp/1BDCpan
it's the full version, avaiable for free! very fast to install
You may think Bad Piggies is a poor copy of the popular PC puzzle game Angry Birds series, but the truth is that is its prequel.
I love it!
2014-09-14 08:58:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋