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Post by hurricanekatt on Sept 27, 2012 1:43:52 GMT -5
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Post by hurricanekatt on Sept 27, 2012 1:46:07 GMT -5
They do NEED chew toys to wear down their teeth though...
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witchywoman
Junior Member
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder
Posts: 216
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Post by witchywoman on Sept 27, 2012 7:50:01 GMT -5
They need a constant supply of hay and dark leafy greens. They love to come out and run around. Wheels are not a good idea for them, and I think you would be hard pressed to actually get them to try it. A cement block (like a patio block) can be placed in the cage to help with keeping their nails worn down. Google Cavy Cages. There is a lot of information there about proper care.
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Post by houseofallergies on Sept 27, 2012 7:51:12 GMT -5
Katt the link is for a flying saucer exercise wheel  I don't see anything about guinea pig. |
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keri
Adolescent Member
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder
Posts: 428
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Post by keri on Sept 27, 2012 8:01:23 GMT -5
My guinea pig lived to be 8, almost 9. She never had a saucer, but she did have a 47" x 22" cage to herself and plenty of playpen time. And harness for outdoor dandelion-eating time in the summer! I also worry about the diet these three pigs are getting... they ought to have fresh veggies every day, and a lot of them. It's not nearly as complicated as making a menu for ferrets, but it involves more than just pellets! And the pellets they do get shouldn't have seeds mixed in. Guinea pigs can be very outgoing if their needs are met and they trust their humans. Mine was extremely vocal and would rattle her door if she felt you weren't bringing breakfast quickly enough. She loved having her ears and chin rubbed too  www.guinealynx.info/ has a lot of great information on guinea pig care. |
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Post by suzie on Sept 27, 2012 9:31:29 GMT -5
Guinea pigs do run around a bit if they have friends to run with. I use a pet playpen for our guineas, actually two together and some igloo houses, snacks and a water bottle attached. I agree about the diet, however if they have been on just pellets for awhile fresh foods need to be introduced gradually to avoid problems in the gut. Seeds in a guinea pig mix are a big no-no, as are the bits that look like colored kibble for different reasons. Guinea Lynx website is an excellant choice for resources as listed above, that site covers everythig!  |
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Post by 1badmonkey on Sept 27, 2012 11:24:37 GMT -5
I had a guinea pig growing up, he was awesome. Not as much 'fun' as ferrets (ie mine didn't get into constant death defying trouble like ferrets like to) but personable and interactive. Mine was very vocal too, like nails on a chalkboard. And cuddly as all get out. His cage was a 20L aquarium (we didn't know better) but he got out every day to run around my room and play with me.
My youngest brother got one years later because I wouldn't let him play with my rat. It was way opposite in personalities than my 'punky piggie'. Quiet, not outgoing, not very personable. Although he did get a much better cage than mine did. Then the dog ate him (wire cages are nothing to a wolf hybrid) after she broke into my room (the only 'safe' spot in the house). Last piggie we had.
~Kelli
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Post by mikeybox on Sept 27, 2012 11:29:17 GMT -5
LOL, that link to the "flying saucer" exercise wheel does mention guinea pigs, but it also says it's for ferrets too, so you will forgive me if I'm skeptical about it ;D Would any self-respecting ferret run on an exercise wheel?
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Post by Guest on Sept 27, 2012 13:59:38 GMT -5
Would any self-respecting ferret run on an exercise wheel? Apparently they will if it's ferret friendly,, as I remember reading a thread on a UK hunting forum awhile back about this. The exercise wheel was made by a ferreter to give his ferrets more opportunity to exercise in their hutches. A number of people had him make one for them and, by all accounts, the ferrets loved them. I was interested in getting one, to see if any of mine would use it, but the shipping was horrendous...so I had to forego that idea. |
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Post by Heather on Sept 27, 2012 14:07:39 GMT -5
There is someone on this side of the pond that makes them for cats...seemingly they love it. Perhaps it would be the same concept?? They're all custom made. I know that the person made a number of them for people on a raw feeding list and their cats absolutely loved them (go figure, my cats would hire the dog to run on it  ) It was originally created by a fellow who needed to tire out his hyper bengals. Shipping shouldn't be so horrendous, if he still makes them. Shipping from the UK is incredibly stupid high  ciao |
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littleweasels
Adolescent Member
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder
Posts: 280
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Post by littleweasels on Sept 27, 2012 14:20:47 GMT -5
Guinea pigs need big cages. The minimum for 3 is 10 square feet. Check out c&c cages www.guineapigcages.com/No wheels for pigs. Their backs are not meant to bend that way. I agree about diet. They need lots of fresh hay, about 1 cup of fresh veggies per pig and a small amount (about 1/8 cup per pig) of plain pellets per pig daily. |
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Post by quixoticwhit on Sept 27, 2012 14:58:35 GMT -5
They make wheels for just about anything that might run in it. Sometimes you don't know until you get the product. I got my rats a Wodent Wheel (maybe they make one for pigs too, idk) and my rats didn't see the point in running and not getting anywhere (except for one, but she was a little special ed)-- I feel like a ferret wouldn't fall for the wheel either. I once had a goat who's previous owner never trimmed her hooves. We trimmed them up and even made he some ankle braces to help her get back on her feet (literally) but it didn't help much--even with all the care we gave her, his lack of care caused her to spend the rest of her days walking on her ankles.  Maybe you could suggest a brick in the pig's cage. I had one in my rats' cafe and it helped with their nails until they decided it would make a nice spot to pee :/ it works like sandpaper every time they walk across it and helps keep the nails short. It's also surprisingly absorbent  |
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Post by opalraven7 on Sept 28, 2012 5:00:48 GMT -5
Actually, a happy guinea pig can be quite the little character. They make little noises and do little "popcorns" (jumping up and cow hopping sort of things when they play and run around.) I have a woman who got a guinea pig she adopted from me to stand up on its back legs like a dog for treats even!!
They can get all happy when you get home and make talking noises when you come in the room. Do they have wooden chew toys for their teeth and timothy hay? Because their teeth constantly grow and they need to wear them down by chewing things otherwise they get major dental problems that can be life threatening potentially if not treated?
~*Opal Raven and the Business of Flower, Amalia & Davinger *~
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Post by josiesmom on Sept 28, 2012 19:32:20 GMT -5
I too have had guinea pigs in my past and apparently mine stayed active enough to not need much nail trimming. Excursions on side walks will help in that regard. Brownie was mine as a youngster and Harry was a companion as an adult. Both knew their names, would come when called, would sing and chirp and run and spin about. Harry was a peruvian and had really long hair that required brushing daily. He'd sit on his pillow and sing all the while he got brushed. They make great apartment pets. But like any animal companion, they need interaction and attention!
I've trimmed horses feet that were similarly neglected. There is no excuse the only reason that happens is sheer neglect and inattentiveness!
Sent from my A100 using proboards
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Post by moonfall on Sept 28, 2012 20:34:58 GMT -5
I use flying saucers for my mice and they LOVE them. It does promote proper running position for the spine and is safe for most animals.
Believe it or not mice get wheel tail and even slipped disks from round wheels especially if they're too small. Saucers are the best.
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