WHEEK: Life of pigs!
Welcome to WEEK: A life of pigs!
Keeping guinea pigs as pets is rewarding, they are lovely little personality packages and generally friendly all round animals.
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That withstanding, all pets require different care, and it is the responsibility of owners to ensure that their little lives are the best you can offer them.
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Your pig's will signal their happiness through popcorning, and zooming about.
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I have compiled a list of item I use with both of my piggies, and like.
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The Essentials
01
The Cage
Cages are where the most problems are seen with cavey owners. Pet shops generally are unreliable in giving correct information. They will often sell a 'small animal enclosure', as fit for guinea pigs, and this is often too small. Remember, it is not their fault, their job is to sell to you. However, it is important to view this with scepticism and do your own research before rehoming any pet!
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Remember, a cage should only be a bedroom to your animal, and floor or time in a run should also be provided!
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Understandably, not everyone wants to build a cage for their cavey companions, and it is not always the most budget friendly option. Suitable, and affordable cages are C&C cages. Which can be build to size and altered if necessary.
Guinea pigs also have poor depth perception, and as such a lot of ramps in traditional cages can seem daunting! A low ramp on a very slight incline will be less intimidating, and the general rule is nothing over 45 degrees.
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I got this video from YouTube creator 'Squeak Dreams', that details a premade C&C cage so that you can see what it would look like.
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If you live in a warmer climate, and wish to keep your guinea pigs outside, you will have to ensure that any enclosure is preditor proof, and safe from the elements. Please do remember that guinea pigs are tropical animals, and do not tolerate the cold well! A good rule of thumb would be, if you are cold, so is your pig!
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****Click here! Cavey cage size UK guidelines!***
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02
Interior design
When filling your cavey's home they sky is the limit. But the main essentials are:
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Suitable bedding
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Shelters/ hidey's
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Toys
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1. For bedding I chose to use fleece liners in my cage, They are an expensive product, but they are machine washable, and comfy for your piggies feet. It is important to spot clean all cages, but especially fleece lined ones daily, as they can become messy rather fast! I find that a quick sweep of the piggie-poops, and changing of pee-pads keeps the cage fresh for about a week. The brand I use is a dupe of the market leader, but I have found it to be very absorbent, and the pigs love to sleep in the pockets!
**Guinea Pig Bedding - Fleece Cage Liner for Guinea Pig ***
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If you are using shavings, no hard woods, as these are bad for your pets, and preferably a paper bedding that is super comfy and absorbent.
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2. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and as such they feel more secure when they have somewhere that they can hide! Anything will do, I Particularly like the ones that guinea pigs can chew to wear there teeth down, but Harlow is incredibly attached to his pigloo, that he arrived in, and try as I might, he doesn't want a new one. You will need a separate hidey for each of your guinea pigs, although social, they often want their space too (and who can blame them!). They are social beings, and enjoy foraging and roaming. Tunnels can provide.
3. Everything living needs stimulation! Guinea pigs are no exception. There is a plethora of toys on the market that can exploit their natural instincts to forage.
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These include tunnels, chew toys, toys where you can hide food for them to find, and many more! It is important to have this entertainment in your pigs home to keep them from becoming bored and unhappy. You can also teach your pig tricks to socialise with them, and have them engage and learn, as in this great youtube video from 'Amazing animal tricks':
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WEEK! WEEK! If you have a guinea pig, this will be a very familiar sound! A good variety of food will keep your pigs out of the vets, and keep their teeth worn down (they grow continuously their whole lives).
Lots of fresh hay should always be available too them, and should be replaced when, inevitably, it gets stood on, peed on and thrown around (I'm looking at you Woolie!). Any hay should be suitable, but some of the best my pigs enjoy is meadow hay.
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Pellets that are specifically made for guinea pigs are also a must. I like the pellets as your guinea pig cannot be picky and ignore some based on looks, as often happens with mixed food. My favourite is Burgess Excel Guinea Pig Nuggets.
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Veggies. If this was written by a guinea pig, this would have come first! Guinea pigs are VERY food driven, and veggies are at the to of the nom scale! They cannot absorb vitamin c easily, so this is their main source. If you do not feed them a wide as selection of veggies, you will need to supplement this with a vitamin water drop.
My Pigs favourite veggies are:
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Kale
Spinach
Bell peppers
Cucumber
Coriander
Parsley
Romain Lettuce
Broccoli
Carrots
They will test anything! My boyfriend has taught them some serious piggy snobbery - and they will knock back anything that is bruised, wilted, or they have just had a bit too much of lately!
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03
The food!
