Guinea Pig Help ASAP!

[Mrs. PBJ]

I know this is a rabbit forum but I need some info on gunie pigs.

There was a murder tonight and someone posted a ad on craigs list and i will be getting 2 fosters tomorrow.

What is the difference in the food and such i will be getting suplies in the morning. But what do I need different i know this sounds crazy but they need a place to chill for a few weeks and after i get them to a vet and looked at.

I will be finding new homes I am doing research also but would like any personal info someone might have.

we are waiting for the crime sceen to open up and able to get them out then she will be bringing them in the morning. I have a room that they will be in away from everyone tell they go to the vet on friday hopefully.

Just any info would be great

 

[Haley]

I dont know anything about piggies but I changed the title of your thread so people will know what you need help with.

Also, you can send a PM to JadeIcing or Binkies, both have piggies and know lots about their care.

Good luck!

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I know that they need vitamin C. Guniea Pig food is best to feed them as it has the vitamins they need. Try to get the food they have been on or at least try to find out what they have been on and buy that.
They also need hay like rabbits. I wouldn't recommend adding veggies as you don't know what or if they have had them before.
You can use a rabbit cage or NIC panels to make a cage if you have them. They can be noisy espically at feeding time.

Other people who know more should be able to help more

 

[bunnybunbunb]

I can help here:biggrin2:I have piggies myself. First off you need to buy guinea pig food, many diffrent types. I have tried 2 types, 1 type works and the other killed 3 of my pigs in the matter of 1 week. They say it is better to feed a pure pellet brand because they pick what they want out of ones with dried fruit and whatnot but mine gets a mix. "Super Premium Guinea Pig Blend" by Wild Harvest. Crude Protein(min.) 18% as for everything else I don't know what it needs to be. This blend has Ester C in it "for optimum nutrition". It is a mix of grains, fruints, pellets, and veggies. My 2 piggies love it. Guinea pigs also need Timothey hay everyday. I give my piggies veggies and fruit when possible. It helps with nutrition and they love them.

They say guinea pigs need at least 7 square feet per pig but it depends on the person, the guinea pig, and how much room you CAN give them. I do my best but it doesn't but the 10 square foot they believe they need.

My piggies love toys, the cat jingle ball being their favorite. Bam when he was younger would play it all the time. I have a video on photobucket I think of him doing it. I would sit it infront of him and he would pick it up and go to town shaking it. They also like things they can chew and they like to hide a lot. Makes them feel safe. You can get them an igloo or 2(they don't like to share unless bonded) for them. Mine have a igloo and wood thing which they get 1 at a time. They like when you stuff tolet paper rolls with hay too. Once they eat the hay they eat the roll. Never had it hurt mine but not sure if it is advised to let them eat it as I let mine.

Good luck!

 

[PixieStixxxx]

Hey there! I've been caring for guinea pigs longer than bunnies, and I'm also an adoption councelor at a local shelter for rabbits and guinea pigs, so I hope I can be some help!

The primary to-know subject about guinea pigs is that they NEED vitaman C. They cannot produce or synthesize vit c by themselves, so you need to ensure that you are giving this to them. My pellet brand, "Martin Little Friends" is made from yucca extract and contains vitamin C. I love this brand as it is the number one pellet brand used for shelter guinea pigs, but sadly it is only in Canada I believe. As long as you give these guinea pigs small pieces (small!) of carrot every other day or so, their vit c intake should be fine! There is also some controversy about crushing up half of a vit. c pill and putting it in their water. I personally don't do that, but I know of other guinea pig owners who do, and their piggies are fine.

Completely avoid pellets with sunflowers seeds and colored bits in them. I had an extremely obese piggie surrendered, and it was a tough fight to save him from dying of obesity =[

Cedar, and some version of pine shavings are BAD for guinea pigs. The cedar hurts their respitory system, as well as some pine - depending on what's in it. I recommend aspen or carefresh, which is the safest bedding around for any animal.

Guinea pigs need hay almost as much as rabbits do. Timothy hay is what you give them, not Alfalfa :biggrin2:

They also do best if you give them something to hide in, because they are prey animals in the wild. I use simple cardboard boxes and my piggies love it.

Dandelions are on of their favorite treats! Guinea pigs love roaming outside and mowing your lawn for you They are vegetarian animals, so fruits and veggies everyday are a must. But I have heard of some issues with the skin on the apple, that could cause sores on a g. pig's mouth. I take off the skin anyways as I don't want to test out that theory =O

Hope that helps for now!

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

Thank you

I have found out what food there on already It is some sort of key tee.

I will be getting them tomorrow there is a five year old girl that wants to see her piggies one more time. Before she goes to her new foster home.

So today that is happening I might make the drive to get them tonight not completly sure yet.

So today mabye tomorrow Something happened to mom and dad and no family in the states so the piggies are al she has left now. I have been asked to send pictures every week. And send them to someone I have the email I dont know how long that will last growing up in foster care myself. She will not be with that person very long. She will be shipped around from place to place for the next 10 to 15 years. Because she is 5 there is next to no chance for adoptions. she is to old and will be labeled hard to handle cause of her parents death.

But let me get off my soap box. But yes thanks sorry this touches a sore spot for me.

I spent 10 years going through what this little girl is about to go through

 

[Leaf]

Here's a site with a lot of informative links in it:

http://www.freewebs.com/punkpig/

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

how sad for that little girl, and how sad that at 5 a child is deemed unadoptable.



Everyones advice is great. Stay away from pellet food with the crappy seeds and puffs in it, just like rabbits it is junk. Make sure it is just a pellet food with vit c in it. As long as they are getting fresh veggies and food with vit c in it there is no need for vit c tabs. Fresh water, of course, fresh hay unlimited, fresh veggies and limited pellets. They are similar as far as needs that a rabbit has. There are some food that i give my piggies that are ok , that i advoid for the rabbits. only give limited parsely because too much can contribute to bladder sludge, and green peppers are a great everyday veggie to give piggies. You can use fleece as a bedding, i do and love it. Like it was said stay away from cedar. I have two and they are in a 2 x3 cube cage which is fine for them. Be careful and introduce veggies to them slowly if you dont know they were getting any before. Good luck. I have a great guinea pig web site that i can give you but i dont know if i can post it so if you want to pm me i will give you the links.

 

[PixieStixxxx]

Kay Tee guinea pig food? Blech, that's a horrible brand for guinea pigs!

Please switch them to something better! :shock:

Good for you for helping out these piggies, it's great to know that there are kind hearted people out there <3

 

[JadeIcing]

I hope you got my PM with the LONG list of veggies.

 

[JadeIcing]

Luvmyzoocrew wrote:

how sad for that little girl, and how sad that at 5 a child is deemed unadoptable.

My grandmother was a foster parent for 10+ years. Sadly most kids past toddler stage have a hard time finding a home.

 

[JadeIcing]

I was wondering what came of this.