any guinea pig money saving tips?

itsalldrivingmemad

We are thinking of getting 2 guinea pigs - any tips to save money?

emmanottosay

If you get them from a pet shop they're very expensive to buy. A rescue center or breeder will be much cheaper - and better for the pigs as well!

Brocolli stalks and cauliflower leaves are very good for them - and we normally throw them away, so that'll save some money too.

If you're planning on keeping them indoors buy / build a "C & C" cage, its' much cheaper and better for the pigs, info here: http://www.guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm

itsalldrivingmemad

thanks we bought 2 males yesterday they are very sweet but quite nervous at the moment. What treats do they like - they love dandelion leaves we have found that out!! Also what handling do yourecomed until theyare used to us?

thanks

emmanottosay

I've got two males as well, mine are young and skittish too - we've had them less than a week!

I think handle them at least twice a day, some people say leave for a few days. But you've got to get them used to being handled.

Apparently corn on the cob is a huge hit with guineas - I've not tried it on mine yet though.

Lots of good advice, and people, can be found here:

http://www.pimms-pages.co.uk/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=28466

I've linked to a post about what foods they can and can't eat.

itsalldrivingmemad

Cool thanks for your help emmanottosay and welcome

nodwah

On money saving tips - I bought Tesco value wood shavings today and I find it very coarse and scratchy compared to the dearer stuff so I don't think I'll get it again in case it harms the critters.

We've had our GPs for 2 weeks now (males, father and son) and they're still skittish. They love being on the lawn and nibbling the grass and I've also found thay they love cucumber, carrot, red lettuce and watermelon, and they didn't fancy apple.

melancholly

http://www.cavymadness.com/carefood.php
this webiste has a list half way down of good food, food to use with caution and bad food.

(been looking at the cute pictures and still want one, even though i know i can't!) btw - nodwah, everything ok with your 2 and water now? (since i can't have my own i will take an unhealthy interest in other peoples' pets! lol)

itsalldrivingmemad

My too boys like carrot but the link in post 4 says thatyou shouldn't feed them too much - and I just bought a load on offer last night too - how much is not too much do you reckon?

tiamai_d

Save old loo roll tubes. Stuff with nice fresh hay (or forage) and some tasty tit bits like veg, treats etc. Great toy to keep them amused.

In really warm weather, freeze some old bottles of water and hide under hay to cool them down.

Do not put them on to the lawn for 2 days after its cut, it grows very rich just after a cut and will run right through them.

Remember the vitamin C drops!

If you spot any new clean off cuts of plastic tubing, grab them. Wash them out and sand down any rough edges, they love tubes.

Keep and eye out for 'safe wood' logs. You can make a little shelter house for when they are out.

An old slab in the run will help keep nails short (and give them somewhere dry to sit), if you get a bad problem of them having long claws, a bit of felt in the run for an hour will get them down, saving money at the vets. Be cautious with this though, as it is very rough!

They love balls too! Just make sure its pet-safe.

As for feeding, their diet should be a third dry food (nuggets is best avoids picky eaters) a third hay and a third MIXED veg. Introduce it slowly to new pets as they may not be used to it!

nodwah

Mellancholly (sp?) I think my 2 boys are fine, you're right about the grass etc keeping them hydrated enough as It rained solid for one day and I didn't put them on the grass and sure enough they drank the water! SO ta.

Thanks for the other tips everyone, esp about the slab to keep the nails short, I had wondered about that as our biggie piggie has quite long nails and is a bit scratchy.

My dad has some of that inner tube you get with a carpet so it's big enough for piggies to get in, I must get a bit of that over.