cavy13
Bronze Member
"What?.........This doesn't look like my hut!"
Posts: 448
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Post by cavy13 on Mar 5, 2005 0:29:21 GMT
I am a new member and soon to be first time guinea pig owner. I have visited many websites including TreensPigs to get info. I have learned alot. Is there any serious info I should know before I purchase?  |
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Post by Bean on Mar 5, 2005 13:00:55 GMT
Hi there! Good job doing all the research before you get your pigs. This is a great care guide to read www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html - follow the advice there and I'm sure you'll have some happy guinea pigs! Something I think is of huge importance before getting any pet, is to make sure you have both the funds and the capacity to get your guinea pig to a good cavy vet if they need one. Too often people get pets but only budget for them in health, and illnesses that could easily be cured end up choric or even fatal causing the guinea pig unnecessary suffering along the way. Here's a good link with some advice on how to find a good vet www.guinealynx.info/vet.html. Where are you thinking of getting your pigs from? If you can try a rescue or a shelter (see www.cavyrescue.com/ for resources). There are so many homeless guinea pigs out there needing homes and I think it's nice to take care of them first! Good luck and keep us posted with how you get on, and with your guinea pigs when you get them - you must be so excited! |
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Post by kitty on Mar 7, 2005 5:29:06 GMT
Good point Treen! Owning a pet can be expensive and people don't often consider the cost. I estimate that my two pigs cost me around $125 a month! Their litter (Carefresh) is $18 a bag and they use 4 a month for both of their habitats. I line with unprinted newsprint at $6 a pkg., and there's the salad bar fruits and vegies they eat, plus the organic hay from Nebraska (the ONLY one they'll eat, the little stinkers!), their pellets and the meds Milano must take, and the vet bills! It's like having two other children! Luckily I am an adult with an understanding husband (well, the hay part he doesn't get!) and the means to take care of my little friends. So think about all of this before you embark on piggie parenthood! Or maybe mine really ARE terribly spoiled as people tell me! Good luck!
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Post by Bean on Mar 7, 2005 18:19:02 GMT
They do sound rather pampered but there's nothing wrong with that! Glad your husband is understanding!
My basic costs for three pigs aren't that much. I get all their bedding and food in bulk from a horsey place, and we eat so many veggies, that their share doesn't really add much to the food bill. But if one (or more) of them is ill, the vet bills soon add up. You want to do what's best for them, so you get them what they need without question but it's not always cheap. However, there are very few things in life I'd go in to debt for, but I wouldn't bat an eyelid if it was for taking proper care of my piggers as that's the responsibility I took on when I got them.
Some people find it helpful to set up an account and pay an amount in every week or month so they can prepare for illness. A very good idea if you think you might have problems paying vet bills. Some vets let you pay in installments too, but it's definitely something to think of before you need to.
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Post by kitty on Mar 8, 2005 4:52:52 GMT
Treen,
Yes , they ARE terribly spoiled! I even work at a stable where I could get lots of hay, but they won't eat it now that I've made the mistake of letting them taste the "good" stuff! And I just like to go crazy at the salad bar choosing all the different fruits and vegies. Yes they ARE spoiled! My friends say that when they die they want to come back as MY pet! Me too, if that were possible! But as my husband says, we are all spoiled in this family so why should the pets be any different. Good man! Hope all of your babies are feeling spoiled today!
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