First time owner!

[weeksl08]

Hello! My name is Lesley, and this ours either Rupert, or Melvin (social media is still helping me decide.)

I have a 2 year old and am 16 weeks pregnant, living in a small apartment so for now a pet store cage was the best option for mostly safety reasons. We are using pine pellet horse bedding covered with non-pill fleece.

He is very very young, only about half the size of the others in the cage. The pet store clerk said he was just a few weeks old but couldn't give me an accurate estimate. They were feeding him Oxbo pellets and Timothy hay, so I've currently got him Oxbo and a mix of Timothy, Alfalfa, and Oat grass. I have vitamin C drops in his water.

He has two hanging wooden toys, a salt lick, a wicker ball, two chew sticks, a tunnel, and a bed.

Am I forgetting or missing anything that he needs? He has a treat bar and some dried fruit at the moment and when we have fresh fruit and veggies I plan to share. My toddler gave him a grape but he's not interested.

I've had ferrets and parrots but this is my first cavie! We've ordered
The Guinea Pig Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks) and it should be here soon. I'm actively researching and learning as well.

Any tips, tricks, or advice is appreciated!

[Bean]

Welcome to Wheekers Lesley and Rupert/ Melvin (can I place a vote for Rupert please?!).

Cages with lids are good when you have littlies around - even if your kids learn the rules about handling, their friends will often be another matter entirely!

Do you intend to get him a friend at some point? Guinea pigs are social creatures and do much better with company of their own kind.

The care guide at Guinea Lynx is a good starting point for finding out what guinea pigs need.

Looks to me like you're giving him what he needs (good quality pellets and hay) but are also giving him stuff he doesn't need but which will have made the pet shop owner a tidy sum!

Salt licks aren't needed, treat bars and dried fruit aren't either and contain too much sugar for them. Offer small bits of a variety of veg - even fresh fruit should be an occasional treat rather than a staple. Some pigs gobble everything down, others have to be offered it a few times before they'll try it. Solitary pigs can often be a bit more reluctant to try stuff as the competition for food from other pigs is often what motivates them to gobble things down!

I don't supplement with vitamin c myself as they get fresh veggies daily, but if you do then it's not advised to put it on the drinking water. Not only does it deteriorate pretty quickly but it can make the water taste odd and stop them from drinking. Othe rmembers will probably be better able to advise you on other ways to supplement.

Looking at his cage, I'd provide a hiding place for him whether it's an upturned cardboard box with a door cut out, or a bit of fleece draped somewhere. Just somewhere he can retreat to and feel safe - guinea pigs are prey animals so this is pretty important.

Have you got an area you can cordon off for floor time, or put a pen up? Guineas love to exercise and if they're in a smaller cage, it's especially important. just pop some toys and stuff to hide in and let him have an explore/ run around. There's a great page over at Cavy Cages with lots of hints and tips for keeping them entertained - many free or very cheap. Favourites here are cardboard tubes or paper bags filled with hay.

Anyway, I'll draw breath now - welcome again and any questions you have, just ask and we'll do out best to help!

[weeksl08]

Thank you so much for all of that!!

We do plan on getting RUPERT a friend once we feel like we know what we're doing, and can provide a bigger cage. I feel like the cage we have is ok, but of we added a second we would need more floor space.

I had no idea about his diet and supplements so I appreciate that! I felt like that was too much sugar but trusting the pet shop clerk.

Our house is baby proof, so after the baby goes to bed, Rupert gets to play in thr living room floor which is safe enough for him.

I've got some extra fleece and a sewing machine, but little knowledge of how to use it. I'm trying to figure out how I want to do it, but I'm going to make some sort of fleece contraption to go over his bed to make it a hide out. He has been spending a lot of time in his tunnel so I figured he was missing his igloo from thr pet store.

[jolovespiggies]

A very warm welcome love, Rupert is adorable.

Hugs
JO xx

[Bean]

Hurray for Rupert - great choice!

Have you seen the cavy cages website? It's a simple DIY cage design which costs far less and is far bigger than what you'll get in pet shops. You can make lids for them which are great when small children or other animals are around.

You're right that space is more important when piggy companions are introduced - especially for boys who often need a bit of space of their own or tensions rise!

Rupert's play sessions sounds fun! Is he enjoying them already or a little nervous of exploring too much? That would be quite natural when he's new and still getting used to all the sights, smells and sounds.

Good luck with your sewing machine. I have one which I can use in a basic fashion but my mum is brilliant at sewing and I really should get her to teach me a few tricks. It's on the long list of things to do!

[Whimsy]

I also vote for Rupert, but that's just because I have a Melvin myself. Your little guy is really super adorable. Can't wait to see more pictures :-)

[weeksl08]

Thanks so much guys! Rupert is warming upto me quite nicely! We have been having at least 2, 30 minute one on one sessions everyday and he squeeked at me for the first time last night! He is terrified of my loud almost 2 year old, but im hoping he gets used to him. Baby boy is just so excited by Rupert's presence that he constantly talks to him and Rupert just doesnt understand.

Because of ny son's current diatructive behavior C&C is completely out of the questions for safety reasons but once he is older it is something I want to do.

Right now I'm letting Rupert out of his cage for floor time for about 30 to 45 minutes in the evenings after the baby is in bed to explore. On days that I'm not working he gets to get out when the baby is down for a nap as well.

We've only had him about 3days but he's deffinitely family already!

[Bean]

Aww it sounds like he's settling in very nicely. And your son sounds like a lively little chap to have around - never a dull moment in your house I expect!

[jolovespiggies]

You sound a great mummy love to Rupert and your little toddler.

Hugs
JO xx

[3piggles]

Hello and welcome. I second all that Treen said. Pet stores want to sell things, so everything they sell is an absolute necessity

Try draping a towel over one corner of the cage, so he has a more secluded place, but you can still see him. Where his cuddle cup is is a perfect place.

Use Timothy hay and the Oxbow Cavie Cuisine in about a 90/10 ratio. Unlimited hay. 1/8-1/4 cup pellets per day.

Fresh water with no C drops. The drops lose their effectiveness almost as soon as they enter the water. Give him a piece of an orange segment or other fruit or veg with C, instead.

Green and red bell peppers are great piggy treats. Celery, cucumbers, small amounts of carrot, and Romaine lettuce are also favorites for a lot of piggies. Keep fruut abd veggie servings really small to start. Build up slowly. Use pieces of what you have, so you don't waste money on things they don't like.

It sounds as if you have the toddler/pet situation under control. If you're handy, you can easily add a raised platform at one or both ends of the cage, and give him more space on that cage