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Post by bazookagoof on Dec 17, 2015 3:15:17 GMT
I always keep them in separate cages; we simply don't have the room for a larger cage in our house, but two rectangular cages fit nicely in my daughter's room along one wall. I only bring them out (in Deo's case, it was for grazing in warm weather) for some additional exercise. Of course, for them, additional exercise means extra eating.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 17, 2015 19:55:32 GMT
If they're not going into one cage, you don't really need to do much for intros, but you will have to reintroduce them every time they are out together. Piggies establish a dominance hierarchy very quickly, and it establishes who runs the territory. If each continues to have his own territory, putting them together and separating them regularly isn't really advisable. Just be prepared for each outing to be a totally new intro situation. No need for a buddy bath, as they aren't going in the same cage, so it's a moot point for the intros. Either they will or won't get along, and just because they get along once, or even several times, doesn't mean they always will. They have their own perceptions that we don't understand, so we can't foresee the results. If they don't get along, or they never seem to settle down, perhaps dividing the exercise area so they can't get to each other, or having them out at different times, would be better. You'll have to wait and see how it goes. Good luck
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Post by bazookagoof on Dec 26, 2015 3:11:45 GMT
I was able to find new hay for them- the OxBow brand! I discovered a PetsMart in my area, and I realized my hay supply was getting low. Normally I shop at PetCo, but this was one of those "any port in a storm" scenarios, so I went in and looked at what my options were.
I saw the hay, noted that the brand was OxBow, and scooped up a generous bagful. They also seem to like it, so I guess I'll stay with that brand.
On an unrelated note, I'm trying to get Theodore accustomed to us by petting him when he's out of his pigloo. I very slowly put my hand near him and stroke his fur. Sometimes he's accepting, other times he just scampers off.
Now that the quarantine period is over, I don't have to wash my hands between petting them, but hilariously, Oscar can smell Theodore on my hand, and he believes this gives him a God-given right to nip my fingers!
I do love petting them right after washing my hands, because Oscar sniffs the scented soap and has a VERY curious look on his face. His mouth is open, and he looks undecided. If I can ever get a picture of him looking so perplexed, I am going to post it!
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 27, 2015 19:42:07 GMT
I had forgotten that you weren't able to put them together, and posted a reply to you post about their confrontation during floor time. If you can't keep them in one cage, just give them a pen with a pile of hay in it. I explained in the other thread that houses create territories, and that's why they acted the way they did.
Ooh, glad you found the Oxbow Western Timothy hay. The two stores don't carry all the same items. The probiotic, Bene-bac, is only at Petco. PetSmart never carried it?
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Post by bazookagoof on Dec 27, 2015 20:29:34 GMT
Ooh, glad you found the Oxbow Western Timothy hay. The two stores don't carry all the same items. The probiotic, Bene-bac, is only at Petco. PetSmart never carried it? This was the first time I set foot in a PetSmart in a long time, not being a pet owner for years and there were more PetCos in my area than PetSmarts. I'll check to see what they have, since I have to go to PetSmart for my hay. Unfortunately, only PetCo carries the brand of timothy hay-based pellets I need, so I'll be splitting my time between the two stores. This is not a big deal- the PetSmart is near my daughter's school, and I can hit a PetCo at work during lunch breaks on Friday.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 10, 2016 22:11:55 GMT
Just a little comment on routines- since I'm the one who brings snacks to my guys (usually) they tend to get excited when I come into their room. When my daughter and I get home during the week, she will go into her room and Oscar and Theo will glance up casually and return to whatever they were doing. This is where I'm in the kitchen preparing their snacks, at which point I walk in carrying a small plate full. Then, both of them go nuts, standing up tall and frantically wriggling around, Oscar gnawing desperately on the bars of his cage. (I think Theodore picked up the habit of standing up from watching Oscar) It's funny to me because they almost look dejected when my daughter comes home, mainly because she's not the one with the goodies.
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Post by Bean on Jan 11, 2016 10:30:49 GMT
Ha! Doesn't she wrestle the veg out of your hands so that she can get the glory?!
Our pigs ignore my husband since he rarely feeds them!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jan 12, 2016 18:10:23 GMT
It is the hand that feeds Baz love. I always give ours their greens in the morning and I am greeted everytime I walk past.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 12, 2016 21:40:34 GMT
Feeding is the shortest way to a guinea pigs heart Once hubby retired, he really got into feeding them, and making friends with them. I had to get him to stop giving them such big pieces, as I'd come along right after and give them more, not knowing he already had. Poos got a little mushy for a bit, but we corrected that quickly. He calls their reaction to him giving them treats as getting mugged, lol That's an American expression for someone attacking a person to take their belongings
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 13, 2016 3:20:39 GMT
Ha! Doesn't she wrestle the veg out of your hands so that she can get the glory?! I think I may have taken snack time to a level where it's too much work for a nine-year old. For me, it's a ritual on par with a Japanese tea ceremony- I set out a plate, tastefully arrange two large leaves of Romaine lettuce, sprinkle them with drops of Vitamin C, then add two small carrots, a cherry tomato for Oscar, a slice of cucumber for each of them (Theodore gets two, since he doesn't like tomatoes) and occasionally a small red or orange pepper cut in half. I'm probably overdoing it- I don't actually know how I got to this point, but to see them go berserk is worth it every time.
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Post by shades on Jan 13, 2016 7:04:54 GMT
he really got into feeding them, and making friends with them. I had to get him to stop giving them such big pieces, as I'd come along right after and give them more, not knowing he already had. I know someone like that too. She wasn't too fussed over getting pigs but she spends more time handling veg in the kitchen than me, I have to police the pig bowls to stop (i) too much of a bad thing and (ii) anything from the forbidden list.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jan 13, 2016 18:27:34 GMT
Ha! Doesn't she wrestle the veg out of your hands so that she can get the glory?! I think I may have taken snack time to a level where it's too much work for a nine-year old. For me, it's a ritual on par with a Japanese tea ceremony- I set out a plate, tastefully arrange two large leaves of Romaine lettuce, sprinkle them with drops of Vitamin C, then add two small carrots, a cherry tomato for Oscar, a slice of cucumber for each of them (Theodore gets two, since he doesn't like tomatoes) and occasionally a small red or orange pepper cut in half. I'm probably overdoing it- I don't actually know how I got to this point, but to see them go berserk is worth it every time. It is the same with our pets Baz love, everything is arranged nicely. The Snailies have their platter in the morning which consist of sweet potato amongst their things, which looks like something from The Shard Restaurant by the time I have finished and the piggies and bunny get lots of variety and placed nicely in bowls too. Hugs JO xx
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Post by Bean on Jan 13, 2016 20:52:25 GMT
Jo, I meant to tell you my sister gave her snails a bit of scrambled egg the other day on your advice! She gave it to them after they'd eaten a courgette, so they didn't yam it all down, but my niece said she thought they liked it!
Oh I'm feeling slack for just dumping the veg unceremoniously in the cages now!
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 13, 2016 22:04:54 GMT
I used to do that, Bazookagoof. I think I have pictures of their holiday dinners, somewhere. Now, I just give them what I have in the piggy fridge (yes, they have their own fridge), and they resist the urge to climb out of the cage and help me get it ready Spades, be glad she cares enough to bother, even if you have to do some police
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 14, 2016 1:01:33 GMT
I used to do that, Bazookagoof. I think I have pictures of their holiday dinners, somewhere. Now, I just give them what I have in the piggy fridge (yes, they have their own fridge), and they resist the urge to climb out of the cage and help me get it ready As long as I know I'm not alone in this, I feel better. Just a side note- my daughter noticed Oscar seems to have a bit of dandruff on his back. Should I take him to the vet, or find a proper animal shampoo and try that first?
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 14, 2016 14:34:07 GMT
If it's just dandruff, it could be from dry skin/dry winter air. We have a humidifier in the piggy room to keep the humidity around 45%, and they have no problems. It's always good to have it checked by a vet, as even if you move the hair around, you won't necessarily recognize a problem. If it's not a medical problem, give him a good brushing to loosen and remove any dry skin. Give him a bath without shampoo, as shampoo will only dry his skin further, and massage his skin to loosen as much dry skin as possible. Get some extra moisture into the air. Even a small/personal humidifier near the cage would help. Not a vaporizer that produces steam, as they consume electricity. I hope it's just a bit of dandruff There really aren't any good skin creams for dry piggy skin, but there are some prescription special shampoos the vet can give you, if it's a skin condition that needs treatment.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jan 14, 2016 20:13:00 GMT
I am so glad she has given them some egg Bean honey, thank you for telling me. It is essential for their health and they do really enjoy it. I always wonder if the tinies in the snaily home get their fair share, I do hope so.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 15, 2016 3:30:59 GMT
If it's just dandruff, it could be from dry skin/dry winter air. We have a humidifier in the piggy room to keep the humidity around 45%, and they have no problems. It's always good to have it checked by a vet, as even if you move the hair around, you won't necessarily recognize a problem. If it's not a medical problem, give him a good brushing to loosen and remove any dry skin. Give him a bath without shampoo, as shampoo will only dry his skin further, and massage his skin to loosen as much dry skin as possible. Get some extra moisture into the air. Even a small/personal humidifier near the cage would help. Not a vaporizer that produces steam, as they consume electricity. I hope it's just a bit of dandruff There really aren't any good skin creams for dry piggy skin, but there are some prescription special shampoos the vet can give you, if it's a skin condition that needs treatment. We have a humidifier in the room- mainly for my daughter, but the piggies benefit from it too. (It actually sits a few feet from the cages.) Vicki (my daughter) is spending some extra time brushing Oscar's fur and massaging his skin. Boy, does he love that! She found a waxy spot above his posterior that we'll keep an eye on. When we have time, we'll give him a bath without shampoo and take it from there.
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Post by Bean on Jan 15, 2016 10:11:53 GMT
That waxy spot will be the grease gland - it can get pretty claggy, although some pigs never have a problem with it (in my experience it's been the boars who are more likely to have an active one).
Some people use things like washing up liquid or swarfega, to break down the grease for 10 minutes or so before rinsing it off (of course you must make sure they can't groom while you have it on). I've tended to use stuff like coconut oil as you can leave that on for a bit without worrying whether they'll get a lick of it.
Once you know they have a tendency to get grimy there, it's much easier to keep on top of it.
Hope a bit of extra grooming sorts his dry skin out.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 26, 2016 0:52:31 GMT
I hope it's not time for another trip to the vet, but I noticed Theodore sounds like he's audibly breathing. Not what I'd call wheezing, but he normally is quite silent. Earlier I heard him making sounds similar to Oscar when he's getting petted, except at a much lower volume.
Afterwards, I heard him puttering around in his cage, but I could hear him breathing softly. I hate to be going through all this again, but better safe than sorry.
I just hope whatever this is, it's going to be something he can kick.
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