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Post by cogearhead on Jul 21, 2015 0:36:15 GMT
Hi folks, I recently acquired an ~2yr old male cavy from my best friend who had him for about 8 months. He was an adoption from another owner who could not keep him due to being deployed to Germany and my friend's landlord recently changed. The new landlord brought in a no rodent policy. Fortunately I own a house so I was able to provide a permanent home for Fred. I've had him for about a week now and I just want to make sure (after much research before getting him) that I'm caring for him correctly. Sometimes it's hard to be entirely sure from references alone and I would really value the opinion of some experienced piggy owners. My friend gave me what advice he could and the remainder of his pig care supplies and I went out and got some extra just in case. Diet (actual for care and planned): Unlimited access to timothy hay Access to guinea pig specific pellets ~1 cup of fresh organic produce (carrots, lettuce, bell peppers, etc) daily Twice a week treat of a small quantity of grapes/oranges Once a month treat of small pieces of banana/apple/melon (I gave him some banana pieces today after doing the monthly boar cleaning he was due for) Housing: 6x3 sheet of plywood with coroplast fixed to top Dual layer fleece bedding Light layer ~1/4in of kiln dried pine/aspen bedding Vinyl coated poultry wire with any sharp ends tied/filed down 1 ft in height Kiln dried, untreated white wood (probably pine) 2x4s for structure I just managed to build his new house today, much better than the small (2x3) cage he was in Interaction At least an hour (usually in 20 minute intervals) of human interaction a day on my days off At least half an hour of cuddling after work His cage is set up next to my computer in a climate controlled room, well away from the air vent and window Weekly weigh ins as soon as I can get a kitchen scale Monthly Boar cleanings. He just got his scheduled one today Monthly nail trimming, he's due for one and will probably get that tomorrow (although maybe just one paw/day, he apparently really hates getting his nails clipped) I am looking at local rescues to try and get him a companion pig, preferably a spayed female but if I can find another boar he'll bond to that would be fine. I've also heard (since he is rather short on toys coming from a small cage) that items such as 4" PVC pipe fittings, untreated bricks with material over the top, and some ramps/lofts are good things for pigs to have and play with. I have access to carpentry tools and can fabricate any pig structures. Right now all he has is some wood chews and a single pigloo and it seems like he's rather bored (he's poking his head out to watch me type). I really enjoy watching him play and romp around so I would like to give him a more stimulating environment. Any advice would be appreciated, as well as letting me know if I should change any of my care plans. Thanks!
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 21, 2015 2:11:54 GMT
I've only had a guinea pig for a year (with just having added another one recently) but I'd say you have everything well covered- I'm impressed with how much you've put into it. (of course, give this thread some time for the experts to chime in; I'm positive they can make sure you're in the right direction.) Cheers!
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Post by Bean on Jul 21, 2015 7:10:42 GMT
Hi and welcome to Wheekers! It looks like your little pig is in very safe hands - and thank you for taking him in. I really can't see anything in there that jumps out as needing a tweak - sounds like you've been very thorough! This is a good page on how to keep them entertained. The favourite toys in our house are cardboard boxes turned upside down with doors cut out, paper bags stuffed with hay/ fresh grass and cardboard tubes (from toilet paper or kitchen towel) stuffed with hay. Something they can chew, toss around and eat! I think playfulness is definitely brought out by the company of another pig, so fingers crossed in your search for a pal. Not many females tend to be spayed - neutering female guinea pigs is a far riskier operation than with males, so it tends only to be done where health issues have arisen (such as for ovarian cysts or pyometra). I'd say your success of finding another boar will be much higher and if you can find a rescue that offers a bonding service, even better, and helps avoid an incompatible pairing. The cage sounds great - so glad you have been able to make something such a good size for him. Are the sides just the wire or has it got something solid along the bottom? Just thinking the poos might get kicked out too easily without a few inches of barrier! Oh and we love photos here btw!
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Post by cogearhead on Jul 21, 2015 13:57:07 GMT
I constructed his house with 2x4s laid flat around the perimeter to give him some setback from the edge. If he starts kicking poos outside the cage I can get and install some coroplast panels to contain them and any other debris. I finally got my phone to download to my computer (I've never done it and it's an older phone) so here's some pictures of breakfast time this morning (I pulled his hay rack for cleaning). s23.postimg.org/o4xz99bqj/190.jpgs22.postimg.org/h97ei98c1/191.jpgThumbnail isn't working, it's a full shot of his cage. Thank you for the link to guinea pig entertainment items! s17.postimg.org/h9n0yrzmn/192.jpgThe previous occupant of this room was clearly a little girl between the age of 3 and 12 and I lack the inclination to repaint. I'm sure Fred won't mind too much. Also, last night while I was giving him cuddle time, he started licking and gently nibbling on my arm. I'm not sure if he just wanted to salt or if he was being very social. I do know he was making lots of soft, happy wheeks and when he went back into his pen for feeding he seemed more energetic and playful.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 21, 2015 18:11:28 GMT
Hello and welcome to our happy family love, let's say the nibbling was affection and showing that he loves you. Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 21, 2015 19:29:40 GMT
Hello and welcome Fred is gorgeous Licking and nibbling, even if for salt, shows a willingness to interact with you, which is good. Your efforts at socializing seem to be working I never had to do boar cleanings after I changed the bedding to fleece. I would be surprised if there's much you have to do. Still, it never hurts to check and do a bit of cleaning. All foods should be giving regularly. They can be given in the cage, as treats you feed him when he's with you, etc. Avoid sugary fruits, dark green leafy veggies, and veggies high in Vitamin A. Give carrots in very small pieces. A regular carrot should last a week. I wouldn't do once a week or month treats, as their digestive systems need to get used to the foods they eat. Just do very small amounts, regularly. The cage sounds great! If you have trouble with the loose bedding sticking to the underside of the fleece, put a layer of fiberglass window screen between the two, and it keeps the loose bedding from sticking. Fleece is a wicking fabric, that wicks the liquid off the surface to an absorbent layer below. Wood shavings are not absorbent, so they really don't do much except provide padding. Carefresh, pine pellet horse bedding, kitty litter and some other products absorb the liquid wicked down through the fleece. You can also use 100% cotton towels or fabric as the absorbent layer. I use Uhaul moving blankets, the quilted ones, but they need to be sown. Good luck finding Fred a friend. As Bean said, a rescue that does boar bonding would be great. At least ask for a meet and greet, so you can see how the pigs get along in a neutral setting. Before bringing home the newbie, clean the cage and everything in it of Freds scent, so it can be their cage.
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Post by cogearhead on Jul 22, 2015 3:33:20 GMT
All foods should be giving regularly. They can be given in the cage, as treats you feed him when he's with you, etc. Avoid sugary fruits, dark green leafy veggies, and veggies high in Vitamin A. Give carrots in very small pieces. A regular carrot should last a week. I wouldn't do once a week or month treats, as their digestive systems need to get used to the foods they eat. Just do very small amounts, regularly. Is loose leaf lettuce acceptable? It seems to be his favorite food (he will ignore every other food for it with the exception of orange, it's great for tempting him around and calming him down). I think I'm going to be cutting the wood shavings out entirely when I change out his bedding tomorrow after work (I bought 9 yards of fleece and cut it into multiple pieces for ease of cleaning). During cuddle/floor time tonight I found a piece of wood bedding caught in his sheath. He wasn't too happy about having to get it removed but it couldn't have been comfortable . Thankfully I was able to extend everything and it came right off and out. Thank you for the advice on an under layer, wasn't quite sure how the fleece worked. I'm glad I put down a plastic base. I was very fortunate to get him from two previous homes that obviously cared for him, he is very well socialized, although a little bit skittish after being around children for the past few months. It takes him a minute to orient himself after being picked up but once he's on my lap it doesn't take long before he starts chuckling and making happy pig sounds. After about 10-15 minutes he starts getting restless so it's floor time. It's so cool to watch him explore, popcorning (I think that's the word for the little "pop" wheeks they make) and just having fun. He seems to really enjoy having his pigloo set out so he can go inside for a minute, then have it moved to another area. He'll circle it and explore again before heading back inside.
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 22, 2015 21:15:06 GMT
Try getting down on the floor with him. They love having you join in with them. He may avoid you at first, but most likely he'll circle you, coming a bit closer each time. He'll touch you with his nose, maybe even lick you. He doesn't need to be petted, just include yourself. If lying down is better, give it a try. After a while, my pigs would climb all over me, play over me, whatever struck them. Each one would give me a nose bonk, then go off and play. It takes time, but the more you interact with them at their level, they more quickly they get used to you. Enjoy
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Post by cogearhead on Jul 23, 2015 0:35:48 GMT
Just changed his bedding and didn't put down any wood chips, instead I stopped by the thrift store and picked up a bunch of towels/fleeces. He now has a double fleece over top of doubled towels. He was very skittish to be handled today, kind of understandable after last night's little incident. However there is a quantity of lettuce to be enjoyed (two leaves pulled into pieces) and fresh hay and he's back in his cage. The new bedding appears to be worthy of thorough investigation as he's sniffing every square inch of it and not quite sure about the squishy surface. The salt block and chews seem to be a fav right now too. I'm really hoping to be able to adopt him a friend in the next week or two (I will need another pigloo for sure and I'll see if I can knock together some lofts about 4 inches high, I have a router so I can cut grooves in some pieces of wood to slide panels into place. Can wood glue be used if it's a bead on an inner surface where they can't get at it? I need to run by the lumber yard and pick up some more material to built some pig forts. Do I need to line any plywood/particle board with cloroplast or will they not chew on it? I can cut smaller amounts of fleece up to line the lofts. He's popcorning as he explores his fresh bedding
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 23, 2015 19:08:06 GMT
You need to use a hard wood that won't shred or splinter when he chews it. Wood glue is fine as long as it's not where where he can chew it. Dovetailing might be a better idea, or just short brads that won't poke through the wood and hurt him. Lofts can be up to 6 inches off the floor, and he'll still be able to jump on and off. The area under the loft, if it's a lot loft, can serve as the sleeping area, so no need for pigloos or houses. I had one set up with cuddle cups. The high sides created a wall between the cups. Even just putting a board in the middle under the loft, to create a separation, will work if needed. No salt licks! Sorry, but they are harmful to guinea pigs. I have no idea why they are even sold. Pigs will sometimes lick us, and it could be to get at the salt, but they get all the nutrients and salt they need in their food. No added salt or sugar for the little guys You only need one layer of fleece to wick the liquid off the surface. You can have as many absorbent layers as you want. The more layers, the softer it gets. The extra layers won't help control odor, which is why I finally did a combination of the fleece, absorbent fabric and Carefresh or pine pellet horse bedding. We had a member who tried all sorts of the super absorbent fabric offerings, and nothing held the liquid as well as it claimed (Sham Wow!) or reduced the odor. He even bought chamois at the fabric store. Better for drying vehicles than lining piggy habitats
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Post by cogearhead on Jul 24, 2015 0:25:26 GMT
That is good to know. I think it might just be easier to route a few slots in a section of 2x4, cut it to length, and slide panels into them. Would make things more modular. I'll go ahead an pull the salt out of his cage. As for the bedding, I can get it by the pound at the local thrift store, so the extra layers don't cost hardly anything. I think I wound up with something like 10 towels, a moving blanket, and 4 large fleeces for about 10 bucks. Thank you for all the advice! Edit: I cannot believe how many poos this little guy can generate. I cleaned his cage when I got home (picked up the poos) and within 3 hours he had generated almost 20 more. When I had him out for cuddle and floor time (and yes he climbed on me while I lay there and watched him ) he pooed 10 times in half an hour. I'm hoping that's healthy? They were all solid and barely had any odor, I picked them up with a tissue and threw them away. He also apparently only likes to poo inside his pigloo or right next to it.
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Post by Bean on Jul 24, 2015 7:14:05 GMT
Oh yes, they pop them out very frequently! Their digestion and teeth work so much better if they're constantly eating hay, so provided the poos are healthy looking (your pig's sound right) then the more, the better! Mind you, we also have rabbits and they make guinea pigs look like amateurs in the poo-production business. My compost heap does very well out of it!
If you have a pig who likes to go in one particular place, try sticking a litter tray there and see what happens. Whilst guinea pigs aren't generally cooperative in litter training (I've got mine to stop pooing during floor time - they go back to the cage for that - but have never had any consistent luck getting them to use a litter tray within the cage) if you work with where they naturally go, you could make cage cleaning a bit easier!
Sounds like you have a happy piggy there! What's his name btw?
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 24, 2015 20:29:42 GMT
The poos tell the story Good poos mean a healthy pig. They do make a seemingly endless number of poos, but it's the first thing I check when I go to visit them or clean the condo, and I'm happy to find a lot of really healthy poos Routing the channel and connecting the pieces that way sound like a great idea If you rub a good veggie oil into the wood, such as olive oil, it helps repel the urine that inevitably gets sprayed on the wood, and isn't hazardous to their health
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Post by cogearhead on Jul 25, 2015 0:47:39 GMT
Fred the pig. Also they can eat bell peppers correct? I bought him one at the store along with some more lettuce and I just want to make sure (obviously after removing seeds).
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 25, 2015 16:50:51 GMT
Is loose leaf lettuce acceptable? It seems to be his favorite food (he will ignore every other food for it with the exception of orange, it's great for tempting him around and calming him down). I think iceberg lettuce is supposed to have no nutritional value, so you'll want to stay away from that. I use romaine lettuce for my piggies, and they adore it. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong, though.)
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 25, 2015 18:33:38 GMT
My piggies and my bunny adore the loose leaf lettuce and bell pepper too. Something else they all really enjoy is carrot tops and parsley.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 25, 2015 19:11:23 GMT
I've started giving mine Romaine lettuce again, and field mix, which is a lot of different salad greens and radicchio. So far, no problems. My last 5 or 6 pigs all got soft poos from lettuce, so I stopped it. I still don't give them a lot, as they get parsley, wild dandelions and plantain, grasses, corn husks when available, and of course, endless hay. I do give them celery and cukes, grape tomatoes in moderation, carrots in moderation, fennel/anise and radishes. Fennel/anise and radish are great for their digestive system. I also give bell peppers when I use them, and of course, their Belgian Endive night night treat.
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Post by cogearhead on Jul 25, 2015 23:36:53 GMT
Is loose leaf lettuce acceptable? It seems to be his favorite food (he will ignore every other food for it with the exception of orange, it's great for tempting him around and calming him down). I think iceberg lettuce is supposed to have no nutritional value, so you'll want to stay away from that. I use romaine lettuce for my piggies, and they adore it. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong, though.) Yeah, I was getting the organic green. I bought him some romaine, he seems to love that too. Can anyone recommend a brand of timothy hay? I'm feeding him Kaytee right now and it seems like it's mostly straw with very little of the softer blades/stalk caps. It'd be fine for livestock or a larger animal but he seems to completely ignore the straw and I don't blame him, it doesn't smell like hay and it's very brittle even out of a fresh bag.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 26, 2015 18:02:54 GMT
Can anyone recommend a brand of timothy hay? I'm feeding him Kaytee right now and it seems like it's mostly straw with very little of the softer blades/stalk caps. It'd be fine for livestock or a larger animal but he seems to completely ignore the straw and I don't blame him, it doesn't smell like hay and it's very brittle even out of a fresh bag. The brand I buy is labeled "Carefresh", and the piggies seem okay with it. Whenever I put any in their cages, it's gone within minutes.
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 26, 2015 20:28:00 GMT
Oxbow Western Timothy is the highest rated of the timothy hays in the US, unless you buy from KMS Hayloft or Small Pet Select. Both are online stores, but have high quality hay. Unfortunately, Kaytee is not a good brand, and it is readily available just about anywhere.
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