Newish guinea pig owner with a few questions

[hippiesmum]

First off I'm unsure of the sex of our piggy, is there a way to tell? We wanted to get a friend for it and I've heard sometimes 2 males don't get along well.. but I also don't want babies! I just got the midwest habitat plus and wanted to know if anyone had pictures of their set ups. Also do you think its better to have the divider in to separate kitchen from play/rest area? I worry about crowding her space but I also worry about her getting bored.I currently have a 10×10 baking dish with carefree bedding in by the hay manager.(what size litter pans do you use and often do you clean them?) Hippie(our piggy) constantly pulls all of the hay out of the manager. I've tried to add hay to the litter pan but she still continues to pull it all out and then begs for more to be added. Any tips? I have chosen to go with fleece since its more convenient, cheaper, and seems more comfortable. How often does everyone shake out their fleece and change it? Hippie tends to keep her play/rest area pretty clean. Last but not least if anyone has any sewing ideas for guinea pig toys, ect please feel free to share! I attached a picture of our current set up.

[3piggles]

Hello and welcome About sexing your pig, depending on his/her age, it can be difficult, but once they're about 8 weeks old, it shouldn't be too hard. This is the Guinea Lynx page on sexing piggies: www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html We're not a medical forum, but Guinea Lynx has a lot of basic medical information, so is a good resource to keep handy

Fleece can be spot cleaned as often as you want. I had a small dust pan and brush I used to sweep the poos and hay off the fleece daily, in the beginning. After a while I did it when I thought it needed to be done. Again, totally up to you.

Fleece also needs an absorbent layer underneath, so the Carefresh works, as do cotton towels, kitty litter, etc. Just make sure you have something under the absorbent layer so you can easily collect it to toss, when it's dirty.

I gave up on the hay battle years ago. If they weren't in the hay manger, they were pulling out the hay and bulldozing it all over the cage. I just pile the hay in the cage, and let them enjoy it.

You'll probably go through several iterations of the cage, especially when you get the second piggy. We all do You'll work out the kinks, and find ways that really work for you Two pigs do need more space than one, so just watch their behavior before deciding to remove the divider. Good luck

[Bean]

Welcome to Wheekers!

I find it hard brushing everything (hay and hair) off the fleece before washing it. No matter how long I spend doing it, it always makes a right mess in the washing machine which has to be wiped down before using for clothes. I tend to use washable bedding far less these days for that reason, despite the fact I think washable bedding has loads of positives.

I agree with 3piggles that hay is brilliant both for diet and entertainment, so I just give them heaps of it to enjoy! I suppose you could try having a big box of it with a hole cut out for Hippie to jump in and out of. They (s)he would get the fun of immersion in hay and have loads to eat, but it might be less likely to come out onto the fleece?

Do you have any guinea pig rescues near you? Many do bonding services, so could help you find an appropriate pal for Hippie, once Hippie's gender is ascertained! Hope Guinea Lynx can help you with that and you could always post a picture here - it might be obvious and no one will say unless they're sure.

There's a good page with plenty of toy ideas on the Guinea Pig Cages website - most very cheap or free, don't waste your money on most of the pet shop stuff. The only think I buy is the willow tunnels as my lot love them!

I nearly missed Hippie in the picture! (S)he's definitely keeping an eye on you!

[hippiesmum]

Dec 14, 2020 22:25:23 GMT 3piggles said:

Hello and welcome About sexing your pig, depending on his/her age, it can be difficult, but once they're about 8 weeks old, it shouldn't be too hard. This is the Guinea Lynx page on sexing piggies: www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html We're not a medical forum, but Guinea Lynx has a lot of basic medical information, so is a good resource to keep handy

Fleece can be spot cleaned as often as you want. I had a small dust pan and brush I used to sweep the poos and hay off the fleece daily, in the beginning. After a while I did it when I thought it needed to be done. Again, totally up to you.

Fleece also needs an absorbent layer underneath, so the Carefresh works, as do cotton towels, kitty litter, etc. Just make sure you have something under the absorbent layer so you can easily collect it to toss, when it's dirty.

I gave up on the hay battle years ago. If they weren't in the hay manger, they were pulling out the hay and bulldozing it all over the cage. I just pile the hay in the cage, and let them enjoy it.

You'll probably go through several iterations of the cage, especially when you get the second piggy. We all do You'll work out the kinks, and find ways that really work for you Two pigs do need more space than one, so just watch their behavior before deciding to remove the divider. Good luck

Thank you! We found out Hippie is indeed a girl! Since we got her we've referred to her as a girl since she is "my daughters". Hippie loves her more than the rest of us haha!

[hippiesmum]

Dec 15, 2020 9:25:46 GMT Bean said:

Welcome to Wheekers!

I find it hard brushing everything (hay and hair) off the fleece before washing it. No matter how long I spend doing it, it always makes a right mess in the washing machine which has to be wiped down before using for clothes. I tend to use washable bedding far less these days for that reason, despite the fact I think washable bedding has loads of positives.

I agree with 3piggles that hay is brilliant both for diet and entertainment, so I just give them heaps of it to enjoy! I suppose you could try having a big box of it with a hole cut out for Hippie to jump in and out of. They (s)he would get the fun of immersion in hay and have loads to eat, but it might be less likely to come out onto the fleece?

Do you have any guinea pig rescues near you? Many do bonding services, so could help you find an appropriate pal for Hippie, once Hippie's gender is ascertained! Hope Guinea Lynx can help you with that and you could always post a picture here - it might be obvious and no one will say unless they're sure.

There's a good page with plenty of toy ideas on the Guinea Pig Cages website - most very cheap or free, don't waste your money on most of the pet shop stuff. The only think I buy is the willow tunnels as my lot love them!

I nearly missed Hippie in the picture! (S)he's definitely keeping an eye on you!

Thank you! And to get the hay off of my fleece I give it a good shake outside the hair is another story! And I am going to look into a guinea pig rescue for our next piggy. We got Hippie from a pet store and she had a respitory infection. They also didn't have correct knowledge of how to care for a guinea pig. (Told me to buy a fish tank, hay, water bottle, hidey, and pellets. And that was all I needed. Thankfully I had a guinea pig as a child and knew she needed room, ventilation, and fresh veggies everyday!) I sew so I like to make some toys, beds, ect.

[3piggles]

I still haven't found Hippie? Where is she in that picture?

Glad you bought her, and gave her a chance to have a good life. We are a rescue-friendly forum, but I've always felt any pig, especially one with a medical problem, needs a good home and good care. It's unfortunate that pet stores get their pigs from guinea pig breeder farms, who don't really do anything with the pigs except breed them to death, and sell all the babies to pet stores I have a friend who goes to pet stores looking for the sick of injured pigs. Thank you for helping Hippie

I started using hay as bedding, over some absorbent bedding, because the rescue where I get my pigs was using it, and it seemed reasonable to continue what they were used to. I still have cuddle cups and other soft snuggly things for them, which go in the cage just fine, as do pigloos, and the wooden house hubby built for them, the HMS Piggy Wiggy

It sounds as if you have the right information, despite the pet store employees, and that's great

[hippiesmum]

Dec 15, 2020 18:32:32 GMT 3piggles said:

I still haven't found Hippie? Where is she in that picture?

Glad you bought her, and gave her a chance to have a good life. We are a rescue-friendly forum, but I've always felt any pig, especially one with a medical problem, needs a good home and good care. It's unfortunate that pet stores get their pigs from guinea pig breeder farms, who don't really do anything with the pigs except breed them to death, and sell all the babies to pet stores I have a friend who goes to pet stores looking for the sick of injured pigs. Thank you for helping Hippie

I started using hay as bedding, over some absorbent bedding, because the rescue where I get my pigs was using it, and it seemed reasonable to continue what they were used to. I still have cuddle cups and other soft snuggly things for them, which go in the cage just fine, as do pigloos, and the wooden house hubby built for them, the HMS Piggy Wiggy

It sounds as if you have the right information, despite the pet store employees, and that's great

She is in her pigloo

[3piggles]

Thank you. I see her now She's lovely

[Bean]

It'd make a fun change to the 'Where's Wally?' books wouldn't it?!

My sewing skills aren't Grade A, but I've made hammocks, tunnels, cuddle cups and sleeping bags. The sleeping bags have been really successful, but you need something rigid in the opening to hold it open a bit, or it just turns into a blanket!

[3piggles]

I still have my sewing machine, but have to drag it out, set it up, then clear it off the table for meals, etc. I generally don't use it anymore. Hubby likes using it, but needs a lot more practice. I'd still like to get my antique Singer sewing machine going, but just haven't gotten to a place where I can spend the money to have someone restring the treadle belt. The one person I knew did it retired. I have the belt, but have to google how to string it, to know if it's still good or not.

Yes, definitely better then Waldo

[hippiesmum]

Dec 15, 2020 11:30:28 GMT hippiesmum said:

Dec 14, 2020 22:25:23 GMT 3piggles said:

Hello and welcome About sexing your pig, depending on his/her age, it can be difficult, but once they're about 8 weeks old, it shouldn't be too hard. This is the Guinea Lynx page on sexing piggies: www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html We're not a medical forum, but Guinea Lynx has a lot of basic medical information, so is a good resource to keep handy

Fleece can be spot cleaned as often as you want. I had a small dust pan and brush I used to sweep the poos and hay off the fleece daily, in the beginning. After a while I did it when I thought it needed to be done. Again, totally up to you.

Fleece also needs an absorbent layer underneath, so the Carefresh works, as do cotton towels, kitty litter, etc. Just make sure you have something under the absorbent layer so you can easily collect it to toss, when it's dirty.

I gave up on the hay battle years ago. If they weren't in the hay manger, they were pulling out the hay and bulldozing it all over the cage. I just pile the hay in the cage, and let them enjoy it.

You'll probably go through several iterations of the cage, especially when you get the second piggy. We all do You'll work out the kinks, and find ways that really work for you Two pigs do need more space than one, so just watch their behavior before deciding to remove the divider. Good luck

Thank you! We found out Hippie is indeed a girl! Since we got her we've referred to her as a girl since she is "my daughters". Hippie loves her more than the rest of us haha!

Thank you!! A few questions.. How often do you change the hay? I clean her litter pan and kitchen area every other day. And I waste SO MUCH hay. Is this normal? I shake out her fleece for her play area every other day and change the fleece 2 times a week. Should I remove the divider since its just her right now? I only have it divided to separate the kitchen from her play area. She has been using her litter box and keeping her play area tidy. Also I use washable inconsistent pads under the fleece.

[3piggles]

It's just my opinion, nothing medically factual, but I would leave the divider in the cage, if you're going to get another pig. It's a major territorial change to add a pig to a cage. The cage has to be completely cleaned of all the first pig's scent, water bottles, bedding, cage bars, food bowls, litter boxes, and that's a big change. If you also add a divider to a cage that hasn't had one, I think that might be too many changes. Also, it might be better to remove the divider when you get the new pig, as that way neither pig can block the entrance, and keep the other pig in or out. Yes, they do that, especially if it's the entrance to the food and water.

I use hay as bedding, buy it by the bale, and fill the cage with it, so I only replace mine every week. That's cage cleaning day, and the piggies know they will get to play in the bag of hay. The big event of the week If she gets in the hay, try shaking out the poos, but leaving the hay in the cage a bit longer. If it's all pretty wet to the touch, she's peed on it, and won't eat it, so toss it. Otherwise, I'd check it before tossing it.

I don't know if you know, but you can daisy chain Midwest cages. There are doors you can remove on the ends of each cage, and crossover ramps you can order for the pigs to go from cage to cage. Should the new pig and Hippie not get along, it's possible to put Midwest cages at right angles to each other, and all sorts of other configurations. One of the reasons I really like those cage

[hippiesmum]

Dec 21, 2020 21:17:45 GMT 3piggles said:

It's just my opinion, nothing medically factual, but I would leave the divider in the cage, if you're going to get another pig. It's a major territorial change to add a pig to a cage. The cage has to be completely cleaned of all the first pig's scent, water bottles, bedding, cage bars, food bowls, litter boxes, and that's a big change. If you also add a divider to a cage that hasn't had one, I think that might be too many changes. Also, it might be better to remove the divider when you get the new pig, as that way neither pig can block the entrance, and keep the other pig in or out. Yes, they do that, especially if it's the entrance to the food and water.

I use hay as bedding, buy it by the bale, and fill the cage with it, so I only replace mine every week. That's cage cleaning day, and the piggies know they will get to play in the bag of hay. The big event of the week If she gets in the hay, try shaking out the poos, but leaving the hay in the cage a bit longer. If it's all pretty wet to the touch, she's peed on it, and won't eat it, so toss it. Otherwise, I'd check it before tossing it.

I don't know if you know, but you can daisy chain Midwest cages. There are doors you can remove on the ends of each cage, and crossover ramps you can order for the pigs to go from cage to cage. Should the new pig and Hippie not get along, it's possible to put Midwest cages at right angles to each other, and all sorts of other configurations. One of the reasons I really like those cage

I also have another cage that I planned on keeping the other piggy in until I got them acquainted. Thank you for the advice! Its so helpful

[Bean]

I remove all the hay every couple of days. Like 3piggles I buy bales of meadow hay (it's sold for horses so is cheap) and just add loads each day as they love to play in it. But I find the stuff underneath gets wee-soaked and smelly if I leave it in for any longer than a couple of days. They can't play in that and it wouldn't be nice to eat! If you have a garden, you could compost the used hay - if it's soaked with wee, it rots down very nicely.

Glad you have managed to ascertain Hippie's gender!

[3piggles]

I totally missed that Hippie is a girl. Congratulations It's so much better to know

I have an injured guinea girl right now, and she pretty much stays in one place. The hay where she's lying gets saturated, so when I move her to get her to the food bowl, I clean out where she's been lying, and replace it with less used hay from another part of the cage. Then I add some fresh eating hay where she will be lying, again, so she can eat that. We had a bit of diarrhea, probably because of the pain meds and all the liquid fruits and veggies she'd been getting to stay hydrated. It was good to have so much hay in the cage, and be able to just remove that section, and redistribute the rest of the hay.

Hay isn't an absorbent bedding, so you still need something under it, but anything that will absorb the liquid, fits in your budget and you space should work.

I did find, when I used 100% cotton towels under the fleece, years ago, that they started to smell fairly quickly. They couldn't go a week without changing, which is one reason why I got away from using them. I have found the packing blankets sold at U-Haul work great, both the quilted one and the one that's made of lots of small pieces of fabric all crushed together. They can also be cut to fit, and for a Midwest cage, you'll get several fitting pieces out of one packing blanket.