HELP I'm lost!! I nedd Guinea Pig advice!!!

[EweSheep]

For those of us do not have a LARGE pen for the GP, would exercise ball work?????

I used to have guinea pigs but lack of information, they all died within four years of age. Now I know it was Vit C they need and we didnt get them hay and rarely they get treats. The pet store at the time told us rabbit pellets are fine to use...that was more than 30 years ago. Loved them all.

Debating on getting one in the future if dd wants one. I've had hamsters but they were noot too friendly.

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

Quote:
I have always heard to NEVER use exercise balls as it can hurt their spines, feet and nails. I loved our GPs but we have a kitten that would LOVE to have a rodent in the house lol So none for us until he calms down with age!

 

[EweSheep]

I know they make exercise balls for chincillas and its pretty big. Yes I know about the spine problems associated with it. Maybe get one of those upright table belt sanders on low speed for an exercise treadmill.

 

[Akane]

No the spine of a guinea pig only curves one way. They do not have a flexible spine to bend with a ball or wheel. Some guinea pigs will still use them but it puts stress on the joints and they end up with arthritis in the spine or hips from trying to make up the curve by bending their legs weird. They have to be put on pain medication or more commonly put to sleep within a few years. Get down on your hands and knees and pull your head back and butt up as far as you can. Now imagine moving around like that for a few hours every day. We even have some backward curve in our lower backs and it's still uncomfortable. Hamsters and gerbils have completely flexible skeletons. They can bend over backward and squish in to some impressive shapes. Guinea pigs are bricks with feet.

 

[chicmom]

Hi there! Guinea Pigs are great pets, but you do have to keep their cage clean because their poo and urine is very stinky. I would NOT try to let them run loose and potty train them.......They are generally pleasant, and in order for them to be tame, you have to handle them alot. Also, have the kids handle them while sitting down on the floor because if they wiggly out of their arms, a broken leg is very likely. (This happened to me as a little girl and I was heartbroken.)

They will nip a little bit. Always feed them guinea pig food, not rabbit food which looks the same, but is cheaper. The reason is that guinea pig food contains vitamin c, and rabbit food does not, and they will DIE without it. (This is really important.)

They like different greens like apples, carrots, a little lettuce--not alot because they can get the runs. Alfalfa cubes are great for their teeth. Also, they like to eat grass, so you could occasionally bring them outside, but then there is a danger of fleas or parasites to them.

Good luck with them, I'm sure the kids will enjoy them! They're very endearing and their little noises are so cute. Oh, their nails need trimmed too.

 

[ssimon]

I LOVE guinea pigs. The are very social creatures. It may test the waters with a little nibble as most animals do However I have never had a piggy bite me and draw blood even though i am sure they are capable. Make sure you give them vitamin c. piggys cannot make it on their own and need adequate amounts everyday to prevent scurvy. I would give my piggys anything scraps from my veggies carrot tops broccli etc. Anytime my pigs would hear me cutting on the cutting board they would go crazy making their little noise WEEEE WEEEE WEEEE. they are so adorable. Enjoy and make sure to get that vitamin c in daily. They sell drops fro their water however they arent cheap and by giving them veggies with high vitamin c they get plenty of C and seem happier without smelly water.