Preparing For My Piggies

[Prism]

Its time, its time, its time, ITS TIME!!
Time for my piggies! Help me prepare the perfect home for them.

I've done all my research, with plenty of help with our fellow fishlore browsers!
I'll include them. Bruxes and Bubbles BottomDweller were my biggest help.

I have my cage I'm wanting!
I'll give you guys the link.

I'm wanting a playpen for them, so I can maybe do some school work, and have them playing.
Do you guys have any recommendations on that?

I'm still researching on hay holders, good water bottles ect.
My main question, what are you guys favorite bedding, that's quality.

Its just so hard to find quality bedding in my liking!
I want the regular coloring, no artificial, like blue or red.

I have until mid october, that's when we're going to get them. To do ALL my plans, and have everything ready by then.
What toys do you guys recommend? I'm looking for good toys, so they won't chew on the cage bars.

the cage i'm wanting:

(the x-large one.)

Thanks for any help given, its appreciated.
anda:

 

[Katie13]

My two loved their igloo. I just put the hay on top of it.

 

[Prism]

I'm more of wanting hammocks.
Will these do?



I would buy two of them, for both of them.
So I can provide less territorial issues.

 

[Katie13]

I'm more of wanting hammocks.
Will these do?



I would buy two of them, for both of them.
So I can provide less territorial issues.

I haven't used them, but I believe the nylon would be chewed through.

 

[Prism]

Oh no, that could be chewed thru, never thought about that..
Maybe these? I'm trying to find some.

 

[Katie13]

Oh no, that could be chewed thru, never thought about that..
Maybe these? I'm trying to find some.

It could have the same issue. Mine chewed through their covered bottom play pen/run.

 

[KaderTheAnt]

If they're anything like my chinchilla, if it's soft, straw, or wood, it's gonna get chewed through..

 

[dansamy]

The cage link is a list of different cages, mostly rabbit hutches. Which cage did you choose?

How many cavies are you getting? Males, females or will you be mixing?

 

[Prism]

The cage link is a list of different cages, mostly rabbit hutches. Which cage did you choose?

How many cavies are you getting? Males, females or will you be mixing?

The x-large one.
I will be getting females.

It could have the same issue. Mine chewed through their covered bottom play pen/run.

It will still be chewed thru? But it isn't wood?

If they're anything like my chinchilla, if it's soft, straw, or wood, it's gonna get chewed through..

Yep, I'm aware of that.
Funny piggies.

 

[Claire Bear]

Its time, its time, its time, ITS TIME!!
Time for my piggies! Help me prepare the perfect home for them.

I've done all my research, with plenty of help with our fellow fishlore browsers!
I'll include them. Bruxes and Bubbles BottomDweller were my biggest help.

I have my cage I'm wanting!
I'll give you guys the link.

I'm wanting a playpen for them, so I can maybe do some school work, and have them playing.
Do you guys have any recommendations on that?

I'm still researching on hay holders, good water bottles ect.
My main question, what are you guys favorite bedding, that's quality.

Its just so hard to find quality bedding in my liking!
I want the regular coloring, no artificial, like blue or red.

I have until mid october, that's when we're going to get them. To do ALL my plans, and have everything ready by then.
What toys do you guys recommend? I'm looking for good toys, so they won't chew on the cage bars.

the cage i'm wanting: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_at/?linkCode=w61&imprToken=EltMgUFJrEcZtqSKe-3XaA&slotNum=0&url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=guinea+pig+cage&tag=fishlore-20

(the x-large one.)

Thanks for any help given, its appreciated.
anda:

-I honestly would not buy them the wooden cage, jmo. I would go with wire and the high sides. They run a lot and kick up their bedding. If you buy that one, you will constantly be cleaning the area under, around, and near their cage.
-I use two different bottles-both are likit bottles. I use a metal bottle holder for one and the other is larger and has a spring that holds it in place.
-I also use old shoe boxes to give them a new home to play in/around.
-Mine like to push a big plastic ball I got them. I can buy attachment tunnels although they play with the ball by itself so I haven't bothered.
-I have the hay rack that came with my cage and I use it sometimes but I don't like the mess. They have a hay box and they love it. I empty it and clean it with 50/50 water and vinegar once a week (sometimes more often).
-I change their bedding at least once a week.
-When I use the flannel clothe/blanket (ordered the blanket on amazon) I change that out once a week. I also clean that daily when it is in use.
-I give them treats-romaine lettuce, carrots, rarely fruit and feed Oxford food (adult now). It is more expensive but I have not had to deal with impactions or any of the other issues that happen with cheap food.

MOST OF ALL ENJOY AND TAKE CARE OF THEM LIKE A BABY-HOLD OFTEN, BE GENTLE AND THEY LOVE TO FEEL SECURE!
I pick mine up and immediately make sure their four feet are firmly held as they are hunted and predators grab them by their back.
-Mine have bitten once and it was because when my husband picked up Alfie, he held him from behind with his feet dangling and he tried to get away-very alarmed. I showed my husband how to pick him up and no more bites-to me, my 6 year old grandson, or anyone else!

 

[Prism]

-I honestly would not buy them the wooden cage, jmo. I would go with wire and the high sides. They run a lot and kick up their bedding. If you buy that one, you will constantly be cleaning the area under, around, and near their cage.
-I use two different bottles-both are likit bottles. I use a metal bottle holder for one and the other is larger and has a spring that holds it in place.
-I also use old shoe boxes to give them a new home to play in/around.
-Mine like to push a big plastic ball I got them. I can buy attachment tunnels although they play with the ball by itself so I haven't bothered.
-I have the hay rack that came with my cage and I use it sometimes but I don't like the mess. They have a hay box and they love it. I empty it and clean it with 50/50 water and vinegar once a week (sometimes more often).
-I change their bedding at least once a week.
-When I use the flannel clothe/blanket (ordered the blanket on amazon) I change that out once a week. I also clean that daily when it is in use.
-I give them treats-romaine lettuce, carrots, rarely fruit and feed Oxford food (adult now). It is more expensive but I have not had to deal with impactions or any of the other issues that happen with cheap food.

MOST OF ALL ENJOY AND TAKE CARE OF THEM LIKE A BABY-HOLD OFTEN, BE GENTLE AND THEY LOVE TO FEEL SECURE!
I pick mine up and immediately make sure their four feet are firmly held as they are hunted and predators grab them by their back.
-Mine have bitten once and it was because when my husband picked up Alfie, he held him from behind with his feet dangling and he tried to get away-very alarmed. I showed my husband how to pick him up and no more bites-to me, my 6 year old grandson, or anyone else!

Sorry for the link!
Its not right. Sorry!

Its the Living World X-Large.

 

[APColorado]

It is always better to adopt then purchase guinea pigs.

Also, have you looked into C&C cages? Usually cheaper then store bought cages.

 

[Prism]

Yes, I'm adopting them from HNST.
aka Waggin' Tails Adoption Center, in benbrook texas.

Its about 30mins away from my home.
Should I bring hay for them in the car?

The cage I want is C&C.

 

[KakeHugs]

Our pig chews and ruins everything.
His loves his plastic hidey house petco and petsmart sells. I recently bought a veggie basket for my rabbits but he seems to like it as well.
Also, I buy cat balls at the dollar store, perfect

 

[Prism]

I'm not into the plastic castles, I'm more into the natural theme.
I like either beds, or wooden huts. (yes, i'm aware they will chew the wooden huts)

 

[APColorado]

I'm not into the plastic castles, I'm more into the natural theme.
I like either beds, or wooden huts. (yes, i'm aware they will chew the wooden huts)

Here is my cage:

 

[Prism]

Let me go look at that. How much pigs do you have in there?
What are the dimensions of your cage.

I would love to do that big of a cage, I asked my mom..
She said NO!

 

[APColorado]

Let me go look at that. How much pigs do you have in there?
What are the dimensions of your cage.

I would love to do that big of a cage, I asked my mom..
She said NO!

There are 10 sows (female guinea pigs). It is a 2 x 15 C&C cage big enough to house 13 sows. You can google C&C cages on instructions on how to make them. The bigger the better.

 

[Prism]

Wow, its so huge.
Is my cage still alright to house 2 females?

What are the needed dimensions to house 3-4 females?
(please list the dimensions in inches, LXWXH)

 

[Claire Bear]

The living world will work for two but not three or four! What an awesome cage and adorable piggies AmazonPassion has! Adorable!

 

[Prism]

Yes, I know that.
But I was wondering how large do 3-4 females need?

 

[Bettanewb]

You would need about 13 square feet of cage for 3-4 females so about 27"x 84"

Here's a pic of my cage

 

[Prism]

So the 27x84, is inches?
I'll probably go with my C&C, or make a DIY C&C.

 

[Bettanewb]

Way cheaper to do c&c I just uploaded a pic of my cage which I ended up adding a second level to I was out of space in the floor so I decided to build up and made a hayloft for my boys.

All though they spent very little time in their cage they were free range most of the time.

 

[Prism]

What did you use to build your C&C?
It looks really cool.

 

[clk89]

Here is my cage:

How cute, mine use to look a lot like that when I had two boys lightning and thunder. I used a fabric for the bottom part too.

What did you use to build your C&C?
It looks really cool.

I know this wasn't aimed towards me but personally I used zip ties to hold the squares together for my own C&C.

 

[Bettanewb]

C&C stands for cubes and coroplast. It's made of storage shelving cubes and a corrugated plastic bottom.
If you go to guineapigcages.com they will give you all the instructions needed to make a C&C cage. It will be probably half the price of the other cage.

And honestly the cage on Amazon is not big enough

 

[APColorado]

I would disagree regarding Living World Deluxe XL, if you look at the sides they bend inwards. The foot print isn't suitable for 2 guina pigs. What they advertisement in terms of dimension isn't the real dimension, it is actually smaller.

I would suggest getting a Midwest Cage instead, it is also cheaper


In terms of minimum dimensions for guinea pig habitats:

2 guinea pigs : 30 inches x 50 inches
3 guinea pigs: 30 inches x 62 inches
4 guinea pigs: 30 inches x 76 inches

Guinea pigs need adequate space to run/roam/exercise to be happy

 

[Prism]

Ok, I'll look into some new cages.

I would disagree regarding Living World Deluxe XL, if you look at the sides they bend inwards. The foot print isn't suitable for 2 guina pigs. What they advertisement in terms of dimension isn't the real dimension, it is actually smaller.

I would suggest getting a Midwest Cage instead, it is also cheaper


In terms of minimum dimensions for guinea pig habitats:

2 guinea pigs : 30 inches x 50 inches
3 guinea pigs: 30 inches x 62 inches
4 guinea pigs: 30 inches x 76 inches

Guinea pigs need adequate space to run/roam/exercise to be happy

Thank you, for that.
I'll look into that.

 

[Prism]

So with the midwest cage..
Its good for 2 female guinea pigs?

Or should I buy 2 of them, and add on with them.
Or should I make my own DIY C&C.

edit: Is the midwest cage big enough alone?
Or maybe I could build onto it by DIY, like Bettanewb built up.

 

[Bettanewb]

The Midwest cage is just about the right size for 2 piggies but I still think it would be cheaper to make the C&C cage but that's up to you especially if you'd like to make it larger

 

[Prism]

I'll have to do some research about that, maybe I can buy the midwest for the main.
But then I can build on it, to make it bigger.

 

[Bettanewb]

Did you get a chance to check out the site I suggested?

 

[Prism]

GuineaPigCages.com? Yes, I looked at that.
Or is there some other website.

 

[Bettanewb]

Nope that's the one I hope it was useful regarding building a cage.

 

[Prism]

Oh, yes.
I'll have to look at it more later, just woke up an hour ago.

edit:

I've made a list of all the things I need, and wanting.
Are all these things okay for them, I've got advice on them, they were approved.

x3 Bend A Bridge, by You & Me
Bedding
x1 Chew - Ka - Bob
x1 Branch Ball
x2 Super Sleeper Cuddle E Cup
x1 Waterbottle
Timothy Hay
x1 Hay Holder
Food
x1 Nail Clippers
x2 Ceramic Food Bowl

 

[mollybabes]

Oh, yes.
I'll have to look at it more later, just woke up an hour ago.

edit:

I've made a list of all the things I need, and wanting.
Are all these things okay for them, I've got advice on them, they were approved.

x3 Bend A Bridge, by You & Me
x1 Chew - Ka - Bob
x1 Branch Ball
x2 Super Sleeper Cuddle E Cup
x1 Waterbottle
Timothy Hay
x1 Hay Holder
Food
x1 Nail Clippers
x2 Ceramic Food Bowl

Why two food bowls? I only have one and have done since I have owned guinea pigs.
Also you need nuggets as well. The excel ones I have by burgess I think. It't in a orange packet. They need them as well as hay. Oh and sawdust/woodshavings to coat the bottom. You may need a grooming brush as well, depending on what sort of guinea pig you're getting.

 

[Prism]

I just want to have one, to prevent any issues.
Yes, I forgot about the bedding. I have it on my list, but forgot to write it down on here.

 

[APColorado]

So with the midwest cage..
Its good for 2 female guinea pigs?

Or should I buy 2 of them, and add on with them.
Or should I make my own DIY C&C.

edit: Is the midwest cage big enough alone?
Or maybe I could build onto it by DIY, like Bettanewb built up.

Yes 2 can fit in a Midwest Cage.

I would take Bend a bridge out of your list, it is not needed.

Also instead of 2 ceramic bowls, I would use 1. I would get 2 water bottles instead of 1. Just in case there is a malfunction overnight or while you are out with one water bottle you have a backup

 

[Prism]

Ok, great. I'll change my list two 2 water bottles, and 1 food bowl.
I've been looking at guineapigcages.com's forum, and they said its not doable with 2.

I was planning with the bend a bridge, for a little hut, or put it on the bottom, or hang it.
For them to chew, and stuff.

 

[Bettanewb]

What's not doable with 2?

 

[Prism]

I don't know, they didn't explain why the cage wasn't big enough.
They just said it couldn't house 2 of them.

 

[Bettanewb]

As far as I can see the foot print seems large enough to me that's strange. Although I've never been in the forum there I used the site strictly as instructions for cage building.
AmazonPassion posted the sizes and number of pigs per cage earlier and I believe the cage was the s same size as what was recommended

Edit 30"x50" is recommended for 2 pigs the cage size is 24"x47" imo I don't think those few inches are going to make that much of a difference.

 

[Prism]

I don't know why they said that.
Maybe they were talking about something else.

Is it possible for me to build ON to it?
Like DIY by connecting some on with the midwest.

 

[Bettanewb]

You could possibly build up like I did with a second level but the top would have to be able to be removed independent of the sides my cage was topless guinea pigs areally not good climbers or jumpers. Those cute stubby legs werent made for it

 

[Prism]

Ok, so I'll probably builld upward.

 

[Bettanewb]

Unless those cages can be added to at a later date

 

[mollybabes]

Why don't you just get a bigger hutch to start with

 

[Prism]

Hutches are usually wood. They are not recommended for permanent cages.
I've heard stories of people having their guinea pigs chew thru the bottom of theirs.