Do your guinea pigs suddenly twitch and arch their backs and then jump around for no reason?

[Countingthegreyhairs]

Just wondering ....

Also, how long did it take (after you first brought them home) for them to be comfortable enough to wander around your sitting room without running off? (If they actually ever reach this stage with young dc about!!)

I'm a novice owner - can't you tell? Any advice gratefully received ...

GPs can pass out from itchiness. I found this out to my horror when i worked in a vets and had to bath one that had mange. I was told to really scrub and pick at the scabs (sorry tmi) when i was bathing the thing. So, i did, it went all stiff, keeled over and i went belting through to the preproom, pushing everyone out of the way so i could get to the oxygen shouting "ive just killed the fucking guinea pig". I was a bit that everyone was laughing - then i realised the thing had come round and was struggling to get out of my grip - thanks for that guys .

My rabbits used to "popcorn" didnt realise it was called this - very cute, although some rabbits have actually broken their backs doing this

Just returned to this thread - loads of new info - thank you everyone

Particularly interesting about penicillin

Lol Boco - I think I have been far more assiduous about keeping the gps entertained than dd so far this summer!

How scary LucyEllensMum - I knew that they can sometimes 'play dead' to put off predators but not that they actually passed out - loads to learn

Do you hear the pattering of tiny (furry) feet Wohmum?

With the amount of poo they generate there's no way I'd have one running round our living room. But they are sweet - I'd pick her up any day but the rabbit .....

they do seem to generate HUGE amounts of poo it has to be said .. have been quite suprised at that

I'm cleaning out their cage three times a week - despite them spending a fair bit of time on the lawn in their run - but as far as I can gather it's healthy that they eat continually ... leading to inevitable results at other end ....

I have to agree - there is a fair bit of poo - but mine all poo in the same place when out in the living room and we put newspaper down there so it's contained. Dead easy to hoover up if missed tho' and I don't actually find it too offensive - not like cat or dog poo - yuk!

does anyone know if bindweed is ok for them to eat? we've got a pretty bad infestation in the garden and discovered today that they LOVE to eat it - could be a great solution if i can manage to position their run in the right places .

No new additions yet - still hoping!

Don't know about bindweed but here is a useful website that tells you where to find professionals knowledgable in all things guineapig (or cavy). The woman at Cambridge Cavy Trust, Vedra, is very good (slightly mad but lovely) - someone must know the answer!

Thanks for that great link Thumbwitch

also for tip about putting newspaper down in sitting room Wohmum - one of mine (the sow we think may be a boar) decided to poo and pee on dh tonight instead ....

Sorry - bindweed is poisonous to gps (according to my RSPCA pet guide) - as is dog mercury, sorrel, dock, bryony and ragwort

However you CAN feed them on vetch, shepherd's purse, sow thistle and cow parsley ....if that's any use ....??

my guimeas are having some 'floor time' and charging around the living rooom, squeaking and chasing each other!

They look like they are having great fun but I've just had to stop them from chewing my laptop cable! why are thy so obsessed with wire - does it taste good? i can't imagine it does!

hi again wohmum

one of our gps was confident enough for the first time since its arrival to enjoy a bit of "floor time" yesterday - it was so great to see her enjoying herself, nose up, body stretched out, checking out the room ...

i am in lurrrrvvveee