Calling all GP owners/experts!

[SparkySparrow]

Thinking about getting a couple of GP. I am compleatly clueless! Can someone tell me a bit about them?
They would be compleatly indoor GP's. Is this ok or do they need to go outside? How much space will they need? What do they eat? Are they active most at day or night? (Currently having trouble sleeping due to noisy hammy!) Which sex is best? Bedding? Common health problems? And anything else I've forgotten!
Thanks for any help! :)

Indoor's fine as long as they get out of the cage for exercise.

Space, you get cages in pets at home that they say are suitable for 2 guinea pigs - you want one at least twice that size

they eat hay, guinea pig mix vegetables and the occasional bit of fruit. You can get lists online of what's ok and what's not and then it's down to preference - they like different veg best.

They mostly sleep at night, they do wake up and eat and what have you, but they're noisiest when you're up and about - mostly because they're demanding food, lol.

Sex is a personal preference really, as long as you have at least two of the same sex and you get them together, it shouldn't matter.

Bedding, sawdust on the bottom of the cage, hay in their bed.

Health problems, teeth can be an issue, stomach problems and they're a bit prone to abcesses in the same way that rabbits are...you do have to watch for them not eating as it's pretty much the only way you can tell they're ill and stopping eating means they're really pretty off colour.

We have two indoor guineas, housed in a palace....they love the room. It is not a guinea cage as such because they did not seem big enough.
They also have a run outside , which they go in when the grass is dry.
They also often come out and play on the floor in the sitting room.
More often they are on someone's lap having a cuddle.
They are fantastic pets.
Look on line for advice re food, as there is a lot they should not eat.

There are a load of threads on this site that will give you ideas.
Cavy Cages gives a 2 cavy cage as 7.5 sq feet min to 10.5 sq feet preferred (so that's 5'X2') .I've got 2 in a 4'X2' that I feel is too small.But it's only their nightcage.

They like somewhere too hide,sometimes from each other.(Yes you really need 2, they are social animals unlike hamsters)
Hay,plain paper or newspaper if they can't chew it.
Not straw-it can poke their eyes.Or shavings or sawdust- chemicals that can irritate their breathing.(Go back a few months on this thread, there are lots of guinea-pig bedding threads)
Foodwise- pellets with VitC not 'meusli' they are picky and waste alot.It's not balanced because they leave alot.Baby pigs like to sit in their food bowl.
Water-always. A bottle each is good is you can.
Fruit/vegetables- lots of lists that they can't eat.Main ones-onion,potatoes,some garden weeds, careful with spinach, no iceberg lettuce.
They need Vit C in their diet.Herbs are good.Peppers especially red.Tomato.Carrots,parsnip,turnip,celery,dandelions,grass,clover. Not ragwort or buttercup.Bulbs and rhubarb also poisonous. They usually avoid anything toxic, but they can't vomit.

Boy or girl? Personal choice, but if you get girls make sure they are double checked or you'll get piglets if one's a chap,and they breed surprisingly young.
Or you can put a castrated boy with a girl.Or get 2 boys, but make sure they are together right from the start or they fight.2 adult boys can't pair up, but 2 girls potentially can.

And don't under-estimate how long they live ,up to 8 years.And how messy they can be, especially indoors.I clean our indoor night cage daily.The outside one every 3 days completely, daily quick clean.

They cannot tolerate damp or changes in temperature well.If you do put them outside at all, protect from damp and wind.
It seems a shame to keep them in all the time, have you got garden space for a summer run (fox, cat and escape proof) They don't dig like rabbits or climb.
If you do get some, they are the sweetest, cuddliest, greediest, laziest, messiest little creatures you can meet. Enjoy

Are you getting adults or babies? And where from.

Oops posted too soon.
There are rescues for cavies, but I don't know if they get alot of babies in.Or you might know someone who's got a litter.
(On here you'll be warned against the 'Rodent Farming' petshops ,the conditions and the way they are socialised. You might get some babies that are green and haven't had alot of physical contact)

It's alot to consider for now!

Thanks for all the info!
70isaLimitNotaTarget Just researching for now to see if they will suit us or not. But if we do decide to get some then we will more than likely go through a private ad/breeder. Not keen on pet shops.
We only have a communal garden space. I wouldn't like them to be out there unless it was private.
Another few questions - Do they smell? (As they would be in the living room!) and I keep seeing leads for them is this a good idea or bad? Would be happy to sit with them on the grass for a while.

Its more the hay that smells, but boys definately are more 'fragrant'.
Mine don't have hay indoors for this very reason. I give them fleece, changed daily.

I've seen ferret leads but I think cavies are the wrong shape.And it might obstruct their breathing.
What about a pet pen if you are going to sit with them? They like to pootle about and graze.You'd have to make sure there's no weddkiller or dog muck on the grass.

Didn't think about a petpen! And I already have one :) .

Mate has a lead for her cavy. I don't think the GPig enjoys it.
Females better, the males more likely to fight & can get anal impaction (do not Google that).
Not sure what 70isa means, but GPigs must have hay (or fresh long grass) to eat daily. Actually, one of ours ignores hay & eats straw instead, which is technically just another form of grass. Plus a source of vitamin C in daily diet. They can live 7-9 yrs, quite a commitment. Do look around for local rescue centres that might have some that need rehoming.

Have you considered a house rabbit, OP? I just have a feeling you might enjoy that more. Another friend does take her rabbits out for walks on the lead, claims they quiet enjoy it. Their dietary needs are supposed to be simpler & they can be house-trained.

Not keen on rabbit's. Had a few when I was younger and they were all little shits monster's. Chew everything! And bloody good escape artists!They were outdoor rabbits not indoor though! Couldn't tame them at all ( and I tried for age's! Just figured in the end that mine weren't friendly.) That said I am open minded.
Mine were Rex's, I always think that the lop eared one's look a bit more docile. Doe's anyone know if this is the case?

ragged mine do have hay in their outdoor house. I found the smell of the hay was stronger than the smell of the pigs.IYSWIM.Ours have over 14 hours to gorge themselves on hay ,at night they have veg, and hopefully sleep.
But like any animal, if they aren't kept clean, they'll smell, and be miserable.

But hay smells nice?

Well the OP asked "do they smell"? and when mine started coming indoors it was the smell of hay that overcame the aroma de cavy.

I'm not that keen on the hay smell tbh, or the mess. I give mine those solid cookies of hay indoors sometimes (keeps them busy) or a fresh cut handful of grass.

(I've got round the pee aroma with cat-litter under a layer of fleece, and a fleece bed on top)

If you join the Guinea Pig Forum, they have loads of info and links to other sources, plus plenty of experts on all aspects of guinea pig care. It's a pro-rescue site though, so they don't condone, support or advise on any aspect of breeding.

Do you have a cavy savy vet? Few vets know one end of a guinea pig from the other, frankly, so it's really important to have one of the rare ones that DOES near by.

Best of luck!

GPs should have access to hay 24 x 7. I have read that GPs can get liver damage if they don't eat for 7 hours.

I'm more than ever now
Is it not eating hay for 7 hours or not eating as in anything?

So even if they have veg at night?
What about cut grass? I know it's not got the same fibre as hay.

I give mine a hay cookie indoors and they do pick at them but TBH they'll eat the veg first. I did read somewhere that they process veg better at night because that's when they are resting and pooh eating.

Ours have their pellets, hay, water and a choice of veg outside during the day.

Veg and hay cookie at night (indoors).

(I'm assuming they sleep at night too, but I might be wishfully thinking)