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Small pets

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Guinea pig advice sought

38 replies

perceptionreality · 15/02/2013 14:55

I have decided to get two guinea pigs (female) - sorry I'm aware there are loads of GP threads but I want to get this right so I was wondering;

what cage do you all use (we will keep them inside)
what food do you buy them?

I know you need hay but not sure what to use for the floor? I have heard wood flakes are not suitable for GPs.

I will make sure we have a run and toys for them - we have lots of space where I will be able to set up an enclosed area for them to get exercise.

TIA...

OP posts:

BonkeyBeadyMollocks · 18/02/2013 12:37

I have a animal emergency fund.

I pop a small amount in every week and itsthere if i need it.

I think its quite hard to find insurance for pigs....but then I have a thing about animal insurance....been stung before which is why i do it this way.

TreadOnTheCracks · 18/02/2013 12:41

I have an animal emergency fund too.

I had my cat insured and now he has a long term illness. It was covered, for about 50% of the costs, for just a year. So I am going with self insurance in the form of an internet account with £50 a month going into it each month (this is to cover 2 GP and a cat, plus all vaccinations and routine checks). Pets do cost a fair bit when you add it up. Worth it though and I like not having to worry about vet costs as the money is put by.

TreadOnTheCracks · 18/02/2013 12:41

I have an animal emergency fund too.

Original poster

perceptionreality · 18/02/2013 13:19

When you say you've been stung, how do you mean Bonkey? Yes I've decided that I must put aside some provision for vets bills - I have found a company who does insure GPs which was recommended by the GP forum mentioned by Curly above. I am not sure exactly what it covers though.

Also, how do you find a vet who is good with small animals? Do you register them as soon as you get them? Years ago I had a GP who saw a vet who poked him in the eye and really hurt him :(

OP posts:

BonkeyBeadyMollocks · 18/02/2013 14:13

The guinea pig forum has a great list of guinea friendly vets ... have a look on there :)

Re. insurance - I had a horse who I needed to make a claim on - we phoned then said we needed it - then she got better and we no longer needed it so we could never claim for that thing again - she hurt her leg -could never claim on that leg again...

Tbh the amount we paid every month I was very pissed off even if I kind of do understand in a round about way so I cancelled and have been insurance free for animals since.

I have a shetland, the guineas and a hamster - the only thing I would insure for would be third party on the shettie if we took him out often - but we don't, so i have a animal fund

Original poster

perceptionreality · 18/02/2013 20:53

I seem to be having trouble accessing the GP forum - any advice? When I try to send a message it says I don't have permission!

OP posts:

BonkeyBeadyMollocks · 18/02/2013 20:56

Sometimes i think it goes off line - I would try again later, should work :)

fortifiedwithtea · 18/02/2013 21:15

perceptionreality have you registered a username? You need one to log in and post a message. Same as Rodents with Attitude forum.

Original poster

perceptionreality · 18/02/2013 21:15

Ok thanks. I can read some threads but not others.

OP posts:

Original poster

perceptionreality · 23/02/2013 14:19

We now have the two baby girls. They are lovely pigs and have quite long hair - I have been brushing them daily. Dd is thrilled with them - when we collected them she said it was the happiest day of her life!

One thing I wanted to ask - one pig is much bigger and heavier than the other - is that usual?

Still no luck with the Guinea Pig Forum - does anyone know who I could contact to ask them to validate my account?

OP posts:

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/02/2013 17:57

Aaaaaah lovely, they sound adorable.
Lots of cuddles and food and they'll get their paws under the table.

WRT to weight difference. My 2 boars have quite a sizeable difference in weight (and overall bodysize) but one is a smooth the other is Abby type.
The Abby and long haired tend to be smaller.

Get some scales and weigh them weekly to keep tabs on their weight.

How old are your baby girls? (Just that I bought a guinea-pig from a Petshop who was already pg. This was when I was 12yo back in the late 70s. Hopefully they don't keep girls/boys together now)
Not wanting to take the gloss off.
I'm betting one is just a bit chubbier than the other.

Original poster

perceptionreality · 23/02/2013 21:45

Hi 70is, they are lovely - I am amazed at how they interact with each other and also they listen when you talk to them - so sweet! They are 8 weeks old. Thank you, I will get some scales and keep track of their weight. A friend of mine had one that was already pg but I think she just gave them back to the breeder which hopefully I could do too if that happened.

OP posts:

Original poster

perceptionreality · 24/02/2013 10:11

Oh, one last thing - can guinea pigs catch colds from humans? I have read conflicting ideas on this. I would have thought it unusual for a virus to jump a species gap, but you never know? I am the only person in the house who will be able to clean them out (though luckily I don't get ill too often). But my 3 year old is always bringing colds home from nursery.

OP posts:

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