Guinea Pig Home

Christinasgarden · 02-17-2007, 12:21 PM

Hi, I am new to the forum and I just aquired a Guinea Pig on Valentines. His name is Chocolate and my daughter has renamed him Choco-choco-latte. (typical 2 year old, lol.) When we went to pick up Choco-choco-latte the house was filthy, his cage was filthy and there was slime in his water bottle. They were putting tang in the water for vitamin C. (loaded sugar really). The pellets look to be from walmart brand. They just handed me the cage, food, and tang and saif bye. This was bought for a thier child it bored him, so he got a puppy and poor choco-choco-latte was forgotten. His nails look to never been trimmed and they are now curling. Should I cut these myself or have the vet do it? Also I am concerned about bedding and feed and Vitiamin C. (They originally had him in cedar shavings). I have aqured Timothy Hay from Walmart right now and I am giving him carrots, apples and pears with his pellets and plain tap water (In which we have 98% spring water)

I need to know if these are good to give to him or any helpful advice will be appreciated.

Pellets - Oxbow is what I should feed it?
Vitamin C - What is a good brand and how much?
Litter- what is a good litter. I bought some from walmart temparly to use it was made from brown fiber like paper.
Hay - Timothy hay what brand is good?

Is there anything that I need to be clued in.

Last night I held (I believe her, they didnt know the sex) for 45 minutes and she started making a chirping sounds.

I just cuddled her. She is so sweet and lovable but a little skittish.

Thanks for any help and sorry for having so many questions

Tracy
Ocala/Summerfield Fl

VoodooJoint · 02-17-2007, 12:42 PM

Welcome to the forum and thanks for getting Choco-choco-late out of that horrible home. I hope thier puppy fairs better in their care.

Cutting the nails is up to you. It's easiest with two people. One holds the GP with the GP's back against their chest or stomach with the feet sticking out forward while the other cuts the nails (less wiggling and more control this way).

If the nails are clear or light colored it should be easy. Just make certain not to cut into the quick (pink vein at the base). If you do you can use Quick Stop, cornstarch or even just flour to help stop the bleeding. If the nails are dark it will be a little more difficult but a flashlight, shone under and through the nail will sometimes help make the quick visible.

If the nails are very neglected you won't be able to get them very short. You will have to trim a little off every week. Doing this will cause the quick to draw back further and eventually you can get the nails to a nice lengh.

Oxbow food is an excellent choice and they also sell wonderful hay. Any kind other then alfalfa is fine.

You will not need to give extra C with a good diet. The Oxbow pellets and fresh veggies will provide more then enough.

You need a little more variety wit the veggies you feed. Here is a great thread with wonderful veggie chats and feeding info. Everything you need to know about a cavy's diet!!! READ ME- Nutrition Charts & Info - Guinea Pig Cages Forum

Carefresh or Critter Care (the walmart brand) are good choices. You can also use aspen, kiln dried pine or fleece.

Christinasgarden · 02-17-2007, 01:51 PM

Thank you so much. I know how to clip my birds nail and my other animals. But I thought it would be about the same. With the exception I have never seen nails this bad on an animal. I will take care her as soon as my husband gets home. A flashlight, is a great ideal, lol, she has dark nails and i was wondering how i was going to see the quick. Thanks you so much for the infor on food and link. I am so looking forward to this wonderful delight in our family.

Thanks again

tom-cat · 02-17-2007, 02:15 PM

Hello, to cut the nails what do you use? Normal nail sissors? Is it easy? thank you!

Foggycreek · 02-17-2007, 04:50 PM

Some people use human nail clippers. I prefer cat or bird nail clippers. Here's a page about clipping nails.

VoodooJoint · 02-17-2007, 05:37 PM

I used to use human nail clipper, toe nail one for larger nails, but finally got a pair of scissor style cat nail trimmers (Walmart has them, green handles). They are MUCH easier to use.

Christinasgarden · 02-18-2007, 06:15 PM

I have nail clippers for cats and one for big birds. Thanks appreciate the information. I am so excited and after a few more weeks plan on getting a mate.

VoodooJoint · 02-18-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christinasgarden

I am so excited and after a few more weeks plan on getting a mate.

Do you mean mate as in friend or mate as in reproduction? Please do not breed your GP. There are so many animals, including guinea pigs, in shelters and rescues. The world does not need more. here is also a 20% chance of the female and pups dying during pregnancy or labor.

Also please make certain you adopt, not buy, a companion. There are many available here on this site and on Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten.. If you still don't find one to adopt we can help you find animals in your area.

Christinasgarden · 02-18-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoodooJoint

Do you mean mate as in friend or mate as in reproduction? Please do not breed your GP. There are so many animals, including guinea pigs, in shelters and rescues. The world does not need more. here is also a 20% chance of the female and pups dying during pregnancy or labor.

Also please make certain you adopt, not buy, a companion. There are many available here on this site and on Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten.. If you still don't find one to adopt we can help you find animals in your area.

I am sorry wrong choice of words. Friends is what I should have said. I have been reading the forum for weeks now and that is what made me decide to take a GP in. I had them when I was a child. I do not believe in breeding, especially when there is so many out there. I have 3 stray cats that people have droped off and no longer wanted. I have no idea whey because every one of them are special in his or her own way! I also have a german shep/Lab that was abused as a puppy that I took in. I have a Cockatoo that I have had for 12 years now. I love all my babies. I am a stay at home mom and a responsible mom. I have 15 acres and have a love for animals.

I have read mosst of you posts and learned a lot from all of you and I appreciate it. Tommorrow I take Choco-choco-latte to vet. I tried to do his nails but they are just do bad. Also today I got a soft brush to brush her she was doing fine. I was takling softly to her and then my husband did and she went nuts. She all of sudden did not want to be touched. I think she mitght have mites. So I will get the meds and take care of her tommorrow. Clean the cage and all.

I plan on adopting. I DO NOT BUY from Pet shops. I think most of them are in it for the money.

Thank you again and thanks for information.

VoodooJoint · 02-18-2007, 10:04 PM

Glad to hear! Good luck and I hope all goes well at the vets.