Choosing the right pet store
Let's imagine this situation. You walk into your local pet store and see an adorable guinea pig that makes your heart melt, and then you notice that the cute animal is huddled in a small glass aquarium with four other rodents.
You, of course, will think that by buying the animal you like, you will save it from such maintenance. In fact, your best bet is to leave this store that treats animals this way. Supporting such outlets is a common mistake of novice owners.
As a rule, to keep rodents they use small aquariums that are not suitable for keeping guinea pigs, as well as other rodents, which are small even for one animal, and they accommodate up to five “tenants” at a time. Naturally, in this case the pigs may not be in the best condition.
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Find a large pet store where animals are kept in decent conditions and have a veterinarian who can advise you on how to keep such a pet.
Is it okay for guinea pigs to have no friends?
For some reason, many people believe that it is better to have only one rodent, believing that he does not need a friend at all. This statement may be true, provided that you have plenty of time to devote enough attention to your pet. Put yourself in his shoes: if you are forced to constantly spend the whole day alone in a confined space, will you survive? Perhaps, but it would be much better if you had a friend with you.
These are social and also predatory animals, so no matter how much time you devote to walking and communicating with them, they feel much more comfortable in the company of their relatives. Some might argue that two guinea pigs will make the apartment smell much stronger.
No, that's not true. If you have a cage that's the right size for two pigs, your cage won't smell any worse than if you had one pig. But with two furry pets it is much more fun than with one. Why? Because it's very interesting to watch their interactions, notice their differences in personalities and see them clinging to each other or trying to figure things out.
DIY guinea pig cages
Before starting construction, it is worth considering all the positive and negative aspects of homemade cages, studying the necessary materials and tools for the work, and understanding the manufacturing instructions.
Pros and cons of homemade structures
The undoubted advantage of creating cells with your own hands is complete control over the process. The pet owner decides what the house will be made of, how the work will be done, and what the end result should be.
Thus, the advantages of personal participation in production:
- quality of material - you can choose natural, safest and strongest parts of the future design;
- ideally selected sizes - depending on the number of pets and the availability of free space in the apartment;
- unique appearance and the ability to best arrange the cage.
But there are also disadvantages to homemade cages: if the calculations are incorrect and the basic requirements are not met, the result will be an unsuitable home for your pet, and time and effort will be wasted.
In addition, some types of materials require serious skills in working with them. For example, metal, wood or glass require a special set of tools.
Required materials and tools
Getting ready for work:
- metal grate (distance between bars - no more than 2.5 by 10 cm);
- construction ties or wire;
- grinder or hacksaw;
- polycarbonate sheet or corrugated cardboard;
- pencil;
- roulette
Manufacturing instructions
Let's take a step-by-step look at how to make a cage for a guinea pig with your own hands.
We plan the appearance of the structure: we draw up a drawing of the house with the required dimensions.
Prepare the grate. If the blanks purchased at a hardware store do not fit in size, they are adjusted using a grinder or a hacksaw.
You need to make 4 rectangular grilles of the same width: back and front, as well as two side ones.
The gratings are held together with plastic ties or wire.
Important! All sharp edges are ground down or hidden so that the animal cannot reach them.
We will make the bottom from polycarbonate, where the filler will be located. This container is cut larger than the cage. In the corners of the polycarbonate sheet you need to make small cuts so that the walls seem to be inserted into one another and create small sides.
Important! If corrugated cardboard is chosen for the pallet, it must be covered with tape several times or painted with acrylic to protect it from moisture.
If the cage includes a 2nd floor, you can construct a shelf on it from leftover polycarbonate or equip a mini-house.
You can also create a large cage from several standard cells, between which there will be holes for movement.
Cage too small
This is one of the most common mistakes new owners make. Guinea pig experts recommend a cage of at least 80 cm in length for one animal. For two animals, a cage of at least 120 cm in length will be required.
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Do not buy small houses for hamsters, rat or chinchilla cages, which are designed for the construction of additional floors. Guinea pigs cannot live in such houses; sharp rises are dangerous for their spine. Many experts consider aquarium cages in which both the ceiling and walls are closed to be a real evil for these rodents.
They are practically not ventilated, and a large amount of harmful gases accumulates in them: the pig literally suffocates in the fumes from feces. To keep two male pigs, the cage size must be even larger, as they may fight for territory.
Poor nutrition
Many companies produce food for guinea pigs, but they are not always of high quality. They can be produced from contaminated grain and various wastes. Rid your pet of cheap grain food. In addition, owners should be aware that the following should be excluded from the guinea pigs' diet: nuts, grains, sugar and honey.
Among the foods we can recommend are the products “Little Van Green Valley” and “Krispy Muesli”. And, of course, succulent food. These include carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, apples, cucumbers, beets and celery. It must be remembered that the majority of the pig's diet should be hay.
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Many companies produce it, but experts consider the product to be the best - the branches in it are long, without rot, rodents eat it with pleasure. Another mistake that owners make is related to water. She, like hay, must be in the cage at all times, clean and fresh.
Never give salt rocks or sweet sticks to your pigs. At best, they will refuse them, and at worst, they will eat this sugar-and-honey muesli and get sick. If you want to pamper your pet, treat him to an apple or pumpkin.
Incorrect covering in the cage
There are several options for keeping guinea pigs. But the main rule is not to keep rodents on bare corn or wood filler. Sprinkle it with fine sawdust or cover it with a PVC mat. Some owners cover the floor with diapers and sprinkle sawdust on top, which is also not prohibited. It is important that the animal is not on pellets, which cause wounds on the pigs’ legs that do not heal for a long time, or on a bare floor.
You can use ready-made fleece coverings. Such bedding is inexpensive. Using this material will make daily cleaning of the cage easier. Your pet will feel very comfortable.
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Rodent Production Companies
Among some of the leading corporations producing terrariums for pets, Trixie (Germany), Savic (Belgium), Triol (Russia), Imac (Italy) are of particular interest.
Trixie
The Trixie group of companies is a German concern, one of the leading not only in Europe, but also beyond its borders. Trixie has been making guinea pig cages for over 30 years. Terrariums are distinguished by comfortable contents, durable materials, and durability. The simplest example is a lattice section with galvanized material.
This guinea pig house is very roomy, it opens both from the side and from the top. This design has a plastic tray, which has a beneficial effect on the role of the rodent’s life. The German terrarium is easy to fold, which is its significant advantage.
Savic
The Belgian company Savic has also specialized in the production of cages for pets for a very long time. All types of Savic cells are very popular, including in Russia. Here is one example of a lattice cage.
Among the advantages over other cages are a plastic tray, a removable iron element, installation attributes, etc.
Triol
Functional terrariums (cages) Triol (Russia) are the domestic answer to Western manufacturers of animal cages. The company successfully produces all types of pet houses, in particular for guinea pigs. One of the most popular cages is model 4104B - with elements of modification, plus, it includes transitions for animals.
Imac
The company has been manufacturing terrariums for small furry animals for a long time, but the prices are above average. Italian developers give preference to single-story cages. As a non-standard example, the following type of terrarium is given, which is shown in this picture.
The cage is made of plastic - a tray and a roof, and the body between them is completely lattice. There are passages for rodents, as well as a play wheel.
Lack of physical activity
Guinea pigs are neither cats nor dogs. You should not use harnesses or leashes for walking them. Remember that these rodents have a very weak spine. The slightest wrong move and you could break it. At the same time, guinea pigs only seem so clumsy: they are able to outrun even some of their owners in swimming and running.
The good physical shape of these cute animals is the key to their health and good mood. Pigs should have the opportunity and time to jog freely, and sometimes it doesn’t hurt for them to go swimming.
If you don't do this, your pet will be exposed to the same risks that a sedentary person would expose themselves to. For walking, fence off a large space in the room, cover it with diapers and let the pigs out there, just don’t forget to put water, hay, and some edible fresh leaves. It is advisable to carry out such walks daily, but if you are very busy, walk your pigs at least several times a week.
In the summer, such a “stadium” can be set up at the dacha and the pigs can be released to graze, but under supervision. Be careful: neighbor dogs and cats will not stand on ceremony with these cute animals. Make sure there are no harmful or poisonous plants around.
Arrangement of the cage
Guinea pigs prefer open space, free space that allows them to run and frolic. You should not crowd the cage with many objects, but if space allows, stairs, houses, knots will provide a pleasant variety for your pet.
The pig's cage must contain:
- hay feeder;
- feeder for green, succulent food;
- drinking bowl;
- holiday house;
- special biological bedding or sawdust (changed regularly) intended for small animals.
Make sure the accessories are of good quality. It is better to choose ceramic, earthenware or plastic feeders; they can be retractable or attached to the floor. As for the drinking bowl, preference should be given to a good plastic or glass automatic drinking bowl (nipple) with a non-leaking ball valve - this is not only practical, but also hygienic.
Your guinea pig should have a safe place where he can hide from the light, rest, or sleep. Such a place will be a special house, which may already be sold together with the cage or can be purchased separately. It is best if the house has two exits, and the openings are wide enough so that the pet does not accidentally get stuck and get hurt in a panic, trying to get out of the “trap”. It is preferable to have a house without a floor, which is easier to clean, and with a flat roof, on which the pigs like to rest.
