Guinea pigs

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you!

 

[Emx93]

How old are your boys now? They have hormone spikes at certain ages which can lead to bickering. My first two girls fell out majorly and had to be permenantly separated exactly a year after we got them we ended up spaying fluffy but they can also have fear aggression (which is more common in sows). Are you on the guinea pig forum? (Delete if not allowed) but they have some real experts on there and very helpful guides on bonds in trouble/ specific dynamics for boars/sows/mixed pairs/groups etc. Yeah piggies are definitely the most work of any pet I've had but they're definitely worth it it's great they calm down when you've picked them up (they never like the picking up part it's their prey animal instincts)

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thanks Em, yes, I am Truffolo on TGPF. Their guides have been massively useful and reassuring and people have been very supportive. My boars are about eight months old. Polo has become bigger than Truffle, but is very laid back and just wants to avoid fighting, but he is quite scared of Truffle at the moment and has stopped standing up to him and just runs away

 

[Socks' Mum]

I put two perspex panels into the Kavee C&C cage to try to overcome the problem of bar biting. They went up to the gap between the panels and both started chewing the edges I think if I park their houses in front of the gap they don't be able to get at it though. They are a demanding pet. When they get older, I think the vet bills could be quite expensive. They are very rewarding little fellows to have around!

 

[Maz]

They are certainly keeping you on your toes But they do sound fun.

 

[Emx93]

I put two perspex panels into the Kavee C&C cage to try to overcome the problem of bar biting. They went up to the gap between the panels and both started chewing the edges I think if I park their houses in front of the gap they don't be able to get at it though. They are a demanding pet. When they get older, I think the vet bills could be quite expensive. They are very rewarding little fellows to have around!

Aww they're so cute yes vet bills can be a bank crippler especially as they get older but they are worth it 3 of mine are on the older side and one has laser therapy and meds for her arthritis and the xray was nearly £600 to diagnose it so shes miss expensive pants of this year but my most expensive rainbow bridge piggy cost around £2000 if you include her euthanasia and cremation (and she was only 2 bless her she just had too many problems) xx

 

[Socks' Mum]

Miss Expensive Pants

 

[Socks' Mum]

Do you think insurance is worth getting? There are some companies listed on the Kavee website.

 

[Emx93]

Do you think insurance is worth getting? There are some companies listed on the Kavee website.

So with insurance they dont do lifetime insurance like with cats and dogs (or I would have it) so they're covered for a year and once they've had a condition never covered for it again. You also can't get insurance once they reach 4 (3 of mine are over 4) and it costs more per pig per month than lifetime insurance for my cat who is on long term medication. So instead I tend to pay what the insurance would cost into a savings account each month for them instead

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense.

 

[Doodleham]

Gorgeous piggies. I've enjoyed reading about them.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed reading about them!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you It's so hot it's 30C here. The piggies are surrounded by ice as if they are in the middle of an ice floe I will be extremely relieved when the temperature drops even by a few degrees. They are being good sports about it. Polo has a strange breathing issue which means he is back on Baytril bd and a vet appointment It clears up with Baytril but it is worrying as it keeps coming back, poor fellow

 

[Socks' Mum]

They are sweet. They need to have several dustpans of wee'd on woodshavings and poops removed twice a day, a constant supply of hay no matter what. People worry about canned goods for the apocalypse. Piggy keepers (piggy slaves) worry about hay, dream about hay When I got my piggies, Socks changed his schedule to 3am. He hated them. They squealed at him and he climbed onto the roof of their cage (I don't know how on earth he got up there) and glared at them like an angry ninja

 

[Maz]

I hope Polo improves soon - it’s cooling off a bit here - feels like it might rain.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Oh dear what a worry, I have been thinking of you all day. It’s 25 degrees in here but it seems cooler now (or I have adjusted)
But it is such a worry for pets
I hope it starts to get cooler soon and that Polo recovers.

Thank you

 

[Socks' Mum]

I hope Polo improves soon - it’s cooling off a bit here - feels like it might rain.

Oh, I hope so one of your rain comes South

 

[Socks' Mum]

I can just imagine him thinking what the heck have you dragged home? I bet he was jealous
Do the piggies deal with heat better than hamsters, or is it the same?

I think the main difference is that you can see them. But fur can't be comfortable at the moment They can't pant or sweat either. I think I will have to bite the bullet and get an air conditioner

 

[Socks' Mum]

I was considering of doing getting two rescue piggies years ago, but I heard that they have difficult digestive systems and also that they need a constant supply of hay. Someone else took them and they had experience with piggies. Now i constantly worry about Nibbles with the heat

I wonder if hamsters can slow down their metabolism for heat as well as cold Yes, they can be a bit fragile. They need company but can be fussy about who they want to live with I hope the temperatures drop soon

 

[Socks' Mum]

No hamsters just get very lethargic and overheat it is said 35 degrees + is dangerous.

It is worrying I keep looking at the piggies to check if they are eating and alert.