Guinea Pig Checklist
You will need these things before you bring your new cavy/cavies home..
.
1-A proper cage. The most important thing you need!
These are bad, BAD Cages!
DO NOT waste your money on the "Guinea Pig Starter Kit" (1) available in stores for approx. 70.00.
They are too small for even one guinea pig.
PLEASE stay away from the deceivingly attractive, but poorly ventilated and isolating, ZOOZONE cages (2) !
We do not recommend anything under 2'x3', but as far as guinea pig cages go, BIGGER is BETTER!
So please, PLEASE...
Your VERY best option is to take the time to explore guineapigcages.com.
They will show you how, with little time and effort, you can build a better cage, called a "C&C cage",
for only around $40.00!!!
If you would prefer, for a small fee,we can even build it at the Jiggley Piggley Farm for you!
All you have to do is supply the materials.
- The grids you see on guineapigcage's webbsite, are available at Walmart, and many other stores, sometimes
under the brand name,"Cubic Design". They are usually found in the storage or hardware departments.
- Coroplast, or corrugated plastic, is avaailable by the sheet, at Reno Depot, and probably
other renovation stores as well.
*NOTE* Don't bother to ask for these products at either Walmart and Reno Depot, they will often insist
that they do not carry any such products. Don't give up looking, they ARE there!
If you still decide that you absolutely must buy a prefabricated cage, acceptable 2x3 ft cages (and some
even a bit larger) are availabe in pet stores as Rabbit Cages.(3)
Advantages of the pet store cage over the "C&C cage"...
1 - It's covered to protect from dogs or cats (you can make covers for your C&C cage too though!).
Disadvantages of the pet store cage...
1 - They are expensive, about $100.00 or up.
2 - It's awkward to access your pets through the small doors on top. Although a few models have front doors too.
3 - They offer pretty much only the minimum acceptable space for your animals.
Moving on from cages....
2-A medium - large size water bottle. Get a good quality bottle because there is nothing more annoying than a leaky bottle!
3-A non-spill food bowl.
There are very good ceramic, and stainless steel bowls, available in the pets
section of most "dollar" stores. No need to buy expensive pet shop bowls!
4- Pine shavings (not cedar) "by the bale". Don't waste your money on small quantities sold in pet stores.
You can buy bales at Wal-Mart or animal supply stores.
5-Guinea Pig Pellet food. Due to the fairly short shelf life of vitamin C,
just purchase enough for a couple of weeks at a time. DO NOT waste your money
on expensive guinea pig food with seeds and kibble etc. mixed in. Guinea pigs are
NOT seed eaters! They will just toss these things aside to get at the pellet food!
This also applies to most "guinea pig treats", especially Honey/Seed Sticks. They
don't particularly like these "treats", and your pet could choke on all those seeds.
Treat them with a variety of healthy, fresh greens instead!
6-Hay - Timothy hay or mixed grasses (NOT alfalfa) are an essential part of a guinea pig diet.
Jodie's Jiggley Piggley Farm has high quality mixed grass hay available! Don't pay high pet store prices for a low quality product!
7-Fresh fruit and vegetables.
8- Nail clippers for a dog or cat.
9- Kwik Stop - styptic gel or powder to stop bleeding if you should cut a nail too short. Available at pet supply stores.
10- A soft brush - for pets or humans.You only need this if you have a semi or long hair guinea pig
11- Access to the internet or a good guinea pig care book.
Recommended reading....Our personal favorite
"The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs", by Peter Gurney available at Chapters but may have to order it.
Also available online through The Winking Cavy Store.
We also consider the websites
Cavy Spirit andGuinea Pig Cages to be MUST READ information for new guinea pig owners.
Please explore them thoroughly...
We offer the following for you and your guinea pigs:
* Adoptions & Rescue*
* High Quality, reasonably priced guinea pig and rabbit hay*
* Small animal boarding * Grooming * De-licing
* Second hand cages
* We are happy to help by email, or phone with your guinea pig health,
care, and aquisition questions.
Centrally located in Pointe Claire, Quebec
Contact us by email
or call 514-697-5718