Choosing a pig
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Choosing a pig
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Step one: Research
I cannot stress enough about researching. Its often too common to find some owners feeding them steak! Some great sites to read and do research are on the quick links section at the left.
Step two: Choose a place
Choose a place to get your pig. The best are rescues, and shelters, as many pigs there need a home. Most shelters will have proper care given, and they are usually neutered or spayed. Then afterward should be show breeders. They can be expensive, but most will gladly give them away at a low price if they need to give pigs away. Last should be backyard breeders and pet stores. Many breeders are good, but most are just ploys to earn money, and the pigs can have many health problems. Same problems exist in pet stores, but worse. Most of the staff wont take care of them right, and many pigs are mis- sexed too. Chances are that they will be infested with mites, and have a respiratory infection. In fact, Most pet store pigs come from backyard breeders, which are breeders who breed just for the money, and don't care about the pigs.
Step three: Preparing for a visit
No matter where, there is a chance the pig will have health problem. A good idea is to find an experienced vet, and have them come with you, and see if the pigs are healthy enough. Also a good idea is to bring a leaflet with you to check the health. You should bring a sexing sheet, because even some shelters sex them wrong. So things to make sure of are:
*A fit animal that feels firm on handling.
* Eyes should be bright and clear, with no discharge, opaqueness, crustiness
or injury.
* The nose should be clear with no discharge, and no rattling noise on
breathing.
* Check the teeth, or ask to be shown them, the front teeth should be even
and chisel-shaped. uneven front teeth can indicate trouble with the back
teeth.
* There should be no wetness around the mouth, or any drooling. It's alright
is the guinea pig has just been drinking, some of them are really messy with
their drinking water.
* The ears should be clean, without excessive wax, and not smell.
* The coat should be shiny and free from lice or fleas, with no bald patches
(a bald spot behind each ear is normal)
* The skin should not have breaks, dandruff or have scabs or pimples.
* Make sure the candidates are not pregnant
* Make sure to shop around different places, to get a good idea of it.
Step four: Shopping!
You should shop for the supplies before you get the pig. Here is a shopping list.
A cavy cages cage! (www.cavycages.com)
Quilts as bedding or Aspen shavings
Hideouts, such as pigloos or timber hideaways
A litter box (or two, or three...) high-corner litterpans are good for the
cage since they take up less space
Timothy hay available at all times for piggies over 6 months, add alfalfa
for piggies under 6 months. Put it right in the litter pan since piggies
love to play and hide in it
Food bowls, ceramic and heavy so they don't tip over
Oxbow Cavy Cuisine is (in my humble opinion) the best for piggies over 6
months. Cavy Performance for those under 6 months
Water bowls or bottles, depending on your preference mainly
A spray bottle filled with vinegar and paper towels for cleaning the
coroplast cage bottom
Lots of fruits and veggies. Some good ones are apple, baby carrots, normal carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion, bell peppers,, kiwi, lettuce (not iceberg), raspberries, and tomatoes. NEVER give meat, or potatoes
Step five: Taking the pig home
Ok, you have the cavies you want, but the ride has to be good. What is recommended is a box or tiny dog or cat travelers. Which ever one is chosen, make sure someone is holding it in a lap, or it is secured down with a seatbelt. Make sure that you go straight home, its not uncommon to hear stories of that two guinea pigs died when they were left in the hot sun in the car, even in the shade, while the family stopped at a restaurant. Also, make sure you have all the supplies.
When you first get it, don't cuddle and hug it. Give it about 2 days of getting used to in. If your pet runs in a hidey home when you walk by, don't be worried, he is just scared and not used to a new home.
:
Cavy spirit, a great site
Guinea Lynx, a medical site
Petshub, a great forum
Quick Links
Cavy Cages
Guinea Lynx
Cavy Spirit
Petshub
Pigloo
Wheekers
UK adoption
US adoption
Treens Page
Tyler Smith Site
