New owner

Question
I am new owner of 2 guinea pigs and i already love them... but i wanted to ask a few basic questions.
1.I built a c & c cage and was wondering that instead of using a fleece could i use a cheap rug and plastic under that way the poo can be vaccumed and pee can be spot cleaned?.
2.are there certain scratch spots and things like that that the guinea pigs like to be scratched/petted?
3. are there certain foods that guinea pigs like better than others?
4. are there any must have toys for the guinea pig that they just love and absolutley make him happy?
5.what are ways that i can bond with my guinea pig?
i just really want my guinea pig to be happy and popcorn all over the place.
please and thanks so much for your help.

Answer
Congratulations Brandon. You've discovered the wonderful world of cavies. Most people have no idea what endearing little creatures they are. They don't know that they will verbally interact with you and you'll soon learn the 'language' they use to let you know how they are.

To answer your questions I'll take them one by one.

1. Yes, you can use a piece of rug for bedding, but remember they're going to pee on it and it will need washing. The little poos are not a problem as they dry up quickly and don't really cause an odor.  But if you can't launder your rug or carpet piece you may run into an odor problem.  If you get a large piece of carpet sold in places like Lowe's you can cut up enough pieces that you can take one out, hose it down good, then put a dry piece in until the other one dries.  Cavies aren't real picky. They'll pee anywhere regardless of the color of the rug.

2. The most important thing to remember about petting your pigs is to always stroke them in the direction the hair grows. If you have an American with smooth short hair it grows from head to rear. A Teddy's hair grows upward and toward the head, so you stroke them from the rear to the head. Every pig has a little bald spot right behind each ear. I like to think that God put that there because when you're hold them and they put their head on your shoulder next to your neck it makes the perfect place to kiss.

3. Your first concern with food is to always buy a good quality pellet that doesn't have all the colored pieces, nuts, etc, in it. Those are just eye candy for the owners and have no nutritional value whatsoever. Grocery store food is not usually the best quality. If you have a feed store anywhere close to you call them and ask if they carry guinea pig food.  Kaytee makes an excellent product. Mazuri is also one of the best. You want a feed with about 18 - 20% protein. If you buy a large bag (25lb) it's much cheaper than buying the small bags.  

If you buy a large bag be sure to store it in a plastic (not metal) container. Metal degrades the vitamins in the feed. The difference between rabbit and guinea pig food is the Vit C. Cavies (guinea pigs) do not make their own Vit C and it is supplemented in their feed. Products like Mazuri put the milling date on their bags. It's not an expiration date. You want to use that feed within three months because the Vit C degrades by then.  

You can supplement their diet with parsley, lettuce, Kale, carrots (one of their favorites) and other fruits and veggies. If you like melons you eat the part you like, then cut the rinds into pieces and watch them dive in. Sometimes it take them awhile to decide what they'll like the best.  If they've never been offered treats like that they may not take to it right away. But give them time. They'll love it.  Just remember that these are treats, not a mainstay diet. They need the pellets.

If you do have a feed store that sells hay they will sometimes give you chunks from an open bale. I prefer Bermuda for mine, but alfalfa and orchard hay are also excellent for them. It keeps their digestive systems healthy, keeps their teeth worn down and they will love just laying around in it or chewing just because they like to chew.  

Alfalfa cubes are also excellent for chewing. Again the feed stores will often sell you small bags cheap. Pet stores in general are the most expensive places to buy feed, shavings, etc.  So shop around. Owning and caring for guinea pigs does not need to be costly at all. You've already found out how much you saved when you made them a C & C cage. You got a lot more bang for your buck already.

4. Cavies aren't big on toys, so don't waste your money.  They're pretty much just couch potatoes and don't spend a lot of time romping.  The best way to allow them to play is floor time. But make sure they're roped off so they can't get under the sofa or grab a lamp cord.  They also love to graze in the grass. Make a little corral and put something for shade in your back yard. Then sit down and watch them enjoy romping in the grass, eating it and just laying around in it. Don't every leave them alone outside because they are a quick meal for a predator be it dog or bird of prey that might come around. They also will die quickly if left in the sun. Fifteen minutes of hot sun and they're gone. You can get creative with making a little shade shelter, or use a beach umbrella to give them a shady place to go to.  

5. As for bonding, they love being held on your lap or in your arms. Sometimes it takes awhile when they're adjusting to their new environment. You will find that soon they will squeal with delight when they hear your refrigerator door open, or the rattle of a plastic bag because they quickly learn that the veggies come that way!  I have 65 pigs and you can't believe the chorus when they hear the bag of carrots coming.  

Most pigs will make you chase them when you try to pick them up. I think it's just a game they enjoy and once they're in your arms it's different. So don't feel like they don't like you when they run from you. You have to remember they are prey animals, and are already hard wired to run if they think they might get caught.

You will also find that when you stroke their heads they will toss the head up as if to shake you off. Again, this is a prey animal reaction. If a hawk or eagle or any other predator is going to grab them they always go for the neck. So the instinct is to toss the head up to rid themselves of whatever might be grabbing.  It's what we call a "knee jerk" reaction.  

I'd love to see a picture of your new pets. You will have hours of enjoyment from them. So welcome to the club.