How many times a day do you need to feed your guinea pig?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Andy,
I wanted to know how many times a day you need to feed your guinea pig. Also, what times are best? 7:30am and 6:30pm? Also, lets say it is 6:30, can you give it a snack at 3:00 and feed it at 9:30? I can't do 6:30 because I am a gymnast. Also, how do you feed it? From a bowl, from your hand? Also, do they  go the restroom a lot? Because if during floor time they go to the bathroom, I won't be able to have floor time in my room. (which is the best place to have it). Oh and what toys can you give them? Also, do you have any ideas for a name for a white with brown spotted guinea pig?
Thanks so much,
Tollie

ANSWER: Hi Tollie

Try to feed twice per day at the same time each day. I just use a regular bowl but if you can hand feed veggies it will help the pig to become tame.

I feed at 8am and 7pm or thereabouts.

Piggies do poop a lot which is easy to pick up and pee but usually can be trained to pee in one particular place. I give floortime in my front room or in my back yard.

For toys anything they can hide in, run through like tubes etc is great and anything to chew like wood blocks etc.

I name my piggies after ice hockey players usually but if I had to choose a name to describe the pig you tell me about I would perhaps choose nutmeg.

Andy

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QUESTION: I really like the name Nutmeg! I am naming the Nutmeg (brown) And Cinnamon! (redish brown) I was wondering, so can I feed it at 7:30am and like 9:30pm? or will they already be asleep. Also, would it be better to feed it at 7:30am and 6:30pm? Oh and how to you train him to go to the bathroom in a certain place? Can you train him to like do a trick such as walk in a circle? Can you train him to do anything else? Thanks so much,
Tollie

ANSWER: Hi

It doesnt really matter what time you feed, just try to be consistent.

The idea for potty training is to put some soiled bedding in one place to encourage the pig to use that place regularly.

I have never taught my pigs to do tricks but there are some good videos on youtube.

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  I Andy,

I was wondering can you give them those over sized hamster balls for guinea pigs? (it says guinea pig on the box)Also, would it be better to have a 2 level cage? Would it be better if they had an igloo or a mini cozy cup. If the mini cozy cup is better, is bigger better? Sorry for asking so many questions I just want to make sure I know everything before getting one.
Thanks so much,
Tollie

Answer
Hi

You can ask as many questions as you need :)

Exercise balls are not suitable for piggies, despite the box.

A 2 level cage is good but I wouldnt say its better than a normal cage as it takes more cleaning.

My piggies love their igloos so I highly recommend those.

Andy