Getting one

Question
I was looking at some skinny guinea pigs today and fell in love with them. I was wondering if i would be able to have one and keep it happy because im normaly not home on a regular basis, the most from around 9-5 at night during weekdays. But i also have a begal who is 4 years old but acts like 3 months old. She will try to play with it if im holding it, and fight for my attenchen untill she gets used to it. I live with three other people so there will be constant changing on who would be with it and caring for it. I just dont know if any of this would affect the care for it. thank you.

Answer
Hello Kat,

First off, piggies should always live in groups of 2 or more because they are social herd animals who need companionship of their own kind. That would help keep him from getting lonely too, especially when noone's home. Different people caring for them isn't a problem. They will get to know all of those in your home as their family and while it may be a bit of an adjustment for them at first, they will adjust just fine. Just make sure the feeding schedule doesn't get mixed up so they don't get fed or get overfed. As for the dog, be careful. Beagles, being a hound breed, instictually harm smaller animals. She will have to be strictly taught that the piggy is not to be harmed. Most people will tell you to just keep them separate but I don't agree. Dogs are intellegent and can be taught how to behave. If they are kept separate from the piggy all the time and never taught how to behave around it, if by some accident they are ever alone together, it will be a diaster and with animals, accidents do happen. I recommend having another person hold her on her leash while you hold the piggy. Let her get sniffing distance from the piggy but not quite touching distance, when she calms down, give her a treat and tell her she's good. Once that no longer excites her much (in following sessions not the same one), let her get a bit closer so she can put her nose up to the piggy but be ready to pull her back quickly if she gets too excited and say a firm, "No!" If she shows little to no interest in the piggy give her a treat and tell her she's good. Anytime she gets bored with the piggy treat her and tell her she's good and if she gets too excited tell her "No!" and eventually the piggy should no longer be a big deal. Since you said your dog acts like she's 3 months old, I'm going to assume she's quite hyper and playful and I advise never leaving her alone with the piggy. She may hurt the piggy on accident trying to play. However if a door is left open and the piggy gets out or the doggy gets in while noone is home, the training may help to save your piggy's life, so it is very important. I'm assuming these will be your first piggies so I'm going to send you a copy of the Rainbow Guinea Pigs care sheet to help you out a bit if you do decide getting piggies is for you. Good luck and may you make the best decision for you and your household.

Rainbow Guinea Pigs Care Sheet

Guinea Pigs (Cavies) are wonderful pets.  They are very social animals
who enjoy the company of humans or other Guinea Pigs.  They are best
kept in pairs.  Guinea Pigs rarely bite as long as they are not
mistreated.   

Housing

Guinea Pigs need to be kept in well ventilated, draft free, solid
bottom cages.  Wire bottom cages can seriously damage your Guinea Pig's
sensitive feet.  Their cages must be kept clean and dry or your Guinea Pig
may get sick.  Cedar and Pine shavings should be avoided as they have
been found to cause liver damage and could kill your Guinea Pig.  A
bedding made from paper, aspen shavings, kiln-dried pine, or hay is safer.  
IMPORTANT! Guinea Pigs should NOT be housed with rabbits.  For futher
information on why visit
http://www.rspcareadingguineapigs.co.uk/index_files/Page1693.htm


Feeding

Guinea Pigs need to be fed a diet of timothy-based Guinea Pig food to
get the proper nutrition.  They should also have a supply of timothy hay
to help with digestion.  IMPORTANT!  Guinea Pigs need Vitamin C or they
could get scurvy and eventually die. Most Guinea Pig foods have the
Vitamin C required by your pet, other rodent foods do not. They should be
fed in a heavy bottomed food dish to prevent them from dumping their
food on the bottom of their cage.

Guinea Pigs need a clean, constant supply of water.  This is best given
with a hanging water bottle so the Guinea Pig does not soil it's water.  
The water bottle should be cleaned regularly with a small baby bottle
brush.

Grooming

Guinea Pigs only need baths if they get particularly dirty otherwise
they keep themselves clean.  Your Guinea Pig may be brushed with a soft
cat brush to remove loose hairs.  Long haired breeds need extensive
grooming and are not recommended for beginners.

Handling

Always hold your Guinea Pig with two hands securely and supporting its
body.  Children should be supervised while handling any animal.  Guinea
Pigs should only be allowed out of their cages and allowed to play
under supervision and in enclosed "piggy safe" areas.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs