I am new to owning Guinea pigs - general questions

Question
Hi!  I recently got 2 female guinea pigs, last Saturday, the 7th of January in fact.  They're called Missy and Cookie.  I actually forgot to ask the pet store where I got them the breeds of them.  All I know is that one is about 8 weeks old and the other is about 10 weeks old.  If I send you pictures of them at a later stage could you tell me their breed?

Also I am rather worried about them.  Are they supposed to eat cardboard or newspaper?  They have eaten huge chucks out of the cardboard and newspaper.  Would it be bad for them?

Also there is a little redness on their skin and there is a little balding of their fur.  Is that caused by mites?  How often should I spray them when there are mites on them and when it is for precaution?

And after I spray them, they sometimes walk in their food and water bowl.  Would it be bad for them to do so?

And in their hutch-run, they always want to run away from me.  When they see me they always want to hide.  What can I do so they will love me more?

Cookie in particular always moves when I am holding her?  Why is this?  How can I make her move less?  Missy rarely moves and tries to get away.  Cookie always want to climb and see the outside world when she's eating grass!  :)

And when I put them back in the hutch after playing in the grass, they always want to run away and hide.  Why is this?  

I have also observed that they don't really like to sleep in their hutch area.  But rather they like to sleep under the ramp area.  What can I do to make them want to sleep in their actual sleeping area?

Thank you,
Joyce.

p.s. could you if it is possible for you to email me the answers.  thanks

Answer
Hi Joyce

I can't email you the answers because you havent given me your address. Please give me this and I will send you mine so you can send me the pictures.

Pigs will eat cardboard and newspaper and do them no harm at all.

Can you tell me where the bald patches are please? I have never sprayed my pigs to prevent mites. In fact, mites tend to be treated by anti-biotics as they burrow under the pigs skin. What are you spraying your pigs with?

It may be a good idea to keep them away from their food for a few minutes after spraying them so they don't make the food and water bad.

Regarding their behaviour, guinea pigs are prey animals so are naturally scared when a big human approaches them. They will gradually learn to trust you more with regular handling. Some pigs, like one of mine, barney, can be very skittish. This is their personality. Some pigs will sit quietly on your lap some will want their freedom. Cookie obviously likes grass lots!

They hide for the same reason as above, because they like to feel safe from dangers, but they also like to hide under things like they do in the wild.

Finally, they will sleep where they want. Guinea pigs know what they want to do, so there is really no point in trying to change that.

Andy