Ok so im gunna get a guinea pig?

Question

i need care advice? can they live/play in one of those cages with all the little tubes that hamsters play in...because i think that would be cute...if not i'll just get her a ball....please give goood advice.

Answer 1

Guinea pigs are pretty big full grown, there's no way they could fit in a hamster cage.  They need a lot of room.  You can give them tubes to play it (like, oatmeal tubes) but slit them down the middle so the pigs don't get stuck.

Also, balls are very dangerous for piggies. You can get a small play yard (short, they can't jump/climb really) for floor time to keep them out of things, but a ball is very bad for their back.

ETA:  The balls (and wheels too) force the back into weird positions that piggies are not flexible enough for.  Their spines just aren't built for bending that way.  Plus, the slots in balls can often catch toes, and hurt them or the nail.

Answer 2

I agree with everyone else here..do not get a ball or cage with tubes.  Having had guinea pigs for over 30 years, I can tell you one thing that will make having a guinea pig as a pet much more enjoyable.  Handle them and hold them everyday!  Yes they need exercise but if you want your pig to be calm and relaxed around you, build trust by holding it and being gentle.  

One other word of advice I hope you take is do not, for any reason, leave your guinea pig outside unattended.  Dogs, cats, hawks, crows etc have gotten into cages/enclosures and killed guinea pigs.  In addition, they are not good at tolerating heat so they should be kept out of the sun and protected.  MIne loved to eat fresh (unfertilized) grass but I bring it to them rather than risk their lives outside.

Answer 3

Guinea pigs like freedom, I would get a big cage with little igloo's in it. And wood shavings on the bottom. My friend has a 4 guinea pigs, and she has a huge cage, and she occasionally lets them run around the house. If you can trust your family not to injure them. And guinea pigs are a lot bigger than hamsters so idk about the tubes.

Answer 4

Balls..they cant have them..they will be to big to fit into when big and it could hurt them too..tubes also they are to big for them..balls and tubes are for hamsters not guinea pigs..

Answer 5

ball=death

hamster cage= death

A guinea pig's back isn't made for those balls. It's not the right shape.

I recommend reading:

www.guinealynx.info

www.guineapigcages.com

www.cavyspirit.com

www.guineapigs.info

I hope I didn't miss anymore websites. I cannot sum up every, single bit of advice on those websites, because they have A LOT of information. Check them out for yourself.

-Landhermie

Answer 6

Guinea Pigs are cute little fury animals.  I have two of them, and the second one I just got today.  They're very warm and loving.  Just like any other small pet, the more time you spend with it, the more it will like you.  Guinea pigs enjoy fruit and vegetables.  Guinea pigs however DO NOT like those tubes that hamsters and other small pets live in.  They live in the same size cages as ferrets and rabbits.  Guinea pigs also DO NOT like those plastic balls for hamsters.  Guinea pigs enjoy any small place they can fit in such as wooden huts, plastic huts, round cardboard cylinders, etc..Guinea pigs do squeak alot, but usually that means they're happy!  Guinea pigs also need alot of room to run around in, so I suggest a big cage for just one.  As you go on, and this may take alot of time, but slowly but surely, you and your guinea pig will be friends forever.  I reccomend if you're not buying them directly from a breeder, buy them from a high class/quality store like Petco or Petsmart.  Other cheap stores sometimes have sick guinea pigs :(.  Anyways, good luck!

Answer 7

No. They cannot live in hamster cages. They are way too small and a newborn guinea pig couldn't even fit through those tiny tubes! And they cannot use rodent exercise balls. The balls hurt their backs because it causes their backs to curve in a 'U' shape, which is very unnatural for the guinea pig. It can permanently damage the guinea pigs spine and possibly be fatal.

They need large, flat cages with a lot of space for running around. Check out http://www.cavycages.com for more information on building a cage that is suitable for your guinea pigs needs.  

Answer 8

Go to Guineapigcages.com!  You can make a huge cage, and for very small price.  Also, stay away from the balls and leashes.  Hurts their li'l' spines.  Guinea pigs do love tunnels though, and you can add those to their cage.

Answer 9

Guinea pigs are too big for those tubes.  They are made for mice, hamsters and gerbils.  You can get really big balls for them, but they tend to be quite lazy and probably will be happy just hanging out in the cage or being on the ground (in a room with nothing on the floor and the door closed).  We would take ours and put them in the back yard.  They'd usually slowly wander around and eat grass.

Answer 10

there are some bigger cages with tubes that are made for guinea pigs, however the typical ones are much too small!!  You can get him a wheel to run in or a big ball to run around in your house!  They do need exercise or they will get very fat!!  I had a "run" made for my guinea pigs when i was younger.  It was about 2 feet wide and 6 feet long and i put it outside in the grass, the guinea pigs loved it and they need the nourishment anyway.  I always brought them in during the night though!  This was great exercise, was free food, and because they were outside much of the day, i didnt have to clean the inside cage as often!  3 pluses!