Reddit reviews Ecotrition Snak Shak Large Activity Log For Guinea Pigs And Rabbits

First, thank you so much for taking the little guy in and going to the trouble to learn about how to give him a good life and take care of him! Ok now for a novel...

You are on the right track about needing a bigger cage, I don't know what kind of cages you are looking at, but I recommend C&C cages. They are really great, and if you find yourself having a bit more room, you can always expand them. My two pigs are in this one: http://www.guineapigcagesstore.com/candc-cage-deluxe-wide-large and they love it.

Also, you are right that they are social animals. You should try to get him a little buddy if you can! Do not get this little buddy from a pet store though because A) pet stores are notorious for not only poor treatment and health of guinea pigs, they are terrible at sexing them, and you could end up with a lot more pigs that you bargained for :) and B) there are LOTS of guinea pigs in need of adoption at shelters and rescues because, as you can see, people ditch them without a second thought.

For food, he should have lots and lots of hay, timothy is most common, but occasionally I buy orchard grass as well, and plain pellets without seeds or fruit or anything in it. I buy Oxbow brand for hay and pellets. Guinea pig pellets have Vitamin C in them, which is why you shouldn't give them rabbit pellets or food for some other small animal, even if it looks the same. He should always have fresh water, in a bowl is fine if you don't have a bottle yet. Fresh veggies should be given often, this is their other source of Vit C, my girls love lettuce, bell peppers, cucumber and carrots. Fresh fruit can also be given occasionally, but you don't want to give it as often. my girls get a couple of strawberry tops a week and occasionally the end of a banana. You also want to be careful not to give them too many veggies that are high in calcium, like kale, because they can develop stones. They can have them occasionally, just not all the time. Most treats at a pet store aimed at guinea pigs are also not really good for them, such as yogurt treats and seed sticks. Your pig will be ecstatic about veggies, so don't feel like you're depriving him of anything :)

Guinea pigs are prey animals, so they are very good at hiding pain and illness, which is why it's good practice to weigh them often, as change in weight is often an indication of something being wrong. Generally keep an eye on their eating habits, poop, and drinking habits, so you will notice when something changes and can take them to a vet if something is wrong. If you do suspect something is wrong, don't hesitate to go to the vet. A guinea pig's health can decline really quickly, so time is often of the essence.

For toys, make sure he has something to hide in, like a house or igloo. He should also have stuff to chew on, mine have a log like this and they love it. Tubes are a huge hit with pigs, big ones that they can run through, and toilet paper rolls that they can toss around and chew on. You can also stuff some hay into a toilet paper tube to really blow your pig's mind.

I'm sorry this is so long, but I hope it has helped, and I hope you enjoy your new pig! They are really endearing creatures :) Feel free to message me if you have questions as well.

And each rat has their own preferences when it comes to treats, explore a range of fruits, veggie, yogurt, jams, crackers... do basic research (nothing too acidic). Plenty people on here make their own hammocks and sleeping areas, I've personally bought maybe 5 of https://www.amazon.com/eCOTRITION-Snak-Edible-Activity-Large/dp/B004UMMXDG these (sorry, mobile, I don't link right). Perfect of sleeping in plus its edible and good for keeping claws/teeth trimmed.

You can get them from most major pet suppliers and Amazon here

On top of what everyone else says, this helps keep my buns busy. I try to always have one around for them to chew instead of my baseboards. But know it does get better with time. Just make sure you are nicely telling him no. Don't yell at him though. I ask mine "What are you doing" and then gently shoo them away, then tell them in a happy voice that they are good boys for listening to me. That way they aren't afraid of you but still understand that your word is the rules.

https://www.amazon.com/eCOTRITION-Snak-Edible-Activity-Large/dp/B004UMMXDG/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1500659258&sr=8-9&keywords=rabbit+chew

I wouldn't recommend this type of design. The gaps are too small, and it's possible that your pigs may try to climb in from the top and become stuck and/or injure themselves or worse. There are actual hay feeders with a similar design to this (such as this one) which have caused deaths for the aforementioned reasons, see low rated reviews for the one linked as proof. I'd suggest either a hay bag (there are many different types, search around) or a snak shak, or just anything that isn't super narrow with an open top like that.

One of my buns is like this, or rather she used to be. She still loves food, but she's not as desperate about it I suppose. It's probably because your bun is going through a transition in homes, which will most likely have different feeding times, options, etc.

The thing that has helped my Penny is a feeding schedule and a good amount of hay and greens. They have their breakfast salad around 9am and their pellets in the later afternoon. They have come to expect breakfast at a certain time now. So it's very funny to watch them assume the position to remind me if I should ever run late. They sit in a very specific spot in the living room, where I usually put the plate down and wait. But it also helps because Penny knows exactly when she will be fed now, so she doesn't have to worry about when's the next time she'll get food. I think this helps keep her leveled out.

As for your bun getting access to the trash and such - maybe get a trash can with a swing lid? And obviously get human food out of his reach.

My buns love chewing on those big logs you can get from PetCo. Maybe you could try one of these? My buns work together on them and they are usually chewed down to unusable bits in a month. Here is a link.