Hi Sarah. Thank you so much for posting this video and for mentioning in it the dangers of hay racks. This is how I lost one of my piggies recently. She managed to get her head stuck in the top of it. Unfortunately, it was too late by the time we found her. I removed all the hay racks and hay balls after this and threw them away. It was heartbreaking to find her like that. I did post it on FB too. Thank you.
I'm so very deeply sorry for your loss Helen, I can only imagine how awful that must have been. Thank you so much for having the courage to share this as well, hopefully we can prevent this happening to other innocent piggies ❤
I found this channel searching for help for our sick guinea pig. He's about 2 1/2 years old and has been really lethargic for the last 3 to 4 days. I'm worried about him, and the vet can't get him in until Tuesday. Do you have any advice? My husband use to raise and show them, but that was 35-40 years ago. We rescued him from a miserable situation, and he's part of our family. I'd really appreciate any info. Thanks
I still buy the vitamin c tablets from Oxbow, my guineapig thinks it's a treat and she goes insane when I shake the container I keep it in. I trained her to put her paws up on her house when she wants the vitamin and as soon as I give it to her, she yanks it from my hands and runs into her house and happily eats it. She loves it so much and it's so cute to see her go crazy for her treats.
I have a pic of my piggy back when we first got him, he was so tiny and got himself in his hay rack and was just chillin there munching away minding his own business ❤️ 2 years later it's hard to imagine him being that small 😁
Thank you for posting this,I have a guinea pig and luckily I have never done these things to any of my piggies I think I am a great owner but thank you so much for letting me know! I now know to never buy those items not that I ever did but thank you.
6:01 I'm glad you mentioned treats and foods! When I got my guinea pig cage, they had extra supplies and food that they gave me, the pellets were from Walmart and they had all sorts of unnecessary seeds and nuts and things, and yogurt drops treats too (good for rats and mice but not for pigs!) But yeah I pulled the pellets out of the food, tossed the nuts and fruit loop things, and switched them to Oxbow, they definitely like that better and it's healthier for them too. Thanks and have a blessed day :)
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I used to have piggies 12 years ago. Now that I have kids, I am planning to take in piggies again. This is a nice refresher course. 🥰
Thank you for the great advice. I lost my Husband 6 weeks ago, I'm a huge animal lover and going to get some piggie fur babies for company soon. Your videos are really helpful.
I would definitely give them vitamin c. my guinea pig had vitamin c as an ingredient in her food, and I gave her vitamin c rich veggies and she still got scurvey. Her entire back end was paralyzed. Even if they *eat right* it's often still not enough. Also a helpful tip for guinea pig lice, I covered mine with coconut oil for a day or so, it killed the lice and actually helped with their dry skin! :D then I washed them with dawn dish soap wich is gentle and piggy safe.
Dawn isn't safe. I learned this because of gardening. You can use Dr. Bronners unscented or as I do make your own with oil, potassium hydroxide, and distilled water. It's also the cheapest way to😊
When I go to big animal stores with these no no products I take them off the shelves and hide them especially leads and harnesses and if balls and wheels have pictures of piggies I rip the pictures off lmao it's disgusting I can't stand it
Oh my god I feel like such a bad guinea pig owner... The only treat I give my guinea pig are habels... And those sticks that you mentioned aren't healthy... You know the ones that have nuts and seeds😓😢😢😢😢😢😢
The only time I got vitamin C drops were bc my piggies were sick. It happened when I got back from vacation my neighbor was supposed to feed them and my dad accidentally fed them the wrong hay so they didn’t eat hay all week and when I got back one was dead and my other one was fine but skinny and the other ones legs were weak.only one survived but then I got a new pig for the one who survived😢
Thank you so very much for the good advice. Your piggies have ALWAYS looked clean healthy and happy. ALOT of people don't realize that guineas have a very short lifespan, in retrospect toost domesticated animals. I agree with you 100% and I learned a few things also. You are wise for your young age. And a pretty young lady also. I love your scent. I am in Michigan, USA. Again thank you and I hope you never don't have piggies or don't stop making videos. 😊
I had the second hay rack for my first guinea pig, Silvia, one morning I found her upside down and I felt so guilty, I don't really know how she died and my parents didn't bother to tell me. Now after 10 years I want to get another guinea pig, I wanna do everything right, thanks for this video..
So interesting. Fortunately I have never ever used any of the nasty products on my two female guinea pigs. Thankyou for your advice and being helpful to New Guinea pig owners. ❤
Guinea pigs need 50mg of Vitamin C per day yellow peppers have the most Vitamin C so you only need give them one sixth of a pepper, Red pepper a third and Green pepper a half.
Love this video. I know I get so angry when I see some of these crazy guinea pig gimmicks in the stores. I feel they should not be allowed to sell such things that could hurt your piggy.
We have just bought 2 new piggies after not having any for a few years….the pet store really pushed these products…treats …wood chews….salt licks despite us saying we have owned several piggies before they would not let us take them away without buying all this stuff….I knew it was not good for them…..they are now IN THE BIN!
Oh my goodness! Was that Pets at Home? Wouldn't surprise me one bit! It's like they're "programmed" to sell unnecessary products, and dangerous ones too. I only buy from my little local pet shop, and refuse point blank to buy from a chain store. Sorry for rambling, but my local pet shop is run by mature, knowledgeable and lovely ladies🙂😍 And my piggies love the fresh hay and pellets ❤🐹
This was so informative! I have had guinea pigs as a young child and used a lot of the products that you say not to use. Now as an adult and getting guinea pigs for my kids, I am glad I can do better :)
Great info as ever, learned a couple new things on bedding too. I recall my hamster (when I was much much younger!) had a plastic ball, seems mad when you think about it! And although harnesses are a very clear no no, anything that are designed for piggies to wear, jumpers, costumes, hats - really don’t like them. I know there’s debate and caveats here - should Skinny pigs have warmth etc? But for me, no clothing. Piggies are beautiful as they are :)
I'm a new owner to a guinea pig. This definitely helped me understand more of what to get and what not to waste my money on. Im trying to find him a mate or buddy at least.
I have gave my Guinea pigs those drop things before only three one for each Guinea pig but now we rarely do that anymore and just stick to hay and veggies for my piggy’s
I would love the R.S.P.C.A and Vets have control over the manufacturers when it comes to pet products! Like yourself a lot of us have been down that road back in the day! Thankfully we are passionate about our animals and have done the research, and wow! haven't we come a long way! We hope and pray new owners are just as passionate and our Furry Family have the best life possible! ❤️ Excellent video !🏆
My mom got salt rock licks and normally I just scrape off the salt and eat it myself 😭🤚 (she got a tunnel he can chew on to entertain him or sometimes get his teeth to stop growing for a few mins) edit:OML SHE GOT THE HANGING WOOD TOY TOO😭 my moms gotta calm down 😶
Also... I have a guinea pig lead and harness I'm so sorry I really really really really really didn't know that they were harmful or bad.. I hate myself right now
Does someone have some tips on how my piggies arent extremly scared of me anymore? I have had mine for 3 weeks now and they are still hysterically running away as soon as I move. I mean I actually got them to eat 4 or 5 lettuce leafes out of my hand today but I still have the feeling that they are way to scared for 3 weeks living with me or is that normal?
Very informative and helpful video Sarah! I did not know that there were harnesses or leads - that is crazy!! You have forever changed how I now hear and think of the 'B' word 😂! Love it. I wish there was some accountability in the pet industry - there are so many gimmicks and down right dangerous products on the market.
quick question, are hay bags safe? my piggies have hay bags and they love to go into them, the bags have a large opening so they can easily get in and out. but i just wanted to ask if they're safe.
it frustrates me how many people think piggies need monthly baths, i currenly have 12 piggies 2 of them came to me a little over a year ago and only just got their first bath because one is elderly and lays in her pee often so had developed an over powering scent. the other liked to cuddle with her and the scent had rubbed off on her even though she wasnt laying in pee most of the time. the only piggie who gets a regular bath is our Sheltie pig because some how though hes a healthy moving boy his but gets soaked in pee so smells along with knotting up. he neutered and lives with 7 ladies (not the 2 from above) so also gets pee'd on often when he tries to be romantic LOL.
Thank you for making this video. I have always been worried my piggies are not getting enough vitamin C without those drops. But it looks like they are.
thank you so much for posting this I am knew to owning guinea pigs and these video's have been so informational. I have fallen for some of these items and it is so informative to not what not to buy.
hey! thanks for this.we have 31 gunieapigs, its helpfull,And is a great idea because like you said in the vid, new owners fall for thease traps so thank you for creating a video on things to not get them :) {PERSONAL OPPINION!} with grooming products it does depend for me, BUT ofcorse this is my personal oppinion and yes- most of thease are great and thanks {this is a personal oppion- not me critisising!!!} It depends with showing, as the greese glands have to be clean, but not to the point where its harmfull or painful. its under the grooming for hymalayans, and let me be honest, the judges in my experiances are alwasy gentle and freindly, constantly reasureing the piggys.
hi i'm getting guinea pigs today and i was wondering what type of chews toys i need to get my piggies or if they even need chew toys i'm just wondering if you knew cause your an expert!🥰
Just wondering what happends if your Guinea pig might need a harness if you take it out in the garden to Niebel on Grass and let them look around can you use the harness then??? Cause we have a Fence at the back and where scared if it dosent have a harness on it might escape and get out of the Fence and we have no back board to stop it if it gose through the fence. So is it okay to use a harness of still no?
1. in nearly 30 years of being piggis owner i bought that once. Pigy was absolutly not intrested ;) 2. this is exact thing what my vet told me - if hay in cage ends, fill it up and back teeth will be fine 3. vitamin c desintegrates in water after 30 minutes.
Keeping them on fleece is just so bad on so many levels! Its really bad for the environment because you have to wash it all the time and they shed plastic fibres and microplastics with every wash. If they aren't washed all the time, they become wet, dirty and smelly very quickly. As piggies noses are so close to the ground, they also breathe in the plastic fibres and ammonia smell and can get severe breathing problems. Its totally against their nature as they are grazing animals - basicslly little sheep and certainly not like dogs or cats! They should be kept on all natural bedding, a layer of dust extracted hard- wood shavings covered with a layer of pet certified soft straw and then a thick layer of hay on top to graze and bury in at all times. If possible, they should be kept outside or at least given a few hours in an outside run so they can graze on fresh grass and wild herbs. It makes my blood boil to see people claiming to be "experts", giving their advice to a worldwide unsuspecting audience and yet still promoting such unhealthy und ecologically irresponsible ways to keep guinea pigs. Pleae stop!!
Thanks for this. Im new to pigs so im a little lost. Im trying to design a habitat for them, im a pretty good carpenter but ive noticed that pigs are....um, clumsy. I want to make sure they cant hurt themselves.
My solution for the hayrack is to have one that doesn't have that 'v' shape that guinea pigs can get stuck in. It's loosely attached to the side and they can't get inside. There's safety, and there's exaggeration. Not all hay racks are created equal and some common sense is required when selecting one, but to exclude them altogether isn't necessary. Another solution I like is to buy one of those wooden houses for them and put the hay on top. It's low enough that they can easily reach it, but not as much hay lies on the ground for them to pee on.
I had a one piggie named Jessica when I was younger and i've recently been looking into getting them again your videos have really helped especcialy i learnt that you should have at least two piggies. Thank you so much! (My piggie looked just like the one at 8:43 it made me so sad i miss her)
great video! i have my own you tube channel for guinea pigs (showing them mostly) but would love to possibly do some work together to get these sort of messages out to other people who keep cavies
Well, I will not buy another salt lick which is not used often. And will hang my one and only wood chew and not use it again and will not use the metal hay ball! THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your advice!
I have two guinea pigs. We keep them on a very healthy diet - vegetables, fruit, hay, pellets, straw, woodchips (not to eat, but just as a bedding). We used to buy them these bars where it looks like all of the nuts have been stuck together, and they werent really a fan of them, so we switched to Dandelion Salad, (we purchase ours from Healthy Harvest brand ) and they love it! We drop some outside of their house in their cage or on their food bowl and we really recommend this as a healthy snack for any guinea pig, really. They have been loving it ever since.
My piggy Paddington got his head stuck in his play area when we first got him i was looking after him and his brother George Paddington luckily survived I just went to get water then he made slot of noise and I came back with his head stuck in the bar his head was so tiny I have four piggys now they are adorable and I am glad u said wood chews I use to get them from my pet shop near me I'm glad u said now I will not use them I never used a plastic ball but my cousin did and also used a hay rack sadly her piggys died :( r.i.p
When I was really little me and my friend would put her hamster on a towel then pick it up and say we were teaching it to fly... we did not deserve a pet. Luckily we don't do that anymore. I was literally making my shopping list while watching this.
Thank You so much. I bought several harnesses and leashes. They are now in the trash. I'm a new piggie owner. You have been so helpful. my plan is to build them a leggo cage.
Hello Sarah... I recently purchased. The Clip on Bags with holes. Cause the cage I got was huge and meant for rabbits so the hay feeder was a bit too high. Well they love the hay bag that holds that clips on the side of the cage.. maybe abit too much and sometimes will sit in there and eat.. and poo and pee... I tried to wash the first one I had.. with dye free / scent free detergent and it did not survive the wash. I don't want to have to buy over and over again the same type of bag. Have you ever used these kinds of feeders? How did you clean them? The one I had was pretty big. Had 4 holes on the front that hay stuck out of. I was thinking soaking them to wash.. but I did not know if I could use anything to get the odor out and any bacteria killed from poopies and pee.. lol. Any suggestions would be appreciated... love your videos.. and your accent! haha
Hamsters are terrifying creatures when it comes to what there social time is but.. Guinea pigs are just theme without there gross percs but guinea pigs are just overall better
i have the same stuff as you! so far, the cage is getting a bit too small for them however, we are nearly done our saving for a new, bigger one!i can't wait to get rid of this cage! they are still very young and small, so I'm not too concerned about it yet! as I am a new piggy owner this was really helpful! Thank you!!
I have a hay rack but it's on one of the outside pens for my older piggies and is always supervised when there out as the tops not covered is that ok or is it still dangerous?
2:41 i did do somthing like this with card board of toilet paper rolls but they dont chew the cardboard i put hay in it cause its like a ball with 1 other ring in it and they need to pull the hay out its a fun toy they love it
