Should I make a C&C cage for my guinea pigs?

What things can I make to put in my Guinea Pigs cage?

• Okay, I adopted a Guinea Pig last week and got with him a pet shop cage. My friend brought some C&C for her rabbits and had some spare so I built Marley a 1X4 C&C cage, as well as his ...show more

• Answer:

  Well, first off, your guinea pig should have bedding. Agreed, it is very expensive, but the costs should have been looked at before adopting your guinea pig. If you cannot provide appropriate care for your guinea pig, perhaps you can give him to your friend? I know that most people do not want to, but if it's whats right and better for your guinea pig, you should understand that actions need to be taken. I use Carefresh bedding, and although it is very expensive, it lasts much longer than wood shavings (I've used both and that's my opinion). It absorbs their urine and smells much better, and most definately has less allergens. I recommend the grey because its the most cost-effective. The white is very dusty, mind you, and my guinea pis didnt seem to like it very much. Sometimes you get the free samples of colored shavings with the grey if you order it online, and its nice to sprinkle those throughout the bedding sometimes. Without any sort of bedding, guinea pigs will fort sores on their feet. Also, standing/laying/sleeping in their own urine and feces creates a multitude of problems such as sores, smell, and skin infections. Unfortunately, one of my guinea pigs got this just from being sick and laying in the same spot. She lost alot of fur on her butt and legs, but luckily its grown back since she's gtten better. You can always buy less expensive bedding such as wooden shavings, but if your not a wood-smell kind of person I wouldnt recommend them. They tend to make your room smell like wood! However, dont get the kind that have a strong smell, because remember if its smells strong to you, then it's going to smell REALLY strong to your guinea pig. There's always the option of newspaper, fleece blankets, or paper towels (these are very cost-effective, but need to be changed every-day). Regardless of how many people have said the paper towel tubes are good, they are NOT! I have personal experience with this. I have 6, mind you one of them is over 10 years old so I think I know what I'm talking about here. Cardboard is an unnatural item for guinea pigs to be chewing on, and so is digesting it. Dont go by the "just because they eat it means its fine" rule. Guinea pigs eat carpeting, wires, plastic, and much more and it's entirely awful for them. Half the time they cannot digest or chew it. It can create blocks in their digestive track. One of my guinea pigs ate a pretzel (just a pretzel!) and it blocked her intestine. She had to take a wierd medicine that made her poop alot until it finally came out! You can buy hay or wood tunnels at a pet store/tractor supply/online for anywhere from $5-15. I would recommend getting the wood ones since they will last the longest. You can always find things around your home like twigs. I know it sounds crazy, but as long as they havent been sprayed with any pesticides or anything, and your thoroughly sure they are not infested with any sorts of bugs. Good luck, and I hope I helped and made sure you understood things more correctly. I'm only trying to prevent your guinea pig from getting sick or hurt :") http://www.petco.com/product/3370/Carefresh-Natural-Pet-Bedding.aspx?CoreCat=firstinresult_carefresh