Incalux
Tibetan Terriers
































 

Rex & Pet
Guinea Pigs
 Holiday Boarding for Guinea Pigs Now Available

Cavy Sows


                     Kizzy - Pet Sow                                                Eggstar Sally - Pedigree Rex                             Eggstar Meg - Pedigree Rex           

Cavy Boars


                Eggstar Harry - Purebred Rex                  Eggstar Magic - Infertile Funky Boar               Syd - Castrated Pet Rescue                  

Baby Guinea Pigs Occasionally For Sale

Enquiries from loving and permanent homes for
Cavies are welcome from adults over 18 years old



A typical litter of Pedigree Rex which were born 13th February 2010 Eggstar Harry to Eggstar Meg
1 Boar & 1 Sow

Guinea Pig Boarding

I NOW HAVE THE FACILITIES TO BOARD YOUR PET GUINEA PIGS
TARIFF:
SINGLE GUINEA PIG        £ 2.00      PER DAY OR PART THEREOF
BONDED PAIR                  £ 3.00      PER DAY OR PART THEREOF
MAXIMUM 2 PER HUTCH
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS  -  10, BASED ON 2'S SHARING
DROP  OFFS   AND   COLLECTIONS   BY   APPOINTMENT  ONLY
FOOD SUPPLIED   -   SPECIAL DIETS AND MEDICATION GIVEN
 BY PRIOR AGREEMENT ONLY.
 OTHER SERVICES:
 GUINEA PIG SHAMPOO, CONDTION AND BLOW DRY £ 5.00
NAIL TRIMMING £ 2.00

Guinea Pig Care

GUINEA PIGS ARE RODENTS - THEIR NEAREST RELATIVE IS THE CHINCHILLA.
GUINEA PIGS OR CAVIES ARE ODOURLESS DUE MAINLY TO THEIR HERBIVOROUS DIET AND THEIR METICULOUS GROOMING REGIME.

 FEEDING:
 YOUR GUINEA PIG MUST ALWAYS HAVE DRY FOOD, HAY AND FRESH WATER AVAILABLE.  THERE ARE 3 MAIN CONSTITUENTS TO THE GUINEA PIGS DIET, CEREAL - COMMERCIAL GUINEA PIG MUESLI OR PELLETS, FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES & HAY. THE CHOICE OF WHETHER TO USE A CEREAL/MUESLI TYPE MIX OR ALL-IN-ONE PELLETS IS ENTIRELY YOURS.   NEVER GIVE YOUR GUINEA PIG RABBIT FOOD.  

GUINEA PIGS ARE UNABLE TO MAKE VITAMIN C IN THEIR BODIES AND FOODS MADE ESPECIALLY FOR GUINEA PIGS WILL CONTAIN VITAMIN C ADDITIVES. THEY ALSO GET VITAMIN C FROM DAILY FRESH GREENS.   IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER GRASS IS A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN C - BUT NOT LAWN MOWINGS.

GUINEA PIGS WILL EAT MOST FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, THOUGH EACH ONE MAY HAVE IT'S PARTICULAR PREFERENCES.   FAVOURITES ARE CARROTS, SPRING GREENS, CELERY, CABBAGE, CAULIFLOWER LEAVES, PARSLEY, BROCCOLI & CUCUMBER.   YOU CAN ALSO TRY MELON, TOMATO, CELERIAC, PEAR, BANANA   & OF COURSE, DANDELION LEAVES.

LETTUCE, APPLE & THE WHITE OF A CAULIFLOWER SHOULD ONLY EVER BE GIVEN IN MODERATION AS THEY CAN CAUSE DIARRHOEA.   TOO MUCH APPLE COULD ALSO GIVE YOUR GUINEA PIG A SORE MOUTH   BECAUSE OF IT'S ACID CONTENT.
WE DO NOT FEED POTATOES OR LETTUCE.   REMEBER TO REMOVE ANY UNEATEN GREENS THE NEXT DAY.

MANY GUINEA PIGS LIKE THE MINERAL/SALT LICKS THAT YOU CAN BUY FROM PET SHOPS.

IT IS ADVISABLE TO ALWAYS FEED AT THE SAME TIMES EACH DAY.   I FEED CEREAL AND HAY IN THE MORNING AND VEGETABLES/FRUIT IN THE EVENING.   ALWAYS CHECKING THE WATER.   YOUR GUINEA PIGS WILL SOON LEARN THE ROUTINE AND GREET YOU WITH HAPPY "WHEEKS" WHEN MEALS ARE IMMENENT.

GUINEA PIGS ARE RODENTS AND THEIR TEETH GROW CONSTANTLY SO THEY NEED DRY FOOD AND HAY TO KEEP THEIR TEETH SHORT. SOME LIKE TO GNAW ON A PIECE OF FRUIT WOOD.

BEWARE OF POISONOUS PLANTS THAT CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR GARDEN SUCH AS: BINDWEED, BUTTERCUPS, HONEYSUCKLE, LABURNUM, LAUREL, LILY OF THE VALLEY, POPPIES, POTATOES AND IT'S LEAVES, AND RHUBARB AND IT'S LEAVES.

 BEDDING:
WHATEVER TYPE OF HUTCH YOU HAVE THE BEDDING I RECCOMMEND IS AS FOLLOWS - (DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND DIFFERENT BOOKS VARY IN THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS) - LINE THE BOTTOM OF THE HUTCH WITH A THICK LAYER OF NEWSPAPER, TOP THIS WITH A LAYER OF WOOD SHAVINGS (NOT SAWDUST). NEVER USE STRAW AS THIS EASILY GETS TANGLED UP IN THE GUINEA PIG'S COAT AND HAS SHARP PIECES WHICH COULD INJURE IT'S EYES.   IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A CAVY KENNEL OR IGLOO IF THE HUTCH DOES NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC BED AREA.   THIS AREA SHOULD BE LINED WITH HAY.   THE HAY SHOULD BE TOPPED UP & REFRESHED FREQUENTLY AS THE GUINEA PIGS EAT IT AND ALSO SOIL IT.

YOUR GUINEA PIG CAN BE HOUSED IN AN OUTDOOR HUTCH OR INDOORS IN A PLASTIC CAGE OR GLASS TANK, ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THAT PURPOSE.   WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE IT WILL NEED TO BE CLEANED OUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK.

IF YOU DECIDE TO KEEP YOUR GUINEA PIG OUTSIDE, MAKE SURE THE HUTCH IS SECURE AND COVERED, ESPECIALLY DURING THE COLDER MONTHS AND THAT IT IS POSITIONED OUT OF DIRECT SUN DURING THE SUMMER, AS GUINEA PIGS CAN SUFFER FROM SUN STROKE.

WHEN IT IS HOT YOU CAN TRY SEVERAL THINGS TO KEEP YOUR GUINEA PIGS COOL.   PLACE DAMP TOWELS ON TOP OF THEIR HUTCH, SHADE THEM USING A GARDEN UMBRELLA OR PUT WATER FILLED POP BOTTLES IN THE FREEZER AND ONCE FROZEN, WRAP IN AN OLD CLOTH AND PLACE IT IN THEIR CAGE/HUTCH OR RUN - YOUR GUINEA PIG WILL HOPEFULLY LIE CLOSE TO OR EVEN ON THE BOTTLE TO KEEP COOL.

IF YOU FIND A GUINEA PIG SUFFERING FROM SUNSTROKE i.e. EXTREMELY LETHARGIC AND HOT TO THE TOUCH, YOU NEED TO BRING IT'S TEMPERATURE DOWN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.   THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THIS IS TO IMMERSE IT IN A BOWL OF COOL WATER AND POOR MORE WATER OVER THEM, THEN PUT THEM IN A COOL, BUT NOT DRAUGHTY, PLACE TO DRY.   IF THIS DOESN'T WORK - CALL YOUR VET.

IF YOU DECIDE TO KEEP YOUR GUINEA PIG INDOORS THERE ARE SOME OBVIOUS BENEFITS - NOT HAVING TO GO OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN OR SNOW, AND THEY ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR CUDDLES.   HOWEVER, EVEN THOSE KEPT INDOORS WILL BENEFIT FROM A VISIT OUTDOORS.

A GRASS RUN IS NICE FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS AS THE GRASS IS BENEFICAL TO THE GENERAL HEALTH OF YOUR GUINEA PIG AND IT HELPS GRIND DOWN THOSE EVER GROWING TEETH, BUT DO CHECK THAT THE GRASS HAS NOT BEEN TREATED WITH ANY CHEMICALS!   DO NOT PUT YOUR GUINEA PIG ON DAMP GRASS, AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A SHADED AREA TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM RAIN OR STRONG SUN.   DON'T FORGET TO PROVIDE A WATER BOTTLE.

THE RUN SHOULD BE COVERED TO PREVENT THE GUINEA PIGS JUMPING OUT - THEY ARE FAR MORE AGILE THAN YOU IMAGINE! ALSO TO PREVENT PREDITORS FROM GETTING IN.   AS WITH AN OUTDOOR HUTCH, THE RUN SHOULD BE SECURED OR WEIGHTED DOWN - LARGER PREDITORS SUCH AS FOXES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO OVERTURN HUTCHES AND RUNS TO GET TO GUINEA PIGS.

IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP GUINEA PIGS AND RABBITS TOGETHER, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT DIETARY REQUIREMENTS AND A RABBIT COULD EASILY INJURE A GUINEA PIG WITH A KICK OF THOSE STRONG HIND LEGS.   EQUALLY GUINEA PIGS CAN BE VERY BOSSY AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO THREATEN A MORE TIMID RABBIT. THE BEST HUTCH COMPANION FOR A GUINEA PIG IS ANOTHER GUINEA PIG OF THE SAME SEX.

 HOLIDAYS:
 IF YOU GO AWAY YOU WILL NEED TO FIND SOMEONE WHO IS PREPARED TO LOOK AFTER YOUR GUINEA PIGS.   ALWAYS LEAVE THE PERSON WITH A LIST OF JOBS AND A CARE SHEET.   ALSO LEAVE THE PHONE NUMBER OF YOUR VET.   ALTERNATIVELY, SOME BREEDERS LIKE MYSELF, DO OFFER A BOARDING SERVICE.

GIVE YOUR PETS THE FOOD THEY NEED AND LOTS OF LOVE AND CUDDLES AND THEY WILL REPAY YOU WITH UNTOLD PLEASURE AS THEY LEARN TO TRUST YOU.   IF YOU HANDLE THEM EVERY DAY AND GIVE LOTS OF TIT BITS E.G. CUCUMBER, GRAPES AND CARROTS, THEY WILL SOON BECOME VERY TAME, RUNNING TO THE FRONT OF THE CAGE TO GREET YOU.

GENERAL CARE:

 HANDLING:
 IT IS IMPORTANT TO HANDLE YOUR GUINEA PIGS DAILY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG.   THIS WILL MAKE THEM TAME AND THEY WILL START TO LOOK FORWARD TO YOU COMING TO GET THEM OUT.

IT IS PROBABLY BEST TO HAVE A TOWEL ON YOUR LAP IN CASE OF ACCIDENTS - OFTEN YOUR PIG WILL SQUEAK AT YOU AND THIS CAN BE A SIGN THAT THEY NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET.   IT IS WORTH PUTTING THEM BACK IN THEIR CAGE FOR A WHILE SO THAT THEY CAN DO THIS.

YOUR GUINEA PIGS WILL SOON COME TO KNOW THEIR DAILY ROUTINE AND WILL SQUEAK LOUDLY WHEN THEY THINK IT IS FOOD TIME, WHEN YOU OPEN THE FRIDGE OR RUSTLE A BAG.   GUINEA PIGS ARE VERY VOCAL AND WILL OFTEN CHATTER AWAY TO YOU.

 GROOMING:
 YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU BRUSH YOUR GUINEA PIGS.   USE A BABY BRUSH THIS SHOULD PREVENT ANY KNOTS FORMING IN THEIR FUR. IF YOU HAVE A LONGHAIRED GUINEA PIG A COMB WOULD BE BETTER - THEIR COAT GROWS ABOUT 1" PER MONTH - YOU MAY PREFER TO TRIM IT TO FLOOR LEVEL.

IF A GUINEA PIG'S FUR BECOMES GREASY OR DIRTY YOU CAN BATH THEM.   ANY HUMAN SHAMPOO CAN BE USED - I USE TEATREE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER.   MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T GET ANY IN THEIR EYES AND THAT YOU RINSE ALL PRODUCTS OUT THOROUGHLY.   TOWEL DRY OR USE A HAIRDRYER ON A LOW SPEED AND MEDIUM HEAT.   ONCE COMPLETELY DRY THEY CAN BE RETURNED TO THEIR HUTCH.

MANY GUINEA PIGS LOVE WATER AND WILL HAPPILY PADDLE AROUND IN IT - SOME CAN EVEN SWIM!!   BUT NEVER LEAVE THEM UNSUPERVISED!

REMEMBER TO CHECK THEIR NAILS AND KEEP THEM CLIPPED USING AN ANIMAL NAIL CLIPPER AS NECESSARY.

 HEALTH:
 GUINEA PIGS ARE PRONE TO MITES THAT THEY PICK UP MAINLY FROM HAY.   THIS CAN BE TREATED BY APPLYING A DROP OF e.g. IVERMEC ON THE BACK OF THE NECK AS PER MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.

GENERALLY THOUGH, GUINEA PIGS ARE HEALTHY CREATURES AND CAN LIVE UP TO 5 - 6 YEARS OLD.

SADLY HOWEVER SOMETIMES A GUINEA PIG DIES QUITE SUDDENLY.   THEY SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HIDE ILLNESS - AS THEY WOULD IN THE WILD PRESUMABLY - AND BY THE TIME SYMPTOMS ARE APPARENT, EVEN IN PIGS YOU KNOW REALLY WELL, IT IS TOO LATE TO SAVE THEM EVEN WITH VETERINARY HELP.

IF YOU DO LOSE ONE OF A PAIR OF PIGS, THE REMAINING ONE MAY WELL BECOME DEPRESSED AT THE LOSS OF THEIR COMPANION.   IN MOST CASES THE SINGLETON WILL ACCEPT A BABY OF THE SAME SEX - IT CAN BE VERY TOUCHING TO WATCH THE BONDING PROCESS WITH THE NEW BABY.

 SHOWING:
 YOU MAY DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO SHOW YOUR MUCH PRIZED PET AND THERE ARE PET CLASSES AT MOST CAVY SHOWS.   THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR WELL KEPT, CLEAN, TAME ANIMALS.   FOR PET CLASSES IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU HAVE TRIMMED THE COAT.   YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CAVY CLUB FOR DETAILS.

USEFUL CONTACTS:
WWW.NATIONALCAVYCLUB.CO.UK
WWW.CAVYBREEDER.CO.UK

SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES WHATSOEVER - DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK ME.   IF I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER MYSELF, I WILL FIND OUT FROM SOMEONE, MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE, WHO DOES!