You can purchase a water bowl to attach to a cage or crate at a pet store. There is usually more of a process for adoption and you'll be provided information on guinea pig health, care, upkeep, and socialization. They are notorious for selling improperly cared for guinea pigs and there are plenty of reports of customers buying pregnant or mixed sexed guinea pigs whilst being completely unaware. Additionally, pick one that’s active, energetic, and running around on all four legs. Where can I buy a guinea pig – pet store piggies. Alternatively, why not visit your local rescue centre where you'll find puppies and kittens along with older dogs and cats looking for adoption by loving new owners. This is normal. Guinea pigs make a distinctive wheeking or whistling type sound, often in anticipation of getting a favorite treat or when in need of some attention. they are going to choose the three males out of a whole bunch they they think are the cutest or nicest or have the best colourings. Select basic ads. The vast majority of our stores have aquariums with coldwater and tropical fish and for our furry friends, a special bunny village where kids and adults alike can enjoy watching guinea pigs and rabbits hop about. Guinea pigs do not tolerate the cold well. This means handling her for at least half an hour, at least twice a day, plus talking, grooming, feeding, and other interactions, otherwise you risk her getting lonely. Although there are lots of very reputable pet stores that sell guinea pigs, there are a few potential issues with taking this route when deciding where to buy guinea pigs. You should choose a diet specifically made for guinea pigs as you want to make sure they're getting adequate nutrition from their diet. Alternatively, look for one at a rescue or shelter if you don't mind getting a crossbreed. Guinea pigs. Make sure the brand you get is guinea pig safe. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 Your guinea pig will need a water bottle, not simply a bowl to store water. Guinea pigs can be lovely pets, but there are a few things you should know before making that big commitment. Keep a same-sex pair to ensure you don't have any unwanted litters. You can cancel your email alerts at any time. A good breeder is not just in the business to make money or profit; they typically don't sell their guinea pigs to the first person that shows with cash in hand. Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who's written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. A water bottle has the advantage of being harder to knock over and, therefore, clean, fresh water is always available. While incredibly rewarding, deciding to rehome a rescue dog is slightly different to buying from a breeder, so we've teamed up with Dogs Trust who've provided some really useful information to help prospective owners. hamsters and guinea pigs, and I'm pretty sure I'll go with a guinea pig. This is not the case. We have wanted a funky guinea pig for a long time (not that I would buy one from pets at home) and never seen one! And they agreed. Shopping in Pets at Home is fun too! Females can be kept together, as can males without any issues. Initially you think if you purchase the special guinea pig that you will be rescuing him, and so it is really a good thing to buy your guinea pig from a pet store. Vitamin C tablets are considered a better way to supplement than adding vitamin C to your pet's water. Though generally not loud enough to annoy the neighbors, a wheeking guinea pig can be surprisingly loud. Many guinea pigs end up at shelters and are in need of a second chance at a forever home. The skin should look pink and smooth. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Add vitamin C to their water each day to make sure they're getting the proper vitamins in their diet. Ask plenty of questions when you arrive. Find guinea pigs for sale at your local PetSmart … Most tend to sell equipment that are not suitable for guinea pigs too! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,907 times. Give him the space he needs until he calms down. Shelter guinea pigs are generally social and … Careful handling is a must, and children should be supervised with them, but they are unlikely to bite even when stressed. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. You need to know you're able to commit to the guinea pig for that time frame. Pets at Home are a business - they will sell you as many piggies as you are prepared to pay for thanks, i know it’s not ideal but there really isn’t any shelters near me.... just out of interest have you ever bought from them? In addition to their pet store food, guinea pigs also need to eat veggies and some fruits as a daily meal. Create a personalised ads profile. The guinea pig may be frightened and show this in a number of ways, which could include trying to escape, giving an alarm call, shuddering, or biting. These are too expensive for their size, and even the biggest ones available marketed as "suitable for two guinea pigs" aren't suitable for even one. Be aware that sometimes personality differences in the animals will mean certain guinea pigs won't get along. It should be easy to bond with an older guinea pig. A good breeder is one who is personally involved in each and every sale. You won’t find another home for your bunnies of guinea pigs quite like the Pets at Home Foxglove Guinea Pig and Rabbit Hutch. Quite often, these pets are given up because their previous owner simply could not care for them or they didn't get along with another pet in the household. Find Guinea Pigs for sale via Pets4Homes. Household items, like paper towel or toilet paper rolls, can be placed in their cage for entertainment. Check shelters in your area to see if they take guinea pigs and if any are currently available for adoption. Ask the workers at the rescue about the traits of each breed your guinea pig's ancestry is comprised of to make sure the guinea pig's personality is matching with your needs and wants as a pet owner. If you get a longhaired guinea pig, the commitment will be even greater as daily grooming is necessary. I like. Opt for a C&C cage, which is more work to set up but much cheaper and better for their health/well being. Adopting is the way to go! We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Will a guinea pig run off it I hold it before it trusts me? Making a homemade cage is very easy, though, and since guinea pigs are a good size and not escape artists, a homemade cage is a great option. I've never seen a funky or long haired piggie in our 2 pets at homes! This is especially the case if you have two or more guinea pigs, as territory disputes are less likely in a larger cage. "I'm a teenager, and I'd really like to take on the responsibilities of having a pet that is just mine. In Conclusion . Buying Guinea Pigs from a Pet Store. You want to make sure workers can answer any questions you may have. This article has been viewed 106,907 times. If it is sore, inflamed or irritated, the guinea pig may have scratched the fur away because of an infection, and this is not normal. When you bring your guinea pig home, he might hide for a few days or behave nervously. At “Guinea Pig Finder," our listings and resources are managed by guinea pig experts and seasoned guinea pig rescuers. Pippa Elliott, a licensed veterinarian, notes: "Rescues and shelters care for species other than cats and dogs that are in need. One downside to pet stores, or department stores that sell guinea pigs and other small cage animals, is that workers are oftentimes not knowledgable about pet needs. While it's not impossible to. Buy Guinea Pig Travel products from Pets at Home, the UK's largest pet shop, with fast delivery and low prices. It takes time for your guinea pig to adjust. not pets at home, please don't encourage them. A more reliable pet shop route would be well-known retailers such as a local pet store with a solid reputation. We collected up to 271 ads from hundreds of classified sites for you! Guinea pigs should have smooth, steady breathing and their eyes and ears should be clear, bright, and free of discharge. Before bringing home a Guinea Pig, make sure you have considered the full impact of your decision. Before heading out to buy a guinea pig, check with your local shelter or rescues for guinea pigs in need of a new home. Store and/or access information on a device. This article received 11 testimonials and 90% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. References i was bitten about 7 years ago and the little piggie locked her jaws onto my finger bone, it still has a lump now. If you have a little child in your home, you have to choose a … Make sure you have access to a vet with the necessary experience to treat your guinea pig. It is a good practice to remove any high platforms or levels from a guinea pig cage. Feel the guinea pig's body to make sure it's plump and free of any unusual lumps or swelling. they'll bite if really ratty and provoked, don't let children stick their fingers near their mouths. They are more sociable and interactive pets.And unless provoked or mistreated, they rarely bite. This is because guinea pigs can be slightly messy and you want to make sure their water is free of debris and food. Quick view Pets at Home Highlander Snow Oval Dog Bed Grey. Cats will view your guinea pig as prey. It's very expensive to keep piggies as pets. Food bowls can also be purchased at pet stores. Female Guinea Pigs are shy at first but they will develop an intense affection for their Pet Parents and may whistle to signal their happiness. If you have cats, reconsider getting a guinea pig. She might be able to point you in the direction of refutable breeders or quality rescues. Some of the guinea pigs I have seen at my local PAH were tiny due to that reason-farms don't breed for quality..its like a factory production line.PAH don't really care about that-they are in it purely for profit. Can I use a water bowl instead of a water bottle? Yes. Check the reviews of the particular pet store and if possible, ask the owners of guinea pigs where they purchased … Stay away from pet store cages. This article will teach you the do's and don'ts of buying your new guinea pig. However, pet stores also have a number of drawbacks and many guinea pig owners advise against using them. This advert is located in and around Romsey, Hampshire. There are 24 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you're getting a guinea pig from a rescue, you'll probably end up with some kind of crossbreed. Some people think that buying a pet from a pet store is the safest option, however, it can be completely wrong. Approved. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. You can find a cage at a pet store. Quick view. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Guinea pigs should have access to hay or grass to burrow in and guinea pig safe beds can be purchased at most pet stores. Guinea pigs are often considered exotic pets, meaning not all vets are willing to take them as patents. In fact, some crates come with a water bottle already attached. Searching for a new loving home for these adorable guinea pigs as we can no longer take care of them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Buy-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Buy-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Buy-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-1.jpg\/aid1347368-v4-728px-Buy-a-Guinea-Pig-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"