You will need to purchase the following items before you adopt a guinea pig:            

 

1.  A reasonable sized hutch or cage (around 4' long by 2' wide for 2 guineas, at least).  For more than 2 Guineas we will advise on size.

If guinea is to live outside the hutch must be kept in a shed or outbuilding that is free from damp and draughts and well ventilated during the winter months.  Our climate is too damp for them to live outdoors and remain in good health.   

2.  A run for the summer

For guinea pigs adopted in the winter months, it will only be necessary to have your run when we do our 6 week check.

 

3.  Good quality hay available at all times - NOT straw

 We buy our hay by the bale from:

B & J Dance

Stanford End Farm

Swallowfield

Reading

Tel: (0118) 9326355  

 

Straw is unsuitable for guinea pigs to eat as it contains no nutrition, and it is important that guinea pigs have something to constantly nibble to keep their teeth in check.  In the cold months Russell Rabbit chopped straw / Dengie Medibed can be used for bedding under a thick layer of hay.  This is SHORT CHOPPED straw which is suitable for guinea pigs.  The long, coarse straw that you can buy for rabbits is NOT suitable for guinea pigs as it is too coarse, and could cause eye injuries.  Russell Rabbit straw is available in pet shops (and some supermarkets), Dengie Medibed is a product for horses available from farm shops (see B & J Dance above)

 

4.  Guinea pig food

We recommend Dodson and Horrell Rabbit Royale, Wagg guinea pig food or Russell Rabbit Carrot and Leek, for further information on feeding see our Feeding page, or ask when you adopt your guineas. Our favourite food here at the rescue is Oxbow Cavy Cuisine because it is low in protein and high in fibre. It also has the correct phosphorus to calcium ratio. See SPH Supplies to buy some. Oxbow also do a good range of hays. For younger pigs use either Cavy Performance from www.sphsupplies.co.uk or Supreme Science Selective.

 

5.  Water bottle/s and feeding bowls

If two or more guinea pigs are kept together, then a rabbit size water bottle is needed. Feeding bowls should be heavy so they can't be turned over, or the ones that clip onto the front of the cage (designed for birds). Where two boars are kept it is advisable to provide two bowls for dry mix, sows seem to be better at sharing.

 

6.  Readigrass / Pure Dried Grass

Burgess also have a type of forage out. These differ from hay as they are higher in protein and fibre.  Again, these are available from B & J Dance.

 

7. Shampoo, we use Gorgeous Guineas.

 

8. 2 syringes in case you should need to syringe feed in an emergency.

 

9. Critical Care, available from your vet or SPH Supplies. It is wise to get some of this in rather than wait until you need it. Infacol, Buscopan and Rennie Deflatine in case of bloat (phone CCT for dosage). There are other items you can buy for your first aid kit but these are the most important. The CCT have lectures on first aid for guineas, contact them to find out more.

 

You will also need :

 

· Newspapers, to line the cage / hutch. NOT sawdust or wood shavings.  These can cause lifelong respiratory problems for your guinea, as well as skin problems.

 

· Old cardboard boxes to make 'houses' out of for guinea (the size that supermarkets supply for you to take home your groceries!).  Put a 'house' in the hutch in the winter to keep guinea warm.

 

· Yellow Pages / catalogues etc,some guinea pigs like to sit on a shelf.

 

Shredded paper for guinea to play in (NOT a substitute for good hay).

 

· An old towel or two for when guinea needs a bath.

 

· Shampoo: Gorgeous Guineas, Co-Op Pro V (own brand), Body Shop shampoos. Only Gorgeous Guineas has been tested for suitability on your guinea’s skin. The others contain chemicals though they are not tested on animals.

 

· Nail clippers (from any pet shop) or the Silver ones that are used on Humans, whichever you are most comfortable with.

 

· A travelling box (Argos do a cat one that is suitable and reasonably priced). Collapsible crates from Focus are also ideal for travelling.

 

· We also recommend a good guinea pig book: Support the Rescue by buying online from Amazons wide range of books.

The Really Useful Guinea Pig Guide by Myra Mahoney is a good book for beginners and experienced GP keepers alike.

 

· Any book by Peter Gurney, e.g. Piggy Potions (purchase from Amazon via the site to raise money for the rescue).

· Advice sheets from the CCT, see the B.A.R. site

 

We recommend you join the Cambridge Cavy Trust so that you can take advantage of the services we have for your guinea in the Berkshire area. Membership entitles you to free health checks, nail clipping and dentistry work. Please ask for details on adoption or contact us.

We insist that anyone rehoming guinea pigs outside the Reading or Oxon area becomes a member of CCT and attends regular health checks for their guineas at a local Rodentologist here in Berkshire.

        

Reading Guinea Pig Rescue

Rescue and Rehoming in the Reading and Oxon area

Shopping List

Karen@readingguineapigrescue.co.uk

Visit Planet Guinea to purchase grass and herbage seeds for your guinea and several varieties of hay. All proceeds to the rescue guineas.