[sageofages]

Originally Posted by AnatraAmore

Has anyone else had/have a guinea pig? We recently acquired one from a friend who has had some bad luck with keeping the males and females apart(and therefore, has had about 15 babies in the last year). Anyway, we just got one and she's very playful while in her cage, but seems to *HATE* being on the floor. Everyone we've talked to says that they need exercise time out of their cages, but all she does is sit in the corner of the living room and shake. Suggestions?

A guinea pig needs to have at least 2 square feet of cage space for ample exercise. They are not like a dog that needs to run and run for exercise. Open spaces will make a "cavy" very nervous...if you want to give them a playyard for more exercise, use a small sized children's wadding pool. Do not put it outside for obvious reasons!

We also would put our cavy on a harness and leash and take her for a walk in the grass. She was a silkie and looked like a mop on a thread...it is funny to see the pictures.

Cavies can handle cooler temps, but they succumb to drafts quickly and will die just as quickly.

You can also spay and neuter cavies to avoid the over productions, as they are sexually mature at 6 weeks of age.

(LONG TIME cavy lover!)