Guinea pigs on a budget.
Being on a budget can be difficult especially when you long for a pet of your own. Here are some helpful tips for people who are on a budget but already have or are thinking about getting some guinea pigs.
Where To Get Guinea Pigs From?
Quite often there are people who need to re home their pet pigs and sometimes their housing comes with them. Unless the housing is very large and elaborate the owner who wishes to rehome them may give you the pigs and housing for free of for a small amount of money.
If you can offer the pigs a caring home many owner are relieved to have found somewhere for them to go. They sometimes come with food bowl/water bottle etc so this can save you even more money.
Getting your guinea pigs from a rescue is another option although rescues also run on a tight budget and do need a donation towards the animals, it can be less than what a pet shop charges plus you have the back up advice and support of a good rescue. However sometimes rescues take in animals that already come with housing and sometimes this housing can be passed on to owners either for free or for a small donation.
You would need to contact your local rescue to find out if this is possible as rescues vary.
Being realistic you would have to fork out a certain amount initially for essentials like hay/water bottle/possibly housing etc.
Before you get any guinea pigs set up a small savings scheme, put aside a few euro a week - as little as 3 to 5 euro can help- depending on what you can afford. It will help pay for any unexpected and routine vet bills. There is no point in taking in a new pet if you cannot afford veterinary care. Good intentions are wonderful but more harm than good can come to an animal who does not get prompt veterinary care especially with small animals like guinea pigs who can go downhill very quickly.
Dry Food.
There are various guinea pig mixes around but it is worth your while spending a bit extra on a good quality mix like Burgess Supa Excel. A 2kg bag is sufficient to last a pair of guinea pigs a good few weeks.
A good diet means less chance of illness and all round good general health.
Stick to no more than 2 guinea pigs that way they won’t cost as much to feed.
There is no need to keep topping up their food bowl just follow the instructions on the bag and it should last you a long while.
Re-packaged/re-bagged dry food is best avoided if you can, you never know how long it’s been sitting on the shelf or what brand of food it is.
Water: Well that one is easy but if you live in a hard water area a Brita Filter (or any brand) is handy to have for the guinea pigs water bottles. You might even use one already.
Vegetables: This can also be free! Visit your local supermarket, some have veg bins e.g. Superquinn. Where people cut off the ends and leaves of veg that they don’t want like broccoli and cauliflower. These are perfect for guinea pigs. Known as a ‘bunny bag’ just take it to the check out with the rest of your shopping they won’t charge you for it.
Fruit can be harder to come by for free, but supermarkets do often have fruit that is on sale but still fresh. If you eat grapes, keep the vine by and wash it and feed it to the pigs. They also will take some grapes as well.
If you know of anyone that grows their own fruit or veg you may be able to get some for free or for less than you pay in the supermarket. Or grow your own in a pot if you have little space or in the garden. Herbs can be grown as a treat on the window sill.
Bedding and Hay.
Hay can end up being expensive, buy the larger bags. Better still if you can source good quality hay from a local farmer it can save you a fortune. A bale of hay can cost as little as 2.50 a bag from a pet shop can cost you as much as 5.00. The bale of hay will last you for weeks on end, the bag 2 weeks at the most.
If you have nowhere to store the hay, buy one bale go out to the garden (or balcony) get an old duvet and you can break the bale up into sections. This little bit of effort can save a lot of money in the long run. Buy in summer so you have enough to to you over winter (when money tends to be more tight for everyone).
Supplements and treats.
If you follow a good diet of dry food, fresh veg, good hay and fresh water and clean the guinea pigs out regularly there should be no need for any of these.
Salt and mineral blocks are not needed.
A handful of fresh green untreated grass is free and they love it more than any shop bought treat.
Toys.
There are some fun cabins and little houses out there for guinea pigs but there is really no need for them. They are mainly for our entertainment. Guinea pigs are just as happy with cardboard boxes with little doors cut out of the. If you have kids they can have great fun making little houses by cutting out windows and doors (or the big kid in you can).
Bedding/floor litter.
Do not waste your money on woodchips or straw as both are unsuitable for guinea pigs and can cause health problems. Just stick with newspaper (free from your local friendly newsagent and friends and family who are usually glad to get rid of them) and hay, it’s the best bedding for guinea pigs. I have tried numerous fun houses and bedding but at the end of the day all the pigs prefer a great big mound of hay to bury themselves in.
Vinegar Vinegar Vinegar!
Did I mention vinegar?
It’s so great I’ll mention it again and again!
Dirt cheap and safe to use even if your guinea pigs are still in the cage and they step on it. One of the best natural disinfectants out there.
You can also try lemon juice as it’s a natural bleach (according to Kim and Aggie on how clean is your house)!
You can sprinkle the vinegar straight from the bottle onto the floor of the cage or invest in a little spray bottle strictly for vinegar and refill it when you need it. It saves a fortune especially when some hutch cleaners can be anything from 4 to 7 euro. They do smell lovely but you can clean them just as well using vinegar and every now and then (after removing the pigs of course) scrub the cage with hot (hotter the better but mind you don’t warp the plastic) soapy water and rinse well.
Cheap and Handy Items.
Untreated apple branches - if you know of anyone that has apple trees that have not been sprayed with chemicals. They make the best and tastiest chew treats for pigs (also great for birds, rabbits, hamsters and gerbils).
Sometimes supermarkets sell fruit trees very cheaply or you can buy them at your local garden center. Plant them in a pot or ground and leave them for a few months before you use the fruit leaves or branches. Ensure they aren’t sprayed by chemicals, use organic fertilizer and make sure they aren’t near the roadside.
White Vinegar – Dunnes Stores brand is is very cheap and lasts for ages.
Tesco or Dunnes Stores Value kitchen roll – a godsend!
Tesco also do a dustpan and brush for half nothing which is very handy or check out your local Aldi or Lidl for all of the above.
A compost bin will save you on bin charges as guinea pigs can be mucky little pups. The compost will also come in useful if you grow your own veggies or you could even sell it. Guinea pig poop makes great compost!
Remember advice is free and prevention is better than cure. So following these steps can lead you to a happy and healthy pet.
