So you're child is taking the guinea pigs home over the weekend and you're asking.... WHAT DO I DO WITH THEM?
Nilla and Oreo are very friendly. They are quite skittish until they become familiar with your scent and daily routine. Nilla tends to scream when she is being taken out of the cage. You are not hurting her, she is just a little dramatic.
HOW DO I HOLD THEM?
Support the entire body. Wrap one hand securely around the chest. Restrain one front leg by placing a finger in front of it. Use your other hand to support the hind feet and rump. Holding them close to the body helps them to feel secure and supported.
HOW DO I CLEAN UP AFTER THEM?
Well :) you shouldn't have to. Your child will do all of the dirty work!
1. Take the everything out of the cage.
2. Take the girls out of the cage and place them in their sacks and in a safe location.
3. Take off the white part of the cage.
4. Wash out the green bowl and fill the water bottle.
5. Fill up the food bowl.
6. Fold the paper bags in on each side until each end is touching.
7. Remove the soiled bundle of paper from the cage and throw away.
8. Scrub the cage with a cleaning product and then throughly wash out as to not leave any residue behind.
9. After the base of the cage is DRY add in two opened up paper bags so that they overlap and go up the sides of the walls.
10. Next add several sheets of newspaper (more is better) and overlap them throughout the base of the cage.
11. Add in shredded paper and timothy hay.
12. Place the white portion of the cage back on the base.
13. Add in the flat green pieces and the food.
14. Place the water bottle on the cage and the green bowl underneath the spout to prevent water from dripping all over the cage.
15. Return Nilla and Oreo to their cage.
WHAT DO THEY EAT?
Your child will be sent home a sufficient supply of food and timothy hay. If you would like to supplement their diet you may try some of the following items. CAUTION- everything must be cut up in small pieces no wider than a dime and no thicker than a ritz cracker. Leafy greens should be cut in strips *see photo of Oreo eating greens above*. This is to prevent choking.
A serving of vegetables and fruit would be a small handful.
Greens may be served in larger portions.
Parsley Kale Broccoli Mustard Greens Kohlrabi Turnip Greens Cauliflower Chinese Cabbage (pak-choi) Watercress Collards Cabbage Swiss Chard** Spinach Cilantro Rutabaga Lettuce, Romaine** Chicory Greens Sweet Potato Okra Parsnips Green Beans Squash (summer, all varieties) Asparagus Squash (winter, all varieties) Sweet Potato Leaves Carrots** Pumpkin Alfalfa Sprouts Lettuce, Butterhead (Boston, Bibb) Kiwi Papaya Strawberries** Cantaloupe Mango Honeydew Melon Casaba Melon Apricots Watermelon Plum Persimmon, Japanese Cherries, Sweet (NO PIT) Peach Apple (with Skin)** Nectarine Pear **Nilla and Oreo have been fed these items and devoured them! |
