Amanda's Guinea Pig Boarding

13/01/2024

As promised.
We would like to introduce you to Rosie and Barbra who are both looking for new homes.
They both lost their companions recently and are now looking for new friends.
They are both girls and are currently living separately due to coming from different homes. There is potential for them to be bonded and go to a new home together. They are both looking for indoor homes, preferably with access to a garden for grass time in he warmer months, with other females and/or with a neutered male.

Rosie:
Is grey and white. She is around 4 years old but still very outgoing and craves attention.
She is mischievous and definitely does not behave her age, Popcorning and wheeking whenever anything slightly exciting might be about to happen for example veg time and cage cleaning or just simply someone walking into the room.

Barbra:
Is black and white. She is around 3 years old but still young at heart.
She is quite shy so would prefer a quieter home. Once settled she does come out to see you and will wheek especially at veg time. Her previous owners said she used to like being out and running around with her friend. We are sure with a new friend/s, she will regain her confidence again and be much happier. She definitely has a cheeky streak.
She is looking for a family that will understand her shyness and be willing to give her the time and space to settle in her own time. We are sure with a new friend, especially a more confident one it shouldn’t take too long.

25/12/2023

Santa didn’t forget to stop here.
A little treat for everyone on holiday including mine and the little ladies that will be looking for new home/s in the New year.
Some were definitely more excited than others.

24/12/2023

We would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas.
Thank you all for the support over the year.

16/12/2023

Our Christmas charity donation went to Primrose Piggies.
We placed our order yesterday so hopefully they should receive the gifts in the next day or so.
As you can see the goodies are very gratefully received.

21/11/2023

🎄This year we have decided to make a little change to our normal Christmas festivities and thank you’s.

We have made a decision this year to use the money we would normally spend on Christmas cards and postage (there are a lot each year) to support a Guinea pig rescue that has helped us and some of our clients over the year instead.
We will purchase some much needed supplies from their Amazon wish list to help all their little residents.

We hope you all don’t mind and understand that it doesn’t mean we don’t value your friendship and support any less.
We think you are all an amazing group of people and we are very lucky to have you all in our lives. 🥰

01/11/2023

The half term horrors, only joking, they were all great as usual.
We had a few boarders we haven’t seen for a while, which was lovely.
As per usual, a lot of gossip swapping went on and Rolo was definitely the centre of it all. No wonder he always looks like he’s smiling.
Mine wanted to get in on the action as they haven’t had their fame for quite some time and we’re feeling left out.
Grumpy old man Sebastian is our most recent and last addition. We took him on to join our remaining 2 girls but he prefers his own company and to just be neighbours.
Ohh well, can’t win them all.

28/10/2023

When your mates being syringe fed and the feed is the most loveliest delicious food in the world 😂

24/10/2023

It’s definitely that time when winter plans need to be well under way for keeping piggies warm over winter, especially the outdoor piggies.
Always better to prepare than panic last minute. Who knows what winter will bring.

🐻❄️ It's getting beary cold outside! ❄️🐻

But have you thought about your guinea pigs' sleeping arrangements? 🐹💤
If you are bringing your piggy indoors for the winter, why not try our Indoor Guinea Nuggets, with added calm formula?) 😌

Just like us, our furry friends need a cosy and warm place to snuggle up during these chilly nights. Make sure their bedding is thick and insulating to keep them snug as a bug in a rug! 🛌💕

09/10/2023

These boys are so cute. They come to us regularly. The owners tell us when they start driving over the speed bumps on the way here, they start wheeking and getting excited.
It’s lovely to know they are happy to come on holiday. We love having them.🥰

29/09/2023

🐹❤️ Ready to introduce some furry friends? 🐹❤️

Consider their s*x: 💙💗 If you're mixing males and females, be prepared for some unexpected surprises! It's best to keep same-s*x pairs to avoid unwanted litters. Neutering female guinea pigs isn't common, as the operation is more complicated. So you could consider adopting a neutered boar instead.

Age matters: 👶👵 If you're introducing a young guinea pig to an older one, it's important to give them time to adjust. Young ones might annoy the seniors, so be patient and monitor their interactions.

Personality match: 🌟 Just like humans, guinea pigs have unique personalities too! Some might be shy, while others are social butterflies. Try to pair up piggies with similar temperaments for a harmonious friendship.

Remember, patience is key when introducing new furry pals! 🕰️💕
Keep an eye on them during the initial stages and provide plenty of hiding spots and separate food bowls

6 Crazy Cavies

29/09/2023

It's the last day of GPAW 2023 There's still one fun packed day left! 🐹❤️

Last and certainly not least today's theme is Hurray for Herds.

Companionship is important, one guinea pig is simply not enough they need company. Join us as we share about how you can make your herd a happy one!

🐹❤️

28/09/2023

Health conditions that affect guinea pigs’ and how you can spot them!

Ringworm: 🕷️🚫 This fungal infection can cause hair loss and itchy, scaly skin patches. Keep an eye out for any suspicious spots on their fur!

Flystrike: 😱🦟 Flies lay eggs on your piggy's bottom, leading to serious infections. Regularly check their bottoms for any signs of fly eggs or maggots. Prevention is key!

Flies and Mites: 😓 these pesky critters can cause itchiness, hair loss, and skin irritations. Look out for excessive scratching or red, flaky skin.

Vitamin C Deficiency: 😢 Just like humans, guinea pigs need their daily dose of vitamin C! Lack of this essential nutrient can lead to scurvy, causing weakened gums and joint pain. Make sure they have a balanced diet and plenty of fresh veggies! 🥦💪

Pododermatitis: 🚶‍♂️👣 Also known as bumblefoot, this condition affects their precious paws. Watch out for swelling, redness, or sores on the bottom of their feet. Provide soft bedding and a clean environment to prevent discomfort. 💤

Dental Disease: 😬🦷 Overgrown teeth can be a gnawing issue for guinea pigs. Check for difficulty eating, drooling, or weight loss.

Regular vet check-ups and a diet rich in hay helps to keep their chompers in tip-top shape!

Stay vigilant, seek veterinary advice if needed, and give them all the love and care they deserve!

🐹❤️

26/09/2023

Housing your guinea pigs outdoors? 🏠

Guinea pigs are a prey species, and they are vulnerable to predators and extreme weather!

Here’s what you need to ensure your piggies needs are met!

1. Their very own headquarters, think a garden shed, not a small hutch! A pig’s total space should be no less than 1.5 x 1m and it should be predator proof. Give them access to different floors, with safety ramps as they aren’t the best at climbing.

2. A place for a peaceful sleep! A separate sleeping area where they can retreat out of sight to get some peace and quiet, as well as somewhere to keep nice and toasty. Housing that’s weatherproof and draught-proof and sited somewhere out of direct sunlight.

3. Access to the great outdoors! A run that is no less than 1.5 x 1m, so they can explore safely.

4. Places to hide and seek! Guinea pigs don’t feel safe in open spaces, you need to provide them with tunnels, and hiding places.

5. Keep them cosy! Don’t put your guinea pigs in an outdoor run in cold, wet weather as they’ll easily get uncomfortable. Instead, bring them inside or pop them in an outdoor shed – all guinea pig-proofed of course! When it gets chilly, give your guinea pigs plenty of extra bedding to help keep them nice and warm.

If you’re thinking about rehoming a guinea pig, remember they are small, but their welfare needs aren’t! Ensure you can provide them with a loving and safe environment before adopting.

🐹❤️

26/09/2023

Housing your guinea pigs indoors? 🏠

Here’s what you need to create a safe environment inside!

• Peace and quiet! A safe and quiet space away from other pets or anything they may see as a potential threat is needed!

• Suitable indoor housing or a guinea-proofed room! All areas your piggies have access to should be safe to protect them from any potential hazards such as wires or house plants that aren’t safe for eating.

• A place to p**p in private! Provide a toileting area that is separate from the sleeping and exercise area and give your guinea pigs plenty of enrichment opportunities with toys, tunnels, hay, and leafy greens.

• The right temperature! Guinea pigs should also be kept away from radiators and their space should be well ventilated. The temperature for your guineas’ housing should ideally be kept between 17-20C – some warmer areas of your house may be too hot!

• Personal space! As with outdoor housing, your guinea pigs’ main living area should be at least 1.5m long by 1m wide!

When thinking about rehoming a guinea pig and letting them live indoors with your family, you need to be able to meet their needs!

Haven’t got the space inside? The next post will be covering outdoor environments!

🐹❤️

25/09/2023

This week is guinea pig awareness week.
The week was put in place a few years ago to help raise awareness of guinea pigs and hopefully kick start laws protecting them just like Rabbit awareness week did for rabbits.
This years theme is Rescue and Rehome which I think is very fitting for us as we have had so many lovely clients do exactly that this year.

Guinea Pig Awareness Week is just around the corner, and digital packs are ready to be downloaded!

This year's theme is Rescue & Rehome!

There are thousands of our cavy friends still searching for their forever homes, that's why this year's theme is Rescue & Rehome! But guess what? It's time to get your paws on your Guinea Pig Awareness Week Pack! 💻📚

With only 2 weeks to go, our downloadable packs include care guides, fun activities, social media content, and more to prepare for GPAW2023! 🙌📲

Click the link to download your pack now! https://bit.ly/3ZdGGT4 📲💻

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare RSPCA (England & Wales)Woodgreen Pets CharityBlue Cross UKGuinea Pig MagazineBurgess Excel

21/09/2023

In July we had a lovely young man named Buddy, come to us looking for a home.
Unfortunately our first attempt at bonding with a younger male didn’t work out. Mainly because he was just hitting his teens and was a bit, well, teenage attitude 😂.
We made the decision to get him castrated to make bonding easier and to open up his home options.
Lucky for him, one of our lovely clients bought their girls for a holiday and fell head over heels in love with him.
Skip 6 weeks (post neutering) and we were able to try bonding again.
After it being made very clear to him he was not going to be top pig ( lots of wee in his face) and a bit of a sulk. He decided that the girls were actually rather friendly.
We are pleased to say that Buddy is now settled and very happy in his new home.
Well done Buddy and thank you to his lovely new family.

14/09/2023

Sweetcorn with husks and silk as one of the dinner options tonight. Piggies absolutely love the husks and silk and this time of year the full cobs are reasonably cheap.
Alternatively they can clean up the waste if you have corn on the cob for dinner 😁

31/08/2023

Shadow is normally quite shy when it comes to having his picture taken unlike his companion, but look at him in the sun 🥰

16/08/2023

A mix of weather for the holidays but most of the boarders haven’t minded. As long as they get some garden time.
A certain pair did take to trashing their cage constantly though when not outside🤨.
Another almost put in a formal complaint as I had forgotten his soft furnishings 🙄. Thankfully quickly remedied and forgotten.
They can be so demanding.
A very odd looking guinea pig too, she was very small 😂

09/08/2023

Finally a nice evening to catch up on the gossip.
The boarders love to hear each other and have a natter as they are often here at similar times. Some even intentionally get out of bed when certain holiday makers arrive to say hi.
The girls were chatting over food. No rumbling or bar chewing just friendly gossip.

Piggies enjoy a holiday as much as us 🥰

30/07/2023

Stopping cleaning for a quick bite to eat.
According to Toffee and Nugget, guinea pigs like pizza and they won’t stop yelling🙄
They are not happy that I have told them that no, actually they don’t and can’t 😂.

29/07/2023

We are now fully booked for boarding over the October half term and Christmas holidays.

27/07/2023

Lovely piggie people.
We seem to have a newspaper shortage 😅
We use them to line the cages to help with cleaning and our box is running very low, with lots of beds to clean over the next few weeks.
If anyone has any to go to recycle but could possibly drop them off to us instead we would very much appreciate them.
Thank you very much

22/07/2023

As promised, some lookalikes.
It’s lucky I know them well enough to tell everyone apart 😂.
Meet Buddy, Crumble and Rolo.

20/07/2023

Summer holidays have arrived and with it so have lots of piggies 😍.
So far 2 have scared the life out of me and made me think they are dead.
I hate it when they do that 😅
This boy, fast asleep with a nice snug house to go into but chooses the middle of the grass.
At least I know they feel relaxed and safe.

16/07/2023

Happy Guinea pig appreciation day 🥰

Oh my Guinea! 😱 It’s 🐹❤️🙌🏻 Time to pig spam the internet! 😄 Whoop! 😁👏🏻 Who wants to share their piggy photos with us?! 🥹🙏🏻

02/07/2023

It always makes me laugh. The difference in our perception of a good day for piggies to be out and theirs.
A cooler, windy weekend and they are all thrilled to be outside catching up on the gossip.

21/06/2023

We are now in possession of a 2024 diary.
We are able to start taking bookings for next year.
Unfortunately we are still unable to take on any new boarding clients.

15/06/2023

Suspicious circumstances have occurred.
Apparently the corner of a pen was too pointy and needed some adjustment.
Question is, who was it?🧐
We have a line up….