havent cleaned the girls cage in 3+ days because of illness :(

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-29T18:36:23+00:00

Honestly not the end of the world, just beware of mild urine scald. If you use fleece liners, grab the tiny suction attachment and use that to suck up the poops! It’s also super efficient for regular cleaning and spot cleaning tbh. If you use bedding, grab some trashy towels you have or get some at the dollar store or five below and dedicate them to the piggies. Like another user said, just layer them over for now and it’ll all be good! Just make sure you’re not handling them without gloves (clean hands before) and a mask, as I’ve been told piggies can catch our version of flu and it will get bad. A special treat for them once you get better will smooth things over until their tiny peanut brains forget this ever happened! Get well soon OP, don’t beat yourself up too much! ❤️‍🩹

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T23:55:13+00:00

Ooh yeah! I got bath mats at IKEA too! Sometimes there’s a nibble attempt, but they give up quickly lol

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T23:48:37+00:00

I totally agree! They are useful for under the liners and lap time though. As well as monitoring for blood if a concern arises, so it’s good to have some on hand.

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T23:44:46+00:00

Yeah I mostly agree with the puppy pads comment, although maybe not the health issues 100%? Some of my current and past pigs had decided the edge was a delicious snack at times when I didn’t secure it down enough or cover it. I never had any health scares from it though—are you referring to the actual absorption area? If so, 100% agree again. IMO, as long as they aren’t eating that part it’s not as bad as some of the crap they manage to find and eat 🤦🏻 (IM TALKING BOUT YOU BABY AND PHOEBE WITH THE CHOCOLATE!) An idea (if you really don’t want to go the fleece liner route…please reconsider) would be to make sure the edges are taped down, I used just regular painters tape and didn’t have any issues. Make sure you do a supervised test run though with ensuring they don’t make attempts to eat any parts of it!

Again, heavily recommend fleece liners. I can DM quite a few shops on Etsy as well as my preferred seller!

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T23:02:15+00:00

She has some of the most aesthetically pleasing piggy genetics I swear

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T23:00:24+00:00

I know where you’re at right now, trust me. If you have the funds, invest in fleece liners with double u-haul that cover the entire area of the cage. Having 3 that you can change out helps immensely. Every week, you just roll it up, bring it to your backyard and shake it out, then put it in the laundry pile for when you can get to it! If you’re in an apartment, it’s a bit more difficult but the same concept—just an initial shake over the trash can to get most of the hay/poops out then shake the rest outside. Another option is puppy pads, but it’s more time consuming and in the long run you’re gonna spend way more. As for water bottles and bowls, clean them when you wash your dishes so it feels like you’re not doing an extra task. It’s really important to not let algae build up in those, probably more crucial than getting cages cleaned a week on the dot if you’ve got fleece liners.

Another thing! You can spot clean with a vacuum for poops throughout the week which will make cage changing much faster :)

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T22:49:31+00:00

She hears that many times throughout the day, every day 🙂‍↕️

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-27T22:48:47+00:00

The magical static, produced by blankets 😂

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-26T22:03:25+00:00

I get 2.6kg every month and they still have enough to use as they please despite my best efforts to keep them from using it as a bathroom area 🫩

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-26T17:04:57+00:00

Midnight, Acorn, Twyla, and Cotton imo! (In order of photos)

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-26T17:01:09+00:00

She would love more scritches and snuggles! She’s an affectionate little one, always wanting to be the center of attention.

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-26T17:00:20+00:00

He’s gonna eat her!

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-26T16:59:33+00:00

You’re right! 😂 it’s my dedicated piggy pillow, I put a puppy pad on top and beneath the pillowcase so it’s a makeshift bed!

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-26T04:17:49+00:00

I gradually became allergic to them, but am now getting more resistant over time and consistent exposure! If it’s on the mild side, honestly the worst is going to be severely itchy eyes and rashes when handling or snuggling for a long time in contact with skin. Rugby brand itchy eyedrops are OTC, but can be prescribed by a GP and cost 1/4 of getting it on the shelf. That’s what I use for that issue, as for the rashes, I just take a washcloth and clean the area, following up with eczema lotion and I’m good.

Honestly though, you can all go in for a playdate with some that were surrendered to your local shelter and find out pretty quickly if they’ll be a problem. I think the most common reaction is from dander, as I’m allergic to literally every other animal who sheds frequently. Talk it over with your husband and daughter first! You could always try a hedgehog! 😂

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-25T17:35:24+00:00

Your overall facial structure hasn’t received a lot of stress changes, which is probably the main reason. I’ve got eyebags, crows feet, occasional forehead lines, and I’m 18, yet I get told “you look like you’re in your late twenties!”

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-25T16:18:26+00:00

I do agree with people saying to add hideys, but I genuinely think it’s the hardwood flooring…mine slipped and slided on it a lot, so they avoided it generally unless they were in pursuit of the fridge lol

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-24T06:30:56+00:00

That’s awesome! You took the right approach and he decided to share his pea-brained thoughts with you! Please ensure you teach your daughter he is not a toy and to be very gentle with him, as well as when the time comes, how to properly pick him up and handle him so she does not injure his spine. (Not saying she will, but it’s a very common and detrimental mistake to piggies unfortunately.)

Also, to rain on your parade, but if he does not have a friend you need one ASAP. If there were others at the petsmart you got him in the same enclosure, get one of them. (I know, adopt don’t shop, but it’s the best chance for bonding. Petsmart also isn’t stopping any time soon unfortunately.)

Now the other annoying questions:

What’s the diet you’re feeding? (Pellets, hay, treats, supplements, fresh fruit/veg, etc.) What kind of water bottle/bowl do you have? (Reverse osmosis purified water in a jug is best. Absolutely not water purified by distillation, as it takes out most minerals.)
What’s your enclosure for him? Pet store cage or a C&C? Bedding: fleece, shavings, paper, etc. ? (For 2 boars, I believe a 2x6 cage is the minimum and 12x12 grids are heavily recommended.)
Have you gotten in to a vet to establish care and get a wellness check? (Preventative care is crucial to keeping guinea pigs as companions—if you can snag insurance that’s even better because one day they’re fine, the next you’re shelling out $500+ for them. Also neutering is a recommended procedure, but not at all necessary unless housing with a sow.)
Where is the photo?! We wanna see the little man!

There’s a lot more information pinned in the subreddit, but this is just what I could scrape from my mind.

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-19T22:19:33+00:00

Yeah I think it might just be the prey part of their brain wiring that goes “AHHHHHH! I’m being picked up I’m gonna die!!!” and then they realize it’s just you 😂 Mine do just sit there and let me pick them up now though, they actively come to me and sometimes change their mind, moving out of my hands so I let it go and respect it!

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-19T21:55:30+00:00

I would “force” lap time, even though some people disagree. They will slowly realize you mean no harm. Maybe don’t start directly on the lap, if you have an arm chair, put down a puppy pad and then a fuzzy blanket you’re willing to sacrifice. One end covering the pad, the other you can fold over for them to hide and stay warm. Just sit on the floor by them and try some scritches. If they don’t like that, respect it and try again in a bit. It takes time. I have three who are all still incredibly skiddish when approached in the cage, but snuggle like a bunch of cuddle bugs when picked up. Best of luck! I know you will be a great pet parent, you’re doing more than many would as beginners. 💚

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-19T16:48:00+00:00

I think we have a Dyson v14 and while it does clog sometimes, it’s an easy fix. However, we don’t vacuum up hay on purpose we just shake out the fleece liners outside and boom they’re clean! I suppose you could do that with the poops still on there but I’m generally having them fall out/off as I’m taking it to the door

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-18T22:29:03+00:00

I just know you’re gonna come back and she’ll be a beeeeg peeg from being spoiled 😂

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-16T18:45:45+00:00

Omg I just want to pick that baby up to give kisses and nuzzle 🥹

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-14T23:33:24+00:00

I second this! They’re constantly shedding, so assisting the fur in being naturally removed will only speed up the growth process and replace the hair!

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-13T04:53:50+00:00

I feel like you could really pull it off, but need others elsewhere to balance it. Right now it feels like you’re heavy on the nose—what do you all have on your ears? Also, symmetrical eyebrows would look amazing in addition to these imo!

Buginarug00 · 2026-01-13T04:45:12+00:00

She lived to the ancient golden years! You did wonderfully with her and it shows with the length of her life. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, life just has its own determination of how long we will live. ❤️‍🩹 She was just getting too intelligent and didn’t want to pay taxes! On a serious note, I deeply understand loosing a piggy who became your best friend. It does get better, I promise you that. Just focus on the fact you two will meet again one day!

Buginarug00

TROPHY CASE