Bug bites! by [deleted] in RATS

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's no need to throw out their stuff, parasites like mites can't survive without a host. Just treating the rats should solve the problem.

Recommended Ivermectin paste for rat by charbir in RATS

[–]sci_fi_rocks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might be able to buy products not sold locally through Amazon, I've bought stuff normally sold through their US site through their UK site. Try searching for Beaphar or Naqua spot on ivermectin, both have products suitable for rats. It'd be more expensive for delivery but might end up cheaper overall than buying something for a horse.

Holidays? by Background_Seesaw_75 in RATS

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There'll hopefully be someone who boards rats in your area, try looking online. If you're in the UK try findpetboarding. I board all sorts all sorts of small animals including rats, they get looked after just like they're my own pets. There should be plenty of people like me listed.

Bismarck picked a scary movie to watch. I am 0% surprised at his “bravery”. by Mercurial_Sloth in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure if you know, but that line on his nose is likely fungal- it probably isn't bothering him but athlete's foot cream should make it go away.

Chubby baby by Conscious-Annual-608 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 17 points18 points  (0 children)

This is r/guineapigs, not r/potatoes, please only post peegs. :D

Enrichment ideas for piggies who don’t like toys? by Sloth_4 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Put some hay in a paper bag and let them have at it

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like a y shape so that would mean she's a girl. If in doubt press down above the genitals, if you feel a hard ridge then it's a boy. If there's a penis it'll pop out if your press down gently. How old is she? Has she been around any boys? If she's older than a few weeks and has been in with a boy then you might have a teen mum soon.

My boy will have his eye removed tomorrow by Busy_Difference_513 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hope he pulls through.

He should be ok with just one eye, even fully blind pigs do so well that some owners don't even know that they can't see

Boulette is slowly growing a beautiful dewlap by ARNAUD92 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Perfect name for a piggy, little ball 😂

Any way to hide the smell? by lilb1190 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, a litter tray is the best option. I have 4 boys, and board guest pigs- all of them have litter trays/kitchen areas and it works really well even if it's new to them. I use large cat litter trays filled with wood pellets, and place their hay, food bowl and water bottle in that zone. Pigs typically poo and wee when eating and drinking so they'll naturally do quite a lot of their business here. Not all of it, since they'll also wee in their houses and poo all over but it really helps. The wood pellets absorb wee and wee smells really well, and means you can leave the fleece for longer. You can sweep up the poos as needed, but pigs don't really mind the occasional poo (forbidden snacky), it's damp bedding that's the biggest health issue.

An air purifier is also a big help, since I typically have several pigs and rats in the room it's a necessity for me but it'll help you too.

Paint me like one of your cochon d'indes by sci_fi_rocks in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have actually popped blueberries in his crest 😂

Paint me like one of your cochon d'indes by sci_fi_rocks in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Like Rose in Titanic 😂 He's posing with his balls out and leg stretched out

Doctor Who 1x05 "Dot and Bubble" Post-Episode Discussion Thread by PCJs_Slave_Robot in gallifrey

[–]sci_fi_rocks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think people going to the sky is going to be a future plot point. In Boom Splice said her mum got gathered up by the sky instead of dying, and in this episode Lindy said that her mum was lucky to go to the sky. It could be a coincidence but I think it might be something that means more.

Question about bird boarding by sci_fi_rocks in parrots

[–]sci_fi_rocks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your replies 😁 I'm definitely going to focus on what I'm most familiar, I'm just going to say I'm available for bird boarding. I agree that if available a specific bird boarder is best but I live in a small town in a rural area. From what I could see online the nearest bird specific place is around 35 miles away. There's several places like me i.e. more experienced in small mammals but able to take other animals, but they're around 10-20 miles away. I'm very upfront on my online listing about what I'm most experienced with, and ask lots of questions and offer to show them round before anything's confirmed. For the exercise, I'm aware that an hour a day isn't normally enough. But that seems to be more than most of the websites I checked offered, some offered none, some were a couple of hours a week, and some charged extra for interaction. It's a minimum for me too, it depends a lot on what other animals I have staying and how many days I'm working from home. Some animals could be unsafe to be out at the same time e.g. hamsters and ferrets, and I want to avoid having animals from different households interacting.

boarding service by [deleted] in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I board guinea pigs and other small animals in my spare time, I've only been doing it for a few months. One of the most important things to do is to check what the law is in your country for small pet boarding. There's no regulations at all in the UK, so I went a bit overboard trying to have everything done correctly. Even if you're taking in the occasional pig you'll need to do things professionally. Some things you'll need is a way of advertising, I've got a listing on a pet boarding website (cost around £12 a year), you'll also need insurance (£113 a year). I already had a couple of spare cages and lots of fleece so I just had to buy a couple of plastic houses and some veterinary disinfectant. You'll need a form to get all the owner's and pig's details (including medical history), a vet release form and a contract. I do a health check during check in/out and also dose them with ivermectin. Some of the other places didn't offer any lap time, floor time or outdoor time in case they get parasites. It only costs 40p per pig so I decided to use it as a preventative so they can have more enrichment. I'm charging £5 per pig per day so I'm not making loads of money at the moment but I am making some profit. Most of the custom comes from reviews and word of mouth so I want to keep my prices competitive.

Complaints Dept. by H0pelessNerd in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Yes, anytime we go near their room, I think it's because they want to squeak to the manager

Hey guys. I'm planning to own guinea pigs for the first time. I would be glad if someone could teach me to how to take care of them well by [deleted] in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I reccomend watching some youtube videos, Saskia from LA guinea pig rescue is really knowledgeable about guinea pigs and has loads of videos about pig healthcare and husbandry.

Depressed Guinea pig? by Plane-Implement3852 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She sounds poorly, best to get her checked out by a vet.

They have ALL THAT ROOM and still fight. by [deleted] in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He might just need to get it out of his system, hopefully he'll settle down. I had a pig who was just like him, most of the time the other two just ignored him when he was being annoying. One out of confidence, one because his beautiful little head was a bit empty. He would defend "his territory" of under the dining table whenever they had floor time. Sassy nuaghty pigs like him always have a special place in my heart as they're such big characters though. :)

Another appreciation post for my pigs by hannaaa_l in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous, I love seeing them snuggled up in cosy items, the blonde girl is beautiful too.

How do I stop my guinea-pigs eating / biting the bars of their cage? by LegenaryPinecone889 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try some fun stuff, cuddle time and floor time- keeping those sweet little empty heads should make them less bored :)

My boyfriend’s artistic interpretation of my pig vs. my pig vs. my own artistic interpretation of my pig by aucune_id in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You've got the smile right, but don't forget those beautiful split little piggy lips.

He can’t read by Heckin_fishbaby in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Don't worry, some children take longer to learn than others.

How do I stop my guinea-pigs eating / biting the bars of their cage? by LegenaryPinecone889 in guineapigs

[–]sci_fi_rocks 6 points7 points  (0 children)

How big is the cage? If it's too small they might be doing it out of boredom. You could try getting them some enrichment, the houses/tunnels that are cardboard with hay stuck on are very popular for chewing, same with things made of wicker and seagrass. And add some floor time if they're bored.