Today, the gives our favourite feline the freedom they deserve when playing outside. Cats can safely enjoy the sights and sounds outside the house. Not like other containment where kitties find it easy to jump over and get out, this one provides better security.  Some pet owners spend a lot on other types of containment just to get poor results. This even adds more worries to them especially when they are away. But with this type of pet containment, they won’t be troubled anymore and can have the peace of mind about their cat’s safety.

There are also cat crates that can easily bend or get rust or mildew around it, but not the outdoor cat containment. It is built from durable materials that can surely stand the test of time. It is also more effective as compared to others that allow pets to dig their way out. One great thing about this containment too is it is more stylish and appealing. It comes in different designs that cats will surely love and owners will really appreciate.

Pet owners know that there are a lot of dangerous and harmful things outside the house which can pose threats to the pets. However, knowing that they a reliable outdoor cat containment, they can now be eased of containment problems and cat safety worries.

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• Don’t leave dogs outdoors when the temperature drops off below the freezing point. Although they need outdoor exercise but take care not to keep them out for lengthy periods during very cold weather. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfy wearing a sweater during walks. Dogs and cats are safer indoors in all sorts of weather. Animals should never be left outdoors unattended since there is a risk of being stolen or otherwise being harmed.

• If you shave or trim your dog’s natural fur coat down, let it grow over the winter months.

• Wind-chill can threaten a dogs life, regardless of what the temperature. Dogs must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse which is large enough to let the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in their body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.

• Dogs which are spending a lot of time outdoors will necessitates more food in the winter. Keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your dogs water dish to verify whether the water is fresh and not frozen. Use plastic food and water bowls instead of metal; when the temperature is low, your dogs tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

• De-icing chemicals are hazardous. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your dogs feet. Wipe the feet with a damp towel every time after coming in from outdoors – even if you don’t see salt on walkways.

• Never leave your dog outside for an extended period of time.

• Antifreeze is a toxicant substance. However, it has a sweet taste which might attracts the animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach. Better yet, utilize antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol; if swallowed in modest amounr, it will not hurt dogs, wildlife, or people.

• Buy dog boots to protect and warm the dog’s feet in the snow.

• Provide a warm place for your dog to sleep which must be off the floor and away from the drafts. No need for expensive doghouse, but some kind of shelter is important. A dog house with a domed roof and good insulation is all you need, with some warm, dry blankets of course. This will keep the cold wind away from your dogs,

People aren’t the only ones who need to bundle up during the cold winter months. This year you just pursue these steps and take precautions to make sure your dog is comfortable.

For more details about

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The majority of domesticated cats are lazy, pets that never leave the confines of the house, but that is not necessarily a rule, as cats in general are active, natural born hunters, who like to wander freely, and if the cat you have is like that you will contemplate obtaining a katkabin outdoor cat house.

The Majority of cat owners, who reside in suburban and rural developments, elect to give their kittens and cats the ability to remain outside and be blessed with the freedom of owning an outdoor cat house, somewhere safe and cozy to come to if they feel tired of running around.

A simple way to guarantee that the kitten coming back again after its done roaming around is usually to provide it with a warm and safe katkabin outdoor cat house.

The Katkabin Outdoor Cat Houses, the same as most Outdoor cat houses are very sturdy and safe; made from rugged non noxious materials, They shelter your pussycat from the rain, cold, snow and wind in the cold seasons, and are a great cool refuge in the hot summer months.

Lets look at all available varieties of open air cat houses as a viable option.

The majority of outdoor cat houses are constructed with cedar lumber, which would have been specifically treated to be wind proof and water proof. Most of them have vinyl doors, making it easy for the cat to go in and get out yet still keep the outdoor cat house warm and shielded from the wind.

There are several outdoor cat houses available on the market today, and by conducting a little bit of search engine research you should be able to find the ideal one within your budget as they come in all sizes and types of finish.

Cats and kittens are animals that should be independent and free. In the wild they excel at hunting and it is against their nature to be kept cooped up indoors all of the time. Keep your kitty contented and happy by giving it the chance to be both free and safe at the same time. If your cat knows that when it returns it will find a place that is comfortable and safe it will never go roaming, looking for a place of safety and comfort.

In my opinion, a Katkabin outdoor cat house having the correct type of features, is the perfect choice for every cat lover and owner.

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As with any pet, their health and care is critical. Rabbits need trips to the vet and need to be neutered or spayed. Since they do not go outside they are not exposed to as many things that put them at risk for disease which is a bonus; however a vet checking them out is highly recommended.

Rabbits can be litter trained which can be a big plus. Unlike a dog they don’t need to be walked outside to do their business however the training process will take time and patience.

As with any pet, they need stimulation. They will play with toys and this will keep them busy. Remember rabbits will have a tendency to ‘chew and dig’ so you want to keep them occupied.

Their diets are rather simple – along with the store bought pellets you’ll need to top off their tanks with some vegetables. You rarely saw Bugs without him knowing on a carrot, and knowing on a carrot is better than having them go at items in the house.

They will require a cage or hutch. If you design a home for outdoors you’ll need to make sure they are secure from predators. For a rabbit, the neighborhood dogs and cats will qualify as predators, so a secure fenced area and sturdy walls on the hutch should do the trick. When they can be confined to their own spacious home, large enough to move about and easy for you to get into to clean then everyone will enjoy their space. Also be cautious on the type of material you use in their home environment. Wood shavings (pine and cedar) have been linked to health problems in some small breed animals. It’s best to err on the side of caution and check with an expert in a pet care store or your veterinarian.

They don’t bark or meow to give you signs they are hungry so you need to make sure their care becomes ‘routine’ for you. These cute and quiet little animals can make nice pets when the proper care and consideration it taken with them.

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 The dimensions of a ferret cage should be no less than 36 x 24 x 18″ to house one or two ferrets; if there are more than two ferrets in the same ferret cage, it should be proportionally larger. Wire is recommended because it is easy to clean and does not absorb odors. Plasticware Iams or plastic cages should not be used, as they do not provide enough ventilation. However, be sure the floor is covered with soft toweling or indoor/outdoor (washable) carpet to prevent their feet from damage by the wire. Be sure the wired grids are close enough to gather so the ferret does not escape. There should be no sharp wires exposed on ferret cages.

 One very good type of ferret cages is the two-story”style with a ramp of connecting the two levels. On the bottom level the letter can and food can be stored, leaving enough room for the ferret. The top level is also for the ferret to roam, and they have great fun going up and down the ramp.

 Always provide lots of clean towels for the ferrets to curl up in at nap time in their ferret cage. The litter pan should be of plastic with sides low enough for the ferret to get in and out easily. A good grade of cat litter(not newspaper or cedar shavings) should feel the pan of about one quarter full.

 When you purchase your pet, ask what he has been eating. Adjusting to a ferret cage will be easier with the familiar food. The mess that ferrets can live outdoors, but they are so small it really is no problem keeping them inside. Indoor ferrets or more affectionate and human orientated if kept with their owners. If you don’t keep your ferrets in a ferret cage you’ll miss much of their adorable antics and they will be less of a pet if they are kept outdoors. It is a good idea to buy a ferret cage for safety and training purposes. Remember, ferrets are so small that a cage seems like quite a bit of room to them. However, be sure they have several hours of freedom daily for play, human companionship, and exercise.

 Ferrets cannot with stand between us and temperature. They suffered greatly if the temperature is much above 80�. Never put ferret cages in a draft or where direct sun is shining on them. Even if the room temperature is comfortable, the direct sun will keep them up. Also, be sure the ferret cage is not receiving a blast from the heating or air conditioning duct. The best betting is soft towels. So they can cuddle up in them.

 Some ferrets will chew up the towels, if your ferret does, watch them closely to see if he becomes ill. Ferrets love to hide to sleep, so let them disappear in their bedding for a snooze. A ferret cage should be cleaned weekly using water and mild detergent. Scrub, rents, and cover services with a disinfectant. Leave the disinfectant on for 10 minutes, then rinse well. The bedding should be changed weekly-more often if there has been an accident. Food bowls should be emptied of on eating food daily, wiped clean, and refilled. Wash bowls in dish detergent at least every week. Don’t fill the food bowl completely, because some ferrets will not eat stale food. Water bottles in your ferret’s cage should be emptied, cleaned up with dish detergent, thoroughly rinsed, and refilled daily. A soft toothbrush or bottlebrush is good for cleaning inside. Be sure to clean the rubber stopper and shrinking to. The key to having a happy and healthy ferret is keeping the ferret cage clean.

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However, those who opt for cats still have work to do training and caring for their pets. Most cats are particularly independent pets, but life will run more smoothly if the owner teaches the cat the rules of the house.

It is vital for the health of you and your cat to train your feline in the proper place to do its business. Unsanitary conditions will exist if your cat feels it is acceptable to release urine and feces wherever it wants. Cats can use urine to mark their territory and express anger with their owner. This behavior is unhygienic and can be dangerous to your health. Cats and humans can become ill from living in places that are marked with urine and feces.

Cat house training is a must if you care about the appearance and smell of your home and wordly possessions. A home that reeks like cat urine is one that neither you, your friends, or your family will enjoy spending time in. There are few odors that are as difficult to remove as cat pee from floors and furnishings.

Some find the idea of cat house training intimidating, but it’s really easier than you might expect. Cats prefer to inhabit clean, sanitary places. They instinctively try to avoid besmirching their sleeping and eating areas with excrement. As a responsible and thoughtful cat owner, you need to define the appropriate areas for waste.

Any cat owner, with a little patience can achieve successful cat house training. After you purchase a litter box, you need to fill it with clumping kitty litter or special crystal granules designed for that purpose. After each meal and whenever he or she seems ready to eliminate, you need to lift and place the cat in the litter box.

Cats instinctively desire to dig and cover their bodily waste. When cat house training, you should always praise your cat for entering and correctly using the litter box, since it will reinforce their behavior. In no time at all, your cat will understand the litter box’s purpose and everyone will be pleased.

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Principally, the correct kind of food that your dog needs must be available. Food selections are provided according to the dog’s age in order for you to distinguish what food should you feed a pup and what is for an adult dog. There are even foods for both pups and older dogs with extra nutrients so that their exceptional needs will be catered to. Of course, you have to get food and water bowls that are the correct size for the dog. Pup bowls are effective in terms of being robust and they fit well to the floor making it easy for the dogs to eat and drink. A resting place for the dog is yet another thing that you need to arrange. That can range from flannel blankets piled up in a box to a fully fitted out doggie bed that could cost more than your own bed.

An outside dog needs a place to sleep that’s protected from the weather. A dog placed inside a fenced kennel is not actually a pampered pooch. That’s little better than prison. A concrete dog house is what an outdoor dog calls for. If you have a small dog, you can get him a cedar kennel for only two hundred dollars or for a large dog, expect to pay upwards of one thousand dollars for a cedar house that handles weathering well. Insulated walls are just the thing that your dog might want during the times when climates become extreme.

Unit plus installations are also offered to those owners who have enough money to pamper their pets as they can have additional units to their pet’s outdoor doghouse such as an air conditioner or heating unit. You can also get an indoor dog house which permits medium-built or even small dogs to have some sense of privacy. Indoor doghouses which are made of rattan are also available in smaller sizes for under $100. You will tend to give your dog additional prizes as the time passes which can run from his necessities going to some perky items. Your chief, long term expenses will go to the maintenance of your dog like its vaccines, veterinary checkups, grooming and food.

The law requiring you to leash your dog is enforced to nearly all cities under your control when walking in public areas. An indispensable lead is what you need to attach to the collar of the dog. Leashes are available in a variety of colors and they usually come with dog collars as you can also match them with fine leather or duplicated jewels such as rhinestones or others depending on your budget.

The trendy dog wears designer collars and leads, which can match your designer clothing so you make a matched pair. A practical option for collar and leash is the reflective collar. You might love to walk or run with your dog when it is already dark, you will still feel secure together with your dog since the reflective collar can give you a choice for protection. Don’t expect to find a dog toy section that is bigger compared to that of the toy section for tots in any department store. Dog toys range from inexpensive chew items and bones to toy frogs, squirrels or cats which can grant your dog the opportunity to feel dominant over other types of animals.

In cold and wet climates, doggie sweaters or raincoats are practical items. A sweater can provide additional warmth that small dogs may call for. The fashion to dress up dogs in everything from swimsuits to party dresses to Halloween attire to haute couture quickly runs up the tab for a new wardrobe that you love, but don’t expect every dog to like the idea. Countless offers of books and videos about dog schooling are just everywhere as well as courses for grooming and training or exercises for your dogs. Saving money is something that you should always keep in mind. You might need them for your yearly fashion of taking pictures with your dog together with Santa Claus.

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There are different suggestions for housing various birds- from parrots to finches.

There are a lot of types aviaries – already built in flat pack so they are very convenient. But also they are very expensive.

When you choose an aviary be sure that it is practical and has all the basic needs:birds need shelter to get out in bad weather, you need a safety porch for access without the possibility birds to fly away and also there should be  a roof against wild bird droppings and other elements. Also the aviary should look nice and be functional.

Of course it will be cheaper and unique if you make it yourself. For getting ideas how it to look like you may use ready-made aviaries.To build your own aviary you have to obtain good DIY skills or you may use ready-made panels- 6ft high and 3ft wide, they are easy to work with.

Design

Aviary’s design depends on what are birds you are going to keep, the available space and the materials for building it.

If you have finches then a wooden house for them is good, but for more destructive birds as cockatoos and other hookbill birds as budgies and macaws you will need a metal frame.

The birds you have determine the size of the mesh. For finches, budgies and cockatiels it should be square 1/2inch by 1/2 inch, it is safer. For them the thinner 19G (gauge) mesh is proper. 16G mesh is good for senegals and conures, 14G or 12G mesh is good for macaws and cockatoos; 2 by 2 inch is suitable for the larger parrots and often it is cheaper.

The shelter can be added as a box, attached to the top or you’d better have bird room or a shed that has an indoor flight and allows birds to fly during bad weather. It is also recommended that there should be a selection of perches for the birds to sleep at night.The flight inside the shed will be not as large as the main flight, birds use it for exercises. During good weather in warm seasons the birds may sleep where they want, but in winter or at cold nights they have to be shut. Birds can get in through a stable door whose top is open or through a pop-hole.

The shelter could be wooden or from bricks and can be easily adapted and insulated. There should be enough light via windows or if it is not sufficient there should be artificial lighting or a mix of both so birds can feel comfortable to be fed and the owner can  work in the evening.

Temperature is also very important, especially for the most fragile birds. You can choose tubular convector heaters with built in thermostats for the temperature or separate heater-thermostat units.

For the good health of your birds also air filters or ionizers would help. They remove feather dust from the air, which is dangerous for people suffering from asthma.

Choosing The Site

Place the aviary far from trees against falling leaves and branches, but put it in sight of the house and to a direction where morning sunlight comes from. Leave a room around it so in the future if you decide to expand it to have that opportunity. Set the aviary away from the main roads because if you do not consider it, your birds could be startled by the car lights and they are exposed to a risk from the opportunist thief.

Also you should discuss your ideas with your neighbors and check with local authorities if planning permission is needed.

Put down a solid footing against predators and for hygiene reasons.If you have soil floor it is perfect breeding ground for bacteria parasites and is difficult for cleaning .The best solution is concrete, never mind that it is permanent. Predators can not dig it and it is ideal for disinfection. It you are put off its permanent feature, consider the alternative to lay slabs,they have almost the same effect but they are less permanent.

After the footing is set, it is time for the aviary panels. Put a layer of brickwork round the bottom and drill holes 1ft from either end in the panels.Then it is easy to fix the panels together with nuts and bolts. That way they are easy to be dismantled if they have to be moved or replaced. The best method is to fix first the shelter and then to fix the panels to it.

Risks

Predators like birds of prey, rodents, mice,rats and other, foxes, snakes and cats are the enemies of the birds and you have to think about buying ultra-sonic devices which are harmless to your birds,they emit radio waves that scare off the predators.Good hygiene, laying traps and cleaning up spilt seed will help you against rodents and  also snakes will be kept away if you place panels on brick work.

Treat your birds for parasites at least once a year .Regular disinfecting and cleaning will reduce the risk if illness.

You should do something against thieves and the elements, too. You aviary should be built sturdy and locks to every door should be fitted. Motion sensitive security lighting and a high quality security alarm are good investment .These preventative measures should deter the thieves .It will be hard for you to control the elements so offer a shelter and keep birds warm and dry.

Check List

Before introducing birds in your own built aviary, allocate a section listing needed things.

Neighbors’ approval and permission to build

Proper site with plenty of room

The right frame and wire for the  birds

Shelter for the birds

Solid floor

Air filter

Predator protection

Practical/sturdy design

Heating

Safety porch security

Plan in details

The Birds

When you keep birds you have to follow some general rules.

Don’t mix beak type with others, keep them saparately

The same species have to be kept together

You have to know each bird

Because of the strength of the beak of the hookbills it is dangerous to keep them with housing finches, otherwise they could kill or injure a finch.Of course those which are gentle-natured like grass parakeets can be an exception. If you are not sure but definitely want to mix certain types, ask for advice an experienced bird keeper.

Even for small types like budgies and finches, it is not recommended to be mixed as they could be territorial and aggressive and can kill a bird.

If you know your birds well you will be able to mix them or to pick out sick birds from those in good health.

Aviaries can cost a lot but with quality materials, good planning and care, they will bring you pleasure and excitement for whole life. Draw up some plans, consult other bird keepers for unseen flaws and start .It is a a good investment if you have an overmastering desire for having a great number of birds.

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They say “During ancient creation days, a dense cloud stood over the land as Ngai (the divider of the universe) descended to earth and made his dwelling upon the snow-capped peaks of Mt Kenya. Then He (Ngai) beckoned Gikuyu to the consecrated mountain and gave him the land around Kirinyaga as an inheritance and treasure for Him and his descendants. Then Gikuyu went to an orchard of sacred fig trees. While resting, Gikuyu found a beautiful woman who He gave her the name Mumbi and took her for his wife. They were then hallowed with nine charmingly glance daughters who later grew into very beautiful women. The daughters kept on beseeching saying their parents saying “Oohh that we would have husbands and build our own homes so that the names of our parents would last forever”

For many moons, Gikuyu and Mumbi searched their hearts in their quest to satisfy their daugthers’ desires. At last in despair, Gikuyu fell upon his knees. Raising his face to Kirinyaga he called upon his creator, to bless his daughters with husbands and Ngai heard Him and commanded Gikuyu to make a sacrifice under the orchard of the fig tree. Heeding the commandment, Gikuyu sacrificed a lamb and a sheep fowl and lit a fire with nine burning sticks and said “we have come to beseech thee for rain that satisfies our children. Say now that the rain may fall” Suddenly out of the fire came nine young men whose backs were firm and strong like the trunk of the sacred Mugumo (fig) tree and when Gikuyu saw them, he gave thanks and welcomed them to the homesated.

Unanble to resist the beauty of Gikuyu and Mumbi’s daughters, they asked for their hand in marriage. Gikuyu blessed the marriages and each daughter built herself a hut and started their families thus the name of Gikuyu and Mumbi prospered. Each daugthers generation came together to form a clan thus the nine Kikuyu clans. From the tribute of Gikuyu and Mumbi and in the honor of Ngai, the Kikuyu’s build their houses with doors facing Mountains Kenya. It is also not uncommon to see Kikuyu burying their dead relatives with head facing Kirinyaga.

Tales of Kikuyu’s entrepreneurship are not uncommon in the modern world, their hard work, determination and industrious innovative investments are inspiring. This is without the fact that the Kikuyu’s form the largest ethnic group in Kenya with the widest political and economical representation in Kenya. While on Kenya safari, you will not miss tales of this industrious ethnic group”

Of further startling trait is how Mount Kenya was named. Dr. Edward Krapt was the first white man to see the snow peaks on the equator and by spotting the glaciers of Mt. Kenya from a great distance he was motivated to find out more about the epidode. Curious of such an historic and fulfilling phenomena he asked a Kamba elder of the name of the mountain. Unable to pronounce Kirinyaga, the Kamba elder said Kiinyaa and Krapt translated it as Kenya thus the name up to date.

Mount Kenya is also surrounded by a national park called by the same name. The park, which was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and is a Biosphere Reserve, covers 715 km2, and includes the Peaks consisting of all the ground above 3200m with two small salient extending lower down to 2450m along the Sirimon and Naro Moru tracks. Surrounding the park is approximately 2095 km2.

The park has incredible attractions such as; Pristine wilderness, lakes, tarns, glaciers and peaks of great beauty, geological variety, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered species of animals, High altitude adapted plains game, Unique montanne and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.

The vegetation varies with altitude and rainfall, and there is a rich alpine and sub-alpine flora making the mountain beautiful and live almost to the peaks. Part of the mountain’s fascination is the variation in flora, including Giant Groundsel and Lobelia, and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montanne (mountain) forest begins at 2,000m is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500m begins a dense belt of bamboo forest which merges into the upper forest of smaller trees, interspersed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude lichen.
These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes Monkeys, bushbuck, Rock and rock Hyrax, Greater galago, white tailed, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, Black Rhino, black fronted duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope. A number of other rarer species can be found here: Suni Antelope, Mt. Kenya Mole Rat, skinks (lizard), Montanne Viper and a variety of owls. Occasional sightings have been recorded of albino zebra.

Birds are not abundant in the forest. But you can find crowned hawk eagle and the Jackson’s francolin. Rarely can you find the Abyssinian long-eared owl. Birds seen from the lodge include; Green ibis, African black duck, Ayres’ hawk eagle, Rufous-breasted and great sparrow hawks, Scaly francolin, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Hartlaubs turaco, red headed parrot, bronze-naped pigeon, Mackinder’s eagle owl, Rupells robin chat.
There are two species of giant Lobelias; the narrow, featherly-leafed lobelia telekii and the broad-leafed lobelia keniensis which are a favorite of sunbirds for their half hidden blossoms or the thin shelled snails that make their home there. Plants also include crocus-like flower; Romuela keniensis, two terrestrial orchids – a Disa and a Habenaria, and an orange flowered gladiolus,Gladiolus Watsonioides. The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 – 3,5000m) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protea and helichrysum. The peak (above 3,500m) is moorland, with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland, common in the northern moorland.

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First of all, if you’ve just returned from the shelter or pet store with a single pig, we strongly recommend that you turn right around and go back. Guinea pigs are social creatures and tend to do better when there are at least two pigs living together. Two females are a good combination. Two males can live together in harmony as long as they have been raised together. And while it is possible to introduce two grown males to each other, it does require patience and care. A male and a female are the very best combination, but of course one of them needs to be “fixed” in order to avoid a future in-cage population explosion.

Your first task is to choose a cage. Pet store cages tend to be too small to adequately house a single pig – not to mention multiple pigs. Use the following guidelines when choosing a guinea pig enclosure:

One guinea pig: 6-7 sq. ft.
Two guinea pigs: 7.5 sq. ft.
Three guinea pigs: 10.5 sq. ft.

If you cannot find one large enough at the pet store, you can always build your own cage or buy one online from a reputable cage seller. In recent years, C&C (Cubes and Coroplast ) cages have become quite popular because they provide a lot of cage for the money. Check out the resource box and the end of this article for a link to some online C&C guinea pig cage stores.

Place a nest box, a piece of PVC pipe or other enclosure inside the cage. Pigs like to hide out in cozy little places and providing a hiding place inside the cage will make your pigs feel happier and more secure.

Never place your pigs in an aquarium. Yes, some people do house their pigs in an aquarium, but it is very bad for their respiratory system. Toxic ammonia gas forms as your pigs urinate inside the enclosure. In a wire cage, there is adequate ventilation to carry this gas away. However, in an aquarium the ammonia gas is contained by the glass walls forcing your pigs to breathe it in all day long.

Fill the cage with bedding. Avoid cedar chips and cat litter made from clay. Both are very bad for your guinea pig’s respiratory system. A litter made from recycled newspaper works very well. Also, many people have begun to line their cages with an absorbent material covered in fleece. The fleece allows liquids to wick through into the absorbent layer.

In general, Timothy hay is very good for you pigs. Your pigs can have it in virtually unlimited quantities. Alfalfa hay should be given much more sparingly. Alfalfa hay is richer and will cause your pigs to gain excessive weight.

While, commercial pellets are fine for your guinea pigs, however, they are also very rich and should be given in small quantities as a supplement to the main diet which should consist mostly of fresh vegetables and fruits. Only vegetables with rich dark colors should be chosen. Iceberg lettuce should never be fed to your pigs; it is mostly empty calories with little nutritional value.

Don’t forget to install a water bottle in your pig’s cage. Water dishes do not work well – as pigs tend to tip them over.

Above all, don’t panic. Guinea pigs are wonderful animals and do not require an excessive amount of care. Remember that guinea pigs do better in pairs or groups than living alone. Be sure to provide adequate living space. C&C cages are a popular choice nowadays because they do provide a lot of room for a reasonable price. Provide a comfortable hiding place for your pigs – many nest boxes are available for guinea pigs. An upside-down small cardboard box works well too (although guinea pigs like to chew so you may have to replace it often). Feed your pig mostly deep-colored fresh veggies and provide a water bottle. That’s all you need to get started. To learn more, pick up a good guinea pig reference guide.   

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