I have two piggies and I think you will have great fun with one! It is important to learn about proper care and feeding though. I have a lot of links to great cavy (guinea pig) websites. This one is excellent, and covers all areas of care. Let me know if it is helpful. Also, check out the topic "Guinea Pig Problem" in Pets Behavior, started by Dababy. We had a long discussion about guinea pig care there not long ago. Good Luck!

http://www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/

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Hi Sami, Buster and Brutus!

First, poor little Buster! Yes, it is possible for piggies to injure their legs; sprains, breaks, etc. If he is walking around easily, I doubt that he was broken anything. But try to keep him quiet, without too much running around for a few days. Keep a close eye on him. If he seems to be in pain (without you touching his leg) I think you should take him to your vet to have him checked. Sounds like he may have sprained or strained his leg If this is the case, it should heal on it's own with a little rest.

As for his diet!! Squeekers LOVES apples (with the skin) baby carrots, peppers, bananas, blueberries and especially parsley!! You may know this, but piggies cannot make their own vit. C like humans can. They need to get it from their diet and it is very important for them to get a daily supply. This is given best in the form of fresh fruits and veggies. Dark leafy greens, like parsley, spinach, and ONLY romainne lettuce (no other kind of lettuce) are good sources. Of course, oranges, apples and carrots are very high in vit. C. There is a commercial vit. C solution you can buy at the pet store. You add 1 teaspoon per water bottle per day. It is a good backup. But you shouldn't rely just on THAT! It breaks down easily, especially if the bottle is near sunlight. Piggies are very prone to colds that can kill them very easily. So be sure and give him plenty of food with vit. C. I have never heard of the reaction to apples, apple skins and fruits you mentioned. But do keep a check for mouth sores.

For a daily diet, Squeekers gets 2 or 3 feedings a day. He gets about 1 cup total of fresh fruits and veggies, 1/2-1 cup of pellets that he "free feeds" from, and 1-2 handfuls of timothy hay or meadow hay daily. This is very important for their digestion; a good source of fiber. All pets stores and many grocery stores carry it. If they don't eat it, they like to use it for bedding! And even if he doesn't seem to like it now, leave the wood chew stick in his cage anyway. All piggies love to chew wood, and he will probably give it a try eventually. It is important for them to be able to "file down" their teeth as they grow continuously! If Buster doesn't like the pellets you use now, try another brand. But be careful of ones containing sunflower seeds. Piggies can choke on them! Kaytee makes a good pellet formlula for wheekers.

Anyway this is Squeekers diet for today:
A.M. 2 baby carrots
small handful of parsley
1/4 cup pellet
handful of hay

Noon: About Tbsp.of chopped pepper
1/2" slice of banana

P.M. Large spinach leaf
small slice of apple
1/4 cup of pellets
Handful of hay

You get the idea! You can vary the fruits and veggies. Just make sure you don't overdo the fruit (lots of sugar!) and give him dark greens daily. A small piece of orange every other day is good; but not too much! That does have a lot of acid in it!

Change his water every day! And be careful to watch if algae starts forming on the sides of the bottle. You have to wash it with hot water and a drop of bleach, then rinse VERY well. The algae forms a bacteria that can kill him!! And they love cold, cold water! Not ice water, but fresh, cold tap water.

AND! NEVER use cedar bedding! The chemicals in it are deadly! Only pine or aspen beddiing.

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with info. When I got Squeekers, he was my first piggie and I was clueless! Just thought I would pass along some info. I researched. I'm also going to post some links to great cavy (guinea pig) pages. They have great info. on all aspects of guinea pig care from health, to nutrition, to grooming (they need to be brushed and have nails clipped) to bedding, games, etc. And great chat rooms. They also have pre-recorded wheekers noises! Squeekers loves to sit on my lap and listen to thme!

Don't be overwhelmed. I'm sure in a short time you'll get into an easy routine and love caring for him. And let me know when you want to give him a bath! Squeekers loves them! Fondly, Sandra

Try these:
www.caviesareus.tripod.com www.beanmakers.com www.aracnet.com www.cavyseek.com