7/6/09

Tricks

When future pet owners are choosing a new animal, guinea pigs are often ruled off their list for one main reason. they cannot do tricks. This, by the way, is a lie. Every 2-3 weeks, we will post a new trick for you to try with your piggy. If you have a trick you'd like us to Publish, send it in to thepiggyprint@gmail.com.

1. UP
a. Get a piece of your piggy's favorite treat.
b. Let him/her smell it and give them a bite.
c. Move the treat slowly from in front of your pet to 2-3 inches above his/her head
d.Hold it there and say "Up" a few times until your pet is balanced on its hind legs and is nibbling the treat.
e. Bring the treat to the ground and let him eat it.
f. If this does not occur, keep trying!
*WARNING* Keep a hand behind your piggy's back so he does not fall over!

2. Circle
a. Get a piece of your piggy's favorite treat.
b. Let him/her smell it and eat a bite
c. Move the treat in a circular motion in front of the guinea pig.
d. As your pig progresses in this trick, you can teach him so that when you say "circle" he will go in a circle
e. Good Luck!

Have you considered adoption?

If you are considering buying a guinea pig, you should check out www.cavyspirit.com! This site is run by a group of people who rescue piggies in need of a new home. Some were abandoned, neglected, or bred for experiments in schools. Help give these poor guinea pigs a new home and a new start with lots of love.

Cheap, Cheap, Cheap!

Pet products are being made cheap, cheap, cheap! Have you ever had a pet cage that falls apart before you get it home? Or maybe you have experienced buying expensive medicines that turn out to do nothing at all. This must be stopped! Many people just can’t afford to buy a $70.00 pet cage and have to replace it after a month’s use! Pet products need to have quality! Write your feelings to thepiggiesinprint@gmail.com.

Just a Stink?

Article 1
Issue 1 Just a Stink?
July 6, 2009 Why cleaning your pet's cage is so important


Changing your guinea pig’s cage is a hard chore to fit into your schedule, but is essential. Not cleaning your animal’s cage and changing its bedding can result in giving your piggy a foot disease, and spending a lot of money for a vet visit and medicine. Why? Dirty cages cause a disease called fungus. Fungus can occur in your pet’s bedding, on your pet’s feet, or all over your pet. This can cause your guinea pig to loose fur and become very sick. Fungus mixed with other germs can cause severe sickness. You could end up spending unnecessary money on a new cage and medicine, when all you have to do is clean your guinea pig’s cage! A clean environment consists of the following steps once a week:
1.) Empty out old bedding
2.) Spray cage with water
3.) Use a mild detergent, such as Dawn, to clean out the cage.

4.) Rinse thoroughly.
5.) Put in a new layer of fresh bedding.
It is also a good idea to have a Ziploc bag of fresh bedding on hand during the week, so when a section of your pet’s cage gets really dirty, you can use a scooper to get out the mess and sprinkel in fresh bedding. You should also clean your pet’s water bottle out with water and a drop of dish detergent, rubbing it with a clean toothbrush (one that has not been used), once a month. You may think cleaning your pet’s cage is a waste of time, but it is keeping a door shut against future problems.
By: The Piggy Print Staff

7/5/09

Must....Stay...Awake...

This is Carmel, he is two, and here he is half asleep on a pillow!