Ham-Micks

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Tatti Tuesday


Tatti, short for Tattiana, was one of our guinea pigs. Both of our pigs lived past 5 years of age. They both developed ovarian cysts, which is very common in female guinea pigs around 5 or 6 years. Pigs can be spayed/neutered, but it is risky because of the anesthesia and there aren't many practicing exotic vets with lots of experience.

Anyway, our pigs had PPT everyday. (Piggy play time) when they were put on the floor in an enclosure with lots of fresh fruits and veggies and junk to play with, like boxes and empty sacks. They loved to chew up boxes, paper roll tubes, paper sacks, etc. What went in one end, immediately came out the other end as little green pellets.

Our pigs learned to squeal when we opened the refrigerator door. They knew that inside that door were scrumptious goodies. They can squeal REALLY LOUDLY. And their little ears flap back with each squeal.

At first they had free range of the kitchen, but we had to come up with an enclosure after they started ripping the wallpaper off the walls, chewing on the baseboards, and racing into the great room to hide under the dining room hutch and chew on it's base. Guinea pigs are little chewing machines.

The cats would jump into their enclosure with them to eat the fresh grass we would bring in from the yard. The pigs didn't mind, but if one of the cats started bugging them, Tatti would turn around and spray the cat in the face. That usually stopped the cat from bugging them anymore for that day!

Luf, Us

13 comments:

LZ said...

How cute! The Lap Lady had a friend with Guinea Pigs and they had babies. She loved how they used to squeal and how sweet they are.

Kaze

Gemini said...

Oh Momma thought that was so interesting. She wondered how cats and guinea pigs would get along all at once--thinking the cats would find the pigs a fine snack,but it's good to know that they defend themselves well!

Shaggy and Scout said...

That is a cute piggie. We don't bother our piggies either. We love to watch then in their cages. Ours know the fridge and squeek at and crackly noise. They are little beggars! They eat lots of timothy hay every day and enjoy carrots, parsley, apples & orange slices. We only have three now. Once we had 8 all at once. Mom says they are little love sponges.

Daisy said...

Tatti is a very cute little piggy. My Mommie had a guinea pig when she was in college (a long, long, long time ago).

Icon Baxter Bentley said...

They are very cute! I would like to play with one, but not if it sprayed stuff at me.
They are cute chewing machines.

Spirit and Ezra said...

Ezra sez... He don't haff a Piggie, we haff a Hammie. I assidently bit him once. He waz kinda tasty tho.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

What a cutie patootie! I bet the kitties had lots of fun playin wif dem.

No piggie in our house...I don't know what Ping wood do wif em??

Abby

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Meowm says Tatti has a great diet! I think she is very cute!

Around Your Wrist said...

i bet 'ppt' was just the best!

mama had ratties for awhile. they were interesting to watch...a little aggressive toward my nose though. i don't mind that she doesn't have them any more.

guess what? we're moved!

suz

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We's nefurr seen piggies befurr. They look furry inchresting.

Shaggy and Scout said...

Mom buys timothy hay by the bale. 25 pounds at a time for $19.95 from Oxboy Hay Company. It comes in a big box and the piggies would like to just dive in & munch, but sorry to say they only get it one handful at a time! 8 pigs used to go thru it fast, but now with 3 it should last quite a bit longer!

Pearl C. Pritchard said...

Hi 40 Paws...

G. Pigs must be very interesting to watch. I've been told that they're very affectionate, too.

Did I understand you correctly in that your daddy is from England? Just curious.

Mr. Hendrix said...

Aw that is sweeet. We've heard fun things about Guinea Pigs and it is nice to know yours got lotsa play time. How neat they could defend themselves from kitties. We had no idea. They are so cute! Sorry you lost them so young (well, we don't know how long they live). I'll bet they are munching on that green green grass over the bridge!.