Advice Needed

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Jaden

Jaden

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New to this site... I am not a guinea pig owner, but a friend I am staying with for a few months is. She purchased two of them six weeks ago and to be honest, they are filthy and so is the cage. Her apartment is very small and the stench is horrible. She is now keeping them (along with a chinchilla) in her equally small bedroom, which is adjacent to the kitchen. At my request, she might clean the cage every 2 weeks, but does not use vinegar or bleach. She does this in the kitchen sink. No daily spot cleans, no litter trays, no fleece. She bought Carefresh, but is so frugal that she uses very little. She handles the pigs constantly and does not wash her hands.
The urine stench is unbearable and she came out of her bedroom last night reeking of it. She is highly sensitive, but there is no way someone can live healthily in tight enclosed quarters with three rodents / pigs who live in urine / feces infested cages, rolling around in it and spreading it into the air and onto the carpet. I am constantly vacuuming feces. Can anyone help? She is oblivious and refuses to believe there is any odor. Even with the bedroom door closed, the odor is awful. I am worried about her and wonder if she is capable of caring for these animals. I have talked with her - in one ear, out the other. Thank you.
 
Hi it's lovely that you care so deeply for your friend and the animals welfare. Have you introduced her to this forum? Have you said straight up that the animals cannot stay in those conditions and added that you are worried for her health? How old is she- as in is she still with her parents because if so what do they think about this whole idea? If nothing is done or you can't get through to her then you may have to think about reporting her because it is unfair on the pets to be left in unhealthy conditions. I would invite her on this forum- we are more then happy to help her and answer any questions. Maybe making clear that you want to help will make her realise.
 
Thanks. She is 50 and single. A bit lonely, so she wanted someting to "cuddle", as she has said. She is a bit tech challenged, but maybe I could show her this site. She is ultra sensitive and I do not want to hurt her feelings. She is moving into a 2 bedroom on 8/1 and looking for a roommate and I told her that very few pp are going to want to be part of that. Honestly, Jesse, I think she should give them up, all of them. Best for her, best for them, best for the roommate. But it's not my decision. How do you think I should approach introducing her to this site? She has a learning disability and I am concerned that no matter how many pp tell herwhat to do to rectify this, she won't follow through. I am in a horrible position.
Thanks again!
 
It's good she has a friend like you and I'm very sorry that she is lonely. Perhaps say that like her there are people who also own piggies on here and she's more then welcome to talk us to death about her piggies- make new friends? I realise it must be difficult trying to get through to her but perhaps talking through rehoming or explaining that piggies do require (and chinchillas) more work then some people bargain for- on here there are people who have had to rehome their piggies and they could share their experiences bit if she does really want to give them the best then showing her some of the threads on here detailing cleaning etc could help. :) does she recieve care or anything because perhaps the more people that show they really care about her and her personal welfare she'll see.
 
And you say she uses carefresh? Perhaps the idea of (cheaper! :) ) colourful fleeces with pretty patterns would appeal to her. Much less expensive then carefresh because you just machine wash them however they do need spot cleaning regularly.
 
Good to know. However, she does not have a washer and uses coin laundry about once a month. That will change when she moved. I know, this is a challenge! All ideas so appreciated.
 
Hi, I use Carefresh bedding, and I use a 60 litre bag of it every week when I clean them out.

I don't think having her give the pigs up yet is a great idea. It sounds like she means well and just doesn't have a good idea about what guinea pigs need yet. Would you be prepared to physically help her out at first? I know you may not want to but sometimes it's easier to show people how to do something and they're less likely to take it badly than just telling them. Like on a weekly basis "hey we should clean the pigs out today", pick a time that is good for you both. Don't clean the cage out with bleach, if you really need to move some stubborn grime then just warm soapy water, but make sure it's thoroughly rinsed and dry before adding new bedding or placing the pigs back in. They're probably in too small a cage as well, maybe looking online (the RSPCA website etc is a good start) and show her what the recommended minimum is for two pigs and then try looking at better cages with her.

I know, it's a lot of work that you may not feel up to, but she doesn't sound like she's being deliberately cruel, and it sounds like she doesn't know any better. There's no reason at this point, if she has the correct information and knows what they need that she can't be a good owner though. I'm sorry, it can't be an easy situation to be in.
 
Thanks for response. Carefresh - being ultra frugal, she probably uses 1/100th of the 50 lb bag. Yikes. Should there be a litter box of some kind in there? And what about the fleece I read about? May I also ask what difference the cage size makes when it comes to this awful odor. Nothing like feedback from you experts out there!
 
Oh, and how best to explain the importance of washing with soap and water every time pets are handled.
 
It won't make much difference to odour, but it will make a difference when they get older. They need space, too little can cause fights to break out and you don't need that on top of everything else, not if you can help it.

Nope, no litterbox. Guinea pigs can't really be toilet trained, although they do like to eat whilst they potty, so you can kinda work out where they're generally going to go potty. Unless they're my two, who insist on going everywhere the cheeky sods.

Fleece is just another type of bedding. There's several out there - fleece, Carefresh, Aubiose, Back2nature, but there's links to explain the different types, I'll grab those in a sec.
 
Right, you can use wood shavings, they are cheaper and a quicker fix for now than fleece. Pigs don't need a litter box but a tray with wood shavings and hay in will encourage them to pee in one place more as they munch on hay. Buy some small pet safe disinfectant to clean and bathe the pigs. I'm really sorry about your situation but you are being such a great friend to her. x
 
Lorcan said:
It won't make much difference to odour, but it will make a difference when they get older. They need space, too little can cause fights to break out and you don't need that on top of everything else, not if you can help it.

Nope, no litterbox. Guinea pigs can't really be toilet trained, although they do like to eat whilst they potty, so you can kinda work out where they're generally going to go potty. Unless they're my two, who insist on going everywhere the cheeky sods.

Fleece is just another type of bedding. There's several out there - fleece, Carefresh, Aubiose, Back2nature, but there's links to explain the different types, I'll grab those in a sec.
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I agree with all this too, posted before reading, oops.
 
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview the link about the bedding.

As for explaining that, go with general hygiene. Stuff like viral infections, fungal infections - ringworm, they can be passed from human to guinea pig and vice versa. As a general hygiene rule if you wouldn't do something for yourself without washing your hands, you wouldn't do it for guinea pigs either. Feeding them, especially where fresh veg is concerned, cleaning the bedding out - you wouldn't handle your own poop without gloves and handwashing, so it wouldn't be done for the pigs either. But again that might be easier to show than tell - make an effort to wash your own hands first, be seen doing it. Learning by example, I guess.
 
Explain that bugs from hands will go into your mouth, then your stomach, then your blood through your intestines. Not a nice thought but it may be what she needs for some persuasion!
 
Point out that washing your hands after using the toilet is for the exact same reason x
 
RingoandOlly said:
Right, you can use wood shavings, they are cheaper and a quicker fix for now than fleece. Pigs don't need a litter box but a tray with wood shavings and hay in will encourage them to pee in one place more as they munch on hay. Buy some small pet safe disinfectant to clean and bathe the pigs. I'm really sorry about your situation but you are being such a great friend to her. x
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I didn't mean bathe the pigs in the disinfectant! I phrased that wrong. You will need to buy a guinea pig safe shampoo for that x
 
I wondered about that! Thanks for clarifying. Did I read somewhere that there is a pig safe disinfectant spray for the cage? Is that what you mentioned. You can tell I know nothing about anything here.
 
Jaden said:
I wondered about that! Thanks for clarifying. Did I read somewhere that there is a pig safe disinfectant spray for the cage? Is that what you mentioned. You can tell I know nothing about anything here.
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I don't want you to think I'm deliberately avoiding your question, but I genuinely have no idea. Cages generally don't need frequent disinfecting although I'm aware this isn't really a standard situation. @VickiA @sport_billy you guys wouldn't know anything about disinfectants?
 
If the cage is really dirty and she hasn't cleaned it in ages. I would completely empty it, then wash with warm water, then spray, then use warm water again, then dry :)
 
I think she should come on here we have plenty of threads on how to look after your guinea pigs.
If she is not into pcs or iPads could you sit down with her & read through the forums with her. If she doesn't spot clean or clean the cage every 3-4 days she is going to run into trouble. The piggies will get infected feet & skin, I hope she remembers to feed & water them. She would be better off surrendering the piggys & chinchilla. Maybe get a kitten, that is providing she is going to look after that. What size is the cage & what are her disablities. If she carries on she is going to end up with 2 dead piggies. I think you need to decide if she won't sort it out, it is cruelty to animals & do you want to stand back & watch them die.
 
It's a hard subject to discuss with someone who's intentions are good in that she wants to shower the pets with love, but part of that has to be keeping them in a way in which they are not going to suffer, which this set up long term would do.

I have found over the few years that I have had my pigs that although they are they most adorable, and fun, gentle pets, they do take a lot of looking after no matter what your setup - whether that be fleece, wood shavings, etc (and I have been through all of these indoor and out!).

The cost of looking after even two guineas pigs and feeding them properly, and taking care of the bedding costs are way more than I ever anticipate, but they are worth it. If she is able to feed them properly and give them the exercise and attention they need then getting into a simple easy to maintain routine for cleaning and housing will be easy with your help. But if those needs are not even being me, on top of the housing situation, then perhaps a kitten would be a much better idea.

Good luck and hopefully there will be a good outcome. ;)
 
It sounds a really poor situation for the guinea pigs. If they are in this state after only a few weeks of your friend getting them then unless your friend gives them a clean envirmonment it will only get a lot worse.
You say your friend is single and has learning difficulties. She is also due to move to a 2 bedroom on 8/1. Does that mean you are staying with her until she moves?.
Are you happy staying in conditions like this?
Is there a social worker involved with your friend who you could talk to. If there is maybe they might be concerned about your friends living arrangements. If the smell is that bad there could be complaints from neighbours.
I agree with @Tiamolly123, surrendering the guinea pigs and chinchilla will give them hope of a better life.
Sorry to sound so critical but I am realistic about the situation and it needs addressing quickly.
 
RingoandOlly said:
Any updates?
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Thanks to all of you. No updates, because I am trying to decide what to do. I have asked her to keep her door closed and I have removed the few hanging items I had in her closet (smelled like urine). She doesn't get it, but has been very kind in trying to accommodate my concerns. The last few posts are really in line with my thinking. If she cannot spot clean daily, clean cage weekly, bathe them, vacuum carpet daily and wash her hands with soap after handling, then the pigs and chinchilla should have new homes. Loving and cuddling them is fine, but that's the easy part. I know her social worker's name, but not sure if that's the best way to go. I don't want to alienate her or hurt her feelings. I do feel sorry for all 3 animals.
 
Jaden said:
Thanks to all of you. No updates, because I am trying to decide what to do. I have asked her to keep her door closed and I have removed the few hanging items I had in her closet (smelled like urine). She doesn't get it, but has been very kind in trying to accommodate my concerns. The last few posts are really in line with my thinking. If she cannot spot clean daily, clean cage weekly, bathe them, vacuum carpet daily and wash her hands with soap after handling, then the pigs and chinchilla should have new homes. Loving and cuddling them is fine, but that's the easy part. I know her social worker's name, but not sure if that's the best way to go. I don't want to alienate her or hurt her feelings. I do feel sorry for all 3 animals.
Click to expand...
 
I definitely think she would enjoy being on this forum to get some help and she might enjoy looking through everyone's pictures to see how our piggies live and this might make her think that she would like to provide her piggies with a nice environment if she sees one she likes on here. I know this is a big ask but please can you help her clean them out, just for the first time. Maybe you could make it fun for her maybe she would prefer fleece because you can get some really lovely colours and patterned ones and she might enjoy changing the fleece to give the piggies a nice change. Maybe you could help her set like themes for their cages depending on what fleece she uses on what day. So one day she might have a blue and red fleece on so she could have a blue plastic house to match and then on the next clean our day she could have say an orange fleece with spots on and she could give them the orange house to match. I know this would cost abit to start her off because she would need matching coloured items but I'm just thinking of ways to make her look forward to cleaning them out instead of her maybe feeling overwhelmed or like she doesn't know what she's doing. I actually like cleaning my piggies out because I like to know they are sleeping in clean bedding. Maybe she just needs a nudge in the right direction. I don't really know about chinchillas that much so can't really help on that one but maybe she could buy him/her some new toys and rotate between them on every cage clean? I hope she can get herself sorted before she moves.
 
By the way, I have told her she needs to spot clean daily (never happened), clean weekly (happened twice) and wash her hands (happened once). Says her learning disabilities affect her memory. She does, however, remember to feed and water them daily. Go figure.
 
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