Cage space

[chigs]

Hi everyone,

I've only recently been on here and posted one post not too long ago. I have four male guinea pigs (about 6 months), and some of them started fighting not too long ago, it was awful to see. There was some blood, and I've checking them all the time to check that their wounds are scabbing over as the vet said if you don't see any puss etc then it should be fine if the fighting stops. They are still eating and drinking which is a relief too and they don't seem in any pain.

So for the time being I have split them up into 2 singles and 1 pair as them two don't fight. But because of the cage being split up into three sections, they don't have enough room for it to be permanent. I have no idea what to do, as I have no more room to extent the cage that they do have to give them the room they do need.

I love them all so much and want what is best for them, but I have no idea what that is. My mum said an option is to give them up, to a rescue maybe, because they can be paired up again and possibly get rid of their frustration by being with a female as they used to hump their brothers. I would absolutely hate doing that, but if it's what will be best for them long term then I will do have to do it for their benefit because we don't have the money or space to expand their cage or get females for them. But I would hate it either way by them going or them possibly not being happy. I'd be gutted if they was split up completely or sent to bad home, and I'd never be able to forgive myself for that because I want them to have what they deserve

Any advice at all would be appreciated!
Just thinking about the whole situation I can't stop crying

 

[Claire W]

I am so sorry for the position you have found yourself in As you have found out, four boars together doesn’t work.

Sadly, they do all need a lot of space, even the singles need at least a space of 120cm by 60cm and the pair need at least a space of 160cm by 60cm but 180cm is recommended. If you can’t provide this for them, then perhaps surrendering them to a rescue would be your kindest option.

If you surrender them to one of our recommended rescues, then they will make sure they go to great homes. Your pair won’t be split up and most rescues now neuter their single boars to expand their options of being able to live with sows

Here is the link to our rescue locator Rescue Locator

 

[VickiA]

I am so sorry that you are in this position. No pet shop should ever sell a group of 4 juvenile boars. It’s just a disaster waiting to happen. The poor boars just can’t help it. Please don’t blame yourself. It’s the shop who are at fault.

If you have a pair that get along, they will need a minimum 160 cm cage and preferably larger.

As for the singles, please contact one of our reputable rescues in the locator. They will find them great homes.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s a difficult situation and not one of your making. You were sadly given bad advice by the pet shop in being allowed to take four boys.

In terms of cage space, the boar pair need a cage of 180x60cm. Each single piggy needs a minimum of 120x60cm.
While living side by side for through the bar companionship is absolutely fine, you do also need to consider more than that. As hard as it is, if you cannot provide that space or companionship for them, then having them rehomed would be the kindest thing for them. I know, not easy for you though.

If you surrender them to a rescue centre, then you can certainly rest assured that they would be rebonded with another piggy and rehomed to a suitable home.
Given they are teenagers, then it is likely they would be neutered and bonded with sows as that is policy in a lot of cases. They could also be re bonded with a suitable boar, but teenage hormones make it trickier. Humping is a normal dominance behaviour, it’s not purely a sexual behaviour so isn’t frustration in that way.

 

[chigs]

I am so sorry for the position you have found yourself in As you have found out, four boars together doesn’t work.

Sadly, they do all need a lot of space, even the singles need at least a space of 120cm by 60cm and the pair need at least a space of 160cm by 60cm but 180cm is recommended. If you can’t provide this for them, then perhaps surrendering them to a rescue would be your kindest option.

If you surrender them to one of our recommended rescues, then they will make sure they go to great homes. Your pair won’t be split up and most good rescues now neuter their single boars to expand their options of being able to live with sows

Thank you for your advice!
I'd feel so horrible sending them away, but my parents said they could possibly be happier and get what they truly need.

I have about 210×90 or just a little more, but once that's split up then there's no room for them.

It just makes me question will they find a good home? What if they end up in a worse situation or still not enough space for them? What if they won't be happy? I love them and have gotten attached so quickly

 

[chigs]

I am so sorry that you are in this position. No pet shop should ever sell a group of 4 juvenile boars. It’s just a disaster waiting to happen. The poor boars just can’t help it. Please don’t blame yourself. It’s the shop who are at fault.

If you have a pair that get along, they will need a minimum 160 cm cage and preferably larger.

As for the singles, please contact one of our reputable rescues in the locator. They will find them great homes.

Thank you for your advice too!
Yeah I should've done a bit more thorough research that I did, especially that they got on so well until a week or two ago.

I think I would find it so hard keeping two and getting rid of two, feel like the two singles would think I didn't love them :/

 

[Claire W]

Thank you for your advice!
I'd feel so horrible sending them away, but my parents said they could possibly be happier and get what they truly need.

I have about 210×90 or just a little more, but once that's split up then there's no room for them.

It just makes me question will they find a good home? What if they end up in a worse situation or still not enough space for them? What if they won't be happy? I love them and have gotten attached so quickly

In that case, you could keep your pair and surrender the singles? As said. a good rescue will make sure they go to a good home that is home checked and lots of questions asked.

Again, I am sorry that you have found yourself in this position

 

[VickiA]

Our approved rescues have been fully vetted and have proper rehoming criteria. Many offer boar dating, or a boar neutering programme then dating with sows. The key thing is not to just give them to anyone online or any unapproved rescue. Otherwise you have no idea where they are going to end up. Our approved rescues are well respected and will properly vet potential homes.

 

[VickiA]

Thank you for your advice too!
Yeah I should've done a bit more thorough research that I did, especially that they got on so well until a week or two ago.

I think I would find it so hard keeping two and getting rid of two, feel like the two singles would think I didn't love them :/

Piggies are pragmatic. They don’t have a full range of human emotions. They live day to day. Please don’t beat yourself up. If it’s in the best interests of the singles to give them up to an approved rescue so they can find forever homes then please don’t blame yourself.

 

[chigs]

It’s a difficult situation and not one of your making. You were sadly given bad advice by the pet shop in being allowed to take four boys.

In terms of cage space, the boar pair need a cage of 180x60cm. Each single piggy needs a minimum of 120x60cm.
While living side by side for through the bar companionship is absolutely fine, you do also need to consider more than that. As hard as it is, if you cannot provide that space or companionship for them, then having them rehomed would be the kindest thing for them. I know, not easy for you though.

If you surrender them to a rescue centre, then you can certainly rest assured that they would be rebonded with another piggy and rehomed to a suitable home.
Given they are teenagers, then it is likely they would be neutered and bonded with sows as that is policy in a lot of cases. They could also be re bonded with a suitable boar, but teenage hormones make it trickier. Humping is a normal dominance behaviour, it’s not purely a sexual behaviour so isn’t frustration in that way.

Thank you!

I know what is best for them, like you're all saying, but how do I literally give them away. They've definitely helped me during my toughest times, and not having them there is always going to be upsetting. I feel like I have just given up if I give them away, eventhough I know they will be happier

Do they find it upsetting if they would never see their brothers again (e.g. paired with another boar or sow)?

 

[chigs]

In that case, you could keep your pair and surrender the singles? As said. a good rescue will make sure they go to a good home that is home checked and lots of questions asked.

Again, I am sorry that you have found yourself in this position

I'd love to keep them all, but I don't know if I could choose to keep two and not all four. I'll have a think about it all with my mum. Do you think they would benefit more from going with their brothers and possibly finding sows?

 

[chigs]

Our approved rescues have been fully vetted and have proper rehoming criteria. Many offer boar dating, or a boar neutering programme then dating with sows. The key thing is not to just give them to anyone online or any unapproved rescue. Otherwise you have no idea where they are going to end up. Our approved rescues are well respected and will properly vet potential homes.

Thank you so much!

I would definitely not give them away online or send them back to the pet shop. I want them to be happy and healthy and loved. I love them so so much but now I can't provide the basic space they do need nor give them a partner

 

[chigs]

Piggies are pragmatic. They don’t have a full range of human emotions. They live day to day. Please don’t beat yourself up. If it’s in the best interests of the singles to give them up to an approved rescue so they can find forever homes then please don’t blame yourself.

Thank you for your support !

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'd love to keep them all, but I don't know if I could choose to keep two and not all four. I'll have a think about it all with my mum. Do you think they would benefit more from going with their brothers and possibly finding sows?

If you can keep the pair, then thats good. You can then surrender the two single piggies.
If you don’t feel you can keep any of them, then the pair would remain together as a functioning pair and will be rehomed as such.
The two singles will be bonded with another piggy each and rehomed (either bonded with a compatible boar or neutered and bonded with a sow).


We will all support you through your decision

 

[Claire W]

If your pair are happy together and are well established, they don’t need to be split up. If they have fallen out, your singles won’t miss their brothers but do need to either be paired up with a compatible companion whether another boar or a sow(s) which a rescue will do before rehoming

 

[chigs]

If you can keep the pair, then thats good. You can then surrender the two single piggies.
If you don’t feel you can keep any of them, then the pair would remain together as a functioning pair and will be rehomed as such.
The two singles will be bonded with another piggy each and rehomed (either bonded with a compatible boar or neutered and bonded with a sow).


We will all support you through your decision

I'll talk to mum about all the advice you all have given. We appreciate it so much!

 

[chigs]

If your pair are happy together and are well established, they don’t need to be split up. If they have fallen out, your singles won’t miss their brothers but do need to either be paired up with a compatible companion whether another boar or a sow(s) which a rescue will do before rehoming

Thank you! If I know they'll be happier then I must do it no matter how much I'll hate myself for it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you! If I know they'll be happier then I must do it no matter how much I'll hate myself for it.

I know it’s hard to give them up, but try to think of it as an act of love - you are putting their needs before your own and that is not a reason to hate yourself, you should be proud that you would be giving them that chance

 

[chigs]

I know it’s hard to give them up, but try to think of it as an act of love - you are putting their needs before your own and that is not a reason to hate yourself, you should be proud that you would be giving them that chance

I know thank you!
I just can't imagine coming home from school and not going up and giving them love and hugs etc.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you! If I know they'll be happier then I must do it no matter how much I'll hate myself for it.

Please don't hate yourself. You are putting their needs before your own which is the biggest act of love we can give.

I once adopted a neutered boar but one of my sows wouldn't bond with him and a fight broke out. I didn't have the space for another cage and the means to find him a friend so with a heavy heart, I had to return him to the rescue. But he was paired up with a couple of sows and went off to a lovely home

 

[chigs]

Please don't hate yourself. You are putting their needs before your own which is the biggest act of love we can give.

I once adopted a neutered boar but one of my sows wouldn't bond with him and a fight broke out. I didn't have the space for another cage and the means to find him a friend so with a heavy heart, I had to return him to the rescue. But he was paired up with a couple of sows and went off to a lovely home

I'm sorry you had to go through that as well! I guess it is normal, thank you. But how do you get through it? I just can't imagine never seeing either of them again

 

[Claire W]

I'm sorry you had to go through that as well! I guess it is normal, thank you. But how do you get through it? I just can't imagine never seeing either of them again

Thank you. It is hard but you have to remember that you’re doing what’s best for them and putting their needs first. I hope he doesn’t mind but I am tagging @Lorcan who had to give his piggies up a few years ago. May be he can offer further advise

 

[chigs]

Thank you. It is hard but you have to remember that you’re doing what’s best for them and putting their needs first. I hope he doesn’t mind but I am tagging @Lorcan who had to give his piggies up a few years ago. May be he can offer further advise

Thank you so much!

 

[SusieW]

Hi Chigs,

Just wanted to offer my support. I am in a similar position to you but for different reasons but am facing having to rehome my boys (i have 8 altogether, the oldest pair are over 5, the youngest are a year and a year and a half and all ages in between) but one is chronically and critically sick so might not make it) but I too am having to consider giving up up to all 8 of my boys because it will be in their best interests because I am struggling to provide the care they need.

I think everyone who has to give up guinea pigs for any reason worries about what will happen to them. I was talking to my mum about this last night and we decided that "different doesn't mean worse." If my boys can't stay with me anymore and if yours can't stay with you, of course they will go somewhere different, but there is no reason that would mean worse. I am someone who only thinks about the worst possible outcome but actually the outcome would more likely be great.

I also struggle with feeling as though they would feel unwanted or abandoned but doubt they actually think that way.

The uncertainty is very difficult and is the reason I have been putting off rehomimg my guinea pigs but I think probably only really decent owners adopt from rescue - they are so cheap and easy to buy that it's probably easier for people to buy them on a whim from a shop than go to a rescue.

The people on the forum are great and have really helped me over the years, including currently with my own rehoming dilemma.

I just wanted to say I understand how you feel and how difficult it is but if you make decisions based on what is best for your pigs and not for you I don't think you can go too wrong. (That's what I'm telling myself too!)

Take care, you aren't the only one who has ever been faced with this sad decision so people do get it and understand.

Very best wishes.

 

[Lorcan]

Any rescue on the recommended list will make sure the guinea pigs in their care get the best treatment and care, and wherever possible will find them good homes, with plenty of space and a friend or friends to spend a lifetime with.

And none of it really matters to you when you know you're saying goodbye and you'll never see them again.

It does hurt. It's as much of a blow as a death is, they're still gone and they're still not coming back. I spent a lot of time blaming myself, that I should have done more, fought it more, but honestly I did everything I could and it's not that it wasn't enough, but time was up and there were no other options.

It will hurt, and it may take time to come to terms with it, but you need to remind yourself it's for them. You haven't done anything wrong, but their futures are elsewhere and it's up to you to make it happen, for their sake as well as your own. There will be no judgment from the rescue and no judgment from anyone here.

Good luck. And please be kind to yourself, you'll be doing the right thing.

 

[chigs]

Hi Chigs,

Just wanted to offer my support. I am in a similar position to you but for different reasons but am facing having to rehome my boys (i have 8 altogether, the oldest pair are over 5, the youngest are a year and a year and a half and all ages in between) but one is chronically and critically sick so might not make it) but I too am having to consider giving up up to all 8 of my boys because it will be in their best interests because I am struggling to provide the care they need.

I think everyone who has to give up guinea pigs for any reason worries about what will happen to them. I was talking to my mum about this last night and we decided that "different doesn't mean worse." If my boys can't stay with me anymore and if yours can't stay with you, of course they will go somewhere different, but there is no reason that would mean worse. I am someone who only thinks about the worst possible outcome but actually the outcome would more likely be great.

I also struggle with feeling as though they would feel unwanted or abandoned but doubt they actually think that way.

The uncertainty is very difficult and is the reason I have been putting off rehomimg my guinea pigs but I think probably only really decent owners adopt from rescue - they are so cheap and easy to buy that it's probably easier for people to buy them on a whim from a shop than go to a rescue.

The people on the forum are great and have really helped me over the years, including currently with my own rehoming dilemma.

I just wanted to say I understand how you feel and how difficult it is but if you make decisions based on what is best for your pigs and not for you I don't think you can go too wrong. (That's what I'm telling myself too!)

Take care, you aren't the only one who has ever been faced with this sad decision so people do get it and understand.

Very best wishes.

Hi there,

I am so sorry yours is sick, I wish all the best for them! I hope you do okay, I can imagine you have treated them all with love and affection, and that's a lot more than a lot of guinea pigs unfortunately receive.

I like that saying - different doesn't mean worse - that made me smile, and there has to be some truth to that.

My four started off so shy, maybe because they was from a pet shop and was scared all the time. But these few months with them have been absolutely amazing, seeing their personalities come to light, their confidence increasing and giving me lots of cuddles now, as they always hid away at the beginning. I know I have treated them well, and so it gives me some relief in that respect, but I know have to do what's best for them.

Everybody on here seems amazing, and I am so glad they've been able to help you over the years with anything you was going through. Knowing I'm not the only one having to re-home mine makes the decision a tiny bit easier. And doing so like you said, they will most probably be rehomed to individuals and families which know what they're doing and have the space.

Thank you for everything! I wish you all the best with your eight as well!

 

[chigs]

Any rescue on the recommended list will make sure the guinea pigs in their care get the best treatment and care, and wherever possible will find them good homes, with plenty of space and a friend or friends to spend a lifetime with.

And none of it really matters to you when you know you're saying goodbye and you'll never see them again.

It does hurt. It's as much of a blow as a death is, they're still gone and they're still not coming back. I spent a lot of time blaming myself, that I should have done more, fought it more, but honestly I did everything I could and it's not that it wasn't enough, but time was up and there were no other options.

It will hurt, and it may take time to come to terms with it, but you need to remind yourself it's for them. You haven't done anything wrong, but their futures are elsewhere and it's up to you to make it happen, for their sake as well as your own. There will be no judgment from the rescue and no judgment from anyone here.

Good luck. And please be kind to yourself, you'll be doing the right thing.

Your words made me tear up, thank you!

When I get upset thinking and talking about it, people don't actually understand that it feels like a death like you said, I'll never see them again. I love animals so much, and I have loved and been attached to mine since day one. A day never went by where I didn't go and see them for hours everyday and gave them everything they needed.

But maybe that's not enough anymore.
Thank you so much I really appreciate it !

 

[Lorcan]

I fought it for some time, but in the end the decision was taken out of my hands - it was still the right decision.

But maybe that's not enough anymore.

I might sound like I'm repeating myself but I'll keep saying it anyway, heh - that's okay. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It took me nearly 4 years to be able to adopt again - but I did it, and it was worth the wait to get everything ready again.

 

[chigs]

I fought it for some time, but in the end the decision was taken out of my hands - it was still the right decision.


I might sound like I'm repeating myself but I'll keep saying it anyway, heh - that's okay. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It took me nearly 4 years to be able to adopt again - but I did it, and it was worth the wait to get everything ready again.

I'm glad you made the right decision!
Thank you!

 

[eileen]

I had to rehome some piggies 6 years ago,I had too many...30 at the time.i could not say no,when someone kept offering pigs.i realised it was too much ,and rehomed to a recommended rescue,all sows.i was just relieved that I knew that they would all receive good care.it was hard,but helped me at the time.now I know my limit,and try to get all my piggies from rescues.you are doing a brave act,and putting the welfare of your piggies first.hugs to you.