Do I Have Time To Raise Piggies?

[Alstro]

Hello everyone!

I have been thinking about adopting some guinea pigs for a couple months as I’ve been wanting some companionship. My sister and I had one when we were younger (didn’t know they needed to be in pairs ) and I really enjoyed the experience.

However, I am unsure if I have the time to care for them and wanted some outside opinions. I know how important a routine schedule is for these little guys and really want to be sure I can provide that.

I’m currently a uni student in the US, and in my upcoming semester I will spend 2 days in the hospital for 12 hour shifts (6 to 6, not including commute), and one class day from 8am to 5pm, not including the hour commute (so out of the house from 7am to 6pm). I’m unsure if I will be working then, it will depend on my summer job. If I do, it would be about 5 hours on the four days I’m not at the hospital or in class. There’s also study time, which I like to do outside my home (but can do at home if needed). I’ve read about some adults working full time and still being able to care for their pigs, but I am worried that being gone all day won’t be the best for my own pair. Do y’all think this schedule is manageable? I really don’t want to get a pair and not be able to spend time with them.

Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone!

I have been thinking about adopting some guinea pigs for a couple months as I’ve been wanting some companionship. My sister and I had one when we were younger (didn’t know they needed to be in pairs ) and I really enjoyed the experience.

However, I am unsure if I have the time to care for them and wanted some outside opinions. I know how important a routine schedule is for these little guys and really want to be sure I can provide that.

I’m currently a uni student in the US, and in my upcoming semester I will spend 2 days in the hospital for 12 hour shifts (6 to 6, not including commute), and one class day from 8am to 5pm, not including the hour commute (so out of the house from 7am to 6pm). I’m unsure if I will be working then, it will depend on my summer job. If I do, it would be about 5 hours on the four days I’m not at the hospital or in class. There’s also study time, which I like to do outside my home (but can do at home if needed). I’ve read about some adults working full time and still being able to care for their pigs, but I am worried that being gone all day won’t be the best for my own pair. Do y’all think this schedule is manageable? I really don’t want to get a pair and not be able to spend time with them.

Thank you!

Hi!

You have the makings of a good and caring pet owner; and it is good that you ask yourself that question.

As long as you have two guinea pigs, which have each other for company and a large enough cage to exercise and run at full speed and to get away from each other if necessary, then you can have guinea pigs even with a full working schedule. You may not pick up quite as easily on subtle signs of conflict as early and quickly as an owner who works from home or is around more.

Guinea pigs are a highly interactive species with a complex social life on their own, which is actually fascinating in their own right. It is good that you are opting for piggy company. Many people sadly see them only as a kind of animated toy to cuddle and as an extension of their own life and desires. However, piggies are every bit as complicated personalities as humans (which also mostly do not well when living in isolation) when it comes to getting on with each other. Ideally you choose a cage sized that you can split into two reasonable single cages so your piggies can still stimulate each other through the bars in case of problems.

What could become a potential problem is that you are facing a somewhat higher probability of finding a piggy of yours dead or dying as they are prey animals that tend to suppress the early very subtle signs of illness until it can be too late; regular health monitoring is therefore crucial. You may also struggle if a piggy needs round the clock support feeding in order to get it through a life-threatening illness crisis or emergency.

And there is one point that is very, very important. You need to save up for vet treatment (which can quickly run into the hundreds of pounds) at least to the point where you can afford basic antibiotics/painkillers for infections that are eminently treatable if seen and dealth with in time or euthanasia if you cannot afford expensive operations or are finding a piggy in pain and distress.
Unlike their reputation, guinea pigs are not by any way easy or cheap pets. Compared to other species, they are quite labour intensive and - as they have an average life expectancy of 5-7 years when cared for well and barring major medical issues - not cheap, especially as they get older. This

New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.

Ideally you adopt from a good welfare standard non-kill rescue so you can avoid the usual pitfalls that can await the unwary, whether that is a pet shop, a for sale breeder or piggies on free ads (where some owners will lie through their teeth in order to get rid of no longer welcome pets, whether that is a pregnancy, a fall out or untreated illness).
Here is a link to a list of carefully vetted and recommended rescues. Please note that at this time many rescues are close or operating only a very reduced adoption service. Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations

Take the time to think things through and ask yourself honestly whether you may be better off waiting for a few years until your life has stabilised more.