Feel Like Screaming, Or Crying, Or Both!

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Nicola_

Adult Guinea Pig
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So, as some of you may know I'm currently on holiday for 5 nights. I've left my dad looking after the guinea pigs and made a huge point of showing him how to do the veggies and emphasised the importance of keeping to the food rota - I also wrote a double page info sheet which was mainly about how and what veg and when.

Well, first time I spoke to him yesterday he casually asked where their water bottle was because he couldn't find it - I'd already been away for 2 days! (And if I hadn't called I don't know if he would've even told me) he apparently he'd been putting water in a bowl for them. I was annoyed but not too concerned as they don't drink water anyway and it sounds like they've still had access to some.

Well, today he's sent me a picture showing TWO bowls of veg, both with a layer of carrot on the top (and some suspiciously red stuff) well, of course I was straight on the phone - why is there 2 full bowls? Some feeble excuse that it overflowed but it's no more than usual. Wrong! If the veggies are overflowing then it's more than usual - they never overflow. Why carrots - they only get a small amount every night - it's on the list! Apparently it wasn't much carrot but it looked a lot to me, tried to explain it's bad for them to have too much! He's clearly not been following the list, which begs the question - what else has been mis-portioned to them?! And the red stuff, dunno if its tomatoes (which I did say they could have 2 twice during the week) or red pepper - which wasn't on the list!

It also looks like he's used the dog bowl for the over flow veg! I'm certain he will have given it a wash first but still. He just doesn't get it.

I feel really bad cos he thinks he's doing such a great job and has really fallen for them. I tried to call my mum but she just thinka I'm being over-cautious and 'lots of people just throw any old veggies in, or none at all' - argh! I really wish she'd stop throwing that one at me, just cos people do it doesn't make it ok!

I feel really awful, I've been ill all through my holiday which has made it rubbish and now I'm stressed about my guinea pigs as well. I just want to go home! Please someone reassure me my boys will be ok, my mum doesn't understand where I'm coming from so I can't believe her when she tells me. You're the only people I can really talk to about them!

And now I've started crying! :'(
 
Hun, relax, they will be fine! Too much veg for only 5 days will do them no harm, as will more than normal carrot, sweet red peppers are fine, infact good for piggies. Dont worry! Enjoy your holiday and dont worry! x
 
Oh poor you (hugs) try not to get too upset. I think they will be fine. Your dad is trying his best, and you will be home soon anyway. They have water, and food. I know its not your ideal scenario though. x
 
I agree they won't come to no harm, sounds like your dad is spoiling them. My mum is the same when I'm away and they get loads of extras and in 20 years of her doing so they have never come to any harm. Don't worry enjoy yourself x
 
Thanks, I do know they'll be ok - it's just really hard relinquishing the control! I've sent my dad a text as he wouldn't listen over the phone. I tried not to because I don't want to upset him but I just felt I needed to point out that too much of some things can be bad for them. Oh and that they should not be fed from the dog's bowl! :mal:

Not too concerned if it's red pepper (other than the only red pepper in the fridge is well past its best) more concerned if it's tomatoes in case they get sores so have mentioned that to him. I really hope he doesn't get upset by message. Guess I'll b getting him an extra big xmas pressie this year!
 
As long as they have some food and some water I'm sure they are just fine :-) they might look at you in disgust when you get home and try to cut their veggies quota though!
 
Thanks @degu_rock that's exactly what he's doing, when I spoke to mum she says he's been really enjoying it and thinks he's giving them treats! I now feel really bad for sending him a nagging text, I don't want him to stop enjoying them!
 
I used to spend the weekend at my daughter's and the first time I cane back to one lot having no food and very little water as my daughter forgot about one cage.Her and my husband got rollocked as she is only 12.No_one looks after them like we do but they cope.
 
Don't worry, I'm over protective too. We took them to stay at my grandmas while we went on holiday and came back to find they'd been given a few bran flakes! Eek!

And I mean hoomans bran flakes!
 
My Bubbles was a rescue pig and she came to me in a poor condition, due to her previous 'owner' (and I use that term loosely)feeding her a combination of veggies and wotsits (yes the crisps!) she was also housed in straw with no access to hay. I'm sure that that your piggies will be fine it does sound like your Dad's heart is in the right place.
 
Try not to worry, they'll be fine, and if you phone him each day to check on how they're doing, then you will be reassured that they're healthy, and you can talk about everything that he NEEDS to do properly, and where stuff is. Don't worry, and don't stress yourself out, holidays are meant to be a break and an enjoyment, not a trip to the swimming pool of tears! Cheer up, and let's see you write down a smile! :fog::woot:
 
Thanks, I do know they'll be ok - it's just really hard relinquishing the control! I've sent my dad a text as he wouldn't listen over the phone. I tried not to because I don't want to upset him but I just felt I needed to point out that too much of some things can be bad for them. Oh and that they should not be fed from the dog's bowl! :mal:

Not too concerned if it's red pepper (other than the only red pepper in the fridge is well past its best) more concerned if it's tomatoes in case they get sores so have mentioned that to him. I really hope he doesn't get upset by message. Guess I'll b getting him an extra big xmas pressie this year!
Red peppers are supposed to be a treat, fed 3-4 times a week!
Yellow and green bell peppers are each day!
 
My dad is always doing this! I went away for the weekend and told him all you need to do is change the water and give them some veg (wasn't too concerned even if he forgot the veg as I was away 1 night) and I left him all unopened veg to use so I could check the portion sizes......he used 2 romaine lettuces in 2 days! 2! And about 4 large peppers and god knows what else! He spoils my pigs when he thinks I won't notice, I've found huge cabbage stumps in there before - sneaky Pa!
 
It's just like going to your grandparents and getting spoilt rotted with free access to the sweetie/biscuit tin. It's wrong and yet so good and it does you no harm because it is only for a short while and then you go back to your normal mummy-controlled ways and all is well in the world.

Don't fret honey, they will be fine and they will always love staying with your dad!
 
At worst even if he forgot the water they will get water from their veg - I have a boar who NEVER drinks from a bowl or bottle - only if I give him water by syringe - they get quite a bit from their veg.
 
yeah agree with all above thats is why i board them and prefer not to go on holiday, if you are going Nicola I would be more than happy to help I give peppers everyday to my lot now 23 boys, and to boarders I charge £3.50 for 2 guinea pigs per day, and i have new large hutches in, to put your mind at ease i am a experienced piggie owner.
 
Try to calm down; I am sure that your piggies will survive the experience just fine, even if it is not to your standard! As long as they get fresh water, veg and hay daily, they will keep for week!

Mine have come through the odd family emergency and illness fine, even the tough time when I had to divide my time between sitting up with my dying MIL in Wales overnight in order to spell my hub and then come back to Coventry on the train to make sure that our dodgy business server was coming on properly in the morning, cover for the business whenever hub's mate had to go out and try to snatch a bit of sleep in between; medicate my piggies, clean the cages and prepare more veg for my neighbour to feed in my absence and be off to Wales again...
 
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