Guinea Pig Lead...

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Tigermoth

Tigermoth

Adult Guinea Pig
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Can anyone link me to why these are a bad idea please? I noticed my lovely local garden centre was stocking these and I would like to message them to point out why they are not recommended but I can't find a decent link that doesn't make me sound like a crazy lady.

TIA!
 
They should never be used due to their delicate spine. Besides, Piggies should be free to do what they want and not kept on a lead :tu: I hate it when I see these for sale and had many a heated discussion with shop assistants.
 
:no: These are a very bad idea because a guinea pig could get badly hurt if suddenly panicked while wearing one. I don't think rabbits or ferrets should wear them either. :td:
 
Thanks guys. I know this. Hence the thread. What I want is a link to somewhere a bit "official" looking that says that they shouldn't be used.
 
Hmmmmmmm. I can find a youtube vid, and a few articles from good but unofficial sites.
Can I suggest writing to the RSPA to request that they write an opinion on the matter?
 
I saw someone pick one up the othee day in the Range pet section... i glared at them then said loudly to my kids " no way wud our guinea pigs be put in one "....
 
The trouble is, people just don't know. There's youtube videos promoting the idea, they probably look cute and happy scuttling around the garden on the lead...... there's the appeal of spending time with your piggy exploring with 'freedom'. I can see how people can think it's a nice idea.
I think it's right to campaign against the manufacture and sale of these, and to petition shops not to stock them.
 
i tried to use a lead on my piggies they were way to fat and one kept getting there hair trapped in it.:yikes: They kept biting and scratching my hand i knew i should out them back buts its hard when they have made your hand bleed xD xx it was this year i did it and i had them on halloween. I never used the lead again and its sitting there in my piggie shed after what i did to them and what they did to me i knew it could give them a heart attack.:bye::no: xx so yeah they shouldnt use leads i still regret doing it and i will never forgive myself but pet shops should never sell them :rtm:
 
:D @Tigermoth , I've had a good look. I found plenty of them for sale (even one for a hamster!). But nothing about why they should not be used.
 
okay i cant email them and i ask the online dog thing but i did get thing saying if we cant answer our question i can send them a letter so i might do that if i defo cant send them a email
 
I wrote a thread yesterday on the small plastic zoo zone cages that they sell online for "Guinea pigs and rabbits" it winds me up that places can get away with selling things like this advertised for a certain animal that it's not suitable and bad for their health. I left reviews about the zoo zone cages on Amazon who advertise these as rabbit and Guinea pig homes telling people how cruel they are and not to buy them. You could leave reviews on the leads online or I can do it if you like, we need to raise awareness about all items not suitable for Guinea pigs if you need any help at all just let me know, I have also had a look for a link for you and found nothing I feel so sorry for these animals end up living a life of misery because of the petshop/online selling items to owners who don't know any better. Good on you for doing what your doing :)
 
Like others, I have looked and found several articles but nothing coming from anywhere official. Forums, general blogs and others. It would be good to get the RSPCA on board with this. It's would be good if a vet could get on board with a case study, but although we know there's been terrible injuries does anyone know any particular vet who has come across any?
@Squeaky Dreams please try not to feel bad, you didn't know they were bad at the time, and now you know that they can cause stress and injury you have decided never to use one again. That is a responsible attitude to take, and that's all we can ever try to be, responsible and caring, and learning from our own experience and that of others :) x
 
:D @Chief Guinea Pig has posted a link which at least has something in writing, but is it Official enough? And as to leaving reviews about the harnesses on Amazon, I think you have to buy it first. But a good idea anyway. Is there a way around it? I agree with @Critter, we need to get the RSPCA on our side with this. Perhaps they could print a little leaflet?
 
7squeakers. said:
:D @Chief Guinea Pig has posted a link which at least has something in writing, but is it Official enough? And as to leaving reviews about the harnesses on Amazon, I think you have to buy it first. But a good idea anyway. Is there a way around it? I agree with @Critter, we need to get the RSPCA on our side with this. Perhaps they could print a little leaflet?
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That link is a bit, well, gentle. "The pig might get loose" rather than "the pig risks serious spinal injury and death" which is more the tack I want. go big or go home!
 
You can leave reviews on Amazon products even if you haven't bought it, but usually your comment will say Amazon verified purchase at the side, but if you haven't bought it from there and just left a review it doesn't say this at the side of your comment X
 
there backs are so fragile, could break them if they ran and pulled suddenly, not to mention they are pointless
 
Stayc1989 said:
I wrote a thread yesterday on the small plastic zoo zone cages that they sell online for "Guinea pigs and rabbits" it winds me up that places can get away with selling things like this advertised for a certain animal that it's not suitable and bad for their health. I left reviews about the zoo zone cages on Amazon who advertise these as rabbit and Guinea pig homes telling people how cruel they are and not to buy them. You could leave reviews on the leads online or I can do it if you like, we need to raise awareness about all items not suitable for Guinea pigs if you need any help at all just let me know, I have also had a look for a link for you and found nothing I feel so sorry for these animals end up living a life of misery because of the petshop/online selling items to owners who don't know any better. Good on you for doing what your doing :)
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I got wound up today in p@h seeing a tiny guinea pig cage that states it's suitable for 2 piggies! It really is awful because there's a lot of people out there that have never owned a guinea pig before and would see this recommendation on cages and end up buying a cage that's far too small! The same goes to things like leads/guinea pig exercise balls.
 
I'M SO GLAD I READ THIS! I was at the shop buying hay the other day and I saw those leads/harnesses and I thought to myself, "hmmm...better check with my friends on the forums first." And lo and behold, I'm glad I didn't make that purchase. It even showed a guinea pig wearing one on the packaging, leading the shopper to believe that it was perfectly safe. As you guys informed me in the past, the giant ball isn't safe for them to be in for the same reason. I'm so grateful for the thoughtful information shared on these forums!
 
okay rspca hasnt said any thing back to me from the last email. But my friend made this piggie website, so ill make one and put why they cant be used and if you want you can use that?
xhugs to you and your piggiesx :hug:
 
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