Guinea Pig Pellets

Any success in finding Tango a new friend and upgrading her setup yet? It really isn’t in her best interests at all to be alone - especially outside where she isn’t part of the household’s daily comings and goings. You may be able to find a larger setup second hand, which will be more affordable and perfectly fine as long as you disinfect it with a pet safe disinfectant first.

We’re in for a very very cold winter apparently, you can find the indoor cages like yours cheaply second hand too; you could join two together to make a 2.4m cage? Or look into c and c grids, again it’s likely you can pick some up second hand, or they’re cheap enough on Amazon. Then you can build a cage to fit the space you have (provided it is at least 4 grids x 2 grids)

It really isn’t fair to leave her alone outside, never mind winter rolling in soon 👍
 
Wheekallweek said:
Any success in finding Tango a new friend and upgrading her setup yet? It really isn’t in her best interests at all to be alone - especially outside where she isn’t part of the household’s daily comings and goings. You may be able to find a larger setup second hand, which will be more affordable and perfectly fine as long as you disinfect it with a pet safe disinfectant first.

We’re in for a very very cold winter apparently, you can find the indoor cages like yours cheaply second hand too; you could join two together to make a 2.4m cage? Or look into c and c grids, again it’s likely you can pick some up second hand, or they’re cheap enough on Amazon. Then you can build a cage to fit the space you have (provided it is at least 4 grids x 2 grids)

It really isn’t fair to leave her alone outside, never mind winter rolling in soon 👍
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To add to this, Cavy Capers Rescue (the one you previously contacted about a companion for Tango) have tons of free C&C grids available at the rescue that I’m sure they’d be happy to part with (they told me this earlier this year when I adopted Aperol from them!).
 
@ruthie1982 now might be a good chance to have a serious think about what you can really do to improve things for Tango.

She cannot live alone.
She cannot live in a small hutch.
There are lots of affordable options for a larger setup/indoor housing, even big enough for you to adopt a pair to live with her if that is easier to find.
At the very least she needs to be inside with you until you get her a friend.

I understand this is hard to hear but we all just want the best for Tango and I’m sure you do too.

Look into the five freedoms from the RSPCA…

“Freedom from hunger and thirst: Ready access to fresh water and a proper diet.
Freedom from discomfort: Providing suitable shelter and comfortable resting spaces.
Freedom from pain, injury, or disease: Through prevention, prompt diagnosis, and care.
Freedom to express normal behaviour: Providing adequate space, appropriate facilities, and compatible companions.
Freedom from fear and distress: Ensuring conditions that prevent mental suffering.”
These make up your “Duty of Care” as someone in charge of an animal.
If you can’t meet these needs, then as hard as it would be, and please don’t take offence, the best option may be to surrender her. This doesn’t necessarily need to happen if you have a look back through this post at some of the ideas members have given.

I absolutely don’t intend to upset or scare you so please don’t feel that way, I just want to emphasise how important it is to follow the suggestions we’ve recommended x❤️

Is there a small, independent pet shop near you that has guinea pigs?
 
Tango is 5 now so I’m not sure if introducing her to a companion would be a good idea as she might like them intruding her territory
 
Wheekallweek said:
@ruthie1982 now might be a good chance to have a serious think about what you can really do to improve things for Tango.

She cannot live alone.
She cannot live in a small hutch.
There are lots of affordable options for a larger setup/indoor housing, even big enough for you to adopt a pair to live with her if that is easier to find.
At the very least she needs to be inside with you until you get her a friend.

I understand this is hard to hear but we all just want the best for Tango and I’m sure you do too.

Look into the five freedoms from the RSPCA…

“Freedom from hunger and thirst: Ready access to fresh water and a proper diet.
Freedom from discomfort: Providing suitable shelter and comfortable resting spaces.
Freedom from pain, injury, or disease: Through prevention, prompt diagnosis, and care.
Freedom to express normal behaviour: Providing adequate space, appropriate facilities, and compatible companions.
Freedom from fear and distress: Ensuring conditions that prevent mental suffering.”
These make up your “Duty of Care” as someone in charge of an animal.
If you can’t meet these needs, then as hard as it would be, and please don’t take offence, the best option may be to surrender her. This doesn’t necessarily need to happen if you have a look back through this post at some of the ideas members have given.

I absolutely don’t intend to upset or scare you so please don’t feel that way, I just want to emphasise how important it is to follow the suggestions we’ve recommended x❤️

Is there a small, independent pet shop near you that has guinea pigs?
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There is pets at home but they will not sell me a single guinea pig
 
Piggies can have new companions at any age - you just have to get the right companion.
Territory invasion doesn’t occur if bonding is done properly.

As I explained to you, piggies will appear to be ok alone but they actually aren’t. She will definitely be feeling lonely but she is hiding it.
If she was showing signs of being lonely then it is because she has become so desperately lonely that she can’t hide it anymore. It is then an emergency situation. If you wait until a piggy does show signs then you have Waited too long to get a friend.

The rescue is the best way to get a friend. It looks from the post above that they have many single sows
 
Piggies&buns said:
Any nugget which is Timothy hay or grass based. Something like science selective grain free is well recommended as a commercial product.

The best I could recommend would be piggie parcels pellets - they are purely grass based. Piggie parcels is a company run by a member is this forum.
(I don’t actually give mine pellets anymore but have used piggie parcels in the past)

Again, just one tablespoon maximum though. Too many pellets not only causes bladder issues but it can also cause dental and gut issues - if they eat many then it can stop them eating enough hay which has a knock on effect

Piggie Parcels

I don’t want to derail the OPs thread, but actually the use of food bowls is not recommended. It is much better to scatter nuggets within the hay so she can forage for them as mental stimulation (particularly important while tango is alone).
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Aww bless has she always been on her own or was she with a friend
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
There's surely public transport between Dundee and Aberdeen?
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ruthie1982 said:
There is pets at home but they will not sell me a single guinea pig
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Cavy Capers let me adopt a single pig and try a couple of companion options first to see who my piggy got on with best. The rescue just require you to have a suitably sized cage (again they can help you with this with free parts). It’s just a question of whether you want Tango to live her best life with a companion by her side or die lonely. They are a social species which require companionship in order to be happy.
 
ruthie1982 said:
Tango is 5 now so I’m not sure if introducing her to a companion would be a good idea as she might like them intruding her territory
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ruthie1982 said:
She’s in a 4ft double floored hutch to herself and she seems happy enough she is still eating and drinking ok
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ruthie1982 said:
There is pets at home but they will not sell me a single guinea pig
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Guinea pigs of any age can and should be bonded with a companion or companions if they are alone. Age isn’t a factor. We currently have a seven year old and a two year old who bonded easily and love each others company.

Multiple levels in the hutch do not count towards total floor space as most of it is taken up by the hole for the ramp.

By small independent pet shop I don’t mean a chain like pets at home. I mean a small, family owned pet shop. Or even one in a garden centre or something. We would never normally condone this on the forum but she cannot be alone any longer.

As @Piggies&buns has said, she will seem “fine” as guinea pigs are prey animals and are wired to hide any signs of weakness. However she is not fine living alone in any type of accommodation, never mind a small hutch outside.

@thewheakybeans has given you a great suggestion there with regards to cavy capers. They may even be able to provide you with the supplies to create a decent sized cage for two pigs, and as of the 8th October, as per my screenshot, they had several single sows.

Please listen to our suggestions. We have given you many ways to improve her accommodation and options to find her a friend.
 
ruthie1982 said:
Tango is 5 now so I’m not sure if introducing her to a companion would be a good idea as she might like them intruding her territory
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You introduce them to each other on neutral territory! So it's not an intrusion.

Tango might be absolutely overjoyed to have a new friend. She used to have one didn't she?
So, it's all speculation up to now. Tango might like it, she might not like it...
You won't know till you try. I bonded guineas of all sorts of ages over the years, including seniors of 6+ years. I've also had guineas who lived to 7, 8 and even 9yo. Imagine if Tango lived to one of those ages, she could be up to 4 years without a piggy companion! That's just not fair to her.
Please try for Tango's sake!
 
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