Guinea Pig With Cockatiel

Aw your pig is lovely. Not meaning to rain in your parade but I wouldn't mix the two species as it could make your piggy sick. Birds can carry various diseases in the faeces like salmonella that causes diarrhoea and other dangerous symptoms. Your best bet would be to find him a friend instead of putting the bird in there for company, he would thank you for it! :)
 
Hey guys, check out my single guinea pig and the cockatiel trying to bond together.

Does LOOK sweet but I’m afraid I agree with @Cavy Kung-Fu !
Many years ago I had free range piggies running about in my bird aviary until I was alerted to the diseases that birds can carry without showing any symptoms! Psittacosis being one and this causes respiratory problems for animals and humans alike!
 
welcome to this forum! a member from India! WOW!:wel:
Here you can find great information and you can share some funny stories, pictures, etc.
About you piggie and your bird they are both awasome! about them living together I honestly don't know if it is dangerous. My vet has (among the pets) a rabbit and a parrot living closely as a couple and none of them have problems; he has also guinea pigs, tartles, a lot of birds, dogs and one cat, plus two toddlers!... His pets are healthy, his piggies are old and I don't know how he and his wife plan the daily life. The only thing I am sure of is the couple rabbit+parrot and the fact that they are very fond each other. Probably some caution is required, though...
About the single guinea pig, I want to tell you a personal reflection: in my country (Italy) guinea pigs usually are singles and they live for long (many owners in an italian forum have piggies 7-8 years old), I also owned a single piggie long ago and I can say he had a happy life. But I cannot say his life was natural. I adopted a single piggie last december, he has lived single for 2 years; he was tame and very nice; but it is not natural that a piggie is SO tame and fond of a human... tame that way I mean. Since when my single piggie has met my two sows, his behaviour has changed and now he acts more naturally; he does not look at me as a guinea fellow... I am a predator, a good predator maybe, I can cuddle him but he can bite me, too. That is more natural...
About the cost of two vet bills (the only worry we owners have) there isn't a big difference... but sit down and look at the crazy interaction of two piggies is better than any movie in tv :D.
You have a large room, hence I would consider a second guinea pig (be aware of the sex though!)
Another advice: for keeping the floor clean, you can put newspapers covered with a fleece. The fleece can be washed and dried (very fast), the floor is more comfortable for the piggie and you don't need to wash the floor:roll:
Something like that:
100_8246.webp
100_8248.webp

(in Italy almost all the vets are on fb and they often reply to single interesting questions... I think you might receive a public answer if you ask "can a cockatiel carry disease to a guinea pig?". I can give you a lot of names of good and kind italian exotic vets who are on fb, if you like)
 
Aw your pig is lovely. Not meaning to rain in your parade but I wouldn't mix the two species as it could make your piggy sick. Birds can carry various diseases in the faeces like salmonella that causes diarrhoea and other dangerous symptoms. Your best bet would be to find him a friend instead of putting the bird in there for company, he would thank you for it! :)

Does LOOK sweet but I’m afraid I agree with @Cavy Kung-Fu !
Many years ago I had free range piggies running about in my bird aviary until I was alerted to the diseases that birds can carry without showing any symptoms! Psittacosis being one and this causes respiratory problems for animals and humans alike!

Thanks for your suggestion. :)
But will consult a vet and may get some blood work done for both before separating them. She is pregnant and separation may shock her.

welcome to this forum! a member from India! WOW!:wel:
Here you can find great information and you can share some funny stories, pictures, etc.
...
(in Italy almost all the vets are on fb and they often reply to single interesting questions... I think you might receive a public answer if you ask "can a cockatiel carry disease to a guinea pig?". I can give you a lot of names of good and kind italian exotic vets who are on fb, if you like)

Thanks for warm welcome.
Regarding fleece, I already have them. Cleaning was in progress. :)
 
I shouldn't imagine it would shock her, as they can't communicate? I'll tag @Wiebke as she may know a bit more about the pregnancy and bird diseases. It may be even more important to keep them apart as the babies may also become ill. Unfortunately egg laying species of animals can carry diseases that affect mammals. Hope she's okay though! :)

Have you got other piggies to keep her company, or are you planning on potentially keeping any girl babies she might have? You can always post on the pregnancy section for help if you wish too :)
 
Hi and welcome!

I would strongly recommend to make sure that your cockatiel cannot get at your piggy and cannot get any droppings in her living space. Guinea pigs can indeed catch illnesses from birds that can be fatal for them.

This is even more important if your little piggy is pregnant and her immune system is already under extra pressure.

As to the pregnancy, please take the time to carefully read our pregnancy/birth/mother and baby care information, inlcuding a sexing guide. Our guides cover the whole period. Please make sure that your piggy is on a good diet to minimise any birthing risks and maximise the chances for survival for both mother and any pups.
Please be also aware that we are a non-breeding forum; one of the reasons is the high rate of deaths (about 20%) in guinea pig pregnancies and births and the resulting heart-break.
Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide
 
Hello and welcome :wel:
To be honest I’m wondering why you want to bond a single guinea pig and a cockatiel together? Please don’t think me rude I’m just curious.
I have had both these species as pets and they make wonderful pets in their own right.
I’m also curious as to what you mean about having blood work done for both before separating them. Please explain I’m curious to learn more. :hmm:
 
Ok, I will take your advice and will keep them separate. After all I am new to this. Thanks again.

Have you got other piggies to keep her company, or are you planning on potentially keeping any girl babies she might have? You can always post on the pregnancy section for help if you wish too :)

I will keep only one girl baby. My friends are animal lover too and willing to adopt the babies. I have already read the pregnancy section. It is helpful. Thanks to all for the effort to share the experience.

Hi and welcome!
...Please make sure that your piggy is on a good diet to minimise any birthing risks and maximise the chances for survival for both mother and any pups....
Please be also aware that we are a non-breeding forum; one of the reasons is the high rate of deaths (about 20%) in guinea pig pregnancies and births and the resulting heart-break.

Yes. I am giving them a good diet to cover all the vitamin and other requirement. The diet was also suggested by the Vet. Thanks to him.
And I am not interesting in breeding.

Sorry!? Have I missed a previous post from you as didn’t realise your guinea pig was pregnant as you said she was on her own!

maybe he bought her already pregnant... as it often happens with sows coming home from the shops...

I found 2 guinea pigs and the bird in a box lying in the road. Either someone abandoned them or accidentally dropped them. The male guinea pig was sick and female was pregnant. Unfortunately, the vet was not able to save the male.

Hello and welcome :wel:
To be honest I’m wondering why you want to bond a single guinea pig and a cockatiel together? Please don’t think me rude I’m just curious.

So that both of them don't get bore as I can spend only the evening with them.

I have had both these species as pets and they make wonderful pets in their own right.
I’m also curious as to what you mean about having blood work done for both before separating them. Please explain I’m curious to learn more. :hmm:

I thought if the bird or the guinea pig doesn't have any disease I will keep them together. A Vet Hospital near my location does a full blood picture for animals/birds.
 
That's a good plan! I don't know if cockatiels need friends as I don't know a lot about birds. I wonder if that's why the male was sick though, I guess we'll never know.

Good luck with the pregnancy! For the time being you could always give her a teddy to cuddle up to for the loneliness?

I definitely wouldn't keep them together though, sorry to say but different species should never be kept together. They can't communicate so actually are never friends and can't benefit each other as company sadly. I feel like I'm being mean but it's the sad truth.
 
I have also not understood the matter about "blood picture", as a blood sample in a guinea pig is a surgical procedure which requires anaesthesia (the blood is usually collected from the cranial vena cava and rarely from the tarsial vein which is even more difficult). But diseases in piggies and birds can be diagnosed with other special and easy tests, also fecal tests. It is very good that you have a pet clinic near home and as they know what to do will give you a lot of good advices.
As you are an animal lover, you might consider the option of keeping one of the babies, hoping there is a sow among them, with the mother; two sows will have a great life together even when you are not at home. And of course they can live with the bird if the vet agrees.
Believe me, I have had a single piggie, now I have three: the cost when they are healthy is extremely low; keeping them healthy when they live together is even easier because when they are single they are often bored and you never know if they are bored or ill; then their immune system becomes stronger when they live close each other. And you would have a lot of satisfaction just sitting down and looking at them interacting. @Hoppity.K and her husband @David Pet Lover have had one single beloved boy (Pedro) and now they have three sows: they can tell you the differences.
Have a talk with some exotic vet at the clinic, they usually chat for free with customers or future customers.:)
 
Hi. I've not comment on this thread as I watched and gathered information.
you seem a guniue honest person and may I say well done for rescue these two animals and tryin to save the other piggie which was a MASSIVE well done. How many people would have tried to do what you did and at your expense. I'd like to think I would but we all know many would not and i don't just mean your country I include mine .
You have posted a vid on excitment as these two small very different animals to many including me watched and it's lovely to see them together.
You been advised and had comments that some would find offends but you have listerned and as I can see and you suggest will act upon. Good on you
You have a preggy piggie and makin plans for the baby's even before born. Again well done.
We all on here have animals best intrest at heart. Of course piggies especially and we will throu this medium try our best to do that.
I was gently told by some after my wonderful Pedro died . . . Thanks @rome_italy for remembering him that he would have been happier with a mate. I agree if he was left in his cage with no love or future but he was not and had many hours giving me fun and @Hoppity.K with his anticts on the day he died he was squeeeeking. (miss you so much pedders)
My message is don't be offended by what you may seem off hand comments we have your animals intrest at heart as you do . . . advise some times not wanted is free.
Me personally I would have them together but not in contact.
I would love to live with Alexandra Bastedo or/and Sigrid Thornton but that's not going to happen and to be honest would defo not be good for me. :whistle:
 
Last edited:
Hi. I've not comment on this thread as I watched and gathered information.
you seem a guniue honest person and may I say well done for rescue these two animals and tryin to save the other piggie which was a MASSIVE well done. How many people would have tried to do what you did and at your expense. I'd like to think I would but we all know many would not and i don't just mean your country I include mine you.K.
You have posted a vid on excitment as these two small very different animals to many including me watched and it's lovely to see them together.
You been advised and had comments that some would find offends but you have listerned and as I can see and you suggest will act upon. Good on you
You have a preggy piggie and makin plans for the baby's even before born. Again well done.
We all on here have animals best intrest at heart. Of course piggies especially and we will throu this medium try our best to do that.
I was gently told by some after my wonderful Pedro died . . . Thanks @rome_italy for remembering him that he would have been happier with a mate. I agree if he was left in his cage with no love or future but he was not and had many hours giving me fun and @Hoppity.K with his anticts day he died he was squeeeeking. (miss you so much pedders)
My message is don't be offended by what you may seem off hand comments we have your animals intrest at heart as you do . . . advise some times not wanted is free.
Me personally I would have them together but not in contact.
I would love to live with Alexandra Bastedo or/and Sigrid Thornton but that's not going to happen and to be honest would defo not be good for me. :whistle:
actually I did not mean to say that your Pedro and my Ugo were not happy as they lived as single boys; but we owners can see now the differences when we see our trio interacting and living more naturally. Then, your Pedro (and my Ugo) could count on the presence of us at home, our indian friend works all day long and the piggie would be alone at home... that is a fact and the main difference with our single piggies.
My Ugo used to act like a little dog, he was tame and gave us satisfaction... just because we were seen by him as fellows.
Pedro had a great life with you @David Pet Lover and Kate, I would not say he had missed something (as he also did not know what he was missing). I also don't miss a brother or a sister as I have ever had none...
The differences I mentioned in my post were referred to the ones WE see: piggie trains, chasing, rumblestrutting, mounting each other, and just the normal daily life all togheter, the mess they do together, etc :D It is funny and relaxing for us, that is what I meant :)
 
actually I did not mean to say that your Pedro and my Ugo were not happy as they lived as single boys; but we owners can see now the differences when we see our trio interacting and living more naturally. Then, your Pedro (and my Ugo) could count on the presence of us at home, our indian friend works all day long and the piggie would be alone at home... that is a fact and the main difference with our single piggies.
My Ugo used to act like a little dog, he was tame and gave us satisfaction... just because we were seen by him as fellows.
Pedro had a great life with you @David Pet Lover and Kate, I would not say he had missed something (as he also did not know what he was missing). I also don't miss a brother or a sister as I have ever had none...
The differences I mentioned in my post were referred to the ones WE see: piggie trains, chasing, rumblestrutting, mounting each other, and just the normal daily life all togheter, the mess they do together, etc :D It is funny and relaxing for us, that is what I meant :)
I agree my dear. I work full time and spend time with the girls when allowed.
I shall have a big herd when I retire. Health allowing. x
 
Last edited:
Hi & welcome to our friendly forum.
A member from India wow, I think you must be the first. As David says we may be hard with our comments, but we mean well. Anyway we have to mould you into a wonderful piggy Dad, good luck!
 
Am I right in thinking you said you are going to keep a female baby and some animal loving friends will adopt the others?
I am glad you were able to save your Guinea pig and cockatiel (sad the male couldn't be saved)
 
I have also not understood the matter about "blood picture"....
Well I don't know any of the procedure. I was told that they do complete health checkup which includes this. Maybe a marketing thing. But it is expensive. 19.94 GBP @current exchange rates + 19% taxes.


Am I right in thinking you said you are going to keep a female baby and some animal loving friends will adopt the others?
Yes you are right. The cockatiel has already found a new place, that is my flatmate's bedroom. :)

I have also not understood the matter about "blood picture", .......Have a talk with some exotic vet at the clinic, they usually chat for free with customers or future customers.:)
I am unaware of the procedure. I said what was said to me by the receptionist. Maybe marketing thing. But it is costly. 19.94GBP @current exchange rates + ~19% taxes.
 
@Soumyadeep 20GBP is not that expensive for a procedure. Here in Italy (where a lot of salaries are around 1000€; a vet earns 800-1200! a teacher at the highschool earns 1200-1300) an urine analisis for a cat costs in Rome 10-20€. A check up visit for a guinea pig costs 40-60€; I paid 45 and I got also the analisis of poo. The receptionist probably referred to the general visit for other pets, I don't know; or maybe the poo analisis is included just like here in Italy.
We have 22% taxes for vet bills, a shame. Our state consider the pets as a "luxury item" :evil:.
I give you another important advice: from now on save some money every month and put a fund aside for future vet bills which will be high with an exotic pet. Such pets are cost free if they are healthy, but even a simple cold or a watery eye can cause their death if not treated with proper medicines and visits.
Hence you have now only the female piggie pregnant; the cockatiel has been rehomed. A trouble less... I hope there is some female babies on the way.
I am waiting for other pictures of your beautiful piggie: what is her name?:luv:
 
@Soumyadeep 20GBP is not that expensive for a procedure. Here in Italy (where a lot of salaries are around 1000€; a vet earns 800-1200! a teacher at the highschool earns 1200-1300) an urine analisis for a cat costs in Rome 10-20€. A check up visit for a guinea pig costs 40-60€; I paid 45 and I got also the analisis of poo. The receptionist probably referred to the general visit for other pets, I don't know; or maybe the poo analisis is included just like here in Italy.
We have 22% taxes for vet bills, a shame. Our state consider the pets as a "luxury item" :evil:.
I give you another important advice: from now on save some money every month and put a fund aside for future vet bills which will be high with an exotic pet. Such pets are cost free if they are healthy, but even a simple cold or a watery eye can cause their death if not treated with proper medicines and visits.
Hence you have now only the female piggie pregnant; the cockatiel has been rehomed. A trouble less... I hope there is some female babies on the way.
I am waiting for other pictures of your beautiful piggie: what is her name?:luv:
You have to remember that that’s 20GBP in India, The rupee is a much weaker currency than GBP so although I know nothing of Indian salaries I can imagine that this vet fee translates to quite a lot of rupees for @Soumyadeep and it can’t be viewed as the same value as 20GBP would in its native economy.

Well done for rescuing the animals from off the street and fingers crossed everything goes well with the pregnant piggy.
 
You have to remember that that’s 20GBP in India, The rupee is a much weaker currency than GBP so although I know nothing of Indian salaries I can imagine that this vet fee translates to quite a lot of rupees for @Soumyadeep and it can’t be viewed as the same value as 20GBP would in its native economy.

Well done for rescuing the animals from off the street and fingers crossed everything goes well with the pregnant piggy.
I wrote our italian average salary for a comparison with our vet bills and OUR situation here, as I wrote the cost of a visit here as an example; I see that vet bills in indian pet clinics (which have a high standard) are just the same as here; probably also in India a pet is seen as a luxury item, just like here...
Here a normal family cannot afford two exotic pets and my vet himself discouragesd me to adopt a third piggie for the possible high future cost (although I am not poor, thanks god, and he knows this very well...). All the clinics have similar costs and similar bills; a good MRI machine or a master class costs a lot here and there... and us customers then have to pay, no matter how much we earn.
 
it cost at a local vet 17.00 to cut a piggies nails in approx 3 mins. that's over 1.20 a nail.:hb::yikes:
 
Last edited:
@rome_italy @Squeakz Please don't take this in the wrong way, but let's not discuss salaries and currencies in this forum. These topics are very sensitive and may lead to an argument.

Her name is Velvet. I will share pictures tomorrow.
From yesterday I noticed she is somewhat responding to her name when called you. Also she is a bit less afraid of me and comes near me on her own.
 
@rome_italy @Squeakz Please don't take this in the wrong way, but let's not discuss salaries and currencies in this forum. These topics are very sensitive and may lead to an argument.

Her name is Velvet. I will share pictures tomorrow.
From yesterday I noticed she is somewhat responding to her name when called you. Also she is a bit less afraid of me and comes near me on her own.
I’m glad she seems to be settling in well and is more comfortable around you.

Sorry, my point was not to offend anyone, but if someone says a fee is quite “expensive” then I believe people should accept that it is a true statement for the person saying it.
Even in Europe some living close to borders will cross to do their shopping in a neighboring country with the same currency but lower living costs. So it has to be accepted that a fixed amount of any currency will mean a different value to each person based on their own location and personal circumstances.
 
Last edited:
I’m glad she seems to be settling in well and is more comfortable around you.

Sorry, my point was not to offend anyone, but if someone says a fee is quite “expensive” then I believe people should accept that it is a true statement for the person saying it.
Even in Europe some living close to borders will cross to do their shopping in a neighboring country with the same currency but lower living costs. So it has to be accepted that a fixed amount of any currency will mean a different value to each person based on their own location and personal circumstances.
you didn't offend me. why should you not be allowed or not to talk about money or salaries.
I'm a human not a emu.
 
I wrote our italian average salary for a comparison with our vet bills and OUR situation here, as I wrote the cost of a visit here as an example; I see that vet bills in indian pet clinics (which have a high standard) are just the same as here; probably also in India a pet is seen as a luxury item, just like here...
Here a normal family cannot afford two exotic pets and my vet himself discouragesd me to adopt a third piggie for the possible high future cost (although I am not poor, thanks god, and he knows this very well...). All the clinics have similar costs and similar bills; a good MRI machine or a master class costs a lot here and there... and us customers then have to pay, no matter how much we earn.
as above missed adding you. Sorry.
Hope you well and all ok. x
 
@rome_italy @Squeakz Please don't take this in the wrong way, but let's not discuss salaries and currencies in this forum. These topics are very sensitive and may lead to an argument.

Her name is Velvet. I will share pictures tomorrow.
From yesterday I noticed she is somewhat responding to her name when called you. Also she is a bit less afraid of me and comes near me on her own.

@Squeakz was pointing out that with different exchange rates around the world what seems not a lot of money to someone in one country may indeed be very expensive to others and we need to be careful not to judge individuals based on one countries monetary value.

@Soumyadeep don't worry about arguments, members are able to have adult discussions without arguing and it is important that all sides of a situation are viewed as only then we can have an understanding. My suggestion in the furture would be to start a vet fund monthly to save up money for vets visits, it is something we do and helps when unexpected issues arise
 
Back
Top