Help: My mum won’t let me take proper care of my guinea pigs. Y

[Timmy&Nugget]

Hello,

Basically (as I have said in the title), my mum won’t allow me to provide better care. for my guinea pigs. I’m not allowed to give them hay each day, I can’t clean them put when I want to or cut their nails, I can’t let them out of their cage all the time and worst of all I cannot not get a bigger cage size than a pet store one.

She says that “All Guinea Pigs do is Eat, Drink and sleep.” when I say they sound sad or I say they are bored. I asked multiple times for 2 birthdays and Christmas for a bigger cage but I wasn’t allowed because there’s no space or other reasons. She says that I’ve already given them hay when I ask to get some (Last time I gave hay was last week?!). Plus I have to wait until she is ready so I can clean them out or cut their nails.

The only positives is that I can give them veggies every day (if there is any) and give them pellets or water. Last week I got some hang up food which they ate (except some corn) and that’s it mainly.

It makes me sad and sometimes cry because it’s my fault that they can’t do anything or live happily while I have to do other stuff and it they can do is sleep and eat. Every time I watch guinea pig videos I almost burst into tears.

and then we have cats which everyone prefers and completely looks after more.

it’s not fair. Can someone help me. Please

Thanks.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry your in such a difficult position. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to change your mums mind if she’s set. Perhaps if you mentioned expensive vet fees from not eating hay she would yield a little. Also see if you can get her to read the guides I’ve linked below.

How long have you had them and how old are they? Are they boars or sows? Are you not able to pay for the hay? And why do you have to wait for her to clean them out, does she not think you’re responsible enough? And could you get the money together to buy them a bigger cage? Or a play pen that they can live in?

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

Unfortunately (and I know it’s not what you want to hear) you may have to surrender them if you’re not allowed to provide the care they need. Hay is the biggest part of their diet and not having access can lead to health problems, including dental issues. That’s a road you don’t want to go down.

Try and see if your mum will sit with you and read through the guides in the link above.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’d think you might be better cutting down on pellets and spending more money on hay. Hay is the most important food you can give them and they need plenty everyday to keep them healthy X
Your Mum has a responsibility to provide basic care for your piggies and that includes proving plenty of hay

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh I'm sorry to hear your story. It sounds like you are doing everything you can. Why are you not allowed to get them out or cut their nails?

 

[tabelmabel]

What a difficult situation - if you are a teenager, could you get a weekend job and fund the pigs yourself - have other family members got hayfever that you arent allowed more hay?

I'm afraid adults arent always great at listening to their children (I'm a parent to 5 mainly grown ups now) and pet knowledge has developed massively over recent times.

I didnt have guinea pigs when i was a child back in the 70s, but we did have a rabbit that lived a very sad life on his own in a small garden hutch. And goldfish that swam round a very boring tank. They all lived really long lives - the fish and rabbit went on well over 10 years in those awful conditions.

My mum wasnt deliberately with holding better care - it was ignorance really - the rabbit and fish were kept in clean conditions but no one had any interest in them.

The valuable lesson i learned from this as a parent was never to buy a pet 'for the children' Adults used to believe that pet ownership was a good way for children to learn to look after something and witness a complete life cycle from birth to death by caring for it right through. Usually, it's the kids that lose interest in the pets and the adults are left looking after the animal - but in your case, you are the mature one and your parents sound as if they have lost interest! Do they know that guinea pigs can live 8 or more years?


Unfortunately, small animals like guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters etc were regarded almost as "children's practice pets" and many adults even today dont realize they need specialist care.

Maybe your parents still have this old fashioned belief. It's concerning that they can see you're upset but still wont help. Is there a teacher at school you could confide in?


When you are an adult you will be able to provide the very best care for any pets you choose to bring into your own home - it is much, much better being an adult than a child! You have more choice and freedom - until then your hands are tied unfortunately but it sounds like you are coming to realise some very valuable life lessons from your current situation - lessons that will stand you in very good stead for life and shape your character for the better.

It is a sad fact that us humans have to go through some really tough times on our life's journey but it's all part of life's rich pattern, as they say.

Good luck!

 

[weepweeps]

It’s really sad to say but maybe now isn’t the right time for you to have a pet. As said above when you are older you will be able to make the choices you want. You would be able to give them a five ️ life. But at the moment with no money and living by your parents rules your hands are tied. It sounds like this is really upsetting you. Not being able to give them the life you want to. If you did surrender them they’d go to a home who would be able to provide for their basic needs. I hope you can convince your mum to get more hay. Definitely get a little job so you can show how serious you are about caring for them. I wish you luck