How many guinea pigs is too many?

PigglePuggle

PigglePuggle

Senior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
10,510
Reaction score
40,110
Points
2,175
Location
Liverpool
...because I just saw 2 beautiful abyssinian girls dumped in the free ads because they were a present for a kid who got bored of them... how many guinea pigs is too many? When do you stop?
 
I could consult piggy daddy about this but I know he dreams of a big herd like Wiebke's, he'd like about 20 piggies as long as I pay the vet bills and we don't get another boar so Theo is still his special boy! We have the space, and if they didnt get on I have 2 spare ferplast cages (a 120 and a 2-tier 120) or I could set up another C&C against the opposite wall of the piggy room... not sure!
 
It depends on the rest of life... I have 4 pigs split over two cages (they don’t get along) and that’s enough cleaning for my liking. I don’t want to be cleaning full cage every day of the week, as that would eat into my time actually handing and cuddling them. With 4, I’d be very unlucky to have multiple sick pigs on my hands in one go, which would be different in terms of odds if say, you had 10 piggies. I can’t imagine (and hope I won’t have to, but could if needed with 4 max!) syringe feeding and vet trips for multiples of sick piggies at once. Most I’ve spent in vet bills for one sick piggie was £800. Now... realistically, I can do that only so many times... if I had 10 pigs I may have to re-evaluate my finances for vet cover if needed!

You can’t save them all is what I do try and tell myself, despite having rescued a few when I wasn’t looking for piggies at the time. I’m at my max or my care for my others may suffer.

If you have the time, space, finances and love, then go for it.
 
or two or three lol....but if you have the time and space, I'd go for it! Just expect a lot more poop hehe
 
As others have said if you can afford the vets bills, the extra food bill and have a big achey 2 aby guinea pig hole in your heart then go for it. I look forward to seeing pigtures of the new arrivals. I'd love another girl piggie. I only have room for 1 more in my hutch but the OH tells me that 5 is plenty.
 
It really depends how much time you have to clean cages,give medication,syringe feeding poorly piggies.money for food,vet bills,enrichment.i have 20 piggies,i find on average the food,bedding.enrichment toys and hay are 100 pounds a month.another 150 pounds is saved each month for vet bills.it is hard work,i was going through a difficult time,i had to rehome 8 piggies,as i could not say no,to someone who needed to rehome piggies.I'm in a better place now.it takes me a full day to clean out 11 cages.if two are poorly and need syringe feeding it can be emotionally draining.when you go away you have to be certain that you have a reliable pet sitter !i love looking after my guinea pigs.just be aware of your own limitations.good luck !xx
 
I have 3 piggies and whenever I see big herd of piggies, I want more! But then I think of the cleaning (this is the main issue for me haha), the vet bills, boarding bills (we go overseas at least 2x a year for our holidays), etc. and that stops me from getting more. :lol!:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top