How much is too many piggies?

I only have 2 guinea pigs and 1 snake right now but I absolutely understand how people become hoarders my collection of rubber ducks and sewing machines have both come close to hording and have taken conscious effort to keep under control. For this reason I know I'm at risk of becoming obsessive over the things that bring me joy and have put measures in place to stop this happening with my pets. I will only adopt a new animal after a minimum of 6 months of wanting them, researching, buying things for them and I will not get a new animal if I don't have everything I need including a vet fund (these rules obviously wouldn't apply if something was to happen to one of my boars leaving the other alone). I am currently unable to get new animal's due to my housing situation. Once I buy a house though I may need to share my home with 2 rabbits, some whites tree frogs and some giant millipedes. Good job I have a very sensible fiance to keep me in check.
 
Ive never been able to just have a couple, so having a larger amount is second nature to me and I have the time to sit and monitor everyone in the groups properly and am able to pick up on illness etc pretty quickly, properly groom the longhaired ones, deal with the issues that come with the special needs ones (foot creams, bottom wipes, regular weighing, syringe feeding etc) as well as having an absolutely fantastic vet with a specialist not far away I can be referred to if needs be.
To echo whats already been said, hoarding isnt having lots of animals, hoarding is taking on more than you can handle, being in denial, standards slipping, unhygienic conditions etc its a mental condition. Its really important to know your limits, especially if like me you're someone who mostly takes in piggies who have had a rough start, you can't sacrifice the current piggies wellbeing to take in more. Thats how I see it anyway. The day I have to make compromises with who I already have is the day I have too many.

I currently have 19, at the moment I think I could comfortably support about 25 but I wouldnt want to get too much higher than that. I'm moving soon, the piggies get a much bigger room than they have right now and I'm excited to be giving them more space! It defeats the object a little if I go and fill all that space with even more piggies. Knowing your limits is absolutely the most important thing imo.
 
I would also like to add that the fact you're not willing to share how many you have does indicate that maybe you're feeling some degree of guilt or are not able to defend yourself when questioned about how you're able to support them and afford vet bills etc. Nobody on this forum will label you as a horder based on a number alone but we are all trying to do what's best for all piggies and we may not be too happy if we find evidence to suggest there care is not too our standards.

If YOU feel you may have an issue with hording please seek help from a trained psychologist or councillor and use one of the recommended rescues to help downsize your collection.
 
Some really good points here. I do hope OP will respond. Human brain is good at cognitive bias and there are times when listening to others might help us make the right choice and see we needed reality check...
We're all pig-obsessed people here, you're amongst friends and can share the number of your pets and photos of their conditions. That's why I am here, to learn all there is and help my piggies reach their golden years living in luxury.
If you're getting many comments suggesting it's too many or that you should rehome half of them, then maybe giving the whole story to people who understand life with piggies will give you a good idea if such claims are truth.
 
Hath said:
Some really good points here. I do hope OP will respond. Human brain is good at cognitive bias and there are times when listening to others might help us make the right choice and see we needed reality check...
We're all pig-obsessed people here, you're amongst friends and can share the number of your pets and photos of their conditions. That's why I am here, to learn all there is and help my piggies reach their golden years living in luxury.
If you're getting many comments suggesting it's too many or that you should rehome half of them, then maybe giving the whole story to people who understand life with piggies will give you a good idea if such claims are truth.
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I agree, the way OP brought up the topic, withheld information, labelled themselves as an expert and is now not responding does have me a little worried. Sadly often when people are in denial they will look for conformation from other people by only revealing a version of the truth that is hard to disagree with.
 
I have two lovely ladies, but would get more if I had the space lol. Would love to see pigtures! I love seeing how people set up the cage areas for a lot of piggies!
 
Ok. This is weird.. . How many is too many by some one calling them selves @TheGuineaPigExpert . . Why ask if you calling yourself expert.
I'm guessing this person has planted a bomb to see peoples answers. . Replys. .
Too many if not cared for quiet simple. . Don't think animal care for piggies is popular in America. . .
If this person is asking for help with hoarding etc then just ask.
 
"Too many" is subjective. If you have space and can care for the piggies, then you dont have too many. I personally only have space for 4 having 2 5x2 c&c cages. So 5 would be too many for me. A friend of mine had a whole heated garage full of stacked cages and CAN House up to about 50 piggies. But finances dictate he can only afford vetand food for the 8 he has.

Only you can say if you have too many, but be honest with yourself.
 
thank you, everyone! I ensure I only have as much as I can take care of right now, and... Marshmelllo!

1609366189032.webp

also, my username is not actully, I'm just being a bit sarcastic...

I'm not an expert. but i can do reserch..
 
TheGuineaPigExpert said:
thank you, everyone! I ensure I only have as much as I can take care of right now, and... Marshmelllo!

View attachment 162308

also, my username is not actully, I'm just being a bit sarcastic...

I'm not an expert. but i can do reserch..
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can I just ask (please remove my post if this is out of order) why all the pictures you post are blurry and cropped? Most of the pictures you’ve posted and claimed to be yours I’ve managed to find online with an instant search. No hate I just don’t like dishonesty
 
Rivervixen said:
can I just ask (please remove my post if this is out of order) why all the pictures you post are blurry and cropped? Most of the pictures you’ve posted and claimed to be yours I’ve managed to find online with an instant search. No hate I just don’t like dishonesty
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here full pic (from different angles) i took her out and put her in a basket so you only can see her to see that i did not find this online
1609366964392.webp 1609367081923.webp
 
TheGuineaPigExpert said:
also, my username is not actully, I'm just being a bit sarcastic...

I'm not an expert. but i can do reserch..

Quote Reply
Report
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We had sort of worked out that you weren’t an expert. But as you aren’t an expert please don’t do research elsewhere and then quote it on here as we have our own advisory teams who do a cracking good job.
 
By the way what’s the white stuff to the right of the wooden thing? And if those are pea flakes they’re too many. 1-2 once a week (or even less frequently) is enough.
 
So all your 6 boys get on?! 😯 could we see a photo of your setup please? I’m curious!

So how many all together?
 
TheGuineaPigExpert said:
only the boys do. i keep the girls and boys seperate
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So you have 6 boys that live together?
I would love to see a photo of their cage and they set up.
Also what size-space do they have and what are their ages.
It must be a fascinating dynamic, and I am sure we could all learn from it as large boar groups are so rare.
 
TheGuineaPigExpert said:
only the boys do. i keep the girls and boys seperate
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Right. Time for some straight answers. How many piggies do you have, and in what set ups? Please show us a photo of these. And not one you’ve lifted from the internet. If I have any further doubt as to your honesty then your account will be deleted. Dishonesty is a grounds for permanent banning.
 
Swissgreys said:
So you have 6 boys that live together?
I would love to see a photo of their cage and they set up.
Also what size-space do they have and what are their ages.
It must be a fascinating dynamic, and I am sure we could all learn from it as large boar groups are so rare.
Click to expand...

As rare as unicorn poo
 
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