Irregular working hours and guinea pig routine

[Tiny_Critter]

Hiya

I'm hoping to get some Guinea pigs soon but I read that they like a routine. Unfortunately, I do shift work so won't be able to feed them at the same time every day.

Will this be too disruptive? One day I could be feeding them at 5am, the next not until 9am.

I live in a shared house and I'm worried about them making noise if they're expecting food at a certain time and I'm out.

 

[Siikibam]

Is there a set time at all that you know you’ll be home? They do get used to a routine but if they have plenty of hay they should hopefully be kept quiet even if it’s time for food.

 

[Wiebke]

Hiya

I'm hoping to get some Guinea pigs soon but I read that they like a routine. Unfortunately, I do shift work so won't be able to feed them at the same time every day.

Will this be too disruptive? One day I could be feeding them at 5am, the next not until 9am.

I live in a shared house and I'm worried about them making noise if they're expecting food at a certain time and I'm out.

You probably will get wheeking whenever you get up/come into the kitchen as your piggies will pick up on the regular sounds in the run up to feeding time. The hours shifting is not such a problem as they will still get a morning feed. They can get by with a single daily veg and pellet feed if you have a closer time match at others times in the day and upsets the other persons less.
Over 80% of the daily food intake should be hay and fresh dog-pee free grass; 50g of veg and 1 tablespoon (15ml) of pellets are basically in the way of an additional snack so it doesn't matter so much when they are fed.

 

[eileen]

I have to feed my piggies at different times due to shift work.always in the evening,but can be 10pm or 5,6,7,8,pm.so do not feed at a set time.but as Weibke says they wheek when fridge door opens,or any crinkling of bags.they all seem okay with this arrangement,i have 21 guinea pigs,so when one wheeks they all start !.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Think of routine as set actions rather than set times, as long as the set actions are carried out within reason then that is your routine. I.E. if you are feeding veggies twice a day then do morning and evening but don't do say 4pm and 7pm. Hope that makes sense

 

[Tiny_Critter]

Thanks guys That's a relief! I will be able to feed them both morning and evening and I'll keep some treats on hand to quickly quieten them down during odd hours.

I appreciate the advice!