Need Advice About Piggies

[WildestRose]

Hello everyone.

I'm unsure of which section of the forum to post this to, so if this is in the wrong area I apologize. Many years ago when I was younger, I adopted a piggy named Judith. Since I was younger I ended up letting my parents take care of her and I never really got in contact with her. As I grew older I realized and started to get her out, stroke her, buy her the best things... but sadly she passed. It has been roughly seven years since I had a piggy and since then all I've owned is Birds, Hamsters and dogs.

At this moment of time, me and my mother have made an arrangement to adopt another hamster as I only have two hamsters and a bird at the moment. While I was looking for cages in the storage room I found my old guinea pig cage, just as clean as It had been left. Although I haven't told my mother yet... I'm slowly considering buying another piggy. I have the money, I have the cage and lately I've bought some good toys. What would be a good way to tell her that I've changed my mind about adopting a hamster, piggies are much bigger and my mother doesn't want me to forget about him/her again. (Which trust me, I definitely will not. I was around eight when I was given the piggy... I didn't know and I feel very guilty.)

I am prepared and ready for one, however I just need to convince my mother.

 

[sport_billy]

Hello, Welcome to the forum.

Piggies are social animals so you would need a pair rather than just one. You'd also need to make sure your cage is 120 long x 60 cm wide as it is important piggies have lots of room.

This thread will give you an idea of all you need https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/getting-a-guinea-pig-items-youll-need-to-buy.112288/

If you speak to your Mom telling her that you have done your research and read up on what Guinea Pigs need and you are prepared to look after them then it is between you to decide. Remember however there are always unexpected costs such as vets etc... So of course you will need your Mom's backing.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

It is good that you are doing your research first before asking!

Guinea pigs are wired to live in groups and should not live as singles. They are also ground roaming animals and need a minimum of a 2x4 ft cage as per RSCPA recommendation, whether they are single or not.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-companionship.37654/

As you are quite obviously still living at home, you will have to consider that guinea pigs live 4-7 years on average and can live for even longer - that is several hamster lives. Will be you be still at home and will you have the time look after your piggies and play with them on a daily basis next to school, exams and further education? You would also have to have a serious chat with your mum about potential vet cost; that is the biggest part of a piggy budget.

We all think that guinea pigs make wonderful companions with big personalities, but they are a much larger and much more long term responsibility for you, so please have a look around and think and talk things over with your mum; she is also welcome to join and ask questions if she wishes to.

If you want guinea pigs, the safest place to get them from is one of our recommended good standard rescues where you can neatly avoid all the problems that can await the unwary newbie (illness, pregnancy and boar fall-outs etc.).

 

[madguinealady]

You could go through this forum with your mum and see what she thought.They are amazing creatures but veryvtime consuming and if away for more than 24 hours would need looked after so if you were both away together this is something you need to consider.They are also expensive to keep on a day to day basis due to them needing a cupful of veg each every day and unlimited good quality hay and good quality pellets.You get out of them what you put in so the more time you spend with them the better.They also need to be kept indoors or in an insulated hutch or shed as too cold in normal hutches or sheds.I am a stay at home mum with older children so have the time to spend with them and a 12 year old that looks after them if I am away for a couple of days.I wouldn't be without mine but they are hard work