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I agree, cages / hutches that are only big enough for 1 pig should not be made. Sadly the priority for pet shops is to make money, not the welfare of animals. If they sell a cage that is too small, it's only a matter of time when the animals grow bigger and the owner will go back for a bigger one.
We don't mean to make you feel bad about having one guinea pig, I am sure she is very well loved. What we're trying to say is that the love of a human can't replace that of another guinea pig.
 
I agree but a guinea pig doesnt know that really does it?

In the summer she will be in a run next to the boys run so she will at least be able to interact with a guinea.

Who knows in the future once we are in a position to get a bigger cage we may be able to get her a little friend.

I thought this would be a friendly forum not a judgemental one.grrrr
 
I can only agree with Katiepops I'm sorry, pet shops do not put animal welfare first but profit. Also some of the cages that people may be sold as guinea pig cages were probably made for hamsters/gerbils.

No one is questioning that you love your pig and we're not trying to make you feel bad but a happy pig = a happy owner.

Another benefit of having more than 1 pig is that you don't have to feel guilty if you can't be with it all day, every day as groups of pigs are very good at keeping themselves entertained.

If one of the main reasons you are keeping this pig alone is the size of the cage, then please consider buying a new cage. You'll get lots of advice on this forum about very cheap alternatives to shop-bought cages called C&C cages. There's lots of information in the housing section of this forum. I have just switched over to them myself and they are wonderful. You can build any shape/design with multiple layers to fit in with the space you have available :)

xx
 
This is the cage we bought for £20 when it was reduced
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/feedback/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/100_cm_cages/213718

Also on the reviews someone mentioned it been suitable for 2-4 guinea pigs, is this correct?

'I got my cage today and was really impressed by size and quality. Dont be put off by cheap price, its an amazing cage with a hay rack and ive got two very happy piggies in it right now. Could easily fit 2-4 pigs in. Will be buying again.'
 
The minimum cage size for two guinea pigs should be 120cm x 60cm x 45cm*
so it would be too small for two pigs. Can you add an extension? My first set up was the next size up cage with a little ramp in and out into a fenced off area so they had more space. I've switched to C&C now because it's so much more flexible and cheaper for large set ups.

* reference http://www.rspca-online.co.uk/guineas/needtoknow/accommodation/
 
Amysmom said:
This is the cage we bought for £20 when it was reduced
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/feedback/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/100_cm_cages/213718

Also on the reviews someone mentioned it been suitable for 2-4 guinea pigs, is this correct?

'I got my cage today and was really impressed by size and quality. Dont be put off by cheap price, its an amazing cage with a hay rack and ive got two very happy piggies in it right now. Could easily fit 2-4 pigs in. Will be buying again.'
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Hi again,
If you see this link http://www.guineapigcages.com/ it gives you guidelines for how much space is needed to keep guinea pigs. If I've worked out the measurements of your cage correctly in inches it would be 21 x 39 inches (apologies if I've worked that out incorrectly - my maths isn't great :) ). On this guide you can see that is well below what is recommended to keep 1 guinea pig in. The thought of keeping 4 guineas in that cage doesn't bear thinking about.

I'm sorry. It is hard when you read things on the internet to filter out what is good or bad information. From having recently had a sick piggie as I mentioned, you get a lot of conflicting advice online.

I hope that link helps x
 
Yes as we said.

But is has to be said that everybody's personal situation is different. Our is such that we are currently waiting for two rooms to be knocked into one, which will create room for a bigger cage. So hopefully Bonnie can have a cage mate. Also Amy has GCSE's coming up, so needs her sleep (she's a light sleeper).

We can't all do it by the book!
 
Amysmom said:
Yes as we said.

But is has to be said that everybody's personal situation is different. Our is such that we are currently waiting for two rooms to be knocked into one, which will create room for a bigger cage. So hopefully Bonnie can have a cage mate. Also Amy has GCSE's coming up, so needs her sleep (she's a light sleeper).

We can't all do it by the book!
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If you need any more advice about building a larger cage/switching to C&C cages or bonding Bonnie with a new friend when the time comes, I'm sure you'll get lots of friendly help on this forum. Best wishes x
 
I have 6 Guinea Pig's in my room, and they go to sleep just like me. I haven yet been woken by any of them.
 
louise_stocker said:
Hi again,
If you see this link http://www.guineapigcages.com/ it gives you guidelines for how much space is needed to keep guinea pigs. If I've worked out the measurements of your cage correctly in inches it would be 21 x 39 inches (apologies if I've worked that out incorrectly - my maths isn't great :) ). On this guide you can see that is well below what is recommended to keep 1 guinea pig in. The thought of keeping 4 guineas in that cage doesn't bear thinking about.

I'm sorry. It is hard when you read things on the internet to filter out what is good or bad information. From having recently had a sick piggie as I mentioned, you get a lot of conflicting advice online.

I hope that link helps x
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I cant believe this cage isnt big enough for one piggie!
When we were going to take an adult guinea from the RSPCA they were happy with the size of the cage so I'm a little confused.
 
Regarding making money from people by selling small cages to get people to buy a bigger cage later on surely with the stuff you can piggies it shows its a HUGE market.I cant believe you can get wheatbags for them! I thought piggies were hardy outdoor animals.It seems to me they are making money from people prepared to buy things that piggies dont really need.My sisters had piggies when they were little and they lived outside in smallish hutches-they were happy and lived to a good age.

Ive noticed from buying certain toys that are sold for guinea pigs end up not used or simply peed on! Such a lot seems to be a gimmick.

Dont get me wrong I like to spoil them too.I pain painstakingly hand sewed 2 fleece sacks for our guinea pigs-now thats love!
 
Amysmom said:
Regarding making money from people by selling small cages to get people to buy a bigger cage later on surely with the stuff you can piggies it shows its a HUGE market.I cant believe you can get wheatbags for them! I thought piggies were hardy outdoor animals.It seems to me they are making money from people prepared to buy things that piggies dont really need.My sisters had piggies when they were little and they lived outside in smallish hutches-they were happy and lived to a good age.

Ive noticed from buying certain toys that are sold for guinea pigs end up not used or simply peed on! Such a lot seems to be a gimmick.

Dont get me wrong I like to spoil them too.I pain painstakingly hand sewed 2 fleece sacks for our guinea pigs-now thats love!
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Where there's a market, there will always be gimmicks but don't let that distract you from things that the pigs really do need. If you've seen a pig have a really good run around - where they race round and round in circles at super fast-speed you'll know how important space is to them x
 
In the winter the guinea pigs have floor time, and in the summer they practically live in their run, munching away on the grass! But to be honest when they are on the floor or in the run they don't run around anyway!
 
My Fred was on his own initially, he spent his days hiding and panicking, Now he has a friend he's much more confident. I'm less of a threat and it's great watching them piggy training round the room or sitting snuggling with one another!

Good friends,

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Or perhaps just showing a bit of character that your little one will never see!

004-16-1.jpg


All my piggies, enjoy each other's company and are noticeable distressed if they are separated - even vet visit they go together.

If your daughter has GCSE and should be studying maybe a pet would have been better invested in after her exams. I know at present I have an ill pig and he takes up a massive amount of my time, not to mention money. An ill pig during exams will be much worse than two piggies talking in a cage I can assure you of that first hand.

We all have pigs, and most at some point have had a single pig. I know I had a single pig though ignorance and selfishness but thankfully for Fred I quickly realized how much he needed a friend. Having seen first hand the difference between a piggy with a friend and a piggy without I can honestly say If I decided to stop keeping pig's I would give up my single pig to live out his day's with someone prepared to get him a friend, or I would foster from a rescue but I wouldn't leave them without to suit my own need's.

A 6 week pig has no option but you do, we can only advise. If or not you choose to take the advice is up to you but I have no doubt's that your little girl who has just left her mum would appreciate a friend and your daughter would see just how amazing these little creatures are as they zoom round there cages popcorning, it's a shame how they mellow with years but baby my goodness they know how to fun together!
 
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Well if its as cruel as everyone is making it out to be perhaps the RSPCA should go around all the petshops and breeders and tell them that they will be fined if they are found out to be selling singular guinea pigs.

There could be an argument regarding most animals-dogs live in packs, rabbits live in groups, I'm sure theres probably more.
 
Amysmom said:
Well if its as cruel as everyone is making it out to be perhaps the RSPCA should go around all the petshops and breeders and tell them that they will be fined if they are found out to be selling singular guinea pigs.

There could be an argument regarding most animals-dogs live in packs, rabbits live in groups, I'm sure theres probably more.
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In Switzerland it is illegal to buy or sell a single pig to live on it's own, hopefully the UK one day soon will impose such laws at least one country has the correct attitude to Animal Welfare.
 
And what about rabbits?
There are plenty of people out there who only have one rabbit.Dont they need to interact with their own kind too?

We had a lovely rabbit caslled Ollie who lived a healthy life until he was 8.
 
Hi Amysmom, welcome to the forum. No one is trying to put you down. They are just trying to help and sometimes it can come off a bit strong. I know, I've been there. I had a single piggy to start out with and now I have two and the difference in the personality since getting my Sweets a friend is amazing. It really is interesting to watch.


You say that you have two boy pigs as well. You also mentioned the your little lady pig will be a next door neighbor to the boys in the summer while being outside?

If they are a bonded pair I wouldn't put your girl by them. The smell from her could cause an unnecessary fight between them and ruin their bond and you could end up having three single piggies. Could they take turns in the garden?
 
i agree, these people are just trying to help you.

I dont know where i would be personally without the help and advice i have got off this forum, i am sure most people are the same.

We all have to learn something sometime

:)
 
Amysmom said:
And what about rabbits?
There are plenty of people out there who only have one rabbit.Dont they need to interact with their own kind too?

We had a lovely rabbit caslled Ollie who lived a healthy life until he was 8.
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[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4z_Mrg-lpc[/ame]
 
Hi there. I had a single girl piggy who came to me from a friend of a friend. Quite a few people suggested to me that she would be happier with company. I shopped around for a bigger cage and got one big enough for 2 from Zooplus (they often have good offers on) and then went to my local rescue centre to find her a friend. I was shocked by how many piggies are in rescue waiting for a home! I now have both my girls at home with me :) My first girl seemed ok on her own but now that I see her with a friend I understand the advice I was given. They don't particularly snuggle up together etc. but if I pick one up to go back in their cage don't I know it! The other one comes running and squeaking, looking to see where I'm taking their pal! If they get startled by a noise then they zoom together to hide! I'm so pleased that a) they have company and b) I was able to rescue a piggy from a rescue. x
 
Hi

I'm sorry that you think people are being judgemental, but I don't think that is how any of the posts are intended - everyone here just wants what is best for the pig.

My male guinea pig lived on his own for a long time after his brother died as I was incorrectly told that an adult male could not be bonded with another pig. After discovering this forum recently, I found out that that was totally untrue. I would always have said that he was just as happy being on his own as he had been with his brother - but I was seriously wrong. Little Pig now has a new friend and it has given him a whole new lease of life despite the fact he has health problems right now. He is chirpy and happy most of the time, he eats better with another pig around and has someone to communicate with "in his own language".

It is a shame that the breeder gave you incorrect advice about the best way to keep guinea pigs, but it was the wrong advice. If there is anyway you can get her a cagemate, then that would be the best option for her wellbeing.
 
Sorry to go off topic:

Thanks for posting the video Suzy, it was lovely... but did the song make anyone else cry with laughter (or is it just me with my sick sense of humour)?!
 
Thank you for your comments, I have taken them all on board.
Unfortunately I feel very sad right now and am at a loss what to do.:(
 
please dont feel sad, people are trying to help and advise that is all, it really is not meant to make you feel bad or sad :)
 
Amysmom said:
Thank you for your comments, I have taken them all on board.
Unfortunately I feel very sad right now and am at a loss what to do.:(
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Don't feel sad - I'm still learning new things about pigs and I've had them for years and years. We're all still learning x
 
I'm sorry you feel sad but you have been given good advice. If you can't afford a bigger cage for two then perhaps keep an eye open in the free ads or post a wanted on your local freecycle/freegle.

Indoor piggies need companions just as much as their outdoor counterparts and just because they are around humans more doesn't mean they don't deserve same-species companionship. Imagine living out of one room in your house and only being allowed interactions on someone else's terms with someone who's much bigger, more intimidating and doesn't speak the same language as you. The RSPCA recommendations (and indeed the law) are there not to make people feel guilty, they are there for the welfare of the animal. It's sad to say that if she doesn't have a companion she'd never know better anyway. They are as deserving of companions as any other species, including ourselves, and who are we to impose solitude on them?
 
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