Okay You will think this is silly but I feel guiltyq

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PingandChipy

PingandChipy

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi,

I've had piggies for over a decade and LOVE them but when I first had pigs I was able to have them inside for 3 years. Then my stupid allergies and asthma kicked in and I have had to move them out in a shed. I was pretty heartbroken to become allergic to them. And it upsets me that I cannot have them inside especially when it is winter and freezing cold.

To help them with the cold I have two plug in heatpads made for rodents that they sit on. And when it drops below freezing I have an oil heater but last year it was so cold that it only brought the shed just above freezing. So naturally I was constently worried. Especially as one of my pigs is older. He is 6 now.

I've decided not to have guinea pigs after these 4 go. I dont think it's fair on them to have to deal with the cold like that. I feel so bad when I am inside in the warmth and they are outside. Except for the one time our central heating died and I wanted to climb inside their hutch with the heatpads. LOL.

So I also have 2 rabbits and the cold isn't an issue with them. I've decided just to have rabbits in the future. And now the silly part is everytime I see my pigs I feel bad like I've betrayed them by not getting more pigs in the future. Yes I think I am crazy!
 
It is a heartbreaking decision, but I think in view of your location the right choice; especially as it is stressing you out so much. You are a good and loving owner, or you wouldn't feel like this! All credit to you!
 
Would you be able to have skinny pigs inside? Surely they wouldn't set your allergy off when they don't have any hair? x
 
Allergies to guinea pigs are most often less from hair than from the pee.
 
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Ah, poor love, you must be heartbroken! It sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep your piggies safe. You shouldn't feel guilty , it's just one of those things. If you don't feel like you can live with the guilt in future , then not taking on more is the best decision.
When I used to put my rabbit in the shed for winter, I would wrap his hutch in a thick winter duvet to help insulate it. Also masses of hay is great for keeping them warm (although piggies tend to munch it all lol):-)
 
You are a caring and kind owner who loves your piggies. You have no reason at all to feel guilty. You are going to love them and give them the best life you can and there is no shame in not getting more guinea pigs at all. Please do not be so hard on yourself.
 
awe... thanks everyone. I guess it is silly to feel guilty but sigh... i just do because i love them so much. I will really miss having guinea pigs in the future. They are my favorite pet. My piggies are only 2 years old, one is still only a year and a half so hopefully I have many years left and I hope our winter won't be so cold. Except for chipy who is 6.

I was laying in bed last night thinking about what to do about their housing. Right now they are living in their summer pen but on the floor of the hutch. This way my single boar can interact thru the wire and he is so much happier. But the problem is having this on the floor where drafts are.

I will have to move them into their hutches soon which are up off the ground. He won't be able to see his friends very well but he'll still be able to hear them.

Just trying to figure out when to move them. Not last night but the night before it went down to 2 degrees Celcius. I was shocked. It doesn't usually get cold so fast.
 
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Go and have a look at my winter pigloo thread - mine are so toasty outside at the moment, ant it only cost me £20.
 
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