Stubborn Mam, Advice?!

Josephine

Josephine

Junior Guinea Pig
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UK, North East of England
After Teddy, one of two of my piggies passed. His companion Harry was left alone. I was all set to buy a C & C cage and get another piggy -as I know they shouldn't be alone- and my current set-up is too small. (my piggies had been separate because they fought, but got lots of interaction). I am 16 and live at home so I have to get my mam's help and permission to buy another pig and some C & C grids. I said I'd pay for it all, but she keeps telling me that Harry doesn't need a companion, because he had previously lived separate. I know his previous set-up was not ideal -she wouldn't let me change that- but being completely alone is even worse.:(
I have two pet shop cages currently:
93cm by 55cm
90cm by 45cm
Obviously both two small, but even though I have researched guinea pigs so much she still doesn't believe me.:doh:
What should I do? Any convincing arguments I could tell my mam?
 
Could you join your two cages together? That would be plenty big for two, as neither of them is too far away from the minimum size.
 
Reenie said:
Could you join your two cages together? That would be plenty big for two, as neither of them is too far away from the minimum size.
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I don't think so, because the cages have plastic trays and bars. Even if I could it would easier just to buy a C&C cage in the end.
 
That's a pity. Guinea pigs are herd animals, in the wild they wouldn't be alone - unlike hamsters. They really need a companion, I imagine it would be rather lonely and boring on his own, and you would see a much wider range of behaviour if he had a compatible friend. But then you know that, it's just your mum who isn't convinced!
 
Although you are right, it is better to keep the feet on the ground and try to consider the reason why your mother is "stubborn". Maybe she has realised that TWO piggies are TWO vet bills, expensive bills... dangerous bills! Considering also the dog and the cat! Hence this might be her reason and at this point you have to admit that there would be nothing strange to have a big NO for similar reasons. A lonely piggie is not ideal, but many lonely piggies live alone for long years. Italy is full of families with only one piggie or one rabbit. Also in this forum I knew two owners of lonely piggies for different reasons.
Maybe you can tell your mother that if your piggie lives alone, you will have to spend a big part of the day with him, doing nothing else.
I might be wrong but if your mum agreed with two piggies and now she has changed her mind, maybe she wants to put an end at the piggies' adventure... especially when she considers that you are growing up, you are going somewhere else to study (maybe) and two piggies can live 5-7 years...
These are hypothesis, it would be better to ask her for her personal reason. I am afraid this time there is a good reason...
 
As a dedicated piggy owner, I believe that they should not be kept alone, however, it's ultimately your mum's decision, as it is her money that will be paying the costs of another piggy. Rather than going with 'pester power', try perfect daughter power. Keep your guinea pig clean and tidy, spend plenty of time with him, help around the house and study hard....maybe in time your mum will think that you have earned the privilege of having another piggy as a reward. As a mum myself, that would have worked better.
 
rome_italy said:
Although you are right, it is better to keep the feet on the ground and try to consider the reason why your mother is "stubborn". Maybe she has realised that TWO piggies are TWO vet bills, expensive bills... dangerous bills! Considering also the dog and the cat! Hence this might be her reason and at this point you have to admit that there would be nothing strange to have a big NO for similar reasons. A lonely piggie is not ideal, but many lonely piggies live alone for long years. Italy is full of families with only one piggie or one rabbit. Also in this forum I knew two owners of lonely piggies for different reasons.
Maybe you can tell your mother that if your piggie lives alone, you will have to spend a big part of the day with him, doing nothing else.
I might be wrong but if your mum agreed with two piggies and now she has changed her mind, maybe she wants to put an end at the piggies' adventure... especially when she considers that you are growing up, you are going somewhere else to study (maybe) and two piggies can live 5-7 years...
These are hypothesis, it would be better to ask her for her personal reason. I am afraid this time there is a good reason...
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We had two piggies, so it's not the two vet bills, or the life expectancy, as my current piggy is only 3, I asked her and she says it's because she thinks he doesn't need a friend. thanks for the suggestions though, it's helping me wrap my head around this.
 
You poor thing. Parents always think they know best so it's hard when you know best!

Perhaps you could print off some threads on companionship and piggies either from this forum or guinealynx to show her. Depending on where you live there are rescues and even some pet shops that will not let anyone have a single piggy.

I still live at home with my mum. She was very old fashioned when I got the piggies, the "put them in a hutch outsid and be done with it" kind of attitude. Now they have half my living room, living in a C&C with fleece and there are 5 of them! :)) By signing up to piggy sites herself she's learned a lot about them on her own so she can see that it's not just my opinions :)
 
Josephine said:
We had two piggies, so it's not the two vet bills, or the life expectancy, as my current piggy is only 3, I asked her and she says it's because she thinks he doesn't need a friend. thanks for the suggestions though, it's helping me wrap my head around this.
Click to expand...
if this reason is the true one (as a mother I am not sure), things are easier... make her read official guide lines about guinea pigs' breeding, there are countries where keeping only one of these pets is forbidden. Maybe your mum needs to learn something updated... online there are good articles, you can print those pages and stick them on the door of your fridge...:D
I am not joking...
There is only a little detail: you have a male piggie; the bonding with another male can be okay now and become impossible some months later. The best option would be neutering Harry and give him a girlfriend later... Otherwise you risk to have two separate piggies. But this is a consideration to make in the future. Now it is time to print some page and give them to her.
I think she only needs to know the truth about these pets...
Just a question: does she like piggies? does she find them funny and relaxing? you can show her some video from Youtube about the funny interaction of two piggies... ;)
 
rome_italy said:
if this reason is the true one (as a mother I am not sure), things are easier... make her read official guide lines about guinea pigs' breeding, there are countries where keeping only one of these pets is forbidden. Maybe your mum needs to learn something updated... online there are good articles, you can print those pages and stick them on the door of your fridge...:D
I am not joking...
There is only a little detail: you have a male piggie; the bonding with another male can be okay now and become impossible some months later. The best option would be neutering Harry and give him a girlfriend later... Otherwise you risk to have two separate piggies. But this is a consideration to make in the future. Now it is time to print some page and give them to her.
I think she only needs to know the truth about these pets...
Just a question: does she like piggies? does she find them funny and relaxing? you can show her some video from Youtube about the funny interaction of two piggies... ;)
Click to expand...
After talking to her about piggies and their need for each other, I think she may be warming to the idea. I think one of her worries may be the not getting along. I'll look further into boar dating, maybe neutering is a better option than I first thought.
After talking to her a bit more I think another worry might be space. Like -where is a bigger cage going to go?- as that is what I would need for another piggy. I think this reason makes a bit more sense.
She does like piggies, she doesn't cuddle them very often, but doesn't mind having them around.
Also I'm beginning to realise why my mam is hesitant to get another cage and piggy, it's quite a big commitment and since she hasn't researched piggies a ton all she really has is my word. Thank you for the perspective:D. I'll be sure to have a look at some of those articles and funny videos!
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
You poor thing. Parents always think they know best so it's hard when you know best!

Perhaps you could print off some threads on companionship and piggies either from this forum or guinealynx to show her. Depending on where you live there are rescues and even some pet shops that will not let anyone have a single piggy.

I still live at home with my mum. She was very old fashioned when I got the piggies, the "put them in a hutch outsid and be done with it" kind of attitude. Now they have half my living room, living in a C&C with fleece and there are 5 of them! :)) By signing up to piggy sites herself she's learned a lot about them on her own so she can see that it's not just my opinions :)
Click to expand...
I hadn't really thought of printing the articles and stuff off, I guess it's way easier to view if I literally hand it to her. I'm sure if I do more research and involve her she can understand. I don't want to annoy her, but perhaps showing her amazing C & C cages and cute videos of guinea pig pairs -like rome_italy said, she can realise that two piggies can actually be easier than one.:lol:
 
Josephine said:
I hadn't really thought of printing the articles and stuff off, I guess it's way easier to view if I literally hand it to her. I'm sure if I do more research and involve her she can understand. I don't want to annoy her, but perhaps showing her amazing C & C cages and cute videos of guinea pig pairs -like rome_italy said, she can realise that two piggies can actually be easier than one.:lol:
Click to expand...

Exactly! That's what I did and the piggies crept in two by two... Hurrah :))
 
Josephine said:
After talking to her about piggies and their need for each other, I think she may be warming to the idea. I think one of her worries may be the not getting along. I'll look further into boar dating, maybe neutering is a better option than I first thought.
After talking to her a bit more I think another worry might be space. Like -where is a bigger cage going to go?- as that is what I would need for another piggy. I think this reason makes a bit more sense.
She does like piggies, she doesn't cuddle them very often, but doesn't mind having them around.
Also I'm beginning to realise why my mam is hesitant to get another cage and piggy, it's quite a big commitment and since she hasn't researched piggies a ton all she really has is my word. Thank you for the perspective:D. I'll be sure to have a look at some of those articles and funny videos!
Click to expand...
the cage will not be a problem... if you post some picture of your home/your room maybe we can find together some good solution. There are also two levels cages, built with C&C or similar grids. I have seen online many cheap ideas!:nod:
About the bonding, that is a delicate period... But if you neuter Harry, you might adopt a sow after a while...
I think you are going to have a second piggie, sooner or later... There are only some things to define and these things and concerns are into your mum's head now. She is hesitant, she is not saying NO...:roll:
Go on talking of piggies at home, let her know their world. The only big No which will remain a NO is the issue of the vet bills. But it is not your case... Maybe she would like a well organised home, not with cages all around and separate piggies...
 
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