When is it time to stop this guinea pig thing?

[Claire W]

You are the only one I know so far who gets me on this . I think I am this way about it because I know of an older very physically unwell older lady that got totally carried away with rescuing dogs and cats. It is boardering on animal hoarding but they are all loved and cared for, that said she is constantly in debt from the costs of caring for so many and instead of giving some up she continues to take more. I think witnessing that and knowing “if she died next week could you imagine the nightmare the rescues would face rehoming all those or the burden to her children to have to deal with organizing all that on top of grieving and making all the other arrangements?”
That totally made me think of my own mortality in comparison to lifespans and numbers of pets.

I know of someone who is well in to her 80's who is the same and I often wonder what will happen to all her animals when she dies. I hope to outlive my cats as I am only 40 but if Austin and Morris live until their 20's, I will be in my 60's so taking on another cat at that age would sadly be a no for me

 

[piggieminder]

You are the only one I know so far who gets me on this . I think I am this way about it because I know of an older very physically unwell older lady that got totally carried away with rescuing dogs and cats. It is boardering on animal hoarding but they are all loved and cared for, that said she is constantly in debt from the costs of caring for so many and instead of giving some up she continues to take more. I think witnessing that and knowing “if she died next week could you imagine the nightmare the rescues would face rehoming all those or the burden to her children to have to deal with organizing all that on top of grieving and making all the other arrangements?”
That totally made me think of my own mortality in comparison to lifespans and numbers of pets.

I get that one too! I am already older than 3 of my grandparents and my health is not going to get any better. I've loved having 3 pairs of boars but it's a lot for anyone to sort out if I died. I really hope my remaining 5 live long lives but taking on any more babies who could live 7 or 8 years is pushing it - what if I can't manage to clean them out any more? For me I think it's a case of see how fit I am later and then decide if I want/can manage to keep a pair on a table.

 

[Pawz]

I am only 40 but if Austin and Morris live until their 20's, I will be in my 60's so taking on another cat at that age would sadly be a no for me

Exactly! I’d be not far off my 60’s if she lives to 20 so taking on another after would be a nope here too.

 

[piggieminder]

Exactly! I’d be not far off my 60’s if she lives to 20

You are all so young!

 

[Betsy]

You are all so young!

I may be in my mid fifties but I certainly don't feel young today.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

I think they now only sell piggies in pairs or groups so you can't buy just one to join an existing piggy at home. Good for the piggies but not so much for those owners who have a bereaved piggy and rescue isn't an option

Perhaps it's a chain-wide policy now, but we hit this at our local p@h when the first of our guineas died about 7 years ago.
We had bought our 2 boars at the same store, but they wouldn't sell us a single boar to be a new cagemate for our bereaved one.

It felt like a real nuisance at the time, but they did us a favour I guess - I didn't know about the difficulties of boar bonding, and if I had been able to buy and bond one then, I may never have found out about rescues, or this forum etc

 

[BossHogg]

I've gone from a garden full of rabbits and guinea pigs (see my Delilah topic) down to just Delilah. Once she's gone there will be no more small furries. We have 2 elderly cats, same thing, once they're gone - no more. We reckon we've spent about 30k over the last 15 years, I could have had a new car and a nice foreign holiday.

 

[Black piggies]

I've gone from a garden full of rabbits and guinea pigs (see my Delilah topic) down to just Delilah. Once she's gone there will be no more small furries. We have 2 elderly cats, same thing, once they're gone - no more. We reckon we've spent about 30k over the last 15 years, I could have had a new car and a nice foreign holiday.

That's a mahoosive sum, but nicer to have had guinea pigs, rabbits and cats, than a new car and holiday surely

 

[Tigermoth]

I set out on the piggie journey planning for a pair (that I thought would live 3 years. My research was very good but that passed me by) and it has remained that way. It helps that I don’t look at any free ads and I only pass through PAH to get to the vet so I’m not tempted by sad stories. I’m rapidly approaching a tricky period in that the gruesome twosome are both 7 and so our journey will soon end. I really don’t want a sad singleton for a long time but also I don’t want to foster as I’m uncomfortable about short term disruption for the poor pig that thinks it’s landed on to paws only to be returned. I hope that they both pop off in quick succession and then we are done.

 

[Black piggies]

I set out on the piggie journey planning for a pair (that I thought would live 3 years. My research was very good but that passed me by) and it has remained that way. It helps that I don’t look at any free ads and I only pass through PAH to get to the vet so I’m not tempted by sad stories. I’m rapidly approaching a tricky period in that the gruesome twosome are both 7 and so our journey will soon end. I really don’t want a sad singleton for a long time but also I don’t want to foster as I’m uncomfortable about short term disruption for the poor pig that thinks it’s landed on to paws only to be returned. I hope that they both pop off in quick succession and then we are done.

Hopefully having got them to that fantastic age, that plan will work out. I agree there's no ideal solution. You'd end up feeling sorry for the foster. I wanted my new teenage boar to be my last, but he's so clingy to Shadow, always wanting to lay with her and running to her if startled, I'm already thinking he's not a good piggy to be a last man standing, so that'll be another piggy eventually and so it goes on!

 

[Eriathwen]

I took a 3ish year break after losing the last of my 16 piggies quite some time ago now, I got them all fairly close together and had them all pass away pretty close together too and it was incredibly hard, losing the last one was just too much. After having a bit of a mental health crisis some years ago now I looked back trying to find the last time I was truly happy and hit upon the memory of sitting outside (I stopped leaving the house at this point) on the lawn surrounded by piggies. So off I went to pets at home and brought home 2 little girls..it quickly snowballed from there to be honest one of those girls overcame terrible illness and disability to live a fantastic life and she ignited a passion for special needs animals I didnt even know I had.
So I kind of went the other way entirely from taking a break although in all honesty, it is something I think about often. When we lost that special girl Bramble I wondered if carrying on with piggies was really what I wanted, same with when Leonard got very poorly and eventually passed just before Christmas last year. Luckily/unluckily there's always another special needs piggy needing rescuing or a home.
I am sure one day I'll reach a point when the burn out will cause me to not take in anymore and stick with a pair. They are so much more work than people think, I think most people really underestimate what it takes to care for them properly! I don't know if I could ever take another break but I can definitely see me allowing the numbers to drop eventually.

 

[BossHogg]

That's a mahoosive sum, but nicer to have had guinea pigs, rabbits and cats, than a new car and holiday surely

Can I get back to you on that.

 

[weepweeps]

I think they now only sell piggies in pairs or groups so you can't buy just one to join an existing piggy at home. Good for the piggies but not so much for those owners who have a bereaved piggy and rescue isn't an option

After we lost Pippin in October I tried three different Pets at Home for a friend for Percy. All refused to sell me a lone piggy. Which is great, but also not. As the 2nd (or was it the 3rd?) lockdown was announced at the beginning of November I had to drive for an hour to a breeder . We managed to “panic buy” Pepper the day before lockdown. He’s fab.

 

[Black piggies]

After we lost Pippin in October I tried three different Pets at Home for a friend for Percy. All refused to sell me a lone piggy. Which is great, but also not. As the 2nd (or was it the 3rd?) lockdown was announced at the beginning of November I had to drive for an hour to a breeder . We managed to “panic buy” Pepper the day before lockdown. He’s fab.

It's silly, surely you could take in your lone piggy and prove to them you're trying to make a pair. Lol to panic buying Pepper, while most of us were panic buying pasta and loo roll, you got Pepper.

 

[Sue and Smartie]

After my first pair passed on I thought I'd have a 6-12 month break from piggies.
HAHA! 6 weeks more like, then I fell in love with some pigs a friend was rehoming, and that was it! Have not been without since.

 

[piggieminder]

After we lost Pippin in October I tried three different Pets at Home for a friend for Percy. All refused to sell me a lone piggy. Which is great, but also not. As the 2nd (or was it the 3rd?) lockdown was announced at the beginning of November I had to drive for an hour to a breeder . We managed to “panic buy” Pepper the day before lockdown. He’s fab.

I had the same problem with Pets at Home, it's great they've stopped selling lone pigs in one way but makes things really awkward when you lose one and have no rescues available. I don't want to encourage breeders (or shops) by buying from them but when the alternative is a lone piggy! As it was they did me a favour as Peanut was helped to the bridge a few months later and I'm now on my reducing numbers journey. Thanks Rusty and Brillo for tollerating each other.

 

[baleofhay]

Last year I lost my three amazing girls, Amber, Connie and Wanda. I was heartbroken. Not because I had never lost pigs before, in fact I'd probably lost about 10 others in the past, but because these three girls I fought for, hard. Connie going to cancer, Amber to heart disease and Wanda was just an elderly frail old lady. This left me with my two boys, Russ and Owen and I wanted to just have them now. But Jack needed a home urgently and then of course he needed a friend, bringing in Sylvie too. I love these two other pigs with everything in my heart, but it was really too soon. I was still grieving for the other three. They wouldn't understand even if I told them, but sometimes I wish Jack didn't need the home as urgently as he did. I would never give him or Sylvie up now, they are mine, I just would have liked more time with my older boys first. And that's a confession I've never aired to anyone.

 

[Claire W]

After we lost Pippin in October I tried three different Pets at Home for a friend for Percy. All refused to sell me a lone piggy. Which is great, but also not. As the 2nd (or was it the 3rd?) lockdown was announced at the beginning of November I had to drive for an hour to a breeder . We managed to “panic buy” Pepper the day before lockdown. He’s fab.

I’m glad you managed to get Pepper

 

[weepweeps]

Last year I lost my three amazing girls, Amber, Connie and Wanda. I was heartbroken. Not because I had never lost pigs before, in fact I'd probably lost about 10 others in the past, but because these three girls I fought for, hard. Connie going to cancer, Amber to heart disease and Wanda was just an elderly frail old lady. This left me with my two boys, Russ and Owen and I wanted to just have them now. But Jack needed a home urgently and then of course he needed a friend, bringing in Sylvie too. I love these two other pigs with everything in my heart, but it was really too soon. I was still grieving for the other three. They wouldn't understand even if I told them, but sometimes I wish Jack didn't need the home as urgently as he did. I would never give him or Sylvie up now, they are mine, I just would have liked more time with my older boys first. And that's a confession I've never aired to anyone.

Thank you for the honesty. I get what you mean.

 

[baleofhay]

The time you take to painstakingly syringe feed and medicate them, the countless hours and money at the vets, the frustration as it dawns on you that you won't win this time, the sleepless nights and days off work as you just can't leave them... It all takes a toll. I would never begrudge someone from taking time to consider whether to get more or have a break. You do what's right for you and the pigs still with you.

This year started off with Jack nearly dying from the most routine neutering. I did everything right but it all got horribly infected. I was barely bonded with him and I had to irrigate his stitches out as he bit me repeatably. Not a great way to start the relationship when I knew how I felt deep down. Russell in the last couple months had a cancer scare and quite a remarkable recovery from an unusual surgery. Both are doing great thanks to my diligence and love.

Guinea pigs really don't know the power they hold over us lol. Your piggies are incredible, that's why we do it.

 

[hot fox]

The time you take to painstakingly syringe feed and medicate them, the countless hours and money at the vets, the frustration as it dawns on you that you won't win this time, the sleepless nights and days off work as you just can't leave them... It all takes a toll. I would never begrudge someone from taking time to consider whether to get more or have a break. You do what's right for you and the pigs still with you.

This year started off with Jack nearly dying from the most routine neutering. I did everything right but it all got horribly infected. I was barely bonded with him and I had to irrigate his stitches out as he bit me repeatably. Not a great way to start the relationship when I knew how I felt deep down. Russell in the last couple months had a cancer scare and quite a remarkable recovery from an unusual surgery. Both are doing great thanks to my diligence and love.

Guinea pigs really don't know the power they hold over us lol. Your piggies are incredible, that's why we do it.

I couldn't agree more! I think we've probably spent £20,000 over the years, but I don't regret that. If you think of how many times they make you smile, when you pick up your most snuggly boy and he leans in to you and creaks his head off happily, and you feel a massive relief of tension, there's not much better than that!
I think my long term plan is down to two, then once all mine have passed, potentially look at long term foster, if we have the room. Or probably have a few months piggle free, to see how it goes. It feels a bit sad to be honest but sometimes, and I'm finding this is true more as I get older, one must think of one's own wellbeing first and foremost. You can't be a strong mummy pig or human mummy or wife or colleague or friend if you're twisted up in mental torture; anxiety really is wretched.

 

[flowerfairy]

I have 4 guinea pigs, 6 rabbits, a hamster, 2 mice and 2 dogs.

One day I will have 1 dog and maybe a hamster.

Multiple pets has helped my mental health but I am ready to gradually downsize as nature takes its course.

Recently lost my dearly beloved collie Tass to cancer (pts 30th june 2021).

Really really really enjoying my new poodle puppy. My elderly labrador isnt quite so keen!

I am 60 so Rusty (poodle) will most probably be my last dog.

 

[Bluebell]

I have always had quite a few animals - all sizes from horses to mice. The only animals I have not had are any that are imported from the wild or those bred from such, nor will I ever buy from pet shops or dealers. That still leaves quite a choice of animals though.

I will always have multiple dogs whatever else I can't have, and have put off getting my new pup because of the pandemic. No way was I adding another whilst I might get ill as I don't have help, but now it is looking as though the pandemic is here to stay, so I'm going to have to take that risk! Never before have I worried so much about being ill and how it would affect the animals - grrrr! Yes, like a previous poster said, the animals have meant no holidays ever, no luxuries that were not animal related, and so much hard work - but I do not regret one minute and would do it all again in a heartbeat with every one of them.

Whilst guinea pigs are not my favourite small animals, not being as clever as mice or rats, they do live longer, and somehow I have always had quite a few of them too. Mind you if they had had some of the health issues I have seen talked about on here, I don't think I'd have nearly so many! They have been hard work recently now I have to buy so much of their food, and get it all delivered all the time - I admit there are times that I have threatened to trade them all in for a species that eats less!

But the idea of a life without a house full of animals, never!

 

[Lauraspigs]

I’ve only got Luna now, I had two others, Lexie and Saffie and their losses have left me broken. Lexie passed last December after an op for ovarian cysts and Saffie last week after a second op for bladder issues. For both the only option was to try the operations but they are so small. Luna is quite a solitary pig and had been living separately from her sisters as she fell out with them last year, I’m working from home so she’s not alone. She’s doing ok and has a new sheepskin bed and sheep comforter and she seems happy, she’s still popcorning. I love piggies and they have such wonderful personalities but their lives are too short. Lex was just 3 when we lost her and saff was 3 years 9 months.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I've been saying for years that I have to reduce my number of piggies - they are a lot of work and somehow the workload in the office seems to get bigger each year, so it is really a matter of time to care for my piggies.
I think all my friends laugh behind my back ... because yes, I tend to fall in love with a little one from time to time.

At least I'm down to one group which is a lot less work and worry. Because my piggies always have free access to floor time twice a day, two groups don't only mean cleaning two cages and spending time with two groups, the groups are also housed in different rooms and two rooms have to be cleaned thoroughly.
Yes, one day I will be down to two piggies. But in the meantime I love all five of my current fur babies.

And on some days it is really hard not to open up a second group - last weekend I was asked twice if I could take on a second group.
But no at the moment one group is all I can manage.

I can't really imagine living without piggies. And they are not only sweet members of my family, but guinea pigs are a big hobby of mine as well, learning more about them, trying to pass my experiences on to others, giving advice on a small scale.
I don't feel that I should continue with my website if I didn't have piggies any more, so for me they are really more than just adorable pets.

 

[baleofhay]

If you think of how many times they make you smile, when you pick up your most snuggly boy and he leans in to you and creaks his head off happily, and you feel a massive relief of tension, there's not much better than that!

Yes, that feeling of utter contentment When Owen came to me he was terrified and would just freeze in place, the other night we cuddled up on the couch and watched a movie together and he felt safe enough to close his eyes and snooze. Those moments are wonderful and what will stay with me after he passes.

 

[Freela]

I personally don't feel that way about the pigs (I anticipate always having a pair of them until I am carted off to a nursing home, at which point I've told my kids to just give me a stuffed guinea pig and tell me it's real.) I do, however, feel that way about the hamsters... I love them, but the really short lifespan is wearing me out and a lot of times I feel like I don't WANT to love them because I know it's for such a short time. They belong to my kids, who obviously still feel it's worth it, but I am definitely wearing out emotionally on the really short lifespan pets.

 

[Emx93]

It's really hard isn't it, our financial circumstances changed with the pandemic and we have also said we aren't replacing anyone though I can't imagine never having piggies I have a group of 5 which is more than ever intended (fall outs, bereavements then merging the groups) I will never leave one without a friend but I do intend to reduce group size until I eventually only have 2-3

 

[JoannaMarie]

This is a timely discussion for me. I am a relatively 'new' pigmum. I got my first 2 pigs Alan and Ted from a rescue 6 years ago. Ted had bladder stones and passed away after I'd only had him 6 months. I was heartbroken but Alan needed a friend so I got a baby pig and called him Monty. Monty passed away 3 weeks ago today (I had him put to sleep after 2 months of nursing him after he had lost all use of his legs and hind quarters due to arthritis, his pain became unmanageable and he stopped eating) and Alan passed away on Friday (he died at the vets after a procedure to remove bladder stones via his urethra). I am heart broken. I love them so so much. My mental health has really taken a big hit, I've been struggling at work and crying over the smallest things that remind me of them.

Even with the heart break, the struggle to nurse them and keep them happy and pain free in their old age, the torture of losing them..... I know I will have more in the future. If you'd have asked me whether I'd have more 4 weeks ago (before they died but whilst my anxiety was high knowing I would lose them soon) I would have said no.

But now, without them in the house, without the sound of hay being nibbled, of water bottles being licked, the squeak when you open the fridge door, the popcorns when you clean the cage, the pitter patter of their paws on the floorboards, the stretch and yawn when you stroke them. Even without the measuring of metacam doses, the struggle to get them to take their gabepantan, the cleaning the cage out when you are shattered, the worrying they are losing weight or showing signs of illness, the bathing them when they've been sitting in their own mess, the hoovering of hay that gets EVERYWHERE in the house.... I miss them. The house doesn't feel like a home. My life is sadder. I feel like my life isn't complete without them.

I am going to wait a while, I want to have time to mourn Monty and Alan properly (they were extremely special piggies), and to be honest the vet and medicine bills have taken their toll on our bank balance. We are getting married next year and need to save every spare penny so I'm going to try to hold off until after the wedding (although I have serious doubts I'll be able to wait that long).

I think it is good to have a break after a bad time when you lose a particularly special piggy, or after multiple deaths or a particularly distressing illness, or during times when you don't have the time or finances to give them 100%. I do think though that if you've had piggies and loved them as a part of your family, your home will never be whole without a couple of furry potatoes. Xx