Help And Advice Needed Please.

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kelkelkel

kelkelkel

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Hello all.

After doing some research (or so I thought) I decided and convinced my oh to get 2 piggies for my dd for xmas! Well, needless to say she hasn't paid much interest as to her I guess they are pretty boring, not like a cat who plays with you early on. We got them as babies from a breeder ( a big mistake I now know, I was very naive as you will soon tell) and learnt how very shy these little adorable things could be. Since having them I have researched more and more. Within a week I know this pet shop cage was not enough! So C&C cage came in. This thing took over my house and it was redesigned over and over (cage is in our lounge) and mistakes made etc etc. The bedding and cleaning was one hell of a shock, i have cried and broke my back sorting out this damn cage with all this POO. So many times i have regretted buying these pigs and hear constant comments from my oh about getting rid of those "f'ing guinea pigs". But, I can't, I took on responsibility, 2 lives and I knew they were an 4-8 year commitment, my dd needs to see that if you take on life, you care for it. Plus I have fallen in love with them so much. I read how sociable and loving they can be but just how shy they are. So over the last 3 months they have become MY pigs (which was always going to happen really) they still run away at movements but they eat from my hand, Nik Nak lets me stroke him, Wotsit only when he feels like it! I feel like this is progress. I really want them to become a family pet that my dd and oh will love and I am getting there.

OK so what advice do I need? To save arguments i have reduced my cage size to 1 x 6. There is a 1 x 2 balcony (included in 1 x 6 space) for hide out, bed, hay and we corner that is cleaned daily, a steep ramp down (takes up some space) and they have 1 x 3 on the floor for food and water. They are getting floor time 1 hr in the morning and 1 hr in the evening, more at weekends, they make full use of floor time. I use c&c grids to make a large area they can access from their cage.
1. Is this enough floor time for them with such a small cage?
2. With plenty of floor time is the cage size acceptable?
3. Will they be OK to share this 1 x 2 hide out area or do i need to give them separate areas (curtain in there maybe?)

I have been maintaining nail care and monthly bath but I know we don't hold them enough as they always hate being picked up. I know if we increase this it will improve things and it has been getting more frequent the easier I am getting the care routine right (lots of trial and error but this one seems manageable). What I am looking for on this part is a bit of reassurance. These guineas have proven to be a lot of hard work, more than I ever dreamed, but I will not give up on them. I just want to know they can become a family pet with more training. If i can show my oh and dd just how interactive they can be I feel they would show a bit more interest (he wanted a cat! as is a cat lover but i convinced him guinea pigs could be just as fun!). Is lap time the key to this?

Sorry for the long post and thank you

Kelly
 
Hi, it sounds like you are doing a great job!

I am a newish piggy owner too so I don't have a lot of experience to share however you are giving your pigs twice as much floor time than I give mine so in my eyes that's really good. The cage size sounds good too for the recommendations I have read.

I too find my piggys harder work than I imagined but they're adorable and I'm being very patient with them. So you are not alone there!

I got my pigs as babies from a breeder too! But I am wondering why you say that is a big mistake?
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.

It seems like you have good intentions but I'm either reading your post very wrong or your cage is very long and thin (6x1) this gives only 6 foot of space and to be honest you were probably better with a store bought 120cm cage or ideally a 2x4 or 5 c&c. I'm inclined to believe that living in such a long thin cage is slightly akin to you and your family living in a corridor, it wouldn't allow much room to run around or act naturally.

If cleaning is becoming a real problem maybe you need to look at different forms of bedding, our family has 14 piggies in various size groups and caging and we're not drowning in poop. Also remember that the majority of the beautiful spotless fleece cages you see on Instagram and similar are usually photographed immediately after putting the pigs into a clean cage. The reality is excess poops or sweeping the poop multiple times a day.

The key to friendly pigs is indeed lap time, to make your pigs as friendly as possible spend as much time as possible with them, they have to get to know you. Bribery won't hurt though. Cucumber works. A larger floor space in the cag will also aid this, predators come from above or behind.

I'm really sorry that your partner is so negative about the pigs though, perhaps he should also step up and take some of the cleaning responsibilities of the family pet?

Edited to add: Having re-read your thread I understand the cage is even smaller than originally thought. Possibly just 3foot of ground space. In which case no, your cage is no where near big enough and I'm surprised your boys do not fight, they simply need more room.
 
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It's so hard isn't it? I really understand how you feel in terms of the lack of interaction in the beginning. I've had my pair a similar amount of time and have found it really hard work, and I had done LOADS and LOADS of research beforehand! (I'm queen of overprepared, it isn't always a good thing!) My husband was also pretty negative but he is being won round to them.

I'm afraid I can't work out your cage set up (I've just worked a nightshift and the numbers are not making any sense to me at all) but in terms of the poo, I find that mine are now largely pooing in the hay tray :/ It doesn't appeal to me, but it doesn't seem to bother them, they still eat the hay! Obviously we change it 2 or 3 times a day, which gets through the hay a bit but it does keep the cage relatively tidy. I'm looking for a way of giving them a bigger tray actually as I think they would enjoy that but not worked out a plan yet.

I don't really have much to suggest as I'm so new myself but wanted give you a bit of "I hear you" with the interactivity and husband issues and I hope one of the experienced members can give you a few pointers that really help you get where you want to be with them.
 
Some people use correx to make trays or under bed storage boxes either moth ramps or cut down and filed smooth
 
Squidgypigs said:
Edited to add: Having re-read your thread I understand the cage is even smaller than originally thought. Possibly just 3foot of ground space. In which case no, your cage is no where near big enough and I'm surprised your boys do not fight, they simply need more room.
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Agreed @Squidgypigs, these piggies need more space! Two guinea pigs need at least 5x2 feet of space. So for a C&C cage like yours @kelkelkel, that would be a 2x4 grid setup, minimum!

More information on cage sizes here:
Cage Size Guide

Edit: Also worth noting that within the guidelines on the above link, it says you should only count the main floor area, not any extras like lofts. So in your case it would mean these piggies have a 3x1 grid setup or approx 110x35cm only, and you might be interested to know this actually comes below the minimum RSPCA guidelines for 2 guinea pigs: "1-2 guinea pigs: 2x4 ft (120x60 cm) or 8 ft square". Please try and take a full look through the link when you get a chance :)
 
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Chloe B said:
I got my pigs as babies from a breeder too! But I am wondering why you say that is a big mistake?
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The only reason it would be a mistake is that there are many Guinea pigs (usually already bonded in pairs) waiting in shelters (this is a pro-rescue forum).

There is no reason why babies from a breeder will not make wonderful pets though. The key to friendly piggies really is regular safe interaction and handling (with bribery and/or cuddle cups if needed...).
 
Hi.
Thanks all so much for your replies. The cage has only just gone to this size, its always been bigger, it's just been the last few days. I've had all kinds of shapes and designs. Being a newly I made mistakes on what works for us as a family, I don't know what I expected when I got guinea pigs but this was not it lol! Anyway, that have always been playful and are brothers and the dominant one always was the one without much bother. It was after I wrote my message last night I realised they were not playing as much and last night all they did was bicker and really try to square up to each other. So yet again the cage has changed and they have been popping and running and playing all day. Ive built it into the corner of the room now so it fits nicely. Over the past 3 months i Have tried all bedding option and even made my own cage liners. Its just about finding what suits us all. Its just in the process these little balls of gorgeousness have consumed sooo much of my time, i just know if i do get it right, it will be more a pleasure than a chore.
 
Haven't made it perfect yet and I will once i get the cage set up exactly as is best for everybody but i will try to post a picture of how i have it now
 
Firstly I wanted to say congratulations for sticking with it.
It takes a big person to admit they have made a mistake and then step up and take responsibility for that.
I have children too, and I think it is great that you are showing your daughter that when we take on responsibility for a life, we don't just walk away when it isn't perfect immediately.

As far as bedding goes I think it can take time to work out what system is best for you.
Personally I love the idea of fleece, so this seemed an obvious choice for me, but I decided to trial it first in their floor time pen - good thing too, because it turns out I am not a fan!
In their main cage I used Auboise with hay on top, and although this is a messier option (in terms of what ends up on the floor), I personally prefer it. But then I do have a tile floor, plus 2 kids who sweep it for me to earn lap time with their pigs.

And for lap time, I am still working it out as I go along, but whenever there is a problem it is usually because I have unrealistic expectations.
What is working really well for us right now is covering the floor with a thick towel and then the kids sitting at either end with their feet meeting in the middle to make a sort of enclosed square with their legs (I will try and take a photo). We then put some fresh food treats, plus a tunnel, plus a pile of fleece blankets in this space, and put the pigs in that. I t allows the girls to feel they are interacting with their pets, but without our young and bouncy pigs being forced to sit still and submit to endless stroking. The girls hand feed them and stroke them, but it offers the pigs the option to walk away if they are not comfortable.
 
Squidgypigs said:
The only reason it would be a mistake is that there are many Guinea pigs (usually already bonded in pairs) waiting in shelters (this is a pro-rescue forum).

There is no reason why babies from a breeder will not make wonderful pets though. The key to friendly piggies really is regular safe interaction and handling (with bribery and/or cuddle cups if needed...).
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Ahh I see, I had no idea there were so many piggies in rescues at the time of looking. I have ended up with an unbonded pair. My pigs just give me the run around, I have little control. I'll keep on keeping on!
 
I must say Chloe B I knew nothing about rescue centres, like I say very naive. I wish i had as I'm sure they would have made sure I was letting myself in for something! Mine are brothers and have always been very bonded and close. They don't like being apart and will call to each other if one is picked up. But I now get what they mean by 'human slave'.
 
kelkelkel said:
I must say Chloe B I knew nothing about rescue centres, like I say very naive. I wish i had as I'm sure they would have made sure I was letting myself in for something! Mine are brothers and have always been very bonded and close. They don't like being apart and will call to each other if one is picked up. But I now get what they mean by 'human slave'.
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I'm glad it's not just me who's so naive! I guess there's a first time for every piggy owner, I certainly don't have any regrets and you have to make the best of the pigs you end up with!
 
Chloe B said:
I'm glad it's not just me who's so naive! I guess there's a first time for every piggy owner, I certainly don't have any regrets and you have to make the best of the pigs you end up with!
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Sometimes the pigs you end up with come from a rescue, and sometimes you end up with pigs where you are the only thing standing between them and a rescue.

You could obsess and second guess forever.
Do you offer the pigs that you have a good home.
If the answer is 'yes' then you are doing a good job.
Even if it is only a good job for your pigs right now.
Sometimes that really is enough.
 
Apart from my temporary smaller cage I feel I offer my pigs a very good home. Certainly well fed! They are always popping and very vocal when you talk to them. They trust me. It's just proper lap time now. I won't give up on them. They are the cutest. Just got to make my life easier when it comes to cleaning etc. I'm also on a mission to prove to oh they were the better choice rather than a cat......a long mission so it seems lol x
 
Chloe B said:
Ahh I see, I had no idea there were so many piggies in rescues at the time of looking. I have ended up with an unbonded pair. My pigs just give me the run around, I have little control. I'll keep on keeping on!
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Are your piggies babies @Chloe B ? If so persevere because many babies are too busy being young and energetic to cuddle up like you see the older piggies doing. They're probably not so much unbonded as too busy to snuggle. If they're not fighting, I'd assume they like living together :-)
 
Squidgypigs said:
Are your piggies babies @Chloe B ? If so persevere because many babies are too busy being young and energetic to cuddle up like you see the older piggies doing. They're probably not so much unbonded as too busy to snuggle. If they're not fighting, I'd assume they like living together :-)
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Yes they are 6 months old. They lived together before I got them at 8 weeks old but I think they lived in a group. They fight now and then during floor time, it's getting more and more heated when it happens. So I have put a divide in their c&c cage. I do hope they calm down soon and let me pet them. I don't expect long cuddles but would just be nice if they relaxed with me a bit!
 
I took in two girls that needed revoking on a whim because someone had given me a so called guinea pig cage I was going to convert.Soon realised 80 cm zooplus cage not the best for them.Upgraded to a 100 cm cage then found this forum.Now in c&c cage in own room.Didn't realise how much they would cost or how time consuming they were.Like you once I got them they weren't going anywhere
 
Chloe B said:
Yes they are 6 months old. They lived together before I got them at 8 weeks old but I think they lived in a group. They fight now and then during floor time, it's getting more and more heated when it happens. So I have put a divide in their c&c cage. I do hope they calm down soon and let me pet them. I don't expect long cuddles but would just be nice if they relaxed with me a bit!
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My 6 month old girls (three sisters) are just not interested in lap time either. There are important things to look at/chew over there... and over there... or under the curtain...or maybe under the computer table (this is the best as hooman arms cannot reach them!) I too hope they will come round in time!
 
I
Guineapigfeet said:
My 6 month old girls (three sisters) are just not interested in lap time either.
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Aww. I have heard that that do tend to settle down once they reach adult hood... So here's hoping for more cuddle loving piggies in time to come! I must admit though, watching them popcorn is my favourite thing to see above anything else :)
 
I just watched them running and playing for a whole hour! Even my oh was laughing at them. Got kisses from them tonight, yay, they are accepting me x
 
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