Mushrooms in guinea pig cage!

[Oreo0127]

Ok recently a lot of things have been going on and I’ve been getting busy so I’ve never been able to keep up with my Guinean pics cafe but I have been able to feed and take care of him but I got home after 3 days and found these mushrooms growing it didn’t look like he ate any of them and wasn’t interested but I just need to know if he’s gonna be ok if he did or will he be ok period being next to them

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi,

You really need to clean them out! And remove the mushrooms- mushrooms are toxic and especially when you aren't sure of the type.

Guinea pigs can get alot of ailments from poor hygiene, like bumblefoot or a URI etc. Both of which can kill your guinea pig if left.

I understand completely what it's like when things get on top of you and if that is the case is there a friend or family member who would take the piggies until you are okay again? It really isn't fair on your guinea pigs to let them live in a condition where mushrooms can grow and from the picture I can see alot of poo- I dread to think of the urine built up in there.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Also, by feeding are they still getting the necessary hay and veg? And clean water?

 

[Oreo0127]

Also, by feeding are they still getting the necessary hay and veg? And clean water?

Yes he his

 

[Oreo0127]

Also, by feeding are they still getting the necessary hay and veg? And clean water?

And also everything that makes me leave gone is over so this would never happen again thankfully enough it seemed he didn’t care about them as well and he’s still acting normal

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Yes he his

I'm not trying to sound mean or bullying, I totally get things can climb on top of you and there's been days I roll over and don't particularly want to dive into piggy poo

BUT please please clean your little guys out. Who knows, it might take your mind of it for a bit? I

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Also I'm a bit confused....you say you've "never been able to keep up with the cage" but you have fed etc....but then you also say you "got home after three days" so was someone else feeding him during that time? And if so why didn't they clean him?,

Just trying to understand

 

[Oreo0127]

I'm not trying to sound mean or bullying, I totally get things can climb on top of you and there's been days I roll over and don't particularly want to dive into piggy poo

BUT please please clean your little guys out. Who knows, it might take your mind of it for a bit? I

It’s ok I really need to take responsibility for this so comments like that even though you weren’t being me are totally fine I just hope he’s gonna be ok and won’t get sick

 

[Betsy]

Guinea pigs need to be cleaned out at least once a week. If you have to go away often do you have a friend or neighbour that can piggysit for you?

 

[Oreo0127]

Not at the moment but I’m actually working on that now but it should be rare for me to leave long again

 

[sunflowerpiggies]

also you talk about him as singular, is he a lone pig?

 

[Siikibam]

If he’s a lone pig please do think seriously about getting him a friend. If you can take him boar dating at a rescue that would be the ideal. But I know sometimes that can’t happen.

Even if it’s 5mins in the evening please take the time to clean out the cage. He’d probably popcorn from happiness

Lastly, was he fed during the three days you were away?

 

[Wiebke]

Ok recently a lot of things have been going on and I’ve been getting busy so I’ve never been able to keep up with my Guinean pics cafe but I have been able to feed and take care of him but I got home after 3 days and found these mushrooms growing it didn’t look like he ate any of them and wasn’t interested but I just need to know if he’s gonna be ok if he did or will he be ok period being next to them

Hi and welcome!

Please make sure that your piggy is cleaned out twice a week and that he is in a dry place where fungus cannot grow.
Mushrooms in a cage are NOT OK at all! The mushrooms you are seeing are just the small visible fruiting body of a much larger invisible organism that is spreading below the surface. They can be poisonous if eaten - and that includes invisible spores being spread around the cage and ingested with any food!

Please deep clean the cage with a vet strength disinfectant that is antifungal, too, and not just antibacterial as standard disinfectant brands are. F10 (for UK); LD disinfectant (US) or virkon (worldwide) are the recommended brands that also work on fungal problems.

Guinea pigs are territorial group animals and not wired to be on their own; however it is not quite as easy as sticking another piggy into the cage and expecting them to be best of friends.
Guinea pigs should also be fed at least once daily with unlimited fresh hay (makes over 80% of the daily food intake), fresh veg that is not going off and they need to have access to fresh water from a daily cleaned and refilled bottle at all times.
Tips For Organising Your Holiday Absence

Leaving a piggy to fend for himself in an uncleaned cage without fresh food and water for three days is too long. Please either get reliable absence cover for your guinea pig or be honest with yourself whether you can really provide the kind of home that you would any pets of yours to have for the long term. Healthy guinea pigs on good care live 5-7 years on average but can live up to a decade or in very rare cases even beyond; that is a much longer life span that many people expect!
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

I have lived nearly two decades of my life without guinea pigs in a small inner city flat; simply because I was not able to give them the kind of loving and caring home they deserved and because I was not prepared to compromise on their quality of life for my own gratification. However I have made up for lost time once the conditions were right to get back to them again.

Accepting your personal limitations when looking after living beings is an important part of responsible ownership. The fact that you are asking on here means that you are well aware that you are currently struggling and that what you have come back home to is not right at all - and that is a good sign!
We are here to help you work out what is best for your piggy and for you and how you can work around any problems if you are willing to.

 

[Oreo0127]

If he’s a lone pig please do think seriously about getting him a friend. If you can take him boar dating at a rescue that would be the ideal. But I know sometimes that can’t happen.

Even if it’s 5mins in the evening please take the time to clean out the cage. He’d probably popcorn from happiness

Lastly, was he fed during the three days you were away?

Yes I’ve had someone one drop in sometimes and I come home at night and check to

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Hello. ok good to know you asking for advise etc.
No one can really who love and wants piggies can understand how you have let your piggie and cage get so bad.
Pls pls think of the Animal. I really don't understand why you or anyone can have any animal piggie or any pet and not look after it/them.
I'm not wanting to come across as harsh but come on pls be a loving owner.
If you think your piggie needs a new home or better care then . . .
Mushroom in cage is a first and not good.