My parents don't understand why my guinea pigs need a bigger cage!

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CoconutandCocoa

CoconutandCocoa

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I have two now, and they're in a rinky dinky 6 sq ft pet store cage, because my parents didn't WANT to buy a c&c. Well, I looked up some great deals online, and IIII have all the money to pay for it, and they say, "Oh, they don't need a bigger cage. They're small enough for that one" And I keep telling them that I have the money for a c&c, and they need to get some excersize in their cage, and they can't do that in that one, plus they're growing and it'll be too crowded..also, I know 6 sq ft isn't even enough for ONE, let alone TWO! They just don't understand that I HAVE THE MONEY AND THEY NEED A BIGGER CAGE. They say, ''Don't waste it on the guinea pigs, put it in your bank account". When I got them, they were all supportive of the piggies, and now they've practically turned against me. I'm taking care of them well, and they haven't complained about ANYTHING. They are angering me so much, now, and I don't know what to do to make them understand that a 6 sq ft is not even enough for ONE piggy, and that they need a bigger cage, 16 grids(c&c), that is even LESS than the crappy pet store one! Why don't they get this? Also, I told them I'd do more chores, so I can save up for another guinea pig so that the old cage wouldn't go to waste(I also very badly want another- i have too much free time! lol), atleast, and then probably put some extra grids connected to that cage!(My dad liked this idea) And then, its STILL less than the pet store cage!

Please help, what can I do? I need to get them this cage, otherwise they'll get too crowded!

Edit: I've just talked to my father about it again, and he says, "Its wasting money"
 
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show them the stuff online, like there's a site with a chart saying how big the cage NEEDS to be, minimum for so ever many piggies, it not just tell them it's YOUR money, you get to use it on whatever you want, so you're buying a bigger cage.
 
i agree with the above.. just show them to requirments and some pictures. Its your money at the end of the day :)
 
Also explain that your guinea pigs are your "hobby" and that's what most people save money for: hobbies, fun stuff ( okay, emergencies too but that comes under insurance ). Try and think of an example, if either one of them or someone they know has a hobby that they're passionate about and more than likely spends money they've saved on it point out that this is no different - not to mention the required space ( I don't know what the Aspca requirements are but I'm sure you've seen on here the minimum ones from the Rspca). It's something you want to do with your money, it has long term value and most importantly it makes you happy. And make sure you remain calm whilst explaining this - if you're calm and mature and appear to have thought things through and make a reasoned argument your parents will ( should ) listen to you. Good luck hun. x
 
also tell them you *** sell the old cage to put money towards the new one, that will show them you are being proactive as well.
 
Here is a link for recommended guinea pig cage sizes:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/

Otherwise, I can only echo what the others have said. Ask your parents why they don't want you to grow up as a responsible pet owner, who follows the general guidelines of care and provides for her pets' improvements without falling on their parents' pockets. Ask them why they aren't proud of you doing your bit for animal welfare?
 
thing is you dont need to buy cage - you can make one.From my observation they dont need strong structures.
I'd say they need living area not cage.

I think structure:
1.don't need roof.
2.Need easy assembled/cleaning/servicing.
3.Have good ventilation.
4.Water need to be stable.
5.no anything inside that can damage pig.

Bedding can be problem - but:
Imho Best bedding is betbed.You can use plastic cat tray with vet-bed inside and wash it manually or in washing mashing every several days depending on condition.Don't need to waste money on wood shaving or carefresh or other and it looks very healthy.

So you can take 4-8 plastic cat litter trays or even bigger plastic tray with cover it with ved bed and place it to corner of your room and make small corner fence from wood with ability to fix water to it.
 
Just buy it anyway and ignore them. You need to think seriously about getting another piggy. Your parents do not support you in it so I would not get another one. Imagine if they stopped your money or something
 
Explain to your parents that guinea pigs need room the same as us, would they like to be cramped up in one small room day in , day out?

Also it is our money, if you want to spend it on your piggies then that shoud be your choice, explain to your parents that this is very important to you the happiness of your pets:)
 
As a parent, I see both sides here. But I still think its unreasonable not to even look at the C&C cages. I can only echo what everyone else has said and try sweet talking a bit more. Keep dropping it in conversation, hinting, doing exra bits for them, etc etc. Well, thats what my kids do when they want me to do something for them! As a parent I would at least consider it
 
I guess when I talked to them last night they were bit stressed and tired from work - Maybe if I try this morning, it'll be better. Oh and about getting another piggy, my dad seems okay with it, and that's another reason I needed a bigger cage. I hadn't mentioned that part yet, I just told him i'd wanted another guinea pig, because I love them sooo sooo much, and it's a "hobby" of mine now (: I just gotta talk to my mom about it now :P Well, I got alot from this thread on what to do, so i'll go try out some of these ideas, and get back to you guys on what happened (: Thanks to allllllll<3xoxo
 
It's not a good idea to expect a reasoned argument from us parents when we come in feeling worn out hun, we all get frazzled and none of us are perfect! :{ Choose your moment wisely and you will hopefully be taken a bit more seriously. :)
 
I've talked to my dad again, and he says he more open to it now, and so pretty much if my mom says its okay, he's good with it. I have yet to talk to my mother, though. She has a headache, and is very...grumpy...right now, so I will not disturb her! (: She's the hard part...she always argues instead of talking about it :/ I did tell her I wanted another piggy, and she says no...for now. Maybe as a christmas gift (:
 
It's good that your dad is coming around to getting a bigger cage for them. Good luck with your mum. Are you not old enough to buy it yourself?

As you have said earlier, the current cage isn't big enough for one piggy, so I really wouldn't get another one to put in that cage, especially as it will be lonely on it's own. I'd concentrate your finances and time on the two piggies you have now.
 
Rachel WD said:
It's good that your dad is coming around to getting a bigger cage for them. Good luck with your mum. Are you not old enough to buy it yourself?

As you have said earlier, the current cage isn't big enough for one piggy, so I really wouldn't get another one to put in that cage, especially as it will be lonely on it's own. I'd concentrate your finances and time on the two piggies you have now.
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I'm just 13...

Right, got it.
 
My father says yes! (: Woooo! We talked some more, and I showed him pictures of them, and I even created a space in my room for cage to fit nicely, and it all works out good! He said that me creating the space, and wanting to care for them so much, and loving them, and checking out whats best for them really made him know how responsible I am, and he said, " You are very responsible with them, and you've got everything already planned out which takes resposibility, and since you are so responsible, you and the guinea pigs deserve it. So, you've got my vote." EEEP! (: Finally! Heehee, my mother is at the store currently, and I texted her letting her know what he said. I just hope she agrees! ♥
 
Why do you want another guinea pig? I thought the two you had were vet checked and the vet said there was a strong possibility of them both being pregnant.

If both your sows are pregnant then I'm afraid your parents will have to look at other options when it comes to their housing - my sow had two babies, so i went from owning 2 pigs to 4 in a matter of 10wks - if both your girls are pregnant then you could potentially end up with 2-4-6+ extra pigs.

To know for sure you'll have to wait the 10wks anyhow - if you've been lucky and your current girls are not pregnant then at least you will have had 7+wks to convince your parents that getting a bigger cage is in your pets best interests :)

My main aim at the moment would be trying to convince them that my pigs not only deserve but they NEED a bigger cage - getting another guinea pig can be left for when you know for sure the situation with your
current girls....

As a mum myself, if my children were constantly asking for numerous things it would certainly put me off - bigger cage, more pigs, it may be too much too soon - the trick is to make them think it's their idea - maybe show them some images of the C&C cages from the housing thread :)


Just out of interest, are your parents aware of the high vets bills that can arise with multiple pigs - i do wonder how they'd react if they were faced with £150+ vet bill - if they won't even consider £50 in materials to make a bigger cage....
 
CoconutandCocoa said:
My father says yes! (: Woooo! We talked some more, and I showed him pictures of them, and I even created a space in my room for cage to fit nicely, and it all works out good! He said that me creating the space, and wanting to care for them so much, and loving them, and checking out whats best for them really made him know how responsible I am, and he said, " You are very responsible with them, and you've got everything already planned out which takes resposibility, and since you are so responsible, you and the guinea pigs deserve it. So, you've got my vote." EEEP! (: Finally! Heehee, my mother is at the store currently, and I texted her letting her know what he said. I just hope she agrees! ♥
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Didn't see your post - guess i'd just clicked the reply button as you'd just submitted yours ;)

Good news on the cage :) You will have so much fun building it and watching how happy your pigs will be :)) persistence certainly pays off ;)
 
Thats great news about the cage but I wouldn't push it with your parents about getting another pig. I think 2 would be enough for someone of your age to look after. I have 2 pigs and they take up alot of time, you don't want to get more and then realise that you have created too much work for yourself :)
 
Well, IF they're NOT pregnant, then i'd like another in the future.
I'll be waiting a while for that answer, I know. But just something to think of for the future, around christmas time (: Yes, My father said yes, finally! (As said in the above post)
Yes, they are, don't worry. They've gotten all that info already and are prepared in case one of them gets sick!(: Again, my father has said yes to the cage, so once I get it all done, if my piggies do have little ones, they'll have a big enough cage.

Also, we have a stash for the piggies started, incase the bills get very high (: SO we have it all planned out! (: Thanks!
 
Sodapops- Lol guess, so! Yes, I hope so! I was so scared last night, because after I did a little rearranging in my piggies current cage, they wouldn't drink like at all! Plus, we ran out of cucumbers (my mother is actually picking some up now lol) and so no water from them! I thought, maybe they're just not that thirsty, but I couldn't keep that thought of them not drinking out of my head! Luckily, when I woke up today, I woke up to the sound of a water bottle ;) Thank, gosh! ♥

Bellasmummy- I will wait a while, I think, to bring up the topic of another pig. Atleast until christmas time. I do have LOTS of free time, still, even with the two pigs, so I think a 3rd would be okay, seeing also as i'm getting a cage big enough for 5.... lol, but yes, I am going to wait on a 3rd till christmas time, atleast.
 
Rachel WD said:
Can I ask what would happen if your pigs gave birth to little boys?
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I would seperate the C&C with more grids at 3 weeks old. Either that, or if they can't handle being in the same room, I'd use the extra grids ill have (8) to make a seperate cage in a seperate room. Also, if they CAN handle being seperated by just a grid, then I'd put a roof on the boys side (:
 
Piggyfan- Yes, me too :( Once they're born, you guys will help me sex them?

BellasMummy- I was afraid of this :( My Poor baby girl ♥ Thank you so much!
 
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