Please Help...

If you could have anything, what would it be?

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1GuineaPig1

1GuineaPig1

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Okay, so my problem is, I keep my guinea pigs in a small store-bought cage. Two of them! I want to get them a bigger cage, but I'm not sure how. I want to ask my parents about it, but I don't know what they'll say. The thing is, it isn't the money, its that we have no room. I've tried dropping hints, and I also put it on my Christmas list. As I said before, I don't know what to do! I'm trying for Christmas, and if not I'll get more serious about it. What should I say? Can I have some more convincing evidence that a parent would appeal to? Please help!
 
My children are younger than you - my eldest is 9. If he came to me and showed me some evidence he'd found and the source seemed reliable, I'd find it difficult to not increase the cage size. My conscience wouldn't let me.

I like the essay idea. That would really impress me if mine did that. Also, I know you say money isn't the problem but I would still recommend adding in some costings for what you'd ideally like.
 
Thanks for the advice... but I think it would be hard to convince my father to let me get a bigger cage. He hates my guinea pigs. :( If I asked him directly for another guinea pig cage, he would probably say "Lets just get rid of them!"! He even said no the first time I asked him to get another one, my mom had to practically plead with him.
 
Where do you keep them? Are they in your room? Depending on where they are we might be able offer a few suggestions.

What size is your cage now? Please don't think you are going to be judged badly by answering that question. You have said that you would like a bigger cage and you are not in control of that. I ask only so that i can try and offer you some solutions perhaps using your existing cage that you can do yourself.
 
Hm... I'm not really sure how to describe the size now... I'll post a picture. As for where I keep them, that answer is a bit complicated, because a whole story comes with it. Okay, so at first they were in my room. Then, apparently, we found out my sister was allergic (we share a room) of the fur when it floats around the room, so she was coughing a lot. So, we had to find another place to put them. Answer my parents came up with: The pantry! My answer: ANYTHING BUT THE PANTRY! WE KEEP FOOD IN THERE! So, yeah, that's where they are now. I'm going to get my own room once the guest room is no longer being used, in about November or December.
 
Here's picture of their cage...
 

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That's definitely too small, if you can't let them have a permanent bigger home, then you need to definitely buy a indoor run, or let them roam free for hours.
 
This is a sad situation. You obviously know that this cage is too small and want something better but are having problems convincing dad. How did you manage to get the guinea pigs in the 1st place? Is your mom supportive? If so couldn't you show her some of the pictures online and ask her to help you sort something out?
re your sisters allergy - are you sure it is the guinea pig hair and not the bedding? I cannot tolerate woodshavings, within minutes of being in contact with them I have stingy eyes and wheezing/ sneezing etc - you could test this out by maybe having a small bag/box of shavings in your room and see if she reacts to them, if so then change the bedding and get the piggies back in your room and set up some sort of run around the cage for the time being. If you get the "guest room" I'm assuming that will be the end of the problem for you but if this doesn't happen and you can't give them space to run around then I'm sorry to say this but it really would be kinder to find them a home that can make room for them x
 
Well, it all started when I got my hamster. Don't get me wrong, I love all animals, but that hamster was kind of mean. So my mom said, hey, why don't we get you a guinea pig instead? My mom always was the animal person, like me, and my dad and sister were always haters. :( So my dad didn't really care, because, you know, its just one guinea pig. So we got Bacon for a little while, and one day, a few months later, my mom said something about getting another one. After that, on Bacon's made-up birthday, I got Eggs. I personally have no idea how my mom convinced him, because she only said I was getting another one, and I guess that was that. I guess my mom would be supportive, but there's no way they would let me get a bigger cage when they are in the pantry, that's why I said Christmas. The thing is, the other day, I was sending a Christmas list to my grandma, and I somehow said to my mom, I want a bigger guinea pig cage. And she said, put it on your Christmas list. I have no idea where that came from. With my sister, she hates my guinea pigs anyway so there's no way I can get a bigger cage with her. She was fine when I only had one guinea pig, but now that there's two it just put her over.
 
You know, you guys are totally right. I need to tell my parents, for my guinea pigs! I can't bear to let them suffer! I'm going to decide this, one way or another. Wish me luck! :))
 
I do feel for you. If you want to know exactly how to describe your cage, measure the long length. Just from the picture I guess it will either be 80cm or 100cm at a push. I'm sorry to say you are right, it is too small. I was hoping that perhaps you were just wanting bigger because you know bigger is better rather than because you realised it was a need really.

Be careful when you have the conversation because I think the RSPCA minimum guidelines for cage size (though I say this without looking) are on the small size so you may end up having that shown to you.

Having said that, it sounds like your mum is on your side and that there's a good chance you can persuade her. She probably won't got for a huge c&c set up because, although often cheaper, it may be hard for her to convince your dad (or as happens in our house, there's a limit on how far I would go when my hubby doesn't agree but I'm going to do something anyway :whistle:).

You can judge better than me but I don't think is go in too aggressive with you mum otherwise you might ruin your chance altogether.

Good luck.
 
I'm taking a guess from what you've posted that you're in the US in which case the ASPCA guidelines may hold more power with your parents.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/guinea-pig-care

8sqft minimum is the same as the RSPCA guidelines. Ideally more is better particularly for boars.

I also noticed there's no hay in the photo, I realise it could just be when you took the picture but they should have a constant supply.
 
This is difficult for you but if you can't get bigger cage it's isn't fair for them to be kept in such a small cage without a run either, you need to make your parents realize that it's their responsibility for those animals as they bought them, your a minor so they need to help and support you, if not i would find a new home for them... sorry :(

Do you get pocket money, could you save up and then show them your prepared to pay for it, ask to do chores in return of them buying you a larger cage?
 
Ask your parents to consider the guinea pig's quality of life. If they are in that small cage 24/7 they really are not having a good life. Piggies need room to run, popcorn and express all kinds of awsome piggie behavior.
They are so interesting when they have space to play.
 
It's okay, I'm going to send an e-mail to my mom. It's pretty convincing, if you ask me :)) @Hermes, I understand your concern about the hay, but it was just the picture. :) I always make sure they have plenty of hay! My E-mail is just plain logic, with a couple of links that explain everything. I do have pocket money, about $60. I think that might be enough for a cage, if I can find it cheap. I've researched everything, and I know what size the cage should be. Thanks for all of the great advice, and more is always welcome! I'll tell you if my mom says yes or not!
 
I would first of all work out how much space is available in your new room & then come back with sizes & we can advise on what would be suitable. For 2 piggies you would really need something about 1.5m long. You can get good second hand cages to keep it within your budget & also check with your local rescue as they often sell cages that have been handed in with surrenders piggies. Remember that the minimum size is 1.2m for 2 piggies but that is the human equivalent of a bed sit with very little room for excercise.
 
Excellent advice from Stewybus :)
I wonder if you could use something like a metal sectional grid playpen? I bought mine from ebay for £20 and two piggies could live quite happily in that space. Mine have lots of room for zooming round and popcorning. The added benefit of those is that you can make them different shapes to fit your space, although the hexagonal shape gives the most space. As a temporary measure you could place a playpen on top of a cheap ground sheet, and then either newspaper or fleece (with hay in a tray to contain the mess).

Definitely look on free-ads for secondhand cages, but don't go on your own to pick them up - send a grown up - always be safe :)

Our local rescue often sells on good cages that are brought in with surrendered pigs, so that's a really good idea.

I do really feel sorry for you - you are obviously caring about your guinea pigs x
 
Good luck. You sound like a very caring piggie owner. Also I love their names "Eggs and Bacon. :lol:
 
Thanks everyone! I'll try that. I haven't gotten an answer yet, but lets hope it is yes!
 
So have you tried looking on ebay or amazon for cages that are new? We got my hamster one a few years ago £20 so i can't imagine them being too expensive to be honest! :-)
 
I've been looking at them off and on, but I have other pets, and the ones without tops I just can't do. Plus, even the ones that are very small cost a lot! BUt I'm going to keep looking, thanks!
 
Goth Mummy said:
I thought of something else that you could use, dog crates are often on free ads sites or gumtree etc and can be very cheap, i have a 48 inch long crate that I use as a cage for a pair of piggies.
Click to expand...

I got a 24 inch x 18 inch dog crate on freecycle and use it as a hospital cage if I need to isolate one of them temporarily.
 
My mom read my e-mail, but she didn't really say anything about it. I'm so confused! I offered to pay for it, but she said if it was a Christmas present I didn't have to. I'm not really sure if she agrees or not...
 
As mum to a 14yr old and a 9yr old I have to say that I would be very impressed by your thought and consideration. I think your parents (your mum more so)know how much you care for them as they are putting you in your own room when your sister had a reaction to them.

I personally think your mum has the cage situation in hand, realises the importance to them and you for the bigger cage. I would hang onto your money just in case you don't get one for Christmas then buy them one.

Until then can you make a big run for them to play in each day?
 
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