Hello everyone!
I'm brand new to the forum, literally registered ten seconds ago. I'm Greek, 19 yo, and a college student with a hella lot of free time. I don't have any piggies, but I have been interested in them for so long and I've been researching for their care forever. I'm an experienced pet owner, however, having grown up with dozens of different kinds of pets, mostly small mammals and rodents. Plenty of rabbits too. But never a guinea pig. Currently I own a dog, and up until a few weeks ago I had a hedgehog whom I absolutely loved, who unfortunately passed away in my arms due to aging. And even though I can't bring myself to even look at another hedgie right now, my room feels too empty (my dog sleeps in a pen in the living room). I've always wanted to get a guinea pig at some point, so I've done my research through the years and I know a handful of things about their care. Of course that wouldn't stop me from keep being engaged and learning more things about them on a constant bases, but what I'm saying is that I know the basics.
Sorry for the long intro but I needed you all to know where I stand. I'm somebody who takes seriously the commitment of having a pet.
So having said all that, I causally visited a local pet store the other day to get some stuff for my dog, and I bumped upon some piggies. I normally DON'T buy animals from pet stores for all the reasons we all know. However I seriously considered getting one this time, for the mere reason that their cage was TINY and so dirty, the conditions they were living under horrible. And it was so many of them in this tiny cage and goodness, my heart broke. And there was this one little black guy whom I instantly felt this strong connection with, and I just needed to get him out of there.
Now, I have a free spot in my heart for a new pet. I also literally have an empty cage in my room (big enough to hold a piggy). And I fell for that little dude.
BUT.
This major problem I'm having is that I cannot take more than one. Firstly because I'm still living with my parents and they have this strict rule of one pet per bedroom (rightly so, cause I would have made a zoo by now lol). But most importantly because I can't provide for more than one. Don't get me wrong, of course I have money on the side for vet and emergencies, and I'm not too tight economically, but on a regular basis the double amounts of food and bedding and possible vet bills are something I cannot cope with. I cannot get more than one pet.
Obviously I know piggies are very social and vocal creatures and need to be in groups or at least pairs. Which is exactly why I'm starting this thread. I need your advice, experts. Only taking into account the well being of this certain black little guy, which alternative do you believe is best? I KNOW neither is ideal, which is why I'm asking. Should I leave him as he is, in a very small, dirty and crowded cage where he is seriously neglected but he has the company of other pigs, or should I get him and give him a much bigger cage and the proper care, but no buddies with him? Obviously I don't want him to get lonely or depressed so if the pet store is better I will leave him be and look for other alternatives for a pet. But then again, I have a LOT of free time in my hands and I'm home 80% of the day, and I also have the friendliest and softest with other pets dog, so he will have us. But I recognize that might not be enough.
I honestly don't know in which case he will be happiest, having no experience with guinea pigs and their needs, which is why I'm asking you. Thoughts?
I'm brand new to the forum, literally registered ten seconds ago. I'm Greek, 19 yo, and a college student with a hella lot of free time. I don't have any piggies, but I have been interested in them for so long and I've been researching for their care forever. I'm an experienced pet owner, however, having grown up with dozens of different kinds of pets, mostly small mammals and rodents. Plenty of rabbits too. But never a guinea pig. Currently I own a dog, and up until a few weeks ago I had a hedgehog whom I absolutely loved, who unfortunately passed away in my arms due to aging. And even though I can't bring myself to even look at another hedgie right now, my room feels too empty (my dog sleeps in a pen in the living room). I've always wanted to get a guinea pig at some point, so I've done my research through the years and I know a handful of things about their care. Of course that wouldn't stop me from keep being engaged and learning more things about them on a constant bases, but what I'm saying is that I know the basics.
Sorry for the long intro but I needed you all to know where I stand. I'm somebody who takes seriously the commitment of having a pet.
So having said all that, I causally visited a local pet store the other day to get some stuff for my dog, and I bumped upon some piggies. I normally DON'T buy animals from pet stores for all the reasons we all know. However I seriously considered getting one this time, for the mere reason that their cage was TINY and so dirty, the conditions they were living under horrible. And it was so many of them in this tiny cage and goodness, my heart broke. And there was this one little black guy whom I instantly felt this strong connection with, and I just needed to get him out of there.
Now, I have a free spot in my heart for a new pet. I also literally have an empty cage in my room (big enough to hold a piggy). And I fell for that little dude.
BUT.
This major problem I'm having is that I cannot take more than one. Firstly because I'm still living with my parents and they have this strict rule of one pet per bedroom (rightly so, cause I would have made a zoo by now lol). But most importantly because I can't provide for more than one. Don't get me wrong, of course I have money on the side for vet and emergencies, and I'm not too tight economically, but on a regular basis the double amounts of food and bedding and possible vet bills are something I cannot cope with. I cannot get more than one pet.
Obviously I know piggies are very social and vocal creatures and need to be in groups or at least pairs. Which is exactly why I'm starting this thread. I need your advice, experts. Only taking into account the well being of this certain black little guy, which alternative do you believe is best? I KNOW neither is ideal, which is why I'm asking. Should I leave him as he is, in a very small, dirty and crowded cage where he is seriously neglected but he has the company of other pigs, or should I get him and give him a much bigger cage and the proper care, but no buddies with him? Obviously I don't want him to get lonely or depressed so if the pet store is better I will leave him be and look for other alternatives for a pet. But then again, I have a LOT of free time in my hands and I'm home 80% of the day, and I also have the friendliest and softest with other pets dog, so he will have us. But I recognize that might not be enough.
I honestly don't know in which case he will be happiest, having no experience with guinea pigs and their needs, which is why I'm asking you. Thoughts?