Wanting a third guinea pig

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CarlaAnn

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Hi!

So, I am 18 years old but still live with my parents and will need to for the next few years. Recently I have started to think that my two female guinea pigs would be happier with a third companion. I have had them for a year and a few months, and while they dont hate each other, they are nowhere need best friends, they are more like acquaintances. So, i though a neutered boar would be a good fit! I have 1x8 cage, with a 1x2 loft, I wash the guinea pigs fleece, give them hay, I have a vet fund, etc. The only I dont do is buy food or hay, which I would gladly start doing anytime. So, basically, I want to convince me parents to allow me to get a third guinea pig! They havent given me an argument to why not, so I will keep asking. But, do you guys have any advice? If your kids wanted a third guinea pig what would they need to do to convince you?

Thanks!
 
I always find myself quite torn when it comes to ‘how to convince your parents’ question. I am a mother myself and want my children to be respectful of other people’s decisions even if they don’t agree with them, but I am the animal lover in my family so I wouldn’t say no if my children wanted more pets and I have a hard time saying no to myself! But my husband does say no and I respect my husbands feelings on the subject

I have a pair of boars who live in my shed and I want another pair of boars who will live in a separate cage but within the same shed, so won’t take up any more space. My husband doesn’t ever get involved with my animals (the guinea pigs aren’t my only pets) either physically or financially, so it really annoys me when he refuses to let me have any more piggies, that dont affect him anyway! It’s a constant battle in my head between being an adult and frankly being allowed to do what I like, and respecting that he also lives here and he gets a say too.


Some piggies just aren’t cuddly with each other, it doesn’t mean they aren’t well bonded though. My own two piggies very rarely sit together, they don’t sleep in the same hidey etc but they do love each other in their own boar way!
If your sows didn’t like each other you would see clear problems in their relationship - do you see any such issues? If they genuinely are not fond of each other and their relationship is tense, then adding a third pig won’t make them any happier with each other.

You always have to prepare for there to be problems when adding new piggies, it isn’t a foregone conclusion that adding a third is going to work - if you get a neutered boar and your sows don’t accept him, then you are either going to have to set up a whole new cage and get even more piggies so he isn’t alone, or send the boar back....

The link below gives details.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
 
I can only agree with above. My general default is "you can't" it's your parents home and their rules and that needs to be respected. I only go against that when it's in a pigs best interest (usually this is a solo piggy who otherwise will remain alone
 
As said above, the third piggy you introduce (whether sow or boar) may not get along with your current two. What would you do then? And do you have enough space to expand the cage? It would need to be 2x6 minimum.

I think you should stick to the two you have and give then all the attention. In this case you have to respect your parents’ wishes. Their reason for saying no doesn’t matter, it’s their decision. Just think, when you’re moved out you can get as many as you want 😁
 
First off, what makes you think that your pigs would be happier with a third? It sounds like you have two bonded girls right now... not all pigs are cuddly or 'best friends.' In fact, I've had several pairs of girls and NONE of them have been joined at the hip. It's possible that your girls could enjoy a third pig... but it's equally possible that it could upset the bond that they have and you end up with a situation where one or more is actually less happy. What would the plan be if there is a falling out and you end up with a pig who needs to live single or (worst case) THREE pigs who won't go back together? Just a thought, as it's best to be prepared for every possible outcome.
 
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