I may discuss to you all day concerning the causes you need to undertake guinea pigs. They’re lovable, have their very own particular person personalities, and it’s so rewarding to achieve the belief of those delicate creatures.
However, there are additionally loads of causes guinea pigs won’t be for you!
Guinea pigs are messy, costly, and might rapidly turn into in poor health. They have to stay with different guinea pigs in a cage with a minimal of 8 sq. toes of house. They’re additionally not very playful or cuddly like different pets it’s possible you’ll be used to.
On this article, we’ll focus on 18 the reason why you shouldn’t undertake a guinea pig.
1. Guinea Pigs Can’t Reside Alone
You need to by no means undertake only one guinea pig as a result of they’re herd animals. Which means you can’t meet their wants by protecting them alone. In some international locations, it’s even considered animal abuse!
Within the wild, guinea pigs stay in herds consisting of 1 male and lots of females. In our houses, we normally maintain them in same-sex pairs or small, female-only herds to stop mating, which might get out of hand in a short time!
Males can stay in same-sex pairs or with females if neutered, however please don’t attempt to put three or extra males collectively as they’re very more likely to struggle. Two or extra males in a herd with females are additionally more likely to struggle over the women.
2. They Want a Giant Cage (at Least 7.5 Sq. Ft.)
For those who’re considering of getting guinea pigs and protecting them in these small cages you see on the pet retailer, please don’t!
Guinea pigs want massive cages in order that they’ll train all through the day and keep wholesome. Flooring time isn’t sufficient, neither is protecting them in a small hutch and permitting them out right into a run throughout the day.
Whereas 7.5 sq. toes is the minimum cage size for guinea pigs, many gained’t thrive on this measurement of enclosure. An enclosure that’s 10.5 sq. toes or extra is beneficial for a pair of guinea pigs–and also you’ll must go even larger in the event you undertake greater than two.
Boys typically want bigger enclosures as properly as a result of they’re extra territorial than females.
3. They Poop As much as 100 Instances a Day
Guinea pigs poop (and pee!) a lot. Their digestive techniques transfer in a short time, all the time biking meals by way of their our bodies. They’re continually consuming and continually going potty.
Skinny pigs, or hairless guinea pigs, have even sooner metabolisms and can eat and potty round twice as a lot as a guinea pig with fur.
This will result in a lot of mess, and many odor in the event you don’t sustain with cleansing their cage!
Whereas some folks do maintain litter containers within the cage, it’s necessary to know that guinea pigs can’t be reliably litter educated.
4. That Means Plenty of Cleansing!
Guinea pig cages must be spot cleaned every day. This implies selecting up any stray poops, altering out soggy bedding, and cleansing the litter field in case you have one of their cage.
They’ll additionally want a full cage clear, which suggests eradicating all bedding and wiping down the underside and sides of the cage, at the very least as soon as per week.
5. They Can’t Tolerate Scented Merchandise
You must watch out with the merchandise you employ round your guinea pigs as a result of their respiratory techniques are very fragile. Scented merchandise can provide them upper respiratory infections, or URIs. This will result in pneumonia and dying.
When cleansing your piggies’ cage, it’s necessary to make use of unscented cleaners and laundry detergent. Don’t gentle candles or use different scented merchandise in the identical room as your guinea pigs.
Some folks need to cowl up the odor, however one of the simplest ways to do that is to maintain their cage clear.
For those who smoke nicotine or marijuana, it’s additionally necessary not to take action in the home when you might have guinea pigs.
6. Many Guinea Pigs Don’t Prefer to Cuddle
Guinea pigs look so snuggly and cute, we simply need to squish them! However many guinea pigs don’t like cuddling, and nearly all hate being picked up.
Don’t undertake piggies anticipating cuddly pets, as a result of many desire to remain of their cage with their piggy mates. They may admire you watching and speaking with them as an alternative, or mild pets on the pinnacle whereas they sit of their cage.
7. They’re Normally Very Skittish
These are prey animals, so that they’re naturally shy and skittish. Guinea pigs might be adventurous and showcase their personalities, however solely after they’re snug–and a few will all the time be reserved.
8. They Can Be Loud!
Personally, I turn into overstimulated by noises very simply. I cherished my piggies, however protecting them in my room was a problem, and I plan to undertake once more solely after I can maintain them in their very own house.
Guinea pigs are pretty quiet animals, however they do squeak–and might get fairly loud when doing so! Mine used to wake me up each morning, anticipating breakfast, and would additionally squeak at any time when they heard the fridge open or a plastic bag rustle.
Different noises to think about, although quieter, are them consuming from their water bottle and operating across the cage. For those who’re a lightweight sleeper, you may need to maintain the piggies out of your room!
9. They Aren’t “Newbie Pets”
Guinea pigs are costly, require a whole lot of care, and are fairly delicate. They aren’t newbie pets and you need to by no means count on kids to look after them on their very own.
Younger kids can scare and even harm guinea pigs by dealing with them too roughly. They’re additionally more likely to get tired of them, as a result of piggies don’t play like canines or cats.
Adopting guinea pigs on your kids is ok, however please be ready to take over all of their care in case your youngster gained’t or can’t–together with driving them to the veterinarian and paying for vet payments when wanted!
10. They Can Reside 8+ Years
Not like different rodents generally saved as pets, like hamsters and rats, guinea pigs have lengthy lifespans. That is one more reason to not purchase them for youngsters–they’re a long-term dedication.
Guinea pigs stay a mean of 4-8 years, and a few will stay even longer. The oldest guinea pig on the planet lived to be nearly 15 years outdated!
It’s necessary to consider how your life will change in a guinea pig’s lifetime, and in the event you can maintain them by way of all of it. Many individuals find yourself rehoming animals after they go to school, get married, or have youngsters–and this isn’t honest to the animals!
11. Guinea Pigs Must Be Groomed Repeatedly
Guinea pigs don’t want common baths, however they do have to be groomed. This consists of trimming their nails, brushing their fur (particularly in the event that they’re long-haired!), and chopping the fur as wanted.
You may also have to offer partial or full baths in case your guinea pig is soiled, although with a clear cage this must be a uncommon prevalence. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be bathed various occasions a 12 months as it may be demanding and dry out their pores and skin.
12. They Additionally Want Common At-House Well being Checks
Guinea pigs cover sickness properly, as a result of within the wild a sick prey animal is extra susceptible to predators. Typically, by the point an individual realizes their guinea pig is sick, it’s too late to save lots of them.
This is the reason it’s necessary to find out about guinea pig well being and provides them at-home well being checks round as soon as a month.
Well being checks embrace:
- Recording their weight
- Checking their eyes, ears, and nostril for discharge
- Listening to their respiration for crackling sounds or fast, shallow breaths
- Checking the fur for parasites, fungus, or hair loss
- Checking feminine guinea pigs’ nipples to make sure they aren’t crusty, which might point out ovarian cysts
- Checking and cleansing male guinea pigs’ genital sac to maintain them clear and stop build-up of particles
13. Guinea Pigs Can’t Be Left Alone Whereas You Journey
For those who journey typically, guinea pigs probably aren’t the pet for you. They can’t be left alone for a number of days, even in the event you go away meals and water of their cage.
In addition they shouldn’t be introduced with you except obligatory, as automotive rides and modifications in setting might be demanding for them.
This implies you’ll must discover a pet sitter who’s skilled in guinea pig care and might be trusted to come back into your own home, clear the cage, feed them, and refill their water.
14. They Shouldn’t Work together With Different Species
I’m certain you’ve seen “cute” movies on-line of guinea pigs interacting with canines, cats, or rabbits. Many individuals don’t understand how harmful that is.
Guinea pigs are prey animals, and it may be very demanding for them to be round predator species. Even when your cat or canine is well-behaved, they shouldn’t be allowed to work together along with your guinea pigs, particularly unsupervised.
If in case you have canines or cats, you’ll want a safe cage with a lid on your piggies. It’s even safer to maintain them in a room your different pets don’t have entry to.
Rabbits also can harm guinea pigs as they work together a lot in a different way, and might kick fairly laborious when aggravated. Housing rabbits and guinea pigs collectively doesn’t substitute their want for a pal of their very own species.
Lastly, even when your pets get alongside wonderful, canines, cats, and rabbits can be carriers for an illness called Bordetella that’s lethal to guinea pigs.
To maintain your piggies secure, it’s finest to maintain your pets’ objects separate (corresponding to not sharing toys between your rabbits and piggies) and wash your fingers after interacting along with your different pets and earlier than interacting along with your guinea pigs.
15. Guinea Pigs Are Costly Pets
The prices that go into protecting your guinea pigs glad add up rapidly. They want fixed entry to contemporary hay, a small quantity of every day pellets, and a wide range of greens (at the very least one cup whole) on daily basis.
For those who use disposable bedding, you’ll want to purchase a whole lot of it to maintain up with cage cleanings. Even reusable bedding like fleece or tub mats have to be washed, which suggests shopping for detergent and certain paying a bit extra in your water and electrical energy payments.
The worst relating to guinea pig bills are vet payments. Guinea pigs ought to see the vet as soon as each six months to a 12 months for a check-up, with further appointments in the event that they get sick.
Guinea pigs are thought-about unique pets, so their vet payments typically aren’t low-cost! An emergency go to may value many a whole bunch and even 1000’s of {dollars}.
For those who can’t afford to pay 1000’s of {dollars} out of pocket for vet payments (most of us can’t!), then I like to recommend shopping for pet insurance coverage the identical day you undertake your piggies. It’s a reduction to know they’ll be cared for if the worst occurs!
16. Their Sicknesses Progress Very Shortly
When guinea pigs get sick, their diseases can progress in a short time. A part of it’s because they cover their sickness till they’ll’t anymore, so by the point we discover their signs they might have been sick for some time.
It’s necessary that you’ve a relationship with a veterinarian who is aware of how necessary it’s for sick guinea pigs to be seen immediately. For those who discover signs of sickness, together with weight reduction, tiredness, or lack of urge for food, you’ll must name your vet instantly and schedule an appointment.
Development can differ relying on the sickness, however URIs can progress in a short time. Guinea pigs also can go into GI Stasis, an emergent and lethal situation, in the event that they don’t eat for simply 6-8 hours.
17. Not All Veterinarians Will See Guinea Pigs
Including to the well being care battle, not all vets will see guinea pigs. It is because they’re thought-about unique pets, and veterinarians want additional education as a way to deal with them.
Whereas nearly all vets will see canines or cats, this isn’t true for guinea pigs. You may need to journey as a way to see an skilled exotics veterinarian, and discovering emergency clinics that deal with piggies is even tougher.
I recommend wanting into the vets in your space earlier than adopting guinea pigs. If nobody close to you treats them, and also you aren’t keen to journey, please undertake a unique pet!
18. Their Demise Will Break Your Coronary heart
Lastly, the dying of a guinea pig might be devastating. For many individuals, pet loss is simply as laborious (and typically tougher!) than dropping people in our lives.
Solely you may resolve if the heartbreak is value adopting guinea pigs in any case. For me? The reply will all the time be sure.
Whereas I’ve sadly misplaced many pets in my lifetime, together with 4 guinea pigs, I’ve by no means regretted adopting and caring for them. In spite of everything, we solely grieve so laborious as a result of we love them a lot!
We hope this listing has helped you resolve if guinea pigs are for you. Adopting a pet is usually glorified, nevertheless it’s necessary to maintain each the positives and negatives in thoughts. In spite of everything, guinea pigs live creatures and utterly depending on their people!