18 Causes To not Get a Guinea Pig

I may speak to you all day in regards to the causes you need to undertake guinea pigs. They’re cute, have their very own particular person personalities, and it’s so rewarding to realize the belief of those delicate creatures.

However, there are additionally loads of causes guinea pigs may not be for you!

Guinea pigs are messy, costly, and might rapidly turn into in poor health. They need to reside 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 chances are you’ll be used to.

On this article, we’ll talk about 18 explanation 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. Because of this you can’t meet their wants by holding them alone. In some nations, it’s even thought of animal abuse!

Within the wild, guinea pigs reside in herds consisting of 1 male and lots of females. In our properties, we normally hold them in same-sex pairs or small, female-only herds to forestall mating, which may get out of hand in a short time!

Males can reside 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 battle. Two or extra males in a herd with females are additionally more likely to battle over the women.

2. They Want a Giant Cage (at Least 7.5 Sq. Ft.)

When you’re pondering of getting guinea pigs and holding them in these small cages you see on the pet retailer, please don’t!

Guinea pigs want giant cages in order that they’ll train all through the day and keep wholesome. Ground time isn’t sufficient, neither is holding them in a small hutch and permitting them out right into a run in the course of the day.

Whereas 7.5 sq. toes is the minimal cage dimension for guinea pigs, many received’t thrive on this dimension of enclosure. An enclosure that’s 10.5 sq. toes or extra is really helpful for a pair of guinea pigs–and also you’ll must go even greater when 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 methods transfer in a short time, at all times biking meals via their our bodies. They’re always consuming and always going potty.

Skinny pigs, or hairless guinea pigs, have even quicker metabolisms and can eat and potty round twice as a lot as a guinea pig with fur.

This may result in plenty of mess, and many odor when you don’t sustain with cleansing their cage!

Whereas some individuals do hold litter packing containers within the cage, it’s essential to know that guinea pigs can’t be reliably litter skilled.

4. That Means Plenty of Cleansing!

Guinea pig cages ought to be spot cleaned every day. This implies choosing up any stray poops, altering out soggy bedding, and cleansing the litter field if 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, not less than as soon as per week.

5. They Can’t Tolerate Scented Merchandise

It’s important to watch out with the merchandise you utilize round your guinea pigs as a result of their respiratory methods are very fragile. Scented merchandise can provide them higher respiratory infections, or URIs. This may result in pneumonia and dying.

When cleansing your piggies’ cage, it’s essential 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 individuals need to cowl up the odor, however one of the best ways to do that is to maintain their cage clear.

When you smoke nicotine or marijuana, it’s additionally essential not to take action in the home when you will 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 virtually 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 associates. They could admire you watching and speaking with them as a substitute, or light pets on the pinnacle whereas they sit of their cage.

7. They’re Often Very Skittish

These are prey animals, so that they’re naturally shy and skittish. Guinea pigs will be adventurous and exhibit their personalities, however solely once they’re snug–and a few will at all times be reserved.

8. They Can Be Loud!

Personally, I turn into overstimulated by noises very simply. I cherished my piggies, however holding them in my room was a problem, and I plan to undertake once more solely after I can hold 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 each time 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. When you’re a lightweight sleeper, you may need to hold the piggies out of your room!

9. They Aren’t “Newbie Pets”

Guinea pigs are costly, require quite a 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 become bored with them, as a result of piggies don’t play like canine or cats.

Adopting guinea pigs on your kids is okay, however please be ready to take over all of their care in case your youngster received’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 kids–they’re a long-term dedication.

Guinea pigs reside a median of 4-8 years, and a few will reside even longer. The oldest guinea pig on the planet lived to be virtually 15 years previous!

It’s essential to consider how your life will change in a guinea pig’s lifetime, and when you can hold them via all of it. Many individuals find yourself rehoming animals once they go to school, get married, or have children–and this isn’t honest to the animals!

11. Guinea Pigs Have to Be Groomed Usually

Guinea pigs don’t want common baths, however they do must be groomed. This consists of trimming their nails, brushing their fur (particularly in the event that they’re long-haired!), and slicing 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 ought to be a uncommon prevalence. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be bathed quite a lot of occasions a 12 months as it may be aggravating 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 weak to predators. Usually, by the point an individual realizes their guinea pig is sick, it’s too late to save lots of them.

That is why it’s essential 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 embody: 

• Recording their weight
• Checking their eyes, ears, and nostril for discharge
• Listening to their respiratory 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 may 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

When you journey typically, guinea pigs possible aren’t the pet for you. They can’t be left alone for a number of days, even when you go away meals and water of their cage.

Additionally they shouldn’t be introduced with you until obligatory, as automotive rides and modifications in atmosphere will be aggravating for them.

This implies you’ll must discover a pet sitter who’s skilled in guinea pig care and will be trusted to return into your house, 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 canine, cats, or rabbits. Many individuals don’t know the way harmful that is.

Guinea pigs are prey animals, and it may be very aggravating for them to be round predator species. Even when your cat or canine is well-behaved, they shouldn’t be allowed to work together together with your guinea pigs, particularly unsupervised.

When you have canine 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 another way, and might kick fairly arduous when aggravated. Housing rabbits and guinea pigs collectively doesn’t change their want for a buddy of their very own species.

Lastly, even when your pets get alongside wonderful, canine, cats, and rabbits will be carriers for an sickness referred to as Bordetella that’s lethal to guinea pigs.

To maintain your piggies protected, it’s greatest to maintain your pets’ objects separate (akin to not sharing toys between your rabbits and piggies) and wash your fingers after interacting together with your different pets and earlier than interacting together with your guinea pigs.

15. Guinea Pigs Are Costly Pets

The prices that go into holding your guinea pigs completely satisfied add up rapidly. They want fixed entry to contemporary hay, a small quantity of every day pellets, and quite a lot of greens (not less than one cup whole) every single day.

When you use disposable bedding, you’ll want to purchase quite a lot of it to maintain up with cage cleanings. Even reusable bedding like fleece or tub mats must be washed, which suggests shopping for detergent and certain paying a bit extra in your water and electrical energy payments.

The worst in relation 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 extra appointments in the event that they get sick.

Guinea pigs are thought of unique pets, so their vet payments typically aren’t low cost! An emergency go to may price many tons of and even hundreds of {dollars}.

When you can’t afford to pay hundreds 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 sicknesses 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 could have been sick for some time.

It’s essential that you’ve a relationship with a veterinarian who is aware of how essential it’s for sick guinea pigs to be seen immediately. When you 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 of unique pets, and veterinarians want further education to be able to deal with them.

Whereas virtually all vets will see canine or cats, this isn’t true for guinea pigs. You may need to journey to be able to see an skilled exotics veterinarian, and discovering emergency clinics that deal with piggies is even tougher.

I counsel trying 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 distinct pet!

18. Their Demise Will Break Your Coronary heart

Lastly, the dying of a guinea pig will be devastating. For many individuals, pet loss is simply as arduous (and typically tougher!) than dropping people in our lives.

Solely you may resolve if the heartbreak is price adopting guinea pigs anyhow. For me? The reply will at all times 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 any case, we solely grieve so arduous 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 commonly glorified, but it surely’s essential to maintain each the positives and negatives in thoughts. In any case, guinea pigs live creatures and fully depending on their people!