I want my pigs to be in my room but my parents... :\

[BlueberryMuffin]

I pretty much NEED my pigs in my room because the only other option is a moldy, spidery, cold, drafty basement! I know pigs cant have cold, and drafts but my parents don't listen! And its a hassle to go up and down the stairs, and i know it seems that by saying that i'm lazy, but over the years it gets irritating to go such a distance to see my 3 girls... -_- My mom will not let me because she thinks it will smell to much.. But I will clean my 2x4 c&c every week! Also, I believe if you have a room that isn't dusty and moldy, (My basement) and A room better taken care of that is unscented nicely to start with, It wont smell half as bad! This is right, right? Anyways if you help get my girls in my room, I will love you 5ever! (More than 4ever!) Thank you so much!

[pinky]

Why don't you ask for a trial period to prove to them that it won't be a problem? Tell them that you'll be able to keep the cage cleaner in your room since you'll be able to monitor it better and that you like the company of the guinea pigs when you do your homework. Parents will usually be reasonable if you give them good reasons for what you'd like to do.

[mommazilla]

I have had guinea pig owners and even non pet owners comment on how they can't smell my cage and some of those comments come the day before a change. I use fleece. If you use fleece, let them know that it tends not to stink as bad.

You could also approach it on a trial basis. I wouldn't want them in a basement either but tell them that if it smells then you will move it back down and not ask again.

Bring up the positives of having them closer to the family and the negatives for them being in the basement which may include higher vet bills if they get an URI. Don't throw it up in their face though, just gently bring it up if need be. Others will be along shortly that can provide you with all the necessary points you need. I'm a little sleep deprived today to help much.

Good luck!

[spy9doc]

You will need to clean the cage more than "every week". With three cavies, you need to tidy the cage a minimum of twice a day with removing poops, and supplying fresh water, pellets and hay. It is a slightly different clean-up procedure depending on whether you are using shavings, litter, or fleece.

Something else to talk to Mom about.........I absolutely could NOT do without an air cleaner in the room. I have a Homedics (bought from BBB with a 20% off coupon) and it sits by the cage and runs 24/7. My cavies are in my home office where I spend a great deal of time, and also my clothes are in the same room, so absence of odor is a must for me.

Cavies by themselves don't smell.......a dirty cage does! Urine is the biggest offender in the cage, not the poops. However, If they are constantly walking or lying in poop, then yes, they will have an odor.

[PrincessAngel]

I have 3 girls in a 2x4 in my bedroom. I clean their cage completely twice a week otherwise it smells. I spot clean once a day. As long as I do that they don't tend to smell, but I also have a newly added small air purifier and now I never ever smell it. We bought a Holmes Air Purifier for like 30 dollars at walmart, on sale. It is kind of funny because my mom would not let me put my guinea pigs in any other room except my own. But having your girls upstairs will help you monitor their health easier since they hide illness well. And they are much more enjoyable in a not nasty damp room.

[Ithilgil]

I also have my cavies in my bedroom. I completely clean their 2x4 C&C cage once every three days, and change the fleece and towels each time. I also leave the window opened during the day for ventilation.

I don't have any air cleaners in my room. So far, even when I sit right beside their cage, I don't smell anything but a faint scent of hay (it's stronger when I just put some in). I had even sat inside their cage before, and I had found it perfectly fine.

And I don't think it had anything to do with the windows being opened either. I always close the window when the sun is setting (don't want the nasty noturnal bugs to come in), but I never notice a smell in the morning.

[BlueberryMuffin]

yeah i know i sweep the cage and change the litter every day, i thoughrouly clean every sunday. (clean choroplast, fleece, ect..)

[HappyHopperz]

This thread has ALOT of good responses! I am also looking into having them in my room, and this thread helps ALOT! I also like how members with them in their room relate to what they do to keep it in shape. Thanks!

[Dee_E]

You could also let her know that the basement could make her sick, as you mentioned the mold and dampness.

I also use what I call 'pee-pads' in places where he sleeps, I change these daily in addition to 'poop-patrol'.

Let us know please!!!