Advice I might be getting 2 guinea pigs but need help - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Froggirl009** · #1 03-12-09, 04:39 pm

I found an add on craigslist for 4 baby guinea pigs up for adoption. I E-mailed the person about them and am waiting for a reply. I need some advice for talking my parents into getting two and making a C&C cage.

**Kipsie** · #2 03-12-09, 04:54 pm

Make sure that person isn't a breeder. They force their animals to breed.

You're just like another person who came on here looking for the same answers.

They got a cute skinny pig. Anyway, you can convince your parents to get one pig first, and then convince them that your pig needs a friend to be happier and convince them that he's lonely.

If you tell them that getting a cage from a petstore is usually too small and more expensive than a C&C cage, then i'm sure they'll let you make one.

**lissie** · #3 03-12-09, 05:16 pm

I think you should get both at the same time so you don't have to worry about quarantine and introduction. I also got my 2 pigs from Craigslist. The owner had unexpected pregnancy due to miss-sexed.
You can tell your parents that C&C cages cost less compared to pet store cage. In my opinion, C&C cage looks much better too. It blends right in with the home decor.

**Froggirl009** · #4 03-12-09, 05:17 pm

They are not breeders. That is the first thing I checked. The lady's Husband is a vet and they have been vet-checked and are healthy.

I have had a Guinea pig before ( I got it from a pet store before I knew about this site) She was in a pet store cage so I already have one.

**hilary** · #5 03-12-09, 05:17 pm

If you have the ability, save up money and buy or make a C&C cage yourself, and that in itself will show responsibility. Like Kipsie said, once you convince them to allow you to adopt one, a second one shouldn't be hard. My parents were objective at first at the idea of me adopting a second girl, but I told them she does need a friend, and she will end up being lonely if she's by herself. Explain that guinea pigs typically (meaning almost always) live with other guinea pigs and become bonded together. Having two pigs usually makes for happier pigs and you'll see them running around together, cuddling together, and just enjoying each other's company. Tell your parents any of those things, and maybe show a cute picture or two, and watch their hearts melt and go awww!

Making the C&C cage is super easy, and if you don't want to buy a kit from here: Buy a C&C cage, then you can do a search on this page: Where? and find a store near you to buy coroplast at and cubes as well. Cubes are sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Linens n Things, Target, etc. You can ask people on here who are in your area where they found theirs.

**Butterscotch2** · #6 03-12-09, 05:33 pm

This site might help: Guinea Pigs Social Life Also, like Hilary said show them some very cute pigtures and how neat a C & C cage looks.

**lissie** · #7 03-12-09, 05:45 pm

You can probably build the cage in your room if you have enough space. Will you still need their permission if the cage is in your room?
To start off, you can buy only the grids, they cost only $14.99 per box at Bed Bath and Beyond. I went to their website to subscribe for 20% off coupon. This will bring the price down to $11.99. You'll only need one box for a standard size cage. If you put your cage on the floor and choose to use fleece, you might not need coroplast at all. You can buy plastic shower curtain at dollar store and line it on the floor. Then top it off with old towels, then fleece.
Hope this helps.

**Froggirl009** · #8 03-12-09, 06:12 pm

Would a plastic tub with fleece work? I have a big plastic storage tub thing that I think would be big enough. The thing is, I dont have enough room in my room yet. (we will be re-doing my room this summer and i will have more room then)

**AnimalHouse36** · #9 03-12-09, 06:20 pm

A tub isn't big enough..and it probably won't have enough ventilation.

If you can't get two pigs and a C&C cage, the cold hard truth is you shouldn't be getting the pigs. To have a good life, guiena pigs need a buddy and a good sized cage. It really isn't all that big or expensive. I got my shower curtain from a dollar store, and the grids on sale for $12.

Best of uck in getting the pigs!

**Froggirl009** · #10 03-12-09, 06:32 pm

It isnt a price thing with the cage it is a space thing and my parents saying "they dont need a bigger cage" and "If you play with them they wont be lonley" They Just don't understand this.

**lissie** · #11 03-12-09, 06:33 pm

Plastic bins are not recommended. From: C&C Cages - Types and Styles

Quote:

Please don't use tubs and bins. They are just too small. The "large under-bed storage container" are usually barely 2/3 of the minimum 2 x 3 grid space. The largest containers readily available are commonly 6 square feet or less (80% of the minimum required at best). It only takes a little more effort to increase the real space your cavies have to run laps and explore. Don't settle for less just because it's convenient for you. Inches matter.
Just increasing the space from 6 to 7 1/2 square feet is a 25% increase for your guinea pig! A foot and a half may not seem like much to you, but if someone gave you a 25% increase in the total living space in your home, you'd be thrilled, especially if you were living in a tiny studio apartment! And if it doesn't seem like much, why not give it to them?
If you must use the bins, then you should have two, side by side, with at least an 8" wide section cut down from each adjoining side, creating a "gate" for them to walk and run through. Don't leave it so that they have to leap over the sides or climb over steps or ramps. (And it will take you more time and effort to cut it down, than make the Coroplast bottom. We know, we've done it. And it's messier to clean.)

If you think after re-doing your room, you'll have more space, why not try and move things around by yourself? You might find enough space for them.
I live in a very small apartment and I was able to get enough space for a 4x6 grids-sized cage.

If you're getting the babies, you will also need to baby-proof. See: Baby Proofing - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

I read from some thread here that boys require more space than girls. If you're getting girls, 2x3 (in grids, not feet) is the minimum requirement.

**Froggirl009** · #12 03-12-09, 08:31 pm

Okay thanks, but I still dont know what to do about convincing my parents to get 2 pigs. They just think that if you play with them enough then they will be happy. I just want to scream at them when ever they say that

If i convince them for 2 guinea pigs then I can easely get a C&C cage. I am going to go move things around in my room right now.

**lissie** · #13 03-12-09, 08:40 pm

Even if you get only 1, you should still make a C&C cage for him/her. If I were you, I'd make a 2x4 cage, then convince the parents that it's not much different to take care of two pigs than one. And also tell them that the pigs will be happier if you have two. Why not print out the page that Butterschotch mentioned, and show it to them?

**Froggirl009** · #14 03-12-09, 09:43 pm

Yes, I am going to print out the page she mentioned. I found a space for the cage. Wish me luck!

**akstrohm** · #15 03-13-09, 12:08 am

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but unless your parents are committed to the guinea pigs' best interest, it really isn't fair to get a pig at all. Guinea pigs need large cages and shouldn't be kept alone. They need fresh, high quality food which can get expensive, and their cages must be cleaned regularly. If your parents aren't willing to help meet these basic needs, how can you be sure that they will take your pigs to the vet if they need it? I recommend that you sit down with your parents, show them printed out pages from this forum, guinea lynx, cavy spirit, etc. and discuss all aspects of guinea pig care. Be honest about the large time and financial committment. If your parents are just as enthusiastic about getting pigs as you are and can truly commit to their care for their whole lives (up to 8 years or so), then go for it. Otherwise, as badly as you want pigs, you should look into volunteering at a humane society or something similar. That way you would get to spend lots of time helping animals who need it without having to commit to their care long-term.

**Froggirl009** · #16 03-13-09, 08:25 am

I know, I will tell them that.

**Clarion** · #17 03-13-09, 09:35 am

Space-wise, two guinea pigs won't take up much more room than one. Even with one you need a large cage (see the chart on the homepage for this site). Do you have enough money to at least contribute to part of their food and care? Even if your parents say money is not an issue, this will show that you are committed to being a responsible pet owner.

**Froggirl009** · #18 03-13-09, 09:44 am

Good news! I talked my mom into getting 2 guinea pigs and a C&C cage.

Now I just need to talk my dad into it.... This might be hard to do. WIsh me luck!

**Butterscotch2** · #19 03-14-09, 11:39 am

Good luck! What are some of the specific reasons your dad doesn't want you to have a C & C cage or two guinea pigs?

**Froggirl009** · #20 03-21-09, 04:28 pm

Thy said they would think about it! Not really sure what to do now though, but it's not a no!

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