So Frustrating

[jordan]

I know that this will kind of be a rant, but I don't know who else would understand what I am feeling. I went to petco tonight to buy some timothy hay for my guinea pigs and as usual I saw the same "think adoption first" signs. The one I go to actually does have some animals up for adoption that they take in from the shelters around them. THIS is already hypocritical enough for me.

I'm at the register paying for the hay when the girl asks me if I'd like to donate to the petco fund to help them spay animals and help control "overbreeding." I donated $5 sincerely hoping that they did have some type of fund that went towards this cause, but I could not believe they were selling this idea when they are one of the MAIN reasons for too many animals in this world. It just amazed me.

I am angry at myself for getting 3 of my guinea pigs from the petstore and I wish I could've known different.

[PiggieMom]

Really, one of the best first steps you can make toward fighting against stores that sell live animals is to not purchase anything from them. Try to find a local feed store or hay farmer/supplier or buy online. Oxbow is available online (just make sure not to buy online from a petstore chain!) or, if the shipping is reasonable for you, try KMs Hayloft. Both her hay and pellets are amazing! With a bit of shopping around and maybe some bulk buying you may even save money.

[jordan]

Your right. I have been looking at oxbow online and it is actually cheaper than the pet store brands. I just need to start going through with it. As for hay, we live in an apartment so I don't know how much we could buy in bulk but I need to start researching more.

[Peggysu]

I live in a one bedroom appartment and I'm able to buy the 45 lbs box of hay from KM. It's like $40.00 shipped. It lasts six months for me and the pigs go crazy for it. It's really easy to not shop at pet stores, it just depends on how dedicated you are once you know what your other sources are.

[jordan]

Haha, thank you. i definitely value my pigs and their health and i have already been looking into oxbow. My only problem is is that I've heard it's hard to switch brands of food and that you have to slowly mix it until they are used to it. I was referring to hay in the fact that I wouldn't have anywhere to keep a bale of hay. I live with 3 other room mates so I can't just stick my stuff wherever I want it. My guinea pigs stay in my bedroom.

[Peggysu]

Well buying hay in bulk might be difficult, but pellets in bulk would be easier. It's not hard to switch food with guinea pigs. Just switch it cold turkey it doesn't affect them like it would cats and dogs. Super simple, I've done it twice with my piggies with no problem!

[jordan]

Really? That's good, I hope mine will be the same cause that would be a lot easier.

[gooberific]

You can switch to Oxbow or KM's from a less-than-desirable brand cold turkey. If they seem not to touch the pellets at first, just keep up with their veggies and they'll come around.

When I got Mogwai, he was eating Hartz crud with colored chunks. I switched him immediately to Oxbow and he had no problems "inhaling" it. Now he no longer goes straight for his pellets and will munch on them occassionally.

[PiggieMom]

I also live in an apartment and I've kept a 45lb box of hay from KMs hayloft in the bottom of a small closet. It's pretty compact the way it gets packed. I just had to be careful not to get too much on my clothes! I now keep it in a large plastic trash bin next to my fridge.

[Beahbeah]

Like Peggysu said, switching pellets is very easy with guinea pigs. I found that when I switched pellets, for a while my pigs actually started eating more pellets than before, just because they liked the novelty.