Back after a bad start

[Nymphae]

Hi everyone,

I decided to give this forum another try after a bad start, hoping things will go better this time. Just to make sure you guys know, I am willing to learn and improve the life of my guinea pigs!

I guess I'll just reintroduce myself now. I'm a 19-year-old girl from the Netherlands aaand, yeah, that's basically all there's to tell about me.
So on to my guinea pigs! I've got two of them, both girls. The oldest one is named Nymphae (I realise now that I should have picked a different username..) and she's 9 to 10 months old. She's got a tricoloured smoothhaired coat with the colours red, chocolate and white. My other girl is named Leila, she's a mix between a longhaired- and a smooth-haired guinea pig. Her coat is white with a slightly lighter red colour in it than Nymphae has. She's about 5 to 6 months old.

I'm basically at this point spoiling them rotten, they get veggies at least 3 times a day. Two brands of different special cavy-food mixed together, hay with spices?? (forgive me if I just said something weird) and Vitakraft sticks. They've got a lot of room to run around in enough toys to keep them occupied.

Okay.. maybe something about their personalities now?
Nymphae has the strongest character of the two. She knows what she wants and goes for it. She has taken a liking to grooming me, which sometimes means she'll chew at something in my neck.. ouch. While she enjoys cuddling, she dislikes getting picked up and will usually make a big fuss about it. I've tried picking her up with towels and everything, but she just dislikes the whole concept of suddenly being 'airborne'. Can't blame her though.. All in all she's a very vocal, active and sweet guinea pig.
Now on to Leila! She's got a very different personality. Unlike Nymphae, she's quiet and delicate. She's second in place in the hierarchy and makes a lot of whiny noises when her cage-mate tries to push her around. I recently discovered something odd about her; she enjoys taking a bath! :eye-poppi When she's in low standing luke-warm water, she will even lay down in it en start relaxing.

Okay, I guess I pretty much told all there is to tell.
So goodbye and I hope we all can get along better this time.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Hello.

Welcome back.

I would just like to mention I hope that you have changed your veiws on petstore's. If you haven't, I think it would be best if you kept that opinion to yourself considering that we are anti-petstore as you have already seen in your past times here.

 

[Nymphae]

Hello.

Welcome back.

I would just like to mention I hope that you have changed your veiws on petstore's. If you haven't, I think it would be best if you kept that opinion to yourself considering that we are anti-petstore as you have already seen in your past times here.

To be honest, I'm still balancing on two thoughts. Some petstores do seem to know what they're doing with the guinea pigs they sell. Others I put serious question marks with. Now I'm curious though, what is it about petstores that makes your skin crawl? They're not all abusing animals, even you'll have to admit that as anti-petstore as you are. Is it the principle of encouraging breeders to deliver them to petstores? 'Cause I personally know a large number of breeders from another forum who're completely crazy with their animals and take excellent care of them. (Seen prove on photograph, .. besides, would someone talk so much and fondly about their animals and meanwhile abuse them in real life?) Could you please explain? I think it's very important we get this talked through 'cause that's exactly the point where it went wrong last time.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

There are many reasons we hate petstores. I'll list a few..and I use guinea pig but this happens to every animal in petstores.

Millions of guinea pigs are mistreated because of a petstore's misguidence.
Millions of guinea pigs die alone because their owner got bored and stopped caring for them. Oh, and the petstore sold the cavy to that owner.
Millions of guinea pig die in shelters because of petstore's overbreeding.
Millions of guinea pigs die in pounds because they were drop offs and the pound didn't have enough room.

Petstore's teach kids that animals are toys and they don't screen so the above happens. They add to over population and the above happens.

They put females and babies at risk. There is a 20% chance of a complication in birth. The petstore puts them at risk for money. Petstore's don't care about their animals.

I don't mean to sound rude but thats to cold hard truth of it. Also, I don't wish to start up this old argument. I'm sick of the arguments latelty.:expressio

 

[Nymphae]

There are many reasons we hate petstores. I'll list a few..and I use guinea pig but this happens to every animal in petstores.

Millions of guinea pigs are mistreated because of a petstore's misguidence.
Millions of guinea pigs die alone because their owner got bored and stopped caring for them. Oh, and the petstore sold the cavy to that owner.
Millions of guinea pig die in shelters because of petstore's overbreeding.
Millions of guinea pigs die in pounds because they were drop offs and the pound didn't have enough room.

Petstore's teach kids that animals are toys and they don't screen so the above happens. They add to over population and the above happens.

They put females and babies at risk. There is a 20% chance of a complication in birth. The petstore puts them at risk for money. Petstore's don't care about their animals.

I don't mean to sound rude but thats to cold hard truth of it. Also, I don't wish to start up this old argument. I'm sick of the arguments latelty.:expressio

Don't worry about starting up the argument again. I know what you say counts for most petstores, if not all of them at least 1 of the reasons stating above. I just think there are some exceptions to the rule and a lot of them aren't really the petstores fault but just people themselves being ignorant. I guess I'm just youthfully optimistic! :crazy:
Anyway, let's say one of my guinea pigs passes on.. (which won't happen for another 10 years! *denial*). Given the chance, I'd adopt one from the shelters instead.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

I'm glad you would adopt...very glad actually.

But really, it's not the persons fault for being conned into adopting a furball that the petstore said would be easy to care for, it's the petstore's for allowing it to go on.

And every petstore that sells animals, adds to over population which results in one or more of the items on the list.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

No reputable breeders sell to pet stores.

No pet store that sells animals can be good because of what they are supporting and contributing to when they sell live animals.

You say you are feeding pellet mixes? Are they plain pellets or things with seeds, colored bits and nuts?

 

[Nymphae]

No reputable breeders sell to pet stores.

No pet store that sells animals can be good because of what they are supporting and contributing to when they sell live animals.

You say you are feeding pellet mixes? Are they plain pellets or things with seeds, colored bits and nuts?

That makes sense. I mean, a good breeder would be able to sell his/her animals without the help of a petstore, right?
About the food, it contains; Plain pellets, some seeds and coloured thingies. Nuts aren't in it. But it does have corn. I need to add though, they don't touch the small seeds, they only take the sunflower seeds.

 

[madakri]

That makes sense. I mean, a good breeder would be able to sell his/her animals without the help of a petstore, right?
About the food, it contains; Plain pellets, some seeds and coloured thingies. Nuts aren't in it. But it does have corn. I need to add though, they don't touch the small seeds, they only take the sunflower seeds.

Read this link for pellet info:
https://www.guinealynx.info/pellets.html

 

[madakri]

I personally got my two first pigs at Petsmart.

After educating myself through this site and Guinea Lynx, to include the extensive help that I have received from members here, I know that buying a pet from a pet store is a big "No No".

All my animals have been rescued off the streets, I have kept some and found good homes for many others.

I greatly understand "now" what it's being preached here and I also felt like I was being attacked at times by the member, but that was only because of my ignorance with GP's.

I strongly recomend that you keep an open mind on this site, these people know what they are talking about and in my opinion, it is one of the best places to get good sound advice to be a better parent to your piggies.

Good luck.

 

[pigsforlife]

I would suggest scrapping that food. Pellets that contain any added "coloured bits" or seeds are not only unhealthy but can pose as a choking hazard. I currently have my crew on Cavy Cuisine by Oxbow, it is a high quality pellet that I really recommend. Other alternatives include Kleenmamas Hayloft or Mazurri 5664.

 

[Myspoiltpiggies]

Hello there! Your piggies sound adorable. I have no idea what went on when you first joined but there are a lot of disagreements on here (I've been in the middle of a few in the past) :crazy: You basically need to keep your views to yourself if you are pro-breeding, petstores and showing.

 

[Nymphae]

Dang, I'm really starting to agree with your views about petstores. A couple of days ago I went back to the petstore I usually buy my guinea pig's food. They weren't really eating as enthusiastically as they usually do, and I thought the pellets and other ingredients looked a bit different too. Turns out.. since the take-over from another store it's been total chaos and anarchy in there. And in the confusion, one of the workers there put regular rabbit food in a bin where the guinea pig food is supposed to go in. So my guinea pigs have been eating mostly rabbit food for the past 3 weeks.. Which contains seeds and corns and .. other stuff that's not really good for them. I know it's my own fault really, I should have paid more attention to what the pellets looked like when I bought them. But.. oh well, it's just another reason to add to the growing list of complaints I've personally got about petstores.

So now my piggies got their regular food again, without the corn and pellets, their eating like they used to again. With the speed of light! .. And while I'm writing this I suddenly realise that the strange coughing sounds, followed by smacking sounds my guinea pig Nymphae had been making once in a while for the past weeks. Might actually have been choking on the small seeds. Which I haven't seen her do AT ALL since she's got her regular food again. .. >.> .. *beats petstore with a giant leek*

 

[Myspoiltpiggies]

I don't even buy from petstores anymore (unless I'm really desperate, because it's nearer), I get my dry feed, hay, readigrass and carefresh from my local animal shelter. And to think a few years ago I was breeding and selling my piggies to a petstore (it was one of the better ones, but still..).

 

[Nymphae]

I don't even buy from petstores anymore (unless I'm really desperate, because it's nearer), I get my dry feed, hay, readigrass and carefresh from my local animal shelter. And to think a few years ago I was breeding and selling my piggies to a petstore (it was one of the better ones, but still..).

Well, selling pets to a petstore is something I wouldn't do either personally. But breeding in my point of view, doesn't have to be wrong when done responsibly. I think you just need to make sure you know all there is to know about guinea pigs and pregnancy and make sure you know a good vet just in case something DOES goes wrong. Also I'd search around for people who may be interested in a young guinea pig who you know personally. And otherwise ask them if they got any experience with them and how they personally care for their piggies. I think as long as you do all that, it should be fine.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Nymph: but that won't protect the other animals from over population. There is no breeder called responsible. It's on oxymoron.

 

[Nymphae]

Nymph: but that won't protect the other animals from over population. There is no breeder called responsible. It's on oxymoron.

Maybe, but there are some guinea pig breeds that are very rare. So in a way, breeders are necessary for the continued existence of that species. I wouldn't like to see beautiful guinea pigs like the Alpaca's, Coronets and Ridgebacks die out. The main causers of the overpopulation are people who simply dump their guinea pigs in a backyard and let them all breed together and completely lose control about the situation. Just a few weeks ago maybe, a case like that was all over the newspapers and in the media in the Netherlands. Someone dumped about 94 guinea pigs with all kinds of health problems, pregnant females and newborn baby piggies. Now those are the cases I'm worried about, not about breeders that maybe get 4 litters from different guinea pigs a year.

 

[lmarieaa]

Even if the this hypothetical breeder is only breeding his rare breed of whatever animal is only a few times a year....he is still contributing to overpopulation. Not all of the homes the offspring go to will be "responsible", and going into situations like you described of being thrown into backyards and allowed to breed indiscriminately. Thus, another contribution to animal overpopulation, whether the "responsible breeder" intends to or not.

Kind of like how people where I live like to breed their put bulls even only a few times a year, yet New York City is still forced to euthanize 70 dogs a day, a large amount of them pit bulls. Look on the NYC craigslist, ACS workers put up ads pleading for the lives of dogs that are on the euth list. Its so sad looking at post after post after post.

 

[Nymphae]

Even if the this hypothetical breeder is only breeding his rare breed of whatever animal is only a few times a year....he is still contributing to overpopulation. Not all of the homes the offspring go to will be "responsible", and going into situations like you described of being thrown into backyards and allowed to breed indiscriminately. Thus, another contribution to animal overpopulation, whether the "responsible breeder" intends to or not.

Kind of like how people where I live like to breed their put bulls even only a few times a year, yet New York City is still forced to euthanize 70 dogs a day, a large amount of them pit bulls. Look on the NYC craigslist, ACS workers put up ads pleading for the lives of dogs that are on the euth list. Its so sad looking at post after post after post.

I don't think it's fair to put the blame on the breeders. The breeders I personally know go to extreme lenghts to ensure all their animals go to good homes and with people who know how to care for their guinea pigs. Besides, people can think for themselves right? Just who in the right mind wouldn't look up some information before buying a pet? That's the first thing an owner should do.

And about the Pit Bulls. There aren't any in the Netherlands simply because the breed is too agressive and people kept getting attacked by them. Forgive me if I don't shed a tear about those animals getting euthanized. And don't throw the; 'people made them mean' at me, 'cause there have been numerous cases of these dogs being kept as a family pet.. always well cared for and then suddenly snapping and biting someone. These dogs aren't suitable as pets. And if people breed them.. well, I suspect they're letting them fight and are trying to breed stronger and meaner dogs.

 

[walleandeva]

I know this is a site about Guinea Pigs however as the conversation lead to Pit Bulls. These dogs are not all aggressive. Its the way they are Bred and Brought up. A Dog isnt born aggressive. Pit Bulls can easily be kept as pets as long as they are born into a loving family who will do it no harm. The same goes for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I agree with what you are saying about petstores though. I stay well away.