What Is The Right Guinea Pig Herd Size | 3 vs 5 vs 7 Guinea Pigs

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  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 83

  • @lainyart9939
    @lainyart9939 8 місяців тому +6

    We currently have 11 - and they're definitely a HUGE part of our lives and daily routine. I work from home and find cleaning therapeutic... otherwise it would never work! lol The laundry is endless and their food takes up 1/3 of our fridge. We barely travel because it's a LOT to ask anyone else to do. But they bring us so much joy and daily peace. There's nothing like spoiling your piggies at the end of a hard day ♥
    But realistically? This many is NOT for everyone.

  • @yeemers
    @yeemers 8 місяців тому +46

    I love this. no hate to other creators but it seems there are a lot of topics you touch up on that others tend to not. A support system, vacation times, the reality of finding a petsitter and even the fact that it starts to become a chore when youre burnt out. I currently have 6 piggies and the fact that it was a chore actually helped me get out of a lot of depressive episodes because i knew i had to take care of them and they were always the reason i got out of bed. It can be a blessing but can also be very dangerous if you cant get past looking at it like its a chore.

  • @Leela-jn3cf
    @Leela-jn3cf 8 місяців тому +7

    Yes!!!! Finally, someone points out how much space guinea pig things take up!

  • @randomneuralfirings
    @randomneuralfirings 8 місяців тому +28

    Julia: "Is it possible to have too many guinea pigs?"
    *Mason's Cavies has entered the chat.*

  • @erin5268
    @erin5268 8 місяців тому +18

    Thanks for the insights. Your point about the support network you need rings very true. It was something I never considered when I adopted my pigs, but I had my old lady go through a long illness shortly after her best friend passed and it was so difficult to cope with alone. I had 5 pigs to care for at the same time and she needed near constant attention. I have 6 pigs now, and in an ideal world I think 5 would be my limit but I'm a sucker for pigs desperately needing a home! ❤

    • @pamelaparker622
      @pamelaparker622 8 місяців тому +2

      Thank you for adopting needy guinea pigs!

  • @kaisha915
    @kaisha915 8 місяців тому +11

    We had 4, however 1 is wheeking in lettuce heaven now. We've got 3 big booty babies. So spoiled...we love our baby girls...❤Baby Wheeky, Mocha, and Becky❤

  • @Alexandra-dy2ns
    @Alexandra-dy2ns 8 місяців тому +11

    We currently have five guinea pigs, so I know exactly what you're talking about. We have a garden so naturally they get fresh grass, dandelions, daisies, herbs etc., however, ours also love bamboo. We're growing much of it because it's also green in winter, a nice addition to the veggies and keeps them busy. Our black and white one looks like a mini panda from behind when he's eating amidst the branches. 🐼

  • @guitargirl7452
    @guitargirl7452 8 місяців тому +4

    This is a really important video. Great advice Julia too. Based on our experience of keeping piggies down the years I would say it's very accurate. They are certainly not 'beginner pets' and they need the space, time, love, snd resources to care for the properly. On the plus side the rewards and love you get back is wonderful. For all the hard times, midnight critical care feeds, sadness when you lose a much loved piggie, on balance I would say they have given me so much and changed my life in the loveliest ways. I only have 2 boars currently, one of whom is the sweetest rescue you could ever hope to have. But I love them dearly xxx

  • @jaram2369
    @jaram2369 8 місяців тому +2

    Oh my gosh yes the realism of caring for sick pigs. My senior that passed in the fall was suffering with heart disease. The medications were one thing and tiring to give every day but it was a lot with vet visits to get a diagnosis. Then his final days were tiring and horrible. I missed work over those.
    My remaining senior passed a little over a week ago and it was missed work/pay to stay home off and on approaching his end where he'd be sick and not eating and then on antibiotics. It was just crazy. Oh and I paid for 3 molar ttims since july.
    It's so true, the pigs are your whole life once you have them. It was ups and downs with the care all thier lives, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I've always reccomended people don't get pigs when they seem off put about the care and potential vet bills and health problems.

  • @juliejennings8055
    @juliejennings8055 8 місяців тому +7

    Excellent information to share. I have 4 piggies and I spend a LOT of time not only caring for them, but enjoying them as well. They are great therapy animals and help to keep me off the edge of depression.
    Thanks for sharing your Life with Guinea Pigs: The Truth!

  • @ComfyDents
    @ComfyDents 8 місяців тому +3

    We used to have 12 piggies. Sadly we had four males and had to split them in four groups. Anyway the sound level was amazing when getting home. 😊
    But yes, a LOT of work! Once they had mites. No fun to capture 12 pigs. Particularly when only like five of them are tame. (As time is divided by 12.)
    Now I would never go over five. Four or five would be my favourite size for a herd in the future.

  • @Veertjevdv
    @Veertjevdv 8 місяців тому +1

    Thanks Julia for making this honest video

  • @guineapigsue7785
    @guineapigsue7785 8 місяців тому +11

    I kept 5 guinea pigs for years, but for all these reasons I now only have 2. ❤

  • @sarkham92
    @sarkham92 8 місяців тому +2

    i have 4 potatos and they have cage about in 6m^2 and its open all the time. I clean twice a day around 9-11am and same at pm, fleece liners etc. I change hay twice a day after cleaning. The tricky part for us was to find good feeding time. We give first dose of food in the mornign between 5-8 am and if its too early for us to wake up we go to sleep after feeding. Mostly green food letuce, zickory, etc. They get veggies every day around 2-6pm depends if i work from home and when they ask for it. We also let them pick what they want to eat from big bowl. they pick 3 things and we slice them for them so they dont fight over it. The problem is when you need to care about them when they sick and you need to provide them medicine or just monitor the behavior, especialy if you are not in home. Amd the sapce yes... they need a lot of space for hay, hidies, LAUNDRY, food. they take more space than my own stuff :D

  • @GAbug81
    @GAbug81 8 місяців тому +4

    I have 8 3 separate cages. I get a 40 pound box of hay a month. Spend more on their veggies. Use ikea mats/ guineadad. Live in a house so have the room. (all are rescues) my husband and I are a team

  • @kareehaney52
    @kareehaney52 8 місяців тому +1

    I completely understand every point in this video. I have 6 guinea pigs. 2 boys, 2 boys, 2 girls, that live in 3 different cages (2: 18 Sqft cages and 1: 21 Sqft). I also have 3 degus which require similar care to piggies. It's a lot and they take up a full bedroom. Lots of food, lots of hides, lots of liners, lots of space, lots of time. Plus where i live, every exotic vet starts at a $100 exotic pet fee and then you add on the time, medicine, etc to that amount.

  • @nicolew6899
    @nicolew6899 8 місяців тому +3

    This is really great information ❤ definitely going to share this if people ask our talk about getting piggies!

  • @robspereall8203
    @robspereall8203 8 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for sharing these home truths about our favourite little rodents! When I was a child, I adopted two guinea pigs from family friends and looking back, it's safe to say that they just didn't know what they were letting themselves in for when they adopted the piggies. Once the novelty wore off, they didn't want to look after them any more. I feel like like watching the informative Saturday videos especially, I hope that more and more people will consider these complex potential issues so that guinea pigs don't have to go through the ordeal of owners not wanting them once the honeymoon period is over. Despite this being a really sad state of affairs, I'm so pleased that I was then able to spend six years of my life with my Sue and Jumpy.

  • @hathhath2444
    @hathhath2444 8 місяців тому

    I recently went from 3 to 5 and I can definitely tell the veggie shopping trips have increased dramatically. Things like lettuce are difficult to bulk buy, so you have to do at least 2 a week trip.

  • @hathhath2444
    @hathhath2444 8 місяців тому +1

    Prevention is better than cure, good quality food, water (very hard water can fuel bladder issues), right companions and housing. People often wait until issue is difficult to cure and expensive....

  • @Horselover23269
    @Horselover23269 8 місяців тому +3

    I have 3 boys and they are a lot of work. I love them so much though it is worth it.❤

  • @danettecadzow9837
    @danettecadzow9837 8 місяців тому

    Julia, you're spot on with this video. I loved having my herd of 9. I saved two pregnant sows 5 yrs ago and had a total of 7 babies. I now have only two. Age and unexpected illnesses, and a friend taking alone male, he hated being with other piggies, recently trimmed the herd down to two girlies. I hope to find a young female to add to my girls, one who will bring a little more togetherness.Even though my girls have always been together, they aren't buds. My Poppy is missing her two buddies, and Millie has always been a loner. The two eat together, but that's about it. Through all the yrs of having the piggies I worked full time, took care of a tank of fish, two dogs, and four cats. Did anybody suffer? Yeah probably the fish, sometimes their tank wasn't as clean as it should have been. My habitat wasn't as tidy sometimes as it should've been 😂 and no vacations for me bc NOBODY wants to take of piggies and fish. But the sacrifice was worth it for all of the gang, dogs, cats, piggies, and fish. Many times I prefer the company of critters to people. Critters tend to be funnier!

  • @faez222
    @faez222 8 місяців тому +2

    I currently have 9 piggies, and we made the mistake a few years ago of getting multiple boys as babies, and taking in a socially neglected piggie. now we have separators in our big cage, and it makes cleaning harder. anyone who sees this comment who is thinking about getting guinea pigs, take this into account. plus, depending on what you can provide, there is such thing as too many guinea pigs sadly. please do research before getting any pet, but guinea pigs have sooo much misinformation spread about them in pet shops, so guinea pigs especially need research done before being adopted.

  • @half-assedgaming6193
    @half-assedgaming6193 8 місяців тому +8

    I've got 4...Misty, Oreo, Lu-Lu, & Stardust

  • @E0003-j9f
    @E0003-j9f 8 місяців тому +1

    I used to have 5 guinea pigs at most. I definitely want to own them again, but this video made me decide to start off careful and get 2 at first

  • @jeng3805
    @jeng3805 7 місяців тому

    Had 7 piggies for many years, but down to 4 due to some of my older piggies passing away from old age, have loved every minute of them, but I’m trying to keep myself from getting more as I need to downsize, will keep two once the others have passed, two is enough now

  • @michelleschneider3220
    @michelleschneider3220 8 місяців тому +2

    Thank you for a great, honest, informative video! I have a werewolf skinny guinea pig Harriet and admit when I got, I didn't know and she was a pet store piggie. She has many issue, was isolated,got sparse hay, no shelter, no companionship and was very young away from her mom. I have worked hard with her and while i want to foster, doing research, it does not look like I will be able to have a friend for her. The one thing that rings true, life does happen and while taking care of her, I had chronic illness, hospitalization, my dad was ill, in home hospice and passed. I took care of my dad and still cared for Harriet. While hard, I did it, and she had a bond with my dad. I do want to foster skinny pigs and do side by side for Harriet, but you are right, not everyone is a piggie person. Skinny piggies, even one, take a lot of work. I love my Harriet and while I am feeling my worst, I remember she had it bad in the store and it keeps me going. I do get teased though that she eats better than me and no joke, her veggies and greens take up one side! Again, thank you, life may not always present the way you think when you first become a piggie parent, but whatever number you decide, the love for these amazing creatures grows with every snuggle!

  • @marikotrue3488
    @marikotrue3488 8 місяців тому

    I have two guinea pigs, mostly due to cage size limitations. However I agree that the time and costs for vet visits, fresh veggies, toys (hiddies, tunnels, chewables) does add up. It is impressive the amount of fleece liners (washable) and hay that 2 guinea pigs and 1 chinchilla (obviously in separate cages) can run through.

  • @emilyedits9228
    @emilyedits9228 3 місяці тому

    In my opinion it depends on how much space you have and what you can handle personally, I have 2 piggies and that works for me, I had 5 at one point because i ended up with babies and it was a lot to handle.

  • @kylekeen3497
    @kylekeen3497 8 місяців тому

    I enjoy watching your videos

  • @jenewok
    @jenewok 8 місяців тому

    I have three and that's plenty for me. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have gotten them though. They are a lot more work and more expensive than I thought they would be. I've had them for over 3 1/2 years and I still think they just tolerate me...I don't really get any love back from them. My one has hyperthyroidism so it's been expensive with vet bills and prescriptions.

  • @Nugget0703
    @Nugget0703 8 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for sharing information on owning guinea pigs. It's nice watching your videos ❤❤❤❤.

  • @hathhath2444
    @hathhath2444 8 місяців тому

    My thing with big herds- there's NO WAY you can catch illnesses before it's obvious. Just working out who has blood in urine with a trio can be challenging if there are no other symptoms.
    I found having one larger group easier compared to multiple pairs simply because you're cleaning one large space rather than smaller multiples or even having one outdoors and one indoor set up.

  • @jennifersivewright3117
    @jennifersivewright3117 8 місяців тому

    We used to have 12 to 15. Now have 4. They go on holiday with us, but we do have some friends who will have two to stay (they would have all 4, but time without piggies- not happening!)

  • @letmein2you
    @letmein2you 8 місяців тому +1

    I would enjoy your videos more if you just had Rex Guinea pigs 🙏🏿

  • @yellowprettymarigold3467
    @yellowprettymarigold3467 8 місяців тому +2

    SO cute!

  • @mszoomy
    @mszoomy 8 місяців тому

    Thanks Julia, great info, I think most people don't realize just how much is involved when keeping piggies. People wrongly assume that since they're just little things, how much space, time and $$$ could they possibly use, not much right? Wrong, so very wrong.

  • @rebeccaknight8249
    @rebeccaknight8249 8 місяців тому

    Everytime our girl gets sick we spend at least $100 or more here in the US. We have 2 and they are our first. Since my husband is allergic they will be our last. We love them, but they are a lot of responsibility. You still have to have someone to help if you want to go on a vacation or a weekend. It’s good to tell the truth about their care, because so many are just dropped off and left to die outside or neglected. Scotties Animals does rescuing in CA and he has close to 20 piggies he cares for. 😮

  • @LuxTheFrog
    @LuxTheFrog 8 місяців тому +5

    I have 2 males. Brothers Damon and Stefan... Definitely not bringing an Elena Guinea Pig 😂😂

  • @princesskristan
    @princesskristan 8 місяців тому

    Such good information to know! And perfect for new owners

  • @anotherthez7598
    @anotherthez7598 8 місяців тому +1

    Just 2 things about them: they eat, eat, eat; and they're the cutest animals on Earth!

  • @teijaflink2226
    @teijaflink2226 8 місяців тому

    I think it's amazing if you can have a heard, with one boar and couple of girls specially, it's so much fun to watch a heard. But you obviously have to have the space, money and really be sure about it. Better to have just guinea pigs instead of being forced to abandon them because you don't have money or time as example.

  • @addisonl9827
    @addisonl9827 8 місяців тому

    I had a heard of 5 for years, we now only have 2 of those 5 left, and I absolutely miss them. However that does not mean I would have such a big heard again😅

  • @perkytxgirl
    @perkytxgirl 8 місяців тому +3

    As many as you have room / money for.

  • @veronicaklinkenberg
    @veronicaklinkenberg 8 місяців тому

    Great video, very realistic! And very honest, thats great!
    2 is absolute enough for me and I will not take any new one if they die. Except for a friend until the second one dies. Then the friend will get a new house to live in.
    I absolute love them, but it is much to take care and also the costs are much higher then expected.
    So, no new ones for me. Unless I change my mind off course 😉
    For now I hope they will stay with me for like 2 or 3 years.

  • @pamelaparker622
    @pamelaparker622 8 місяців тому +2

    Marry or be friends with a veterinarian !! ( and leave near to the clinic!)

  • @NildaAmaro
    @NildaAmaro 8 місяців тому

    Hi Julia thank you for the information is very good to know ❤take care Julia thank you ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @hathhath2444
    @hathhath2444 8 місяців тому

    Consider fostering! Vets, food and set up provided by animal rescue. You get the perks and minimal cost

  • @AlexCarmichael
    @AlexCarmichael 6 місяців тому

    I have a guinea pig named Jasper

  • @rustin30
    @rustin30 8 місяців тому +1

    I have 10 pig

  • @guineapiglife7380
    @guineapiglife7380 8 місяців тому

    Thank you for all the information!! Super helpful, im trying so hard to get a second piggie for my one, also hes been by himself for years and i didnt know i needed two, what type gender or age guinea pig should i adopt for my other piggy? Wait does this mean that you won't get another guinea pig??

  • @heatherjoy479
    @heatherjoy479 8 місяців тому

    Sadly I havent the room use to a pair is the vet cost and room miss cuddel time

  • @DigitalNomad765
    @DigitalNomad765 8 місяців тому +1

    Can there ever be enough of Guinea Pigs short answer nope 😁😁😁😁😊😊

  • @VickieBell-z7x
    @VickieBell-z7x 8 місяців тому

    I have 4 guinea pigs my rosita had 3 babies lucy ricardo fred mertz ricky ricardo babalou they are my love bugs i love my piggies very much good video

  • @user-dj9sb1jy1b
    @user-dj9sb1jy1b 8 місяців тому

    Great content but not enough guinea pig footage!!!

  • @lycos94
    @lycos94 8 місяців тому

    i follow pages that literally have like 80 pigs in a multi-story guinea hotel shed

  • @patriciaappleby6053
    @patriciaappleby6053 8 місяців тому

    l have a 3 ft by,2ft cage for my guinea pig l will not be able to have anymore guinea pigs because l have asthma and lm allergies to the hay l have got a good friend who helps me when I'm ill she's always there for me and my gromit it's great in formation thank you 😊😊😊😊😊

    • @jenn2728
      @jenn2728 8 місяців тому +1

      I‘m really sorry for you that you‘re allergic, but please get a friend for your piggie. Or consider putting them up for adoption. I am sure you ‘re the best for your piggie, but they should really not be alone. As a child i had 1 Guinea pig and i thought he was fine. But now that i have 2, i can really tell he was not fine at all… after him, i got another single guinea pig, a female. Same goes for her. I still feel very sorry for them. Again, if you’re following this channel, I’m sure you love your piggie very much, but please consider my words.

  • @fallingstarcreations6158
    @fallingstarcreations6158 8 місяців тому

    You are amazing ❤

  • @annabelldaish9004
    @annabelldaish9004 8 місяців тому +1

    I got 19 guinea pig, 6 rabbit and 2 cat

  • @VerucaSalt2022
    @VerucaSalt2022 8 місяців тому

    I have 3 little piggies

  • @mykeldg
    @mykeldg 4 місяці тому

    Tbh what does herd mean😮

  • @TheRodentRoom1
    @TheRodentRoom1 8 місяців тому

    I have a herd of 14!!!!

    • @reneep.1978
      @reneep.1978 8 місяців тому

      😲

    • @TheRodentRoom1
      @TheRodentRoom1 8 місяців тому +1

      @@reneep.1978all the points she said are really good. I started with 3 then 3 became 5 and so on. It’s hard work having 14 but it’s definitely worth it. They are all rescued !!

  • @GenialHarryGrout
    @GenialHarryGrout 8 місяців тому

    The amount of work and the cost seems to double with every extra guinea pig

  • @kamithompson2770
    @kamithompson2770 8 місяців тому

    If I had guinea pigs the most I would have is 3. I don't want that many.

  • @marijkeotter-delange1860
    @marijkeotter-delange1860 8 місяців тому

    I have 8 😂❤❤❤❤❤ work at a farm so hay is free ❤❤❤ love gpigs

  • @jonathan2679
    @jonathan2679 8 місяців тому +2

    😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤

  • @bobbie5022
    @bobbie5022 8 місяців тому

  • @marijkeotter-delange1860
    @marijkeotter-delange1860 8 місяців тому

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @hathhath2444
    @hathhath2444 8 місяців тому

    I never understood why people who surrender animals because they're sick and they can't afford treatment then go ahead and get more! You just been through this, why put another animal into same situation?

  • @pamelaparker622
    @pamelaparker622 8 місяців тому

    The guinea pig of the future will poop twice a day. Even if the poops are bigger, it would be easier!

  • @melissareed3275
    @melissareed3275 8 місяців тому

    I will just put a lot of food in my guinea pig cage for a day or two and then when I come back, they’re fine

    • @pamelaparker622
      @pamelaparker622 8 місяців тому +3

      That's a little risky. How about plenty of water, too....

  • @blaugelber4303
    @blaugelber4303 8 місяців тому

    je nach platz verhältnissen, mehr schweinchen = mehr platzbedarf