I don't know what to do. As of the last at least 5 months I have had less and less time and recourses to take care of my two female guinea pigs. I am beginning to consider re homing my girls. It kills me inside to even consider it but at the same time I know that it is probably better for them. They live in a very large cage (2 feet x 4 1/2 feet). They get fresh food daily (or mostly daily). They are never handled except for the weekly fleece wash and are very much opposed to human interaction. When I first got Rose (my first girl) she was very friendly even with minimal handling but after I got my second girl Hotaru, she has turned very wild and bonded closely with Hotaru.

With the ever expanding price for food going up and the marriage impending I do not know if we will even have the extra money each week to support them. When we move into the apartment I don't know where I can shake out the fleece and I KNOW we don't have money to start bedding them in shavings. Robert thinks we should keep them because he knows it would kill me to get rid of them and that I would always regret it but if I knew they were going to a family that could take care of them, perhaps even one I could visit occasionally then maybe I would be ok. I would only let them go to a family that would give them fresh food daily and keep them in a big cage (perhaps bigger if they have a couple of guinea pigs already) I love them very much but I want what is best for them.

What should I do?

You probably don't want to hear my opinion, but here goes. Guinea pigs don't live forever..... so if I were you I would keep them. When you move you will find a suitable place for them. Let them live out their lives with the person that has loved them, that is you!

i agree with sandi. you said they aren't all that into personal attention, rather bonded to each other. as long as financially possible, i would keep them because they seem to be doing well with the level attention they get currently.

i don't know how guinea pigs react to change (always wanted one but no one i have shared a house with would ever let me have one...) but yeah, i would keep the status quo unless you find they are being neglected due to financial reasons.

tough choices, but it sound's like you have a supporting partner. that's always a plus.

kris

Personally, since you seem most concerned about their happiness, I would keep them. I'm sure they are happy having each other... and from personal experience, most people do NOT take good care of animals like gps. Unless you can find them a spectacular home where you KNOW they are going to get awesome attention, I think they will happier with you.

As long as they have stability, each other, and enough to eat and drink.... they'll be happy.


It sounds to me like the "real" trouble here is that you're just too good of Mommy. But in reality, there are very few gp Mommies as good as you, and your gals are very lucky.

I would have to say I agree with the above. You say your worried about the piggies not getting enough attention...but it sounds like they are quite happy with the situation since you aren't "bothering" them because they sound VERY bonded to each other. and like Sandi sorta said...they don't live forever and how old are they now?

I have to agree with status quo. Guinea pigs are strange creatures, but just like any other creature, if you don't have one of your own kind your more than likely going to be friendly with anything that will give you attention. But if you have a buddy of the same species, you talk the same talk and you don't need any other thing pestering you. As long as there's always fresh viddles of course.

I don't think you'll need to worry about a place to shake out your fleece...There's always a parking lot and there's most always a dumpster to shake it out in. It just might not be as convenient as it is for you now.

Keep your pets. As long as you can afford to offer them good food they'll be just fine with each other, and would probably prefer it anyway.

Situations change, life changes and most creatures learn to adapt. Gpigs are no different.

Who know's you may find that after you're married, you'll end up with more time to spend with them because you guys won't be running around doing the dating thing and you'll probably be spending more time at home anyway. You just never know!

Thanks for all the opinions everyone. I have decided to keep them. I don't know the girls exact ages but Rose is about 1 and Hotaru is about 9 or 10 months. So if they live their expected life they will be around for at LEAST 5 more years. Thanks again everyone. I feel MUCH better.

Yay! I was so happy to see this!! I think you'll be much happier about this too rather then always wondering if they were being cared for and if they were happy.