Convince Your Parents to Buy You a Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs can make great pets. They don’t require a lot of space, they won’t bark at company and they won’t scratch up your furniture. However, taking care of guinea pigs does require a fair amount of knowledge and responsibility. Convincing your parents that you have the know-how and maturity to take care of guinea pigs can be tricky.

Steps

Showing your Commitment

  1. Learn everything you can about guinea pigs. Research all the pertinent information that goes into taking care of them. You should be equipped with an arsenal of knowledge so you can respond to any questions your parents ask you about guinea pigs. A few facts about guinea pigs to get you started are:[1]
    • Guinea pigs live about five to six years and are very social creatures.
    • A cage for a guinea pig should be at least two feet wide by four feet long for each guinea pig.
    • Guinea pigs need a diet rich in Vitamin C. They can only store Vitamin C for a short period of time because they lack the enzyme necessary to break it down.
  2. Keep a journal. Write down all the information you learn about guinea pigs in a multi-subject notebook. You’ll use your notebook for reference when you’re answering your parents’ questions.
    • Make sure your information is organized.
  3. Let your parents know that you like guinea pigs. Give your parents hints that you’re interested in guinea pigs. Find ways to show your parents some of your research. Tell them interesting facts about guinea pigs. They’ll be impressed. Say things like:
    • “Did you know guinea pigs come from South America and were domesticated by the Incas over three thousand years ago?”
    • “Did you know guinea pigs weigh between one and a half and two and a half pounds and can grow up to ten inches long?”
    • “Did you know that guinea pigs can have up to thirteen babies at a time?”[2]
  4. Volunteer at a local shelter. Find a shelter in your town that takes care of guinea pigs and ask your parents if they’ll take you to volunteer there. You’ll gain hands on experience taking care of, cleaning up after and taming guinea pigs.
    • The shelter will also be a great place to meet people who may be able to take care of your guinea pigs when you need them to down the line.

Making your Pitch

  1. Tell your parents how owning a guinea pig will benefit you. Guinea pigs are great starter pets that aren’t nearly as expensive as other household pets like cats or dogs. They’re also quiet and easy to feed. They don’t require too much attention either.[3] Educate your parents by saying things like:
    • ”Taking care of guinea pigs will teach me responsibility.”
    • “Guinea pigs are herbivores so all they require is fresh vegetables and pellets. They don’t like the expensive animal-based treats that dogs and cats do.”
    • “Veterinary bills for guinea pigs are usually much smaller than those of larger animals.”
    • “Guinea pigs can entertain themselves for long periods of time with cheap, homemade toys like toilet paper rolls stuffed with hay. I’ll still have time to take care of my other responsibilities.”
  2. Explain that you’ll need at least two guinea pigs. Guinea pigs live in groups of eight to ten in the wild. Say “Guinea pigs are social creatures. We’ll have to get two, but they’ll need less attention because they’ll keep each other company.” Make sure your guinea pigs are suitable to cohabitate.[4]
    • Two female guinea pigs will usually get along quite well.
    • Two male guinea pigs will violently fight each other unless they are both neutered.
    • A male and a female guinea pig will breed excessively unless the male is neutered.
  3. Make an inventory. Let your parents know everything you’ll need to take care of your guinea pigs. Figure out the cost of all the items you’ll need to store your guinea pigs, to feed them and to keep them happy.
    • You’ll need cubed grids, coroplast and fleece bedding to make a guinea pig cage.[5]
    • You’ll need PVC pipe to make hides for your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are hide and run animals and they need to have a dark place to hide when they get apprehensive or nervous. Each guinea pig should have their own hide. There should also be one extra hide in the cage.
    • You’ll need pellets, hay and fresh produce to feed your guinea pigs.
    • You’ll need materials to make toys for your guinea pigs.
    • You’ll need to actually buy the guinea pigs. If you know of a local reputable animal shelter, you’ll likely be able to get a good price on healthy guinea pigs from the shelter.
    • You’ll need veterinary care. Include the price of neutering male guinea pigs and treatment for common illnesses guinea pigs can get.
  4. Offer to pay for what you can. Show your parents that you’re serious about owning guinea pigs by putting your own money towards the cause. Find out how much of your own money you can spend on your guinea pigs.
  5. Negotiate for the rest. If you don’t have enough cash to cover your guinea pigs, offer to pay your parents back in chores around the house. Show them you’re willing to work hard to earn your guinea pigs. Say something like “I may not have enough money to pay for the guinea pigs on my own, but I’m willing to do any jobs you need me to in order to pay you back.”
    • Mow the lawn.
    • Wash the car.
    • Paint the house.
  6. Listen to your parents. Ask your parents what concerns they have about your proposal and listen to what they have to say. Take some time before asking this to contemplate what your parents’ concerns might be so you can come up with ways to respond to them. Some things they might be worried about are:[6]
    • The time commitment of owning guinea pigs might cut into your other responsibilities.
    • Keeping guinea pigs may smell bad.
    • Who’s going to take care of your pets if you have to leave town?

Showing your Parents You’re Responsible

  1. Stay on top of everything. Show your parents that you can handle all of your responsibilities. They’re not going to let you have guinea pigs if you can’t take care of the duties you already have.
    • Get good grades.
    • Do all your homework when you get it.
    • Help out around the house.
    • Stay out of trouble.
  2. Be respectful. Stay calm. Don’t try to force your parents to give you an answer right away. Try to see things from their point of view. If you try to push them too hard, their answer will almost definitely be no. If they say no to having guinea pigs, don’t take it personally. They may have a very good reason or it may not be the right time.[7] Say “I respect your decision but I’m dedicated to showing you that I can handle owning guinea pigs. I hope I can change your mind in the future.”
    • If you handle your parents denial maturely, there’s a better chance that they’ll say yes later on.
  3. Be resilient. Even if your parents say no, continue to show them that you’re responsible. They may just need to see you consistently handling all of your business for a little longer. Remember that your parents want you to succeed and may be trying to teach you a lesson about earning the things you want.[8]
  4. Keep working with guinea pigs. Continue volunteering at the shelter and gaining experience with guinea pigs. Remind your parents periodically that you still would love to have your own guinea pigs. Say things like “Today, I learned how to build a homemade guinea pig cage. It was so exciting.”
    • Don’t bring up the issue too often. You don’t want to appear pushy.

Tips

  • Show appreciation for your parents and they’re more likely to help you.
  • You can keep guinea pigs outside some of the year, but be sure to keep them in a temperature of sixty-five to seventy-five degrees.
  • Take your guinea pigs out of their cage to run around in the open a few times a day.
  • If they say no initially, ask them why. Try to answer all questions they have. For example, if they say they smell bad, tell them about ways to clean their cage or grooming methods that reduce odours.
  • Stay cool if they say no at first they won't want to give it to you if you lose your temper.
  • Petting guinea pigs can relieve stress.

Warnings

  • Don’t throw tantrums. Losing your cool is a sure way to make your parents say no.
  • Buy guinea pigs from shelters whenever possible. Guinea pigs purchased at pet stores may have hidden diseases and pregnancies.
  • Be careful leaving your guinea pigs around cats or dogs. Cats will try to eat them and dogs may play too rough with them.
  • Be careful letting small children handle your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs can scare easily and are very easily injured.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.erodent.co.uk/beforeyoubuyaguineapig.htm
  2. ↑ http://m.livescience.com/50658-guinea-pig-facts.html
  3. ↑ http://pets.amerikanki.com/benefits-of-owning-guinea-pig/
  4. ↑ http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs
  5. ↑ http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm
  6. ↑ http://young.scot/information/relationships/how-to-negotiate-with-parents/
  7. ↑ http://m.kidshealth.org/en/teens/tips-disagree.html?WT.ac=
  8. ↑ http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html
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