Most pet shops only care about profits and not the care of their animals. We have rescued 6 Guinea Pigs from 2 different pet shops. Two were severely underweight and are finally getting better. From this same pet shop we got our youngest boar who was being sold with a fungal infection and he was barely two weeks old. Two were bought from another shop, these were our first ever Guinea Pigs. One had pneumonia and the other had a chest infection. From the same pet shop another Piggy had an eye infection and now has a strange looking eye.
Please do not buy an animal from a pet shop. There are so many animals in rescue centres like ours worldwide that need a loving forever home. If you buy anything at a pet shop that sells live animals, you are fueling them with the ability to keep mistreating their animals.
Most pet shops also sell items that are unsafe for Guinea Pigs or Rabbits.
The following are unsafe:
Large Exercise Balls
These are very bad for Guinea Pigs as they can and will cause crippling injuries to their back, feet, and toes. The ball may be physically large enough to hold a Guinea Pig, but it is still not safe. Guinea Pigs are not as flexible as hamsters and other small rodents - their spines do not bend that way. Some packaging say they are ok for small animals but it is incorrect.
Exercise Wheels
These are also very bad for Guinea Pigs as they can and will cause crippling injuries to their back, feet, and toes.
Anything that has small parts shouldnt be used either as small parts can be a choking hazard.
Wire bottomed cages - cause's bumble foot. Do not use.
The majority of their "treats" are deadly and full of sugar. Please Never use the "snack a shak" range as these are crammed full of sugar too. Your Piggy might like them but they are really not good for their health and will cause a lot of problems further down the line.
